Virgin Mobile USA Announces Lineup for 2010 Virgin Mobile FreeFest Presented by Kyocera
M.I.A., LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, T.I., Ludacris, and 12 Others Performing on Saturday, Sept. 25, at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Md.
Tickets Go “On Free” to Public Saturday, July 24
WARREN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Breaking from traditional festivals, the Virgin Mobile FreeFest presented by Kyocera unveiled its lineup for the award-winning festival, selecting relevant, important and eclectic headliners to represent this year’s free show. This morning, Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, announced the lineup on Virgin Mobile Live, the company’s new Internet music stream available on Virgin Mobile Web sites.
The lineup: M.I.A., LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, T.I., Ludacris, Joan Jett, Thievery Corporation, Matt & Kim, Jimmy Eat World, The Temper Trap, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Yeasayer.
Dance Forest: Chromeo, Sleigh Bells, Die Antwoord, Modeselektor and Neon Indian.
“Because we have the luxury of giving away the tickets it becomes a privilege to book the most important acts out there,” said Seth Hurwitz, chairman of I.M.P. and Virgin Mobile FreeFest concert producer. “Our goal is simply to book the coolest bands we can. This year we’re breaking with the traditional format of monster headliner trickling down to baby bands, and instead we’re sprinkling fantastic acts all day long. It’s kind of like a festival on full-day shuffle.”
Virgin Mobile FreeFest will be held Saturday, Sept. 25, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. Tickets to the 2010 Virgin Mobile FreeFest will be available to the public on www.ticketfly.com at 10 a.m. EDT on Saturday, July 24. Virgin Mobile customers and previous Virgin Mobile Festival ticket holders from the past four years will be invited via text and e-mail to a private “free-sale” (much like a pre-sale, except free) to be held Friday, July 23.
“Last year’s free festival was all about giving back to fans in the wake of a horrible economy,” said Ron Faris, director of brand experiences, Virgin Mobile USA. “This year’s festival will focus even more on charitable giving. It’s a reminder to let people know that even as things are improving, there’s always someone out there less fortunate than you. Last year, we raised more than $80,000 and generated 30,000 hours of volunteerism for youth homelessness. This year, together with the fans, we hope to do even better.”
In addition to two main stages, a dance forest filled with inspired music, and a special second line march from stage to stage with Trombone Shorty, the festival also brings attention and support to homeless youth shelters across the country. This year, The RE*Generation, Virgin Mobile’s charitable initiative to end youth homelessness, is encouraging fans to make a $5 donation and in return receive a 2010 Virgin Mobile FreeFest mix produced by Rusko. The download will mash up select bands in the lineup to create a unique 20-minute mix. The DJ mix will be available for pre-order on Friday during the pre-sale with every $5 donated to youth homelessness.
In keeping with the “free” mantra, Ticketfly is waiving all service charges when fans pick up their FreeFest tickets at Merriweather or the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., or print their tickets at home. Last year, Virgin Mobile FreeFest’s 35,000 tickets were scooped up in just 30 minutes. This year, fans have the option of buying a premium ticket, which provides Pavilion seating, with a portion of the ticket price going to support homeless youth charities.
For more details on the ticketing, including options for donating money to youth homelessness, and to sign up the news alerts and updates, check out www.virginmobilefreefest.com.
About Virgin Mobile USA
Virgin Mobile USA, one of Sprint's prepaid brands, offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk™ plans for mobile phone service and prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access. Virgin Mobile branded handsets are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy and RadioShack. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide and can be used for Broadband2Go services. Purchase and experience Virgin Mobile on the Web and at Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and www.virginmobileusa.com.
About I.M.P.
Formed in 1980, I.M.P. is a concert promoter and event production company based in Bethesda, Md. In addition to launching Virgin Mobile Festival in the United States, the principals at I.M.P. own Washington, D.C.’s award-winning 9:30 Club, www.930.com, renowned as the premier place to see and hear cutting-edge live music of all varieties. I.M.P. also programs and operates Merriweather Post Pavilion, www.merriweathermusic.com, in Columbia, Md. Now in its 30th year, I.M.P. and the 9:30 Club have put on nearly 10,000 events, hosting millions of music fans.
CONTACT:
Schaefer + Co. for I.M.P.
Audrey Fix Schaefer, 301-947-1133
Audrey@schaefer.com
or
Virgin Mobile USA
Corinne Nosal, 908-607-4235
corinne.nosal@sprint.com
KEYWORDS: United States North America Kansas Maryland New Jersey
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Entertainment Music Technology Consumer Electronics Networks Telecommunications Mobile/Wireless Teens Events/Concerts Consumer
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