Concert Review: Virgin Mobile FreeFest @ Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD- 9.10.2011

This past Saturday was the music event of the summer for local music fans.  Virgin Mobile FreeFest commenced at Merriweather Post Pavilion, just outside Baltimore.  For those not familiar with FreeFest, the majority of tickets are free with an option of donation, while limited tickets are sold.  All the proceeds go to charities assisting homeless youth.  I have to say, this year they gave/sold way more tickets than last year.  The grounds were packed solid with fans.  I took in music at each stage, and they were significantly more crowded than last year.  While crowds don't mix with my need for personal space, they must have raised a ton of money for charity.

Merriweather Post Pavilion is one of my favorite venues in he area.  The grounds are absolutely beautiful, and it produces top notch sound.  The festival is set up for three stages for the 20-plus bands.  The main stage is at the Pavilion featuring covered seating and a large lawn area.  The second stage is at the West end of the park in an open field.  The third stage, termed "The Dance Forest" lies between the two other stages.  We had a three full days of rain in the week before FreeFest.  So much so, that flooding closed schools on Thursday and Friday.  To my surprise the grounds were in relatively remarkable condition.  There was bound to be mud with the amount of rain we received, but it wasn't terrible.  The west stage definitely was in the worst shape, and the mud had a bit of a foul smell.  All in all, the staff did a great job getting everything ready.

On the the music.  The first band I had the pleasure of seeing was Alberta Cross at the West Stage.  This was one of my favorite sets on the night, partly because it was early enough that I could get close to the stage.  Their set was highly energetic, and I would definitely go back to see them.  The guitars were ablaze, as Alberta Cross performed their Southern Rock-esque tunes.  It was a great way to start the afternoon.

After catching just a bit of Bombay Bicycle Club, I returned to west stage for Two Door Cinema Club.  This was the band I was looking forward to seeing most.  Unfortunately, I have to say I was a bit disappointed.  While I enjoyed some songs, it felt like many of them sounded similar.  They are a pretty young band, however, and their second album is in the works.  Sometimes it takes a couple of releases for a band to venture out from the comfortable.  For this performance, in my opinion, it could have been better.

From their I headed to the main stage for Okkervil River.  I've always heard about this band, and while I've briefly explored their catalog, I hadn't truly delved into what they were capable of.  While Two Door Cinema Club was a disappointment, Okkervil River was a pleasant surprise.  I think I enjoyed this set the most.  The band was made of solid musicians all around.  There was a mix of raucous songs and emotional slower songs.  Lead vocalist and song writer Will Sheff was particularly impressive.

Immediately following Okkervil River on the main stage was Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.  This was another impressive performance.  I saw Grace and company open for The Avett Brothers last year and was impressed.  This performance was even more impressive.  Grace Potter has an All Star voice, and she can really rock; more than most any female in music right now.  The Okkervil River/Grace Potter block was my favorite chunk of the afternoon.

I was only able to catch the final two songs of Cut Copy, and by all accounts of those who caught the entire set, I really missed out.  This seemed to be a crowd favorite, and judging by the crowd's enthusiasm during the final two songs it seems to be an accurate assessment.  I will definitely have to try to catch them some other time.

From there my night slowed down.  One of the drawbacks of the afternoon for me, was sheer volume of people.  I'm the kind of person who enjoys things from the outskirts.  I'm not comfortable in close quarters.  Well... outskirts didn't really exist at FreeFest.  Also, while the crowd was generally well behaved, like is bound to happen at an all day music festival, there were some who went beyond their alcohol limits.

I caught some of TV On The Radio, but was underwhelmed.  I did check out Teddybears in the Dance Forest, truthfully just so I could see those bear masks.  The masks didn't disappoint.  I'm not particularly into electronic music, so I wasn't expecting Teddybears to be a highlight for me, but they were entertaining.

Black Keys were the last band of the night.  I stayed for three or four songs which were decent.  However, the crowd completely filled the lawn.  Seeing the stage was near impossible, so I called it a night.

Virgin Mobile FreeFest is a great event.  I mean... it's free!  You really can't go wrong, and they consistently bring great bands on the cusp of what's next in music.  It was slightly disappointing for me.  However, it was mostly because of my own concert preferences rather than the quality of the music or the venue.

FreeFest Freeview- Teddybears: I'm Robot Elvis Rocking My Bionic Pelvis

If you haven't been to FreeFest, there's something called the "Dance Forest".  The Dance Forest is where Sleigh Bells blew out my eardrums last year.  If you don't really know me, dancing isn't really my thing.  However, if I'm going to venture into the Dance Forest this year, it will likely be to see Teddybears.  To be honest, I know nothing about them.  Nothing, that is, besides the fact that they wear kick-ass bear masks on stage, and this song below has equally kick-ass lyrics.

Check out Teddybears performing "Rocket Scientist".  Pretty fun, right?



FreeFest Freeview- Cover Thursdays: Have Love Will Travel

Of course, this week's cover must be FreeFest themed!  Here are The Black Keys, probably the band I'm looking forward to seeing the must, covering "Have Love, Will Travel" orignally recorded by Richard Berry in 1959.  "Have Love, Will Travel" has been covered by many bands, most famously by The Sonics.  The Black Keys version can also be found on their 2003 release Thickfreakness. Enjoy!

FreeFest Freeview- Patti Smith: Because The Night Belongs to Lovers

One of the many reasons why FreeFest is so amazing, is the supreme diversity of the musical acts.  While bands are playing in the "Dance Forest" bands like Black Keys are rocking hard on the main stage.  While Big Sean and Cee Lo Green and Big Sean are waiting backstage, Patti Smith at 64 years young will be taking the stage.  It's really fun for all styles and ages.  Patti Smith the "Godmother of Punk" has been performing since the mid 70's.  She's still going strong.

Smith's most notable song is undoubtedly "Because The Night" off 1978's Easter.  "Because The Night" was co-written with Bruce Springsteen and in 1987 for listed in NME Magazine's list of "The Top 150 Singles of All Time" coming in at 116.  Check out Patti Smith performing "Because the Night"



FreeFest Freeview- Okkervil River: She Whispered These Lines...

Sorry for the brevity of this post!  Tonight was open house, and 12 hours at school really wears me out.  FreeFest will definitely be something to get me through the week.

Tonight's post in the countdown to FreeFest comes from Okkervil River.  These veterans of the Indie music scene released their latest album in May, entitled I Am Very Far.

Check out "Wake and Be Fine" off I Am Very Far. Please enjoy!

As always, check out the band's website for more info!

FreeFest Freeview- TV On The Radio: Gotta Curse I Cannot Lift

TV On The Radio is a tremendously popular band from Brooklyn.  Their 2006 release, Return to Cookie Mountain, garnered high praise from many music outlets.  However, it was 2008's Dear Science that has been dubbed the band's breakout album.  Dear Science was named album of the year by Rolling Stone, Sping Magazine, and Pitchfork just to name a few.  After a brief hiatus, TV On The Radio released their latest effort Nine Types of Light this past April. 

Here's TV On The Radio with "Wolf Like Me" off Return to Cookie Mountain.  This video alone gets me excited for FreeFest!  Can't wait!

Here's more from TV On The Radio!

FreeFest Freeview- Alberta Cross: We Grew Up In A Broken Side of Time

Another band taking the stage next Saturday is Alberta Cross.  While the band calls New York City home, it's members are well traveled.  Whether it's Petter Ericson Stakee traveling across Europe with his father, or Terry Wolfers upbringing in London, Alberta Cross' members brings a wide expanse of influences to their music.  Their brand of music comes in the form of bluesy southern rock.  Since their beginnings in 2007 Alberta Cross has opened for many notable acts across the US and Europe, and have headlined tours themselves.  They were at DMB Caravan in June, but unfortunately I didn't get the chance to catch them.  Hopefully, I'll be able to enjoy their set on Saturday.

Alberta Cross' latest release Broken Side of Time was released in 2009.  Here's a live cut of the title track from that album.

For tour dates and more, check out the Alberta Cross website.

FreeFest Freeview- Two Door Cinema Club: She Spoke Words That Would Melt In Your Hands

Next Saturday is Virgin Mobile FreeFest at Merriweather Post Pavilion. To say I'm excited, would be a vast understatement. It's been way too long since I've been to a concert, and last year's FreeFest was amazing. Hopefully, next weekend will be a dry one so Free Fest doesn't suffer the same fate as Silopanna Music Festival.

For those unfamiliar, FreeFest is just what it sounds like... a free music festival. This year's band roster consists of 20 acts on three stages. Notable names include The Black Keys, Ce Lo Green, Deadmau5, and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, just to name a few.  Last year hooked me for good.  With bands like Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave, Edwards Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and Sleigh Bells, I knew I had to attend this years event as well.

In order to prepare for next Saturday, each update for the next week will feature a band or two who will be performing at FreeFest.  First up, is Two Door Cinema Club.  This band from Northern Ireland formed in 2007.  A number of music blogs took notice of the band's first EP, Four Words To Stand On, and the band quickly gained popularity.  In the Spring of 2010 Two Door Cinema club released their first full length album, Tourist History.

Off Tourist History, here's Two Door Cinema Club performing "Undercover Martyn".

Find more from Two Door Cinema Club on their website!