Virgin Mobile Freefest 2012 - Everybody Showed Up!
Over 50,000 people arrived at Merriwheather Post Pavilion last saturday for this years Virgin Mobile Freefest. No matter who you are…there was something for you at Freefest. Two stages which showcased some of the biggest names in music from the past present and future. Such acts included Nas, Skrillex, M83, ZZ Top, Santigold, Alabama Shakes , Ben Folds, Das Racist and Jack White to just name a few. There was also a third stage dubbed the “Dance Forest” which featured major names in the electronic scene. There were sets from Nervo, Thomas Gold, Porter Robinson & Zedd and Above & Beyond.
Virgin Mobile Freefest became almost overwhelming with the crowds, delicious food and non stop music. While walking from the Pavilion Stage to the West Stage I was always distracted by the Dance Forest which was in between. There was no down time at this festival. Do you have sit and relax? Do you have to grab a bite to eat? Do you have to use a bathroom? NO….sorry….veer of course of the music and you were most likely to miss something. Every stage was packed with a thousand plus fans waiting or watching their favorite performer. Watching every performance was as if it was its own headlining act. The crowd loved every second of music and so did I.
My favorite moment of the day was watching Above & Beyond at the Dance Forest stage. The Dance Forest stage was tightly packed with trees closely leaning in over the crowd. The light show which lit up the trees…combined with the beautiful vocal trance of Above & Beyond…gave the moment of a chance of reflection on the entire day. At this point my body was exhausted so it was easy to drift off into the electronic music and let my mind wander in the moment.
On a day which began in gloomy cloud cover and the fear of rain quickly turned to blue skies and sunshine, making for a beautiful fall day. Virgin Mobile Freefest made this early october one to remember. I am already looking forward to next year.
