Tim Bracken, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Many area music fans are heading to Columbia, Md. this weekend for a free music fest.
Three stages will feature 22 acts at the Virgin Mobile FreeFest at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday.
The free music festival has enjoyed a huge following since its first run in 2007, and this year’s lineup features something for everyone.
The Pavilion Stage groups rock-oriented bands together like Jack White, ZZ Top and Alabama Shakes.
Fans of more offbeat bands will want to head to the West Stage for groups like Future Islands, Santigold, Nas and Skrillex.
The third stage, Dance Forest, will feature only electronic-oriented music. Above & Beyond, Porter Robinson & Zedd and Nervo are sure to turn in exciting sets.
Three D.C.-based acts are scheduled: Volta Bureau, Dismemberment Plan and the local favorite Justin Jones.
Justin Jones and his band have been on tour in support of his album, “Fading Light.”
“The tour has been a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows,” Jones tells WTOP in an email. “I miss my family, and I’m ready to be back home. I’m hoping FreeFest will reinvigorate my spirit.”
There are no more free tickets to the festival, but “Freemuim” tickets are still available at Ticketfly.com for $49.50.
“Freemium” ticket purchases include a donation to Virgin Mobile USA’s homeless youth shelter, a FreeFest T-shirt, souvenir cup that comes with free fountain drinks and early admission to the festival site.
In addition, on Friday Oct. 5, Virgin Mobile is releasing 1,000 more special “Karma” tickets for $20.
This one-day sale will send proceeds to Re*Generation House, Virgin Mobile’s new homeless youth shelter in D.C.
Those tickets are available at the Merriweather Post Pavilion South box office and the 9:30 Club from noon until 6 p.m. There is a two-ticket limit.
See the full schedule below:
Pavilion Stage
- 12:15 p.m. — Justin Jones
- 1:15 p.m. — Allen Stone
- 2:30 p.m. — Trampled by Turtles
- 4 p.m. — Ben Folds Five
- 5:30 p.m. – Alabama Shakes
- 7 p.m. — ZZ Top
- 8:50 p.m. — Jack White
West Stage
- Noon — Das Racist
- 1 p.m. — Future Islands
- 2 p.m. — Portugal. The Man
- 3:10 p.m. — Dismemberment Plan
- 4:40 p.m. — Santigold
- 6:20 p.m. — Nas
- 7:50 p.m. — M83
- 9:20 p.m. — Skrillex
Dance Forest
- Noon — Volta Bureau
- 1:15 p.m. — Penguin Prison
- 3:45 p.m. — Nervo
- 5 p.m. — Thomas Gold
- 6:30 p.m. — Porter Robinson & Zedd
- 8:50 p.m. — Above & Beyond
Watch some of the bands that will perform at Freefest:
Follow Tim Bracken and WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
