Virgin Mobile Festival 2008

CROWD CAM and CREW CAM

2008-08-11T22:35:00.010-04:00

This year, THE VIRGIN MOBILE BLOG brought you CROWD CAM...great photos from the other side of the stage. As always, what was going on in the crowd proved to be as interesting as what was on the stage. CROWD CAM has been a big success and the readers say they love it, so we thought we would add this brand new feature.

Introducing the CREW CAM!!!

It's dedicated to the greatest crew of media professionals in the business.

Check out the 1WORLDSPACE CREW CAM in the PHOTO section of the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET

Welcome www.expectingrain.com

2008-08-11T22:25:00.007-04:00

THE VIRGIN MOBILE BLOG would like to say "HELLO" to all the BOB DYLAN fans who have been stopping by from http://expectingrain.com/. We've been promising to get some photos up from his show. I'm sorry to say we didn't get a ton of great shots of him. We were way to far away (BOB STILL PACKS A STAGE!). Have a look anyway...you may see something you like. You can find the BOB photos and more in the PHOTO section of the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET

Virgin Mobile Festival 2008 Is Done

2008-08-10T22:58:00.010-04:00

Wow...what and event. We are still uploading audio and videos and likely will be 'till late tomorrow. If you don't see photos from your favorite artist yet, give us time.

WE NEED SLEEP!

Check back tomorrow...and tell your friends.

Kanye West is a ROCKSTAR!!!!

2008-08-10T21:47:00.008-04:00

Hey there, what's good? It's Shawna Renee of FLAVA 204 live and direct from The Virgin Mobile Festival's South stage where Kanye West is lighting up the stage with THE best performance of the day. Haters my hate, but no one who's seen him live dare listen. Kanye West is one of those performers who defies description. Is he Hip Hop? Rock? Pop? Punk? Yes, that and more. Complete with a live band, dizzying light display and the realist lyrics this side of the ROC, Kanyeezee is doing his thing. In just the 1st twenty minutes Kanye battled with some of the hardest guitar riffs I've ever heard at a Hip Hop show and of course some of the most innovative beats. And as he wraps things up he no doubt will leave with thousands of new music lovers ready to jump on the Kanye train.

.....so yea it's Meraf. I'm not staying long (sorry KANYE IS ON LIVE). I'll leave with (omg I just heard some bullets or fireworks to the left either which way I ain't movin cuz I'm focused on KANYE) he's a BEAST. He freestylin some stuff I've never heard and I be ON IT ok? This is just "real" good music and as Kanye just said "people just love great music" I concur and must leave now to focus on my man Kanye 2 da. lol I'll have more to say on my blog at www.worldspace.com/40 sometime this week. Ciao ;)

WE HEART KANYE!

Shawna & Meraf

The Show Must Go On

2008-08-10T20:27:00.003-04:00

Rumor has it that Trent Reznow is sick...but the NINE INCH NAILS show went on as planned. If he was sick, you'd never know by the way he ran around the stage, gripping the mic with two hands and screaming from his toes. The show was dark and tight (except for a slightly too-long set change). He gave us a great mix of the hits and the deeper cuts and the crowd loved every second of it. Get well soon, Trent.

Dylan, All Keyed Up

2008-08-10T20:12:00.006-04:00

Once more, it is I, Jeb, sitting here listening to the final strains of a surprising set by none other than Bob Dylan. While most (myself among the most ardent) would like to see him with a guitar in hand, Mr. Zimmerman chose to sit in on the keyboard throughout the set, which allowed him to drive the short set of classics in new and interesting directions. Among the standouts were an almost unrecognizable "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again", the wild "Highway 61" and a seemingly languid "Mr. Jones", which built and stretched into something just as sinister as the vitriolic original. While most of the set was culled from his classic albums, he did at one point throw in the beautiful "When the Deal Goes Down" from his latest, Modern Times. The set was a short one, as each song meandered of it's own accord (get it, a chord?! I made a pun, somebody get a tranq gun!) But after they left the stage, they returned for one last hurrah, powering through a crowd favorite "Like a Rolling Stone", at which point they bowed politely, and ran off to secure seats for the upcoming Kanye show. At least, I'd like to think Dylan hangs out with his band and listens to hip-hop. Perhaps there will be snacks. Time to hit up Nine Inch Nails (if Trent pulls out "I'm Afraid of Americans" I will rush the stage. Promise.)

Scotty Why Sayz...

2008-08-10T19:49:00.008-04:00

IGGY POP WAS THE BEST SHOW OF VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL 2008!

Are you kidding me!!! IGGY POP is soooo pro. This guy is still punker than any kiddie-punk-poser parade coming out of LA these days. IGGY POP was RAW back in the day...and is just as raw today. He jumped, climbed, kicked, body surfed and used every pofanity in the curse-word dictionary. It was also great to see the greatest bass player known to man-kind...MIKE WATT of fIREHOSE and MINUTEMEN fame...thumping out Iggy's groove-line.

I got some GREEEEAT photos from in front of the stage. Check them out in the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET and then leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

Stacy Soul Explores VMF 2008

2008-08-10T17:48:00.002-04:00

THE VIRGIN MOBILE BLOG has spent the past 2 days bringing you live coverage of this incredible event. Today, STACY SOUL from 1WORLDSPACE channel BOB explored the festival grounds and brought back this report.

You can hear even more live reports in the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET

Lil' Wayne Is Coming To The Stage...

2008-08-10T16:08:00.008-04:00

and look who's here.

Now that's funny???!

Lil' Wayne photos are coming soon to the widget.

Chromeo Rolls The Dance Tent

2008-08-10T13:55:00.005-04:00

Hey, this is Jeb again. So after yesterday, it's hard to come back and expect anyone to bring the level of awesome Saturday's lineup proffered. Considering some of us are sore, and sleep deprived (and cranky) it clearly indicates an unhealthy love of music, and our commitment to you all, the listeners/readers. And yet, when I walked into the dance tent this morning to see Chromeo, all my fears were allayed. Chromeo, the high powered electro-funk duo, came out ready to get people moving, even though most of those people were hung over, and largely unaware they'd wandered into the dance tent. Cheesy disco beats, vocoder antics and more than enough cowbell got me dancing in an otherwise embarrassing manner, if it hadn't been for the rest of the audience getting down in similar fashion. The guys ripped through most of their most popular songs, and to the delight of the crowd, Journey's "Don't Stop Believing", closing with their hit "100%". This is the purest of pure cheese, everyone knows the music and the dancing is silly, and you know what? NO ONE CARES, IT IS JUST TOO MUCH FUN. If you want to get in on a little of the madness, check out photos of the set in the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET.

Here We Go Again...Day 2

2008-08-10T12:32:00.004-04:00

Day 02 of VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL is underway. HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD is opening up the day with their mask-wearing...in-your-face brand of raprock. Check out photos in the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET

Day 1 Is Done

2008-08-09T22:40:00.003-04:00

It's over...and we are worn out!

Highlights of the day...KT TUNSALL...LUPE...FERRY... UNDERWORLD...WILCO...BLOC PARTY...CHUCK BERRY...JACK JOHNSON...FOO FIGHTERS!

Don't forget to check out the live reports, interviews, photos and more in the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET. Tell your friends about us too because we'll be back to do it all again tomorrow!

Offspring and Foo Fighters

2008-08-09T20:30:00.006-04:00

What's up 1WORLDSPACE...this is MERAF from 40 0N 40! Whats really good?

We are lovin it, livin it LIVE at the Virgin Mobile Fest. It's actually my first time here. I got in late and missed Lupe Fiasco which totally sucks but none the less I'm having a BLAST. Everyone is inebriated and so much fun to interview. Ok so Offspring is awesome. For a moment I was like Offspring? Who's that? lol. And then they played Gone Away (thanks Rich) and I realized who they were. I should have known, because as I roamed the field and interviewed some local and out of town crazy folk, most of them had Offspring at the top of there MUST SEE list. Duh. Rich could tell you more, but the crowd went absolutely wild. And then there was the final act which just started moments ago. FOO FIGHTERS. Yea I rock to rock band!!!! lol People are going loco everywhere, it really is a sight to see. Make sure you check back for photos and some more good stuff. I even recorded some cool stuff on my camecorder (yes I finally brought it out). I'll check back in tomorrow for the final night at Virgin Fest which is going to be a highlight for me. WEEZIE.F.BABY & KANYE WEST....Need I say more? Shout out to my Top40 & Flava listners on Worldspace Satellite Radio. I'm gonna go see if Rich would mind putting down his billionth beer to conclude this blog........

...I guess not

Insert Poor Japanese-British Invasion Pun Here!

2008-08-09T18:50:00.003-04:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Silver Beats... OK, not a marquee name, certain no one you might have heard of, but definitely the level of eclecticism is well justified. They roll out in bowl cuts, slim cut suits, strapped with vintage gear like the smoothest mid-1960s zookeepers you ever did see, ready to unleash all manner of untamed rock and roll all over a befuddled audience, and suddenly, they break into... Beatles covers?! It turns out, The Silver Beats are Japan's premier Beatles cover band, crashing through tunes from all over the Fab Four's storied career, with surprising dexterity, considering aside from the lyrics themselves, the guys don't speak a word of English. After a mini set, the mop-tops set to a monumental task, backing the man himself, Mr. Chuck Berry, who meandered out in his usual captain's cap, and dipped leisurely into his classic "Roll Over Beethoven". His set, mellower than most considering the show followed the Offspring and Bloc Party, featured Chuck playing with the audience, enticing some call and response and working the crowd into a frenzy by the time he busted out "Johnny B. Good". After that, it was smooth sailing.

Zoltar w/ Ferry_Corsten

2008-08-09T17:27:00.003-04:00

Zoltar from the SYSTEM hung out with FERRY CORSTEN backstage before his turn at the turntables. You can hear the chat in this podcast. Listen to more interviews in the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET

Bloc Party Was Awesome

2008-08-09T16:11:00.004-04:00

It's without reservation that I mention that more than a few of us were most excited for Bloc Party. After All, with our college radio backgrounds, they most remind us of some of the bands we love most - Sonic Youth and Joy Division. Need we say more? Their latest release, A Weekend In The City, is catchy, controlled chaos. The East London Punksters represent all that is right with the new guard of Brit Rock upstarts. Even as somewhat of a throwback, they manage to infuse energy into the ghost. Things are heating up here at VFest, so visit VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET as we get into the evening acts!

Gogol Bordello Slammed

2008-08-09T15:17:00.004-04:00

We're here at the South Stage, and following three-time Grammy nominee Lupe Fiasco's spot-on performance, I'm still left thinking about how amped the crowd was for Gogol Bordello! Who would have figured that Gypsy-Punk could rev up a crowd like it did? There were easily a few thousand people jumping in unison to their performance, which outside of the music, was a performance all to itself. Hyper-kinetic would be an understatement. It was more akin to a car crash on stage - we loved it. We sit and wait now. Bloc Party is next, in support of their killer record A Weekend In The City . Visit the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET for photos, interviews, crowd cams, and much more!

Offspring Talks

2008-08-09T15:07:00.003-04:00

Hey, this is Rich from ORBIT ROCK. Noodles and The Offspring have been going at this rock thing for almost 25 years now. We talked about everything from being featured in video games (their new single "Hammerhead" is featured in Rockband and Madden 2009) to lead singer Dexter's hot sauce yes actual hot sauce . You can hear more interviews in the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET

Cat Power Opens North Stage

2008-08-09T14:23:00.001-04:00

Hippies beware, we are on the scene! Cat Power opened the North Stage today at high noon, leveling the sober and unsuspecting early birds, including myself. Cat Power, the nom du guerre of chanteuse Chan Marshall and her Dirty Delta Blues Band rumbled through the inaugural set of this the 2008 Virgin Mobile Festival, wowing the crowd, or at least wowing me with soft yet grimy soul and rockin' blues. Drawing largely from her latest album Jukebox, a collection of covers and personal favorites, the show touched on some oldies made brand spanking new, including a spaced out take on Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son". Later, her gut wrenching take on James Brown's own "Lost Someone" hit me like an emotional uppercut, leaving me dazed and uncomfortably aware of my place in this immense world, made smaller only when people come together and listen to great music, like today. I had to take a sit down and sort things out before I could continue. Luckily, Worldspace will be here through the entire festival, and you can follow all the action with our VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET bringing you the latest in updates, the crowd cam, interviews with artists and the crowd, and my own slightly (OK, largely) off kilter analysis.

VMF 2008 Has Begun

2008-08-09T13:36:00.000-04:00

VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL 2008 has begun. KT Tunstall is on stage...and she has the mouth of a sailor. She just suggested that women who are considering breast enlargement surgery should get a 3rd breast instead! Check the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET for photos.

Crowd Cam

2008-08-09T08:24:00.005-04:00

If you are going to VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL 2008...or you know someone who is...make sure you check out the 1WORLDSPACE CROWD CAM. The CROWD CAM can always be found on the top left side of this blog. Have a look.

Who knows...maybe you'll run across a picture of your boss in the IGGY POP mosh pit wearing nothing but a tutu.

Virgin Mobile Security

2008-08-07T08:55:00.002-04:00

This is our good friend Josh Burdette...he will be your head of security at VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL 2008. Josh stopped by for a visit today on TED KELLY'S WORLD PARTY. He assured us everyone will be very well protected at the event. (He doesn't look that tough...I think I can take him)

VMF Crew On UPOP

2008-08-02T15:52:00.011-04:00

(photo by www.heatherlweimer.com)

Keisha and Audrey from IMP...the group that is producing The Virgin Mobile Festival 2008...recently stopped by the 1WORLDSPACE channel UPOP 29 for a visit with THE TED KELLY WORLD PARTY. They talked about the artists, the food and the fun coming to VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL next weekend. You can hear part of the interview in this podcast. You can hear more interviews in the VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL WIDGET

A Look Back At 2007

2008-08-01T15:19:00.003-04:00

Last year, 1WORLDSPACE brought you live coverage of VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL 2007. CLICK HERE and check out a slideshow of some of the best moments from last year.

This year, we will bring you even more great sights and sounds from the festival. Check this blog all weekend long...or better yet...GET THE WIDGET above!

Welcome

2008-07-31T11:19:00.004-04:00

1WORLDSPACE is proud to bring you coverage of this years VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL. Watch this blog for photos, videos, interviews and other information before and during this incredible event.

In just two years, THE VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL [previously called Virgin Festival By Virgin Mobile] has earned a reputation as a monster event, with such impressive
artists as Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Who, The Police, Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, The Raconteurs, Modest Mouse, LCD Soundsystem, M.I.A, Spoon, Wolfmother and Amy Winehouse, and world-renowned DJs such as Sasha & John Digweed, Carl Cox and Deep Dish. Last year, there were 44 bands and DJs on three stages with 20 hours of non-stop entertainment.

THE VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL will be produced for the third year by I.M.P., one of the country’s leading independent concert promoters. “Last year was an amazing experience for the fans and we’re planning a killer show this year that will top it,” said I.M.P.
Chairman Seth Hurwitz. “The entire line-up will be must-see acts.”