Will the Virgin Mobile Festival return this year?
It's a good question. And as of right now, I don't know the answer.
In fact, the future of Pimlico and the Preakness is up in the air.
Yesterday, I e-mailed Virgin Mobile Festival publicist Audrey Fix Schaefer, who said there is "no news to report."
That doesn't bode well for the festival ...
By now, pretty much all of the other major summer music festivals have announced their lineups. Even the roster for the V Festival in England has gone public, and tickets are on sale.
But Virgin Mobile Festival promoter Seth Hurwitz has kept mum about the future of the annual Baltimore event. And I can't say I blame him. Who books a festival at a venue that could be torn down in six months?
If it were to happen, this would be the Virgin Mobile Festival's fourth year at Pimlico. And though attendance has slumped the past couple of years, Hurwitz has been happy with the festival.
Still, the longer we wait for an announcement, the less likely the festival will come back to Baltimore.
(Sun photo by Patrick Smith)
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
Comments
Come on Seth and Sir Branson! Bring it back to Baltimore, but cut it back to a single day like the first year!!
Posted by: Dave the wave | April 3, 2009 11:52 AM
I agree with Dave - one single day with consistently solid acts would be preferable.
Posted by: ColumbiaBill | April 3, 2009 11:56 AM
I've been hearing that the festival would be in Baltimore at least for one more year, and then potentially move to New York area. It seems this year was a bad year for festival all across the US with many canceling. Anyways, even if Pimlico was torn down or sold, the festival doesn't use the building. As long as the field remains, I don't see why the festival can't go on. Last year, Virgin was one of the last festivals to announce their lineup and dates, even though they're late, even to their standards, I wouldn't count it out just yet.
Someone at the forums for 9:30 club are saying that Virgin is waiting for one headliner before announcing dates to make sure they can play...apparently one Metallica.
Posted by: Terry | April 3, 2009 12:03 PM
I know the owner of the concessions company for the fest and they haven't heard anything about it yet. Doesn't sound promising.
Posted by: Dave the wave | April 3, 2009 12:27 PM
Wow, that would be a sad turn of events. No more HFStival, no Virgin Fest. Now all we have to look forward to is driving to Columbia to see Warped Tour.
Posted by: Evan | April 3, 2009 1:28 PM
Hey - if Cordish buys the racetracks, maybe we can look forward to Mr Greengenes playing!
(Attn Chris the Cordish employee -- this is sarcasm).
Posted by: Anonymous | April 4, 2009 5:28 PM