Entertainment & Arts

2011 Virgin Mobile Freefest lineup [Pictures]

Essential facts: Ohio natives Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney started out as a blues-rock duo, but increasingly they have been weaving hip-hop and R&B elements into their gritty sound. At this year's Grammys, the band won three awards including Best Alternative Music Album. Current album: "Brothers" (2010) Biggest single: "Tighten Up"

Essential facts: Ohio natives Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney started out as a blues-rock duo, but increasingly they have been weaving hip-hop and R&B elements into their gritty sound. At this year’s Grammys, the band won three awards including Best Alternative Music Album.

Current album: “Brothers” (2010)
Biggest single: “Tighten Up”   (AFP/Getty Images)

Baltimore Sun
Share

Six years ago, the Virgin Mobile Fest began as a ticketed event with A-list headliners at Pimlico Race Course. It later moved to Merriweather Post Pavilion, became a free festival and started booking more up-and-coming acts. Here’s the rundown of this year’s lineup, which features 20 bands performing on three stages. Tickets become available at 10 a.m. July 15 via Facebook.

ALSO SEE:
• Midnight Sun: Virgin Mobile Freefest coverage
• 2011 Virgin Mobile FreeFest Guide
• Pictures: Virgin Festivals through the years

Cee Lo Green

Essential facts: Until recently, Green was known for being one-half of the popular pop duo Gnarls Barkley, but after a few false starts he finally broke out on his own with the cheeky single, “F**k You” (or “Forget You,” on the radio). This spring, he served as a judge on the NBC singing competition, “The Voice.”

Current album: “The Ladykiller” (2010)
Biggest single: “Forget You”   (AFP/Getty Images)

Patti Smith

Essential facts: This singer-songwriter and visual artist has been dubbed the “Grandmother of Punk” for her early work in the 1970s that combined rock and poetry. She’s influenced top pop acts like REM, U2 and Sonic Youth. More recently, she’s been a staple act on a large festival tours.

Current album: “Twelve” (2007)
Biggest single: “Because the Night”  (AFP/Getty Images)

Empire of the Sun

Essential facts: Australian synth-pop duo of Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore.

Current album: “Walking on a Dream” (2008)
Biggest single: “We are the People”  (AFP/Getty Images)

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Essential facts: Newcomers Grace Potter & The Nocturnals have quickly established themselves as major touring draws. The band performed at Rams Head Live in May. Lead singer Potter also scored a recent hit with her Kenny Chesney duet, “You and Tequila.”

New album: “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals”
Biggest single: “Paris (Ooh La La)”   (AFP/Getty Images)

Two Door Cinema Club

Essential facts: Formed in 2007, this Irish electronic band has just one album out. The band includes singer Sam Halliday, guitarist Alex Trimble and bassist Kevin Baird.

New album: “Tourist History”
Biggest single: “What You Know”  (AFP/Getty Images)

James Murphy

Essential facts: Former lead singer of LCD Soundsystem, which disbanded earlier this year. He’s an accomplished solo singer/songwriter and the founder of critically acclaimed label DFA Records.

Last album with LCD Soundsystem: “This is Happening”
Biggest single as LCD: “Daft Punk is Playing at My House”  (AFP/Getty Images)

Ghostland Observatory

Essential facts: Austin-based electro-rock duo has four albums in the last six years.

New album: “Codename: Rondo”
Biggest single: “The Band Marches On”  (AFP/Getty Images)

Teddybears

Essential facts: As you might guess from the picture, Teddybears are a handful. Formed in Sweden in the early ‘90s, they’ve spanned many genres, from punk to hip-hop.

New album: “Devil’s Music”  (AFP/Getty Images)

Entertainment & Arts

More From the Los Angeles Times