Two weeks ago I went to Baltimore for the Virgin Festival. I stumbled upon the website many months ago when I was trying to figure out where I could see the Smashing Pumpkins now that they're back together. The lineup at the festival is the best I've ever seen. I saw:

Saturday: Amy Winehouse, Incubus, Ben Harper, Beastie Boys, The Police
Sunday: Spoon, Panic! at the Disco, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, Smashing Pumpkins

Everyone played their best songs and put on an incredible show. The Beastie Boys and Smashing Pumpkins were clearly the highlights. The Police were also amazing, and it was a once in a lifetime chance to see them perform live. I'm not a huge BB fan, but seeing them live was something else entirely. Mix Master Mike was phenomenal.

We pretty much stayed by the main stage the whole time, both days. That worked out well because between bands we could get closed and closer to the stage. By late afternoon we were just 10 rows back from the stage, perfect position to see the headliners. The crowd was great, having lots of fun. I've never seen so many crowd surfers in my life. There must have been hundreds over the course of the weekend.

Other than music, we spent a bit of time in Baltimore. Sam let us stay with her and she chauffeured us around town. Thanks, Sam! On Sunday we had crab cake sandwiches and a bucket of whole crabs. Delicious!


It was a really really incredible weekend. I definitely plan to do it again next year. Except for that damn Chinatown bus. I'll rent a car next year.

Click here for all the pictures