New music (UPDATED)

• The National, "Bloodbuzz Ohio," High Violet (May 11th), Pfork
• Beck, St. Vincent, Liars, and Os Mutantes, “Guns in the Sky" (INXS cover), Record Club (Beck’s cover album series, Record Club), TwentyFourBit
• The Gaslight Anthem, "American Slang," American Slang (Jun 15th), TwentyFourBit
• Phoenix, free download of Live in Sydney, Ultra8201
• MGMT, full stream of Congratulations (Apr 13th), Product Shop NYC
• LCD Soundsystem, "Drunk Girls," untiled as of now (May 18th), Pfork
  

The price is right... especially when it's free

As the summer approached and various festivals were releasing details on their 2009 editions, rumors were surrounding the Virgin Mobile Festival - mainly whether or not it was even going to happen. Well it's happening on Saturday, August 30th, but with a few changes...

• IT'S FREE!!!!
• It will be held at Merriweather Post Pavilion (instead of Pimlico Race Course, where it had been since the festival started in '06)
• It will only be a one-day event
• IT'S FREE!!!!

That's right kids, it's free. Hell, even Ticketbastard is waving their infamous convenience charge if you pick up the tickets at Will Call. While it's not required, Virgin Mobile is asking attendees to donate $5 to youth homelessness through RE*Generation.

I don't think anyone would've been surprised if Virgin Mobile half-assed the booking. But I have to hand it to them, the line-up is pretty solid... Franz Ferdinand, Weezer, the National, the Hold Steady, St. Vincent and Girl Talk to name a few. And a dance tent to boot - count me in!

Tickets were made available this past Saturday and surprise surprise, they "sold" out fairly quickly. Soon after, posts started appearing on Craiglist - those looking to sell the free tickets AND others offering $$ (and other things) for extra tickets. Gotta love it.

For those of you who were unable to get tickets (like myself) you can certainly go the Craigslist/eBay route. Another option is to try back after the 28th. Those who ordered tickets and selected the Will Call option must pick-up their tickets between Aug 21-28. Unclaimed tickets will be released to the public after that.

New tracks

• Silversun Pickups, "Panic Switch," Swoon (Apr 14th)
• St. Vincent, "The Strangers," Actor (May 5th), Ultra8201
• Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, "Statues," from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon via Product Shop NYC