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July 17, 2006

Virgin Visits Baltimore

Virgin Megastore hosts some of most godawful publicity stunts, don't they. I'm still recovering from that footage of K-Fed's 'Save The Penny' campaign, but I think Branson's outdone himself today.

Gawker asks:

Is there anything more compellingly awkward than a press event based on a magazine cover stunt from last decade? In order to announce the American incarnation of the Virgin Festival, the first 50 people who showed at the Union Square Virgin Megastore wearing nothing but a tube sock (in honor of the Red Hot Chili Peppers appearance on the two-day lineup) received free tickets to the festival. Nothing eases the pain of a biblically nasty Monday than watching people with nothing better to do at 11 AM than flaunt the illusion of their manhood as lengthened by a white cotton sock.
Yes, they have video (YouTube) of the guys Virgin got to give it away now (it = their dignity). "NSFW if your office has a problem with anyone but Anthony Kiedis pulling this crap," Gawker warns.

The stateside V Festival premieres 9/23 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore (be careful, kids). The line-up:

Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Who
The Killers
The Flaming Lips
The Raconteurs
Gnarls Barkley
Scissor Sisters
Keane
Thievery Corporation
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
New Pornographers
Drive-By Truckers
Kasabian
Brazilian Girls
Wolfmother

DJs:
James Holden
2ManyDJs
Rjd2
Carl Cox
John Digweed
Tiesto

Tickets ($97.50 for the day) go on sale at Ticketmaster this Saturday.

Hmmm ... socks on cocks -- Gnarls, you up for it?

Posted at 2:45 PM
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11 Comments

my eyes are burning. my god, i'm blind...

Posted by: sonicdeath99 at 07/17/06 3:54 PM  | Reply
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The killers are playing in the first part.

Posted by: Kevin at 07/17/06 4:53 PM  | Reply
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not sure if i want to go to a show with this group.

Posted by: 1000yregg at 07/17/06 7:10 PM  | Reply
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How is it possible that the Red Hot Chili Peppers are getting top billing over The Who? I know there's only two of them left, and the band is a ghost of their former selves, but still... I'm surprised.

Posted by: Ike at 07/17/06 7:19 PM  | Reply
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I think the Who and RHCP are both being billed as headliners, though the press release put RHCP on top. Not sure who the last act to play is.

Posted by: scott at 07/17/06 7:39 PM  | Reply
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Seriously, why pull a press stunt like that? The Chili Peppers aren't even remotely into that anymore.

http://www.musictimes.com.au

Posted by: Music Times at 07/17/06 8:11 PM  | Reply
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Christ that shit is scary. Especially the guy with the landing strip.

Posted by: Dom at 07/17/06 8:18 PM  | Reply
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we have a V Fest in Toronto on the 9th and 10th of september... many of the same acts plus a few others o.O check it out at www.fromenglandwithlove.ca

Posted by: Jared at 07/17/06 8:18 PM  | Reply
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Too bad it's so pricey and I dislike most of the bands, because I'd really like to go see the Killers. Ah well.

Posted by: Jamie at 07/18/06 12:40 AM  | Reply
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97 bucks? can these festivals get any more reatarded? take out the RHCP and the Who and charge 15 bucks, THEN i'll drive down the street to listen.

whatev's!

Posted by: booboo at 07/18/06 2:15 PM  | Reply
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That price includes so much more than a "concert" Virgin is billing this as a 2-day music and fun festival! Why else do you think those guys wearing socks would go to such lengths for free tickets!?

Posted by: Tyson at 07/19/06 9:37 AM  | Reply
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