2012 Virgin Mobile FreeFest Presented by LG Breaks Records

Jack White, Skrillex, M83, NAS, ZZ Top, Santigold, Alabama Shakes and a dozen more played the largest annual free music event in the country, which this year broke its charity donation record

WARREN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thanks to the 50,000 people in attendance at the 2012 Virgin Mobile FreeFest presented by LG, a record-breaking $250,000 was raised for Virgin Mobile USA’s initiative The Re*Generation, to address the needs of homeless youth. Last year’s FreeFest raised enough money to help build a Re*Gen youth homeless shelter in Washington, D.C., run by Sasha Bruce. The Re*Gen House will open later this fall. Funds raised this year will go toward operating the shelter for two years.

Held Saturday, Oct. 6, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., the award-winning festival – produced by I.M.P. and free for attendees – is known for its unforgettable performances and inventive and unexpected experiences like circus performers, a skateboard park, and the live project painting at the LG Optimus Elite ChromaCube. Fans had several ways to donate to The Re*Generation, including riding the Virgin Mobile Ferris wheel to get an aerial perspective of the grounds.

The 40 acres, two main stages and a dance forest featured Jack White, Skrillex, M83, NAS, ZZ Top, Santigold, Alabama Shakes, Ben Folds Five, The Dismemberment Plan, Allen Stone, Trampled by Turtles, Portugal. The Man, Future Islands, Justin Jones, Above & Beyond, Porter & Zedd (Back to Back), Thomas Gold, Nervo, Alvin Risk, Penguin Prison and Volta Bureau.

Once again, Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group chairman, spent the day at the festival, watching the show from the pit, greeting fans with a champagne toast from the roof of the main stage pavilion and guest-bartending with Australian dance music twins Nervo. Photos of the festival can be downloaded at Virgin Mobile Live.

This is the seventh year Virgin Mobile has conducted the music festival in Maryland –the fourth year the event has been free.

About Virgin Mobile USA

Virgin Mobile USA, one of Sprint's prepaid brands, offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk™ No Contract plans with unlimited 3G and 4G data for mobile phone service, including Android-powered smartphones and prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access on the Nationwide Sprint Network. Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk monthly unlimited data plans, which start at $35, are ideal for those smartphone users hungry for the most connectivity and the least amount of voice minutes. Virgin Mobile-branded devices are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, RadioShack, and Virgin Mobile stores. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide. Experience Virgin Mobile on the Web at Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and Virgin Mobile Live; and purchase Virgin Mobile USA products at www.virginmobileusa.com.

About I.M.P.

Formed in 1980, I.M.P. is a Bethesda, Md.-based concert promoter and event production company. In addition to launching Virgin Mobile Festival in the United States, the principals at I.M.P. own Washington, D.C.’s award-winning 9:30 Club, www.930.com, renowned as the premier place to see and hear cutting-edge live music of all varieties. I.M.P. also programs and operates Merriweather Post Pavilion, www.merriweathermusic.com, in Columbia, Md. During the last 32 years, I.M.P. and the 9:30 Club have put on nearly 12,000 events, hosting millions of music fans.

About LG Electronics, USA

LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a $49 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and energy solutions, all under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.