R.I.P. Virgin FreeFest?

The cancellation of this year’s Virgin Mobile FreeFest is a major disappointment for local concertgoers, and the disappointment is compounded by the fact that organizers aren’t committing to bringing it back next year. The popular festival—which has featured the likes of Kanye West, Bob Dylan, Vampire Weekend, Skrillex, LCD Soundsystem, The Beastie Boys, and The Flaming Lips since its inception in 2006—always seemed to come together miraculously, especially since downsizing from Pimlico to Merriweather and becoming a free event. It will take a new kind of miracle to bring it back after taking a year off, but hopefully, we’ll be seeing Richard Branson and crew in 2015.