Black Keys, Deadmau5 Rock the Virgin Mobile Freefest

A single-day festival set on the grounds of Maryland's Merriweather Post Pavilion, the Virgin Mobile Freefest serves as an annual goodbye to summer. Featuring an eclectic mix of top up-and-coming acts spread across three stages, it's an enticing offer made even more so with the majority of the tickets going for the same price as breathable air. On Saturday, Sept. 10, the combination of high-energy artists and near-perfect weather begged the question: How could such a thing be given away for free?

Major acts included TV on the Radio, who continue to build on their dynamic sound. Saturday's sunset made for an appropriate backdrop as the Brooklyn-based band turned up the volume and speed on their biggest hits and new tracks off of their recently released 'Nine Types of Light.' On the other side of the festival grounds, backed by an all-female band, Cee-Lo Green exuded a smooth, sexual energy, making his presence as a 'Lady Killer' felt.

Later on, Empire of the Sun turned in a raucous dance-rock set replete with an otherworldly stage setup. Costume changes and backup dancers boosted the overall energy, as festival goers pumped their fists along to such hits as 'We Are the People' and 'Walking on a Dream.'

Over on the main stage, road vets the Black Keys performed for the largest crowd of the day. Having played nearly every festival on the map this summer, the blues-rock revivalists embraced the large audience, which responded most strongly to songs from the duo's breakthrough 'Brothers' LP. Midway through, just after a cover of the Kinks' 'Act Nice and Gentle,' the Keys added a pair of backup musicians, doubling their size and increasing their sound tenfold.

If you didn't know who was playing before entering the festival, the abundance of Deadmau5 T-shirts and oversized mouse heads made it clear who most people had come to see. Closing out the day with a massive dance party, the DJ paired thundering beats with a massive light show. With video screens signaling the ins and outs of songs, Deadmau5 wove through a rising and falling mix that made for an exciting end to an excellent day.