Rock and roll radio shows have been around since the days of Allen Freed, the man many credit with inventing the term "rock and roll." But few rock and roll shows sponsored by radio stations are as high-profile or ambitious as the annual HFStival.
In the 10 years since WHFS (99.1 FM) put on the first fest in Washington, the concert has grown into one of the largest radio shows in the country, garnering coverage from MTV, Rolling Stone and Spin. But the show this Saturday promises to be the biggest yet, with 30 bands on the bill, and an expected audience of some 75,000.
Best of all, it's in Baltimore.
Topping the bill are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who will be offering a live preview of their soon-to-be-released new album, "Californication." Also on tap are such alt-rock favorites as the Offspring (whose current single is "Why Don't You Get a Job?"), Goo Goo Dolls ("Dizzy"), Sugar Ray ("Falls Apart"), Orgy ("Blue Monday"), Blink 182 ("What's My Age Again?"), Lit ("My Own Worst Enemy") and many more.
There will be three stages. The main acts will, of course, be performing inside the stadium. But there will be simultaneous performances by up-and-coming acts Beth Orton and 2 Skinnee J's on the second stage, outside in the parking lot. Finally, there will be a "Trancemissions Tent" (also outside the stadium) featuring techno DJs.
Saturday's HFStival will also be the first concert ever at the Raven's PSINet Stadium. The gates open at 9 a.m., with the first band going on just after 10 a.m.; the show is expected to end by 11 p.m. And forget about trying to buy tickets; the show sold out in just 80 minutes.
HFStival bands
Main Stage (inside the stadium)
Jimmie's Chicken Shack
Lit
Blink 182
Silverchair
Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Orgy
Sugar Ray
Live
Goo Goo Dolls
Offspring
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Street Stage (outside the stadium)
Sev
Fountains of Wayne
Beth Orton
Citizen King, Ozomatli
Buck Cherry
Living End
Freestylers
2 Skinnee Js
Trancemissions Tent (outside the stadium)
Thunderball
Hive
Feelgood
Lieven
Scott Henry
Moby
Josh Wink
Todd Terry
DJ Rap