Virgin Festival to rock Olympic Island

I may die from a music bliss overload. I've been reading murmers about this from chromewaves, but it was officially confirmed and announced today: looks like a killer festival coming to Toronto, so bring on the Virgin. The V-Fest is coming to town Sept 9th and 10th. This English style fest is set to light up Toronto Island Park. The official site is Virgin Festival.

Canadian acts already confirmed include Alexisonfire, The Hidden Cameras, Sam Roberts, K'Naan, The Dears and Buck 65 with international acts including the premier rock showmen The Flaming Lips, Gnarls Barkley, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Phoenix, Massive Attack. Side projects aplenty too, as Jack White's other band The Racounteurs, and Josh Homme's Eagles of Death Metal project both put in appearances.

Flaming Lips and The Hidden Cameras are both big on putting on a show, not just a concert, and the emphasis seems to be on indie rock and pop. As the venue is listed as "Toronto Island Park", I expect there will be a multiple stage set-up. It looks like the planners are following the example set by the Broken Social Scene shows that have been held on the island, with a "what you're allowed to bring list" that is less strict than most concert venues, and a friendly atmosphere as the age restriction lists "Anyone under 4 has free admission".

The festival will be an "extravaganza of entertainment, transforming the downtown island into more than just a concert venue, but including massages, a dance lounge, vendors, a food village and beer garden." However, camping will not be allowed this year, but is expected to be accommodated for 2007.

Rosenberg said the festival would expand to other Canadian cities next year, as well as other countries yet to be announced.

"We thought about Winnipeg but there are too many mosquitoes, unfortunately."

LOL

Tickets go on sale July 2 to 7 at Future Shop stores in the Greater Toronto Area and online at the chain's website. From July 8 at noon, tickets will also be sold through Ticketmaster.

One-day tickets cost $57.50 each and two-day tickets costs $104.50. Prices include all taxes and ferry fares to and from the island.

That will be a crazy weekend as the Toronto International Film Festival runs at the same time.

Sources:

Branson brings rock festival to Toronto - Yahoo! News: "
TorontoSun.com - Entertainment - Huge festival to rock T.O.