Virgin Music Festival: Day 1
Sept. 8, 2007
Toronto, Canada

This was my first trip to the 2nd annual Virgin Music Festival in Toronto and I didn’t really know what to expect. I was informed the concert would take place on an island and I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t realize that Toronto even had an island. Saturday morning I went down to the press check in and after getting sorted out I was told to wait for the next ferry. Ferry? This is where the differences between V Fest and other festivals began. I took a short ferry ride across the water to the Toronto Island Park. I exited the boat, roamed around the grounds for awhile and saw a beautifully laid out theme park filled with rides, food vendors and four concert stages. This was trippy! It seemed to me that this was Perry Farrell’s original vision for Lollapalooza, “Come out to the island to see some great music, learn about some worthy causes, eat and drink and take a break and ride a roller coaster or a bumper boat.”

My day of music began with the 20-year-old Scot that I just can’t get enough of. Paolo Nutini took to the main stage at 2:15 in the afternoon and the crowd couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the show. Nutini and his boys played a terrific 45-minute set which included his hits, “New Shoes,” “Rewind” and “Jenny Don’t Be Hasty” along with an amazing new track “Rainbows.” The band also threw in an excellent rock cover of Moby’s “Natural Blues.” The kid is really coming into his own as a live performer. He’s always had the material but in the early days it seemed hard for Nutini to interact with the crowd, choosing to look down at his feet instead of making eye contact with his fans. These days he’s moving around, having fun, talking to the audience and the crowds are eating it up!


Next up on the main stage was K-OS. To be perfectly honest, I’d never seen the man and his band live. On stage, K-OS combined all the great elements of The Fugees, Rage Against The Machine and Bob Marley. One minute he was crooning like Lauryn Hill with Pras and Wyclef backing him and the next he’d fire up the political stance like Zach De La Rocha with a less aggressive Tom Morello on the axe. It would be hard to classify K-OS into any musical category because he doesn’t define himself. From rock to reggae to r&b and hip hop, the man put on a show that I consider to be one of the festival's best.

Anticipation boiled over as M.I.A. was taking the stage. She’s played at so many festivals that I’ve attended but, for whatever reason, I’ve never had the chance to watch her perform. While I really enjoy her recorded work it just didn’t seem to translate well live. The songs were there but the energy was lacking. That special something just didn’t seem apparent. That being said, the lady’s outfits were bangin’! Pink sunglasses and black leather daisy dukes will go a long way when it comes to remembering what to write in a review. It is hard to forget such a memorable ensemble.

While sitting on the shore I took a much needed break and enjoyed my slice of pizza and a hot dog. The venue offers up the most amazing view of the downtown skyline. The break was short lived, however, because the Arctic Monkeys were about to take the stage. I really wanted to see what the hype was all about. I loved the Arctic Monkeys debut album but was less than impressed with their recent follow-up, Favourite Worst Nightmre. The kids from Sheffield were quite impressive as they ripped through an hour long set that included the wonderful “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” and the current hit “Brianstorm.” It was a much needed energy injection near the end of a long day. It got the crowd riled up and everyone wanted to see more! One of the highlights from the festival occurred hours later when I listened to the boys playing acoustically outside of their trailer. They played with assorted friends, drinking Strongbow cider and singing James Blunt’s “Beautiful.”

As with all festivals, multiple acts play at the same time and you’re forced to make decisions as to what band(s) you’d rather see. Interpol vs. Mute Math was case in point. I decided to see the second stage headliner, Mute Math, and keep up my streak of skipping Interpol festival performances. This was the best decision I made all weekend long! I’m new to the phenomenon that is Mute Math but I’m a definite convert. Without hesitation I will tell you that this was the best performance all weekend long. For whatever reason, these guys remind me a lot of The Police during their heyday but with added pop sensibility. Terrifically catchy songs combined with a great light show made for the most memorable performance of the day.

To end the night I needed to catch a glimpse of Bjork’s performance so I could leave with a smile on my face. The queen of Iceland always makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and this was no exception. She took the stage wearing a golden dress and it seemed as if she had painted her forehead green. The cast of characters behind her reminded me of the Polyphonic Spree on acid. Like the Spree, multiple members donned multi-colored robes but these backup performers had painted their foreheads, as well. It was awesome! I stayed long enough to hear the first couple of songs and then hightailed it to the ferry for fear that I’d be stuck on the island all night long.

Stay tuned for a report of Day 2 of V Fest...

Dizzee Rascal won't be hitting U.S. shores anytime soon. The London-based MC and producer's US label, XL/Beggars , has decided to go the cost-effective route of a digital-only release for the stateside release of the rapper's third LP, Maths & English.

The decision was made due to the combined circumstances of extremely low U.S. sales of Rascal's sophomore album, Showtime, and his reluctance to tour in the US.

Beggars Group VP of marketing, Matt Harmon, says that the label's "readjusted" expectations of sales also factored into its decision to release Maths through download outlets only.

Rascal's debut sold 58,000 copies in the U.S., but 2004's Showtime sold only a paltry 16,000, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Maths, which features appearances by Lily Allen and Arctic Monkeys, will be available on CD and LP in Europe and Canada, so US fans wanting physical copies will have to pay the hefty price of an import. The album hits US download outlets, including iTunes and eMusic, on June 5th, when the label is likely to see slow sales with an early leak already available on peer-to-peer networks.

Part 2 of this week's "Recommended Viewing"...

1. Arctic Monkeys, "Brianstorm" video
The Monkeys are back! This time with booty dancers! That's right, Arctic Monkeys released the video for the first single from their forthcoming Favourite Worst Nightmare LP this week. It's a lightshow extravaganza with choreographed dancing by girls in short-shorts while the the band mimes the frenetic track, "Brianstorm". Not at all what we expected, but it definately works!


2. Bell Orchestre, "Throw It On the Fire" video
Nearly two years after the release of its debut album, Recording a Tape the Colour of the Light, Bell Orchestre have released a video for the album's stand-out track "Throw It On The Fire." The band's violinist Sarah Neufeld and bassist Richard Parry are also full-time members of the now wildly popular Arcade Fire, which might explain the delay for this creepy yet gorgeous clip.


3. Ben Kweller, "Penny on the Train Track" video
Most likely vying for OK GO/TRL-type buzz, singer/songwriter Ben Kweller has released this video of his Grandmother boogieing down to his new single, "Penny on the Train Track." It's cute enough to leave us wondering if we'll see Kweller performing "Penny" on this year's VMA's with Grandma "Bubbie" in-tow.


4. Amy Winehouse, "Rehab (Live at the Brit Awards 2007)"
We posted Winehouse's performance of "Rehab" at SXSW in this week's part 1, but we just had to share this performance clip from this year's Brit Awards, as well. Winehouse is in all her lopsided-beehive-glory here.


This Week's YouTube Gold:
This week's top pick.

5. Jarvis Cocker and Beth Ditto, "Temptation (Live at NME Awards 2007)"
Had we not been on hiatus last week, we would have posted this outstanding performance from this month's NME Awards. Jarvis Cocker was joined by The Gossip's Beth Ditto for a cover of "Temptation" by his fellow Sheffielders Heaven 17. A definite "wish we were there" moment.

This past year there was a lot of hoopla over Arctic Monkeys that culminated into a 2006 Mercury Prize for the band as well as two Grammy nominations this week. One could foresee the same future for the Monkeys' Sheffield mates in Bromheads Jacket, a similarly and decidedly British storyteller group. The oddly named three-piece play revved-up garage pop with humorous and relatable everyday-tale lyrics thick with pop culture references about trips to McDonald's gone awry, car washes, and girls on the subway. The band has just released its debut album, Dits From The Commuter Belt, and it's the kind of album that becomes a listener's favorite upon first spin. Sporting a somewhat heavier and crunchier sound than their contemporaries in Arctic Monkeys, the band shoots through 13 angular, yet substantive, instant gems that fill up with noise then stop dead—just in time for singer/guitarist Tim Hampton's punchlines. Bromheads Jacket will release a new single, Lesley Parlafitt, on January 22nd and are currently finishing up an extensive UK tour. Look to see Bromheads Jacket everywhere in the coming year as word gets out.

Last Few UK Tour Dates:

Recommended Listening:

Woolley Bridge MP3
What Ifs & Maybes MP3

Recommended Viewing:
Two Video Versions for their single, "A Trip to The Golden Arches"

While the Arctic Monkeys remain busy on the follow up to the hugely successful Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, singer Alex Turner has found time to join another band. Dubbed The Rascals, the side project is set to make its debut tonight at Liverpool's Korova.

The band is a four-piece consisting of three members from The Little Flames and Alex. The Rascals have launched a MySpace page which streams the demo "Out of Dreams." No mention is made of Alex's involvement, however. And there doesn't seem to be much official confirmation anywhere. According to the Arctic Monkeys forum, the club's mag The Korovian had this to say:

Someone go to Korova and check it out.

No dark horses this year. Are the Mercuries ever a shocker? So yesterday the Arctic Monkeys walked away with this year's Mercury Award for their debut Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.

Whatever people say, Arctic Monkeys are not shit.

This leaves veterans Muse and Thom Yorke a little bruised in the ego today, as they have both gone on record coveting the award.

Upon receiving the 20 large from Jools Holland, Alex Turner exclaimed:

Whatever people say, Arctic Monkeys are creative.

After the joke, Turner reflected on the win:

As it turns out, HMV, the record retain chain, declared Richard Hawley the real winner of the Mercury Music Prize. Since the nomination, Hawley has seen the biggest boost in sales when compared to other nominees. Since his candidacy was made in July, his album Coles Corner has seen threefold rise in sales.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo explained the effect of the Mercury:

In case you've forgotten, here was the list of the nominees, including their odds to win, as quoted by the William Hill booking company of London:

With Lollapalooza X taking over Chicago's Grant Park this weekend with Ween, Gnarls Barkley, and Queens of the Stone Age among those leading the charge, it might feel a little early discussing the next one before this one is over. But, Perry Farrell is no superstitious man. He's fearless. He wears girls pants.

And makes them look good.

In an interview in this week's NME, the Festival's founder talked about bringing the show to England. While the Festival will be enjoying its first jaunt across the pond, most of Perry's picks for who'll grace the AT&T and Bud Light stages are locals. Farrell revealed to NME:

He also spoke of lining up Paul McCartney and David Bowie. A pretty decent line-up thus far, but right now it's all just party talk.

Photo Location

Nationwide Mercury Prize Nominees are announced. 20,000 smackers. Actually British Pounds so what with today's exchange rate somebody's gonna walk away with: $36,405.90 USD. But who knows what it could be September 5th when the winner is announced?

Not nominated? Feeling broke and left out? Don't worry, everyone knows that's not where the real money is. You can win big! Turn your hard earned into easy money by picking your fav! Each year the bookies get in on the action, notably the William Hill online bookmaker company. Here are this year's nominees followed by the odds as quoted by Mr. William Hill:

Before you make your bet, it might help to know that the chair of judges is Simon Frith. brother of famed guitarist Fred Frith. You can also read Simon's book The Sociology of Rock to get the inside track on who he might be leaning towards.

Last year's winner was, Antony and the Johnsons' I Am a Bird Now who was sitting comfy with 5:1 odds last year nosing out 4:1 odds on M.I.A.'s Arular.



I'll kill myself if I don't win.
Photo Location

Good news. The former bassist in the Arctic Monkeys didn't achieve your dreams of rockstardom and then spit in its face only to return to civilian life. The dream of rockstardom spat on him. As US magazine says: He's just like us. Fat and out of work.

According to Gigwise the split wasn't exactly mutual. Drama:

I want to say I told you so, but I didn't. I swear it's what I was thinking. I don't think anyone purposely walks away from rockstardom. Look at The Rolling Stones.

However, I'm totally against singers being the end all/be all of bands. What gives them the right to fire people? I feel like every band in the world ends up at the freakin' whim of their singer, even though every great band is great by virtue of the fact that the band is the sum of its parts. Frank Black will never be as great as the Pixies. Billy Corgan has had a sad solo career. Morrissey will never ever outlive the Smiths. Led Zeppelin? Hello?

So Andy, unless you did something really stupid, I'm in your court. You got us to deal with now, Turner.


Getting the band back together!!!
Photo Location

The Arctic Monkeys' bassist has left the band for good.

From the band's website:

If you didn't know Nick had taken over bass duties, please read this for a quick refresher.

Honestly, I figure being in a band isn't easy. First you gotta get signed. So you're flat broke and lugging around very heavy shit, all over town, possibly from town to town, playing to a bunch of people who don't care, cause most people only like the music they've been told to like. Even if your friends and family think you're talented, odds are they think you're living in a fantasy world if you think you're the next big thing, and they'll take any opportunity to remind you that you're gonna fail. Then let's say you make it, now the word touring takes on a different meaning, as the label pushes you to play 24/7 just to get your name stuck in some taste-makers' heads. You'll play a show late at night, and then do a radio gig at 5am the next morning so people can be reminded of the show they just saw in the car on the way to work, only to jump in a van and drive 6 hours to do it again. Finally you get to point where people start to know you, like you, buy your CD, come to the show, but don't get comfy, cause here comes the backlash.

It's enough to drive anyone bonkers, and apparently Andy Nicholson has had enough. It's kinda sad, and you wonder if Andy would have enjoyed the band's success had it not hit him at such break-neck speed.

Then again, rockstar is a way better job than working in a cubicle, and the pay isn't bad either. Andy, what the fuck were you thinking?



Unemployed