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 Oasis singer Liam Gallagher is seen on the main stage at the Virgin Music Festival shortly before his brother, Noel Gallagher, was attacked. (PHOTO: John Williams, Canoe.ca) |
7:52 p.m...
A Pickering, Ont., man has been charged after Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher was attacked at the Virgin festival on Sunday. Daniel Sullivan, 47, faces one count of assault and has been released from custody on a promise to appear in court on Oct. 24, said Toronto police Const. Tony Vella.
--John Williams
1:07 p.m...
The band just issued a statement saying that after Noel Gallagher fell "heavily" into his monitor, he was taken to a Toronto hospital after the show, and was being treated for a possible fractured rib as well as ligament damage.
The status of their concert at London's John Labatt Centre tomorrow night (Sept. 9) is now up in the air.
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A Sun Media reporter is stationed at a downtown court awaiting the appearance of the accused man.
--John Williams
9:33 a.m...
Here's a morning rundown of the story we broke last night: A man in his fourties was arrested and later charged with assault after guitarist Noel Gallagher was attacked on stage midway through their headlining set at the Virgin Music Festival in Toronto.
After knocking Noel down hard to the ground, the man attempted to go after Liam as well, but missed after Oasis' security team tackled him.
In a YouTube video, it shows Liam trying to seek retribution, kicking the assailant while he was being dragged off stage.
There will no doubt be much more to follow. We will post more as it comes in.
--John Williams
10:53 p.m...
Nathan Rosenberg, chief marketing officer for Virgin, just came out to give us the details of the attack on Noel Gallagher earlier this evening.
Apparently, the assailant came from underneath the stage before pushing the guitarist.
No motive was given.
In a statement, Rosenberg said: "(Oasis) understand sometimes these things happen."
Security is looking into how the breach happened to ensure it doesn't occur at future events.
Even though the band cut their set short, fans left in an orderly fashion.
Coo coo ca choo.
--Mark Daniell
10:39 p.m...
Lights on, show's over. Oasis just wrapped up their set, playing for just over an hour, including a five-minute stop after guitarist Noel Gallagher was attacked on stage midway through the set.
The final song was a cover of The Beatles' "I Am The Walrus."
--Jon Cook
10:15 p.m...
Here's the story morning glory. Apparently, the unknown assailant snuck past concert security and Oasis' personal security and rushed Noel from behind.
Right now as the band rips through "Supersonic" his attacker is in the back of a cop car and will likely be charged with trespassing.
Unfazed, Noel commented that the event added "a little excitement" to the show.
The elder Gallagher is no stranger to on-stage assaults, as he was also attacked at a show in Newcastle, England back in 1994. That time a fan jumped onto the stage and punched the guitarist in the face, cutting him with his ring, before Noel kicked back and swung his guitar at the man with Liam following in and eventually having to be dragged off stage.
How's that for getting Oasis moving?
10:06 p.m...
Band's back on sans Liam.
Noel's singing "The Importance of Being Idle" and he just said, "We'll go on."
Stay tuned.
9:59 p.m...
Show's over?
Some random person from side-stage just pushed Noel onstage during "What's the Story Morning Glory?"
I saw something similar at a Morrissey and it was curtains.
--Mark Daniell--
9:45 p.m...
After watching Oasis in concert for the first time, it really is surprising how little they move. Liam Gallagher is a virtual monolith in front of the mike and brother Noel is content to stand off to the side and strum. When you contrast them to the next generation of British bands, like the Pigeon Detectives, who played on a side stage at V-Fest, the difference is stunning.
PD's frontman Matt Bowman actually tore ligaments in his hamstring performing scissor kicks off the amp at a gig earlier this year, while the closest Liam could come is denting a filling by holding the tambourine between his teeth.
The Detectives actually dropped by to take in the Oasis set, after wrapping up their own and said how their hometown of Leeds is just "20 minutes down the road" from the Gallaghers' birthplace in Manchester.
PDs bassist Dave Best, while admitting "we grew up on Oasis songs," was candid about their more recent material: "Obviously their last three albums haven’t been as good as their first couple, but who cares it’s Oasis."
Best also noted Liam's economy of movement: "They’ve still got that charisma on stage, even though they don’t move."
--Jon Cook
9:12 p.m...
"F---ing in the Bushes" - the brothers Gallagher are back. Bathed in blue light, "Rock n Roll Star" and a rousing rendition of "Lyla," is really getting the crowd going.
Fans are going wild. Pics are coming soon!
9:02 p.m...
An announcer just came out and informed us Oasis will be coming on a bit late. In the meantime, I cruised by the Bacardi tent, where Moby just finished spinning one of his rare DJ sets.
And if the crowds there and the adjacent beer garden are any indication, Oasis fans are going to go absolutely nuts if their band isn't on soon.
Not to contradict my man Jon Cook, but 'lukewarm reception' is being kind. I have never seen so many people in a crowd display such complete indifference to a performer.
I actually cringed for Weller when he launched into "Picking Up Sticks" - a song, he said, had never been released in Canada.
Not smart.
--Mark Daniell--
8:15 p.m...
Much has been made about the supposed "British Invasion" taking place on Day 2 of this year's V-Fest. A handfull of Brit bands hardly makes for a surge, but what Sunday night's main-stage ticket offered was a chance for fans to witness both the past and present of UK pop.
With Paul Weller and Oasis performing back-to-back sets to close out the two-day festival, it felt like a passing of the torch between two icons of British music. On the one hand was Weller, dubbed the 'Modfather' of British music for his groundbreaking work with The Jam in the 1970s that spawned such classics as "A Town Called Malice" and "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight." Oasis, whose architect Noel Gallagher counts Weller as a friend and idol, has been the reigning monarch of Brit music for the last 14 years, picking up where The Jam and Weller's Style Council left off.
While a musical connection would be tenuous at best between the two, there is no doubt Weller's brattish behaviour and outspoken nature over the years has paved the way for the infamous Gallaghers.
On this night, the brothers Gallagher could be seen bopping along at the side of the stage during Weller's hour-long set. After opening with some of his more recent bluesy numbers, Weller dove into his youthful political song "The Changingman" - a song Weller, a renowned lefty, once refused to loan to the Labour party for an election anthem.
From there, Weller performed his brand new single "All I Want To Do" off the album "22 Dreams," released in July. As expected most of the new material met with a lukewarm reception from the pro-British crowd bedecked in St. George crosses.
That's when Weller revved it up a notch with the anthemic "A Town Called Malice," that got everyone back on side.
Perhaps the influence of Weller and Oasis was best put into perspective by Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, who tried relentlessly to ink Weller to his V2 record label.
"Obviously the principal reason that people want to see these people is because of their music," said Branson, "but when they come to do interviews, it can be a pretty boring interview just talking about their music time and time again and it adds a whole new dimension."
--Jon Cook
6:59 p.m...
Stereophonics are five songs into their set, and after a bit of a slow start, they seem to be in a groove on the main stage. Pics to follow...
--John Williams
5:45 p.m...
If you weren't fortunate enough to attend this year's Virgin Fest in Toronto, then you missed a breakthrough performance by Los Angeles alt-rockers Silversun Pickups.
Toronto audiences have been spoiled, as the high-energy quartet were playing their second gig here in as many months. And to acknowledge the enthusiastic reception, lead singer Brian Aubert, was in a very giving mood. "Not to pander to you, but you guys have been so really, really, really amazing, we can't wait to come here again next year."
Aubert and bassist Nikki Monninger remind one of Garbage's Butch Vig and Shirley Manson. Expertly aided by keyboardist Joe Lester and drummer Christopher Guanlao, the fearsome foursome performed spirited renditions of favourites off their 2006 debut "Carnavas."
The band's distorted angst-ridden rock has drawn comparisons to The Smashing Pumpkins, which was evident on singles "Little Lovers So Polite" (Joaquin Phoenix directed the video), "Future Foe" and "Lazy Eye."
The Pickups are currently working on their next album, which is due to be released some time next year. If it's half of what Carnavas is, then it won't be long until they're headlining big summer festivals.
--Jon Cook
4:30 p.m...
Leave it to the melodic strains of Winnipeg's The Weakerthans to chase away the clouds that had been hovering over the Virgin Festival here on Toronto Island.
Lead singer John Samson created a 'cozy' groove on the main stage with a splendid version of the band's most recent single "Night Windows," off this year's "Reunion Tour" album. The song has been nominated for SOCAN's Echo Songwriting Prize.
Before launching into "Tournament of Hearts," Samson commented: "That last song was about how much we love you, this song is about curling."
The set also included hits "My Favourite Chords," "Reconstruction Site" and "Left and Leaving." The Weakerthans seemed to appreciate the invite as much as the fans, after missing a Lolapalooza date in Chicago last month due to a tour bus breakdown. After finishing his set, Samson asked the crowd if he could seal the moment with a photo... nice touch.
--Jon Cook
2:21 p.m...
"It ain't a rock 'n' roll show until it fuckin' rains!," Danko Jones says emphatically. The Toronto trio has certainly turned it up a few thousand notches here on the main stage.
I don't know whether it's just because we're relatively early in the day, but they have to be the loudest act yet -- yes, even more than the Foo Fighters. My ears are ringing as I write this...
Sleepy head Jon Cook is on his way -- I'm ready for the beer tent.
--John Williams
2:21 p.m...
Toronto's Spiral Beach are doing a commendable job of getting the rain-soaked crowd in a better mood -- singer Maddy Wilde has quite the presence, bouncing around behind the keyboards.
A helluva lot better kick off than yesterday...Pics to follow...
12:50 p.m...
It seems only fitting, with the Brit-heavy lineup today, that it is downright miserable here on Toronto Island -- they brought the weather with them.
It has been raining so hard that our media tent had begun to pool water on the roof, but thanks to a few fine VFest crew members, the crisis was averted and equipment was spared.
First up is Canadian indie rockers Spiral Beach -- they're going to have a tough time warming up the crowd -- it's chi-chi-chilly.
--John Williams
1:08 a.m...
Long trip back home (Ajax, ON) for this guy. Caught the rest of the Foos set on our way to the ferry -- good thing we left. Their set sagged after "My Hero", with Dave Grohl getting into some pretty useless onstage banter -- went on for about 10 minutes -- a waste of two songs they could have played.
Still, a good day was had by all, with many of the folks looking forward to Day 2 with the likes of Paul Weller, Stereophonics and of course, Oasis. Yes, the British are coming!
Time for some shut eye -- I'll be back on site before you know it with more updates.
--John Williams
10:12 p.m...
After an extended version of "Stacked Actors," the band quieted things down with acoustic runs through "Skin and Bones" and "Marigold" - the only Nirvana song that Grohl ever sang lead vocals on - and a triumphant, piano-led, "My Hero." Shots of the Foos' set have been uploaded in the gallery.
John and Jon will be back first thing tomorrow before I roll in to bat clean up.
--Mark Daniell
9:40 p.m...
"How many of you have never seen this band before?" Grohl just asked. Quick count. This is my, er, fourth time seeing the Foos, but perhaps you can call it the first - wink, wink. "Good thing you waited 13 years! The good news is we're way better than we were 14 years ago and you're lucky because tonight we're going to play a lot of old shit.
"We're going to play until they f---ing tell us to stop," Grohl just uttered before launching into "Long Road to Ruin." Wow people we're in for a show. They've already ripped into a cover of The Who's "Young Man's Blues." What's next? Jimmy Page?
Earlier Grohl, who put a decidedly sexual overtone to the evening, observed: "I know you've been f---ing taking E and f---ing all day. Well, I'm going to give you one last chance to rock balls before you take the love boat back home."
Wow, if I knew he was this entertaining, I would have taken it easy the last time round.
Ew...Grohl just let the crowd sing the opening lines of "Break Out" and cut them off. "When you guys sing it, it just sounds...wrong"
Does someone have a future on American Idol?
--Mark Daniell
9:10 p.m...
On a summer eve that felt more like Fall, veteran rockers the Foo Fighters heated up the Virgin Fest main stage in Toronto with an incendiary version of "All My Life," that sent the throng of 20,000-plus into a frenzy. In true rock star fashion Dave Grohl barked out the lines "C'mon all you mother f@#$ers, let's make some noise" and then launched into a rousing "Times Like These" punctuated with screams of, "Ya gotta sing it." After a hushed closing, the opening strains of a remarkably crisp "Learn to Fly" backed by plucky drums and thick bass middle started rippling through the crowd.
--Mark Daniell
8:30 p.m...
Bloc Party proves it takes just two things to make it in the music biz: 1. a British accent and 2. a retro-punk sound. Colour me unimpressed. However, I should add I am definitely in the minority (maybe the only one) who feels this way, judging from the overzealous response from the now surging V-Fest crowd and the Toronto Star's Ben Rayner, who turned himself into a living cliche by (yawn) annointing Bloc Party as the "Next Big Thing." If Billy Talent was British, would he be writing the same thing about them?
--Jon Cook
7:56 p.m...
Brit sensations Bloc Party are two songs into their set -- a little too hyped up for my liking, but the crowd seems to enjoy them.
--John Williams
6:56 p.m...
Well folks, I was enjoying Against Me!'s set until I got word that the Foo Fighters, like the Killers last year, apparently not photogenic.
They've hand-picked the amount of photographers they want shooting their set (seven out of about 40 here), and we ain't one of them.
Time to think up an alternate plan...Moohahahahaha....
I spoke too soon...I weaseled my way in...
--John Williams
5:45 p.m...
Brooklyn psychedelic rockers MGMT created a veritable ‘love-in’ at the Toronto V-Fest with a ‘60s-inspired 50-minute set.
The Brooklyn duo of keyboardist Ben Goldwasser and singer-guitarist Andrew VanWyngarden thrilled the capacity crowd with a potpourri of ‘60s-tinged electronica and psychotropic rock riffs that made them one of Rolling Stone magazine’s top 10 "Artist to Watch" in 2008.
It’s been a wild ride for MGMT (pronounced management), since the two Wesleyan University alumns formed in 2002. Since the digital release of their debut album “Oracular Spectacular” last October, the pair has appeared on David Letterman and Conan O’Brien, played every big festival (Bonnaroo, Coachella, Glastonbury, Roskilde and Virgin Fest) opened for Radiohead and is due to tour with Beck in Australia this Fall.
VanWyngarden, who has been romantically linked to actress Kirsten Dunst, took the stage in a black t-shirt and purple pants and opened the set with “Weekend Wars,” that samples the Rolling Stones.
VanWyngarden’s falsetto, equal parts David Bowie and Robert Plant, perfectly complimented Goldwasser’s Joy Division-esque keyboard skills on popular tracks “Of Moons, Birds & Monsters,” “4th Dimensional Transition” and “Electric Eel.”
However it was their pop-ier hits “Time to Pretend” (a satire of the sex-drugs-and-rock-and-roll stereotype featured in the film “21”) and “Kids” that got the crowd singing out loud and swaying with abandon.
For a band that has joked it would sell out “as fast as possible,” let’s hope they stick around for at least a few more albums.
--Jon Cook
4:31 p.m...
Canadian art-punk heroes the Constantines are ripping it up right now. The crowd, which is getting bigger by the minute, are right into their set, clapping along and finally getting into the Fest. Added bonus -- the sun is out!
--John Williams
3:15 p.m...
Virgin empresario Richard Branson related an interesting story about his signing of Stereophonics to his fledgling record label, V2, back in 1996.
Back then labels were falling all over themselves to ink the Welsh lads, but it was a call Branson made to lead singer Kelly Jones's mother that sealed the deal.
"I asked her to intercede on our behalf and she had a word with the boys, who were only teenagers then, and somehow managed to persuade them that V2 was going to be good for them," confessed Branson, who dropped by the media presser, just prior to the start of Day 1 of the Toronto festival, now in it's third year.
Since that fortuitous phone call, the Stereophonics have gone on to produce five No. 1 albums in the UK. The band will release a greatest hits compilation, entitled "Decade In The Sun: The Best Of Stereophonics" on November 17th, 2008. The compilation features new tracks: "My Own Worst Enemy" and "You're My Star."
Branson also used family connections to sign Paul Weller, getting to the iconic rocker through his manager and father. "Yeah it’s funny, mum and dad," laughed Branson, "but that worked out well."
The Stereophonics will be performing tomorrow night at approximately 6:00 p.m., just before Paul Weller and Oasis close out the festival.
--Jon Cook
2:30 p.m...
I unfortunately have to agree with my colleague re: Mark Robertson. Nothing against Mr. Robertson, who does have a nice, mellow sound, but you have to question the wisdom of having the Montrealer's hypnotic R&B set kick off a major rock festival.
Nevertheless you have to feel for Robertson - who toured as kid koala's guitarist - as he had to tell the sedated crowd that his song was over and got a negative response when he asked them if he had time for "one more song"... yikes.
American indie rockers, The Airborne Toxic Event, were supposed to get things going on the main stage, but will now follow Robertson, which now seems like a brilliant move.
--Jon Cook
2:08 p.m...
I think I've found another cure for insomnia -- it's VFest opener Mark Robertson. Asking the mostly-teen crowd "if they like love songs" usually isn't the best way of endearing yourself to them.
He did toss out a few CDs for the sparse crowd, but most of them landed in the gaping hole at the front of the stage.
Not off to a roaring start, folks.
1:10 p.m... Yes, we're back! The masses are just about to descend on Toronto Island for this weekend's Toronto Virgin Music Festival.
We'll give you the lowdown on some of the bands on the main stage, with a few others thrown in.
We're getting ready for the first act to hit the stage -- Montreal's Mark Robertson, scheduled for 2:00 pm ET.
We had a surprise on the other side of the water, as Virgin CEO Sir Richard Branson crashed the media gathering -- my right hand man Jon Cook managed to snag a quickie interview -- photos to come.
Sit back, grab a beverage, and keep reloading!
--John Williams