Virgin Festival Toronto 2008

Noel Gallagher @ Virgin Festival
Oasis @ Virgin Festival
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Well when the dust settled most of the talk was of the attack on Noel Gallagher. This was a most unfortunate way to end of a great festival. This years festival featured Oasis, Foo Fighters, Pigeon Detectives, Paul Weller, Stereophoics, The Kooks and many more great bands. However what most impressed me was the talent at the Oh Henry Stage. This years smallest stage featured bands like We Are The Take, Saint Alvia, Flash Lightnin', Lights, Bad Flirt, The Waking Eyes, Arkells, Shad, The Secret Broadcast and others.

Arkells @ Virgin Festival
Arkells @ Virgin Festival
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

I was most impressed by Arkells performance. They are a great band from the Hamilton area with a great sound and a good bit of soul. I liked these guys so much I made sure to catch their performance at the Sound Academy when they opened up for Bedouin Soundclash. They will be releasing a cd called Jackson Square at the end of October and I can only expect they'll just build on great songs like Champagne Socialist and Oh The Boss is coming.

Saint Alvia @ Virgin Festival
Saint Alvia @ Virgin Festival
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Another band to put on a great performance was Saint Alvia. The guys from Burlington have been getting really good reviews and very well deserved. They have the best punk sound I've heard in quite some time. A comparison to the Clash is almost inevitable as they share some of the same spirit or charm in their sound. They are having a cd release show at the Horseshoe in October. Not to be missed.

Other fun bands I was able to catch were The Waking Eyes, Flash Lightnin' and Lights.
I'll make sure to see then when they play their club shows in Toronto.

The Waking Eyes @ Virgin Festival
The Waking Eyes @ VirginFestival
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Flash Lightnin' @ Virgin Festival
Flash Lightnin'
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Lights @ Virgin Festival
Lights @ Virgin Festival
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


I regret not being able to catch sets by We Are The Take, Bad Flirt and others.
Hard to get them all in when there is so much great music.
Well done Virgin.