Media releases

TORONTO ALL SET FOR CANADA'S HOTTEST MUSIC FESTIVAL!

Set times for more than 30 A-list acts announced.

TORONTO (ONTARIO) August 24, 2009

VIRGIN FESTIVAL is finishing off its 2009 tour across Canada with a bang by bringing the Festival back to the city where it all began. The fourth annual Virgin Festival Ontario is gearing up to take over Toronto’s THE MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE this weekend and today the Festival set times have been released for all 36 sizzling acts!

Highlights for day one include alternative rock legends PIXIES hitting the Virgin Mobile stage at 7:40 p.m. followed by co-headliners BEN HARPER & RELENTLESS7 at 9:45 p.m. Over on the Virgin Radio 999 stage, day one highlights include current UK chart-topper fave PITBULL at 5:30 p.m. and DANIEL MERRIWEATHER at 7 p.m.

Day two highlights include English electronic dance icons PET SHOP BOYS on the Virgin Mobile stage at 7:50 p.m. followed at 9:30 p.m. by the eagerly-awaited and last ever performance in Canada by industrial rock gods NINE INCH NAILS. Reggae fusion singer SEAN KINGSTON performs on the Virgin Radio 999 stage on day two at 7 p.m.

For all the set times head to www.virginfestival.ca/ontario/lineup

"This is our fourth Festival in Toronto and our tenth overall. We’re kicking it up a notch for Toronto this year and music lovers will see one of our most diverse line-ups ever,” said Andrew Bridge, Director of Virgin Festival Canada. “Virgin Festivals around the world are known for bringing together an eclectic and one-of-a-kind mix of talent from world famous headliners to local up-and-coming artist. We’re delivering rock, pop, hip hop, electro, blue, indie, reggae and way more."

This year’s Virgin Festival Ontario was originally scheduled to take place at Burl’s Creek Park in Oro, Ontario but due to slow ticket sales the Festival made the switch to The Molson Amphitheatre. "We’re delighted to be coming downtown! Since the move to The Molson Amphitheatre ticket sales have shot up and we’ve had a lot of excitement and interest in the Festival being back in Toronto. We’re looking forward to an awesome turn-out for Canada’s tenth Virgin Festival," added Bridge.

On top of the sublime music, the festival will be jam-packed with one-of-a-kind experiences, including burlesque pole dancing lessons, graf artists spraying original works of art, Xbox 360 gaming zone, swag for trash and even a cool zone thanks to Bacardi Breezer!

Don’t call it a concert

Virgin Festival is known for delivering a ton of mind-blowing experiences. Ontario won’t be any different, with Virgin Festival cooking up an incredible batch of on-site goodies:

• Get your zen on – Tired music lovers can relax with a Thai massage in the Vendor Village.
• Bring a pen… or a body part – Lucky fans can rub shoulders with their fave artists at the Virgin Mobile Autograph Tent and take home a little signed souvenir to show off.
• Swag for trash! – Virgin Mobile wants you to get trashy! Bring in as many water bottles as you can from around the festival site and trade them in for some awesome stuff like a bottle of glacéau vitaminwater™, a festival merchandise coupon or even a Virgin Mobile phone!
• Get artsy – Music isn’t the only art going down at Virgin Festival. If your ears need a rest, then you can always feast your eyes on some awesome art that will be on display around the Festival.
• "Whatcha gonna do with all that junk?" – Music lovers with energy to spare can channel their inner exhibitionist and work out with burlesque pole dancing lessons.
• Shhhhhhhhh – Music festivals are supposed to be loud, but if people need a little peace and quiet to make a quick call, then Virgin Mobile Silencer Booths will be set up around the Festival for a short escape.

Check out www.virginfestival.ca/ontario for further details.

The full line-up!

Legendary rockers BEN HARPER & RELENTLESS7 will co-headline day one with alternative rock legends PIXIES. Joining them will be Scottish rockers FRANZ FERDINAND; singer-songwriter PAOLO NUTINI; Brooklyn indie rockers GRIZZLY BEAR; American rock duo MATES OF STATE; Canadian faves SLOAN; Juno Award-winner LIGHTS; Canadian rockers THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE; California new wave rockers IGLU AND HARTLY; and Toronto-based foursome THE SUPERSTITIONS. On top of that, UK-pop royal DANIEL MERRIWEATHER and chart topping PITBULL will headline the Virgin Radio 999 stage with guests such as Canadian singer-songwriter ANJULIE; electro club artists CANDY COATED KILLAHZ; progressive indie artists DOWN WITH WEBSTER; and Toronto electro-rock duo THUNDERHEIST!

Industrial rock gods NINE INCH NAILS will headline day two and will be joined by English electronic dance icons PET SHOP BOYS; Juno Award-winning band OUR LADY PEACE; American party hip hop band N.E.R.D.; American indie band COLD WAR KIDS; Grammy Award-nominated rock band MUTEMATH; Danish rockers MEW; Montréal indie rock band PLANTS AND ANIMALS; Quebec songstress COEUR DE PIRATE; alt-rockers THE VON BONDIES; Norwegian electro-rock group DATAROCK; Montréal indie rockers SILVER STARLING; and alt rockers D’URBERVILLES! Day two on the Virgin Radio 999 stage will be headlined by reggae fusion singer SEAN KINGSTON. Also pumping up the volume on the Virgin Radio 999 stage will be Canadian R&B singer-songwriter MELANIE FIONA; electro hip hop group HYPER CRUSH; punk rocker TROUBLE ANDREW; Electro Pop Punk locals FRITZ HELDER & THE PHANTOMS; and synth-pop specialists THE NEW CITIES.

Keep an eye on www.virginfestival.ca/ontario for the latest information for Virgin Festival Ontario. Fans can also keep up to date with Virgin Festival on Twitter at www.twitter.com/virginmobilecan and on the Virgin Festival Canada Facebook® fan page.

Still need a ticket…

If you have already purchased a Virgin Festival Ontario ticket for Burl’s Creek you are good to go the festival – just keep hold of your ticket(s) and bring them to The Molson Amphitheatre on August 29 and 30 to gain entry.

General ticket sales are available in person at all Ticketmaster outlets, select Future Shop locations, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or www.futureshop.ca and by calling (416) 870-8000. Ticket information is also available at www.virginfestival.ca/ontario.

One day general admission pit, general admission 200 level and reserved admission 300 level tickets are $59.50 plus $3.75 facility fee and a $1 donation to Virgin Unite (includes all sales taxes). Two-day general admission pit, general admission 200 level and reserved 300 level tickets are $99.00 plus $7.50 facility fee and a $2 donation to Virgin Unite (includes all sales taxes).

One day reserved 400 level tickets are $49.50 plus $3.75 facility fee and a $1 donation to Virgin Unite (includes all sales taxes).  Two-day reserved 400 level tickets are $89.00 plus $7.50 facility fee and a $2 donation to Virgin Unite (includes all sales taxes).

One day reserved 400 level tickets are $49.50 plus $3.75 facility fee and a $1 donation to Virgin Unite (includes all sales taxes).  Two-day reserved 400 level tickets are $89.00 plus $7.50 facility fee and a $2 donation to Virgin Unite (includes all sales taxes).

One day lawn tickets are $39.50 plus $3.75 facility fee and a $1 donation to Virgin Unite (includes all sales taxes).

Festival tickets will also provide free access to the Canadian National Exhibition and Ontario Place ($15 value!).

Sorry, VIP tickets are sold-out!

Can’t make it to Toronto?

If you choose not to go to the festival and had purchased a ticket for Burl’s Creek head to www.virginfestival.ca/ontario for information on getting a full refund.  Camping tickets will be automatically refunded.

About Virgin Festival Canada

Virgin Festival held its first Canadian festival in Toronto in 2006.  Since then it has become one of the biggest music festivals in Canada attracting around 200,000 fans.  In 2009, Virgin Festival will host five festivals – one each in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec!  Virgin Festival also works to raise funds for Virgin Unite – the charitable arm of the Virgin Group that focuses on creating grass roots change and sustainable businesses to make a real difference for people around the world who need it most.   For more information check out www.virginfestival.ca

About Virgin Mobile

The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted more than 12 million customers worldwide. As the No.1 mobile youth network, Virgin Mobile Canada's mission is to be Canada’s most loved mobile company. Its simpler, better deals offer customers control, flexibility and choice to design mobile packages that truly works for them. J.D. Power and Associates ranked Virgin Mobile highest in customer satisfaction with prepaid wireless service for four years in a row  and 91% of customers would recommend Virgin Mobile to a friend.

Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations with top-up cards available at more than 10,000 locations nationally. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at www.virginmobile.ca or by calling 1-888-999-2321.

For more information, please contact:

Kayla Rochkin, Hill & Knowlton Canada
416-413-4767
kayla.rochkin@hillandknowlton.ca

Erica Faltous, Hill & Knowlton Canada
416-413-4695 / 416-400-0171
erica.faltous@hillandknowlton.ca

For information about artist interviews, please contact:
Amanda Munro, Segal Communications
416-775-2309
amanda.munro@segalcommuniactions.com