First acts announced for theUS V Festival

Mon 26th Mar, 2007 in International News

While Sydney and the Gold Coats will dance to the beat of the first Australian V Festival this weekend, the US gears up for their V Festival with a newly reunited The Police headlining the bill. Sting’s original band got back together earlier this year to perform at the Grammy Awards and have confirmed details of huge European and North American tours since.

The Smashing Pumpkins, who also have 2007 marked as their comeback year, will also perform the festival, though the full details of the revived lineup have yet to be confirmed. Vocalist Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlain have confirmed their inclusion, while original bassist D’Arcy Wretzky and guitarist James Iha have announced no intentions to take part. Former Hole bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur, who joined the band after Wretzky’s departure in 1999, has offered her services if needed, though nothing has been confirmed at this point.

New York’s finest hip-hop act, the Beastie Boys, have also been named on the initial lineup. Since releasing To the 5 Boroughs in 2004, Mike D, Adrock, MCA and Mix Master Mike have been touring the globe and recently wowed AUstralian fans on the Good Vibrations tour.

Set to take place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore from August 4-5 this year’s festival will feature fewer, but bigger acts, according to V Festival producer Seth Hurwitz.
 
“We only have 12 slots a day on two big stages, and our concept is to fill our slots with the absolute best talent available,” Hurwitz said, in an interview with Billboard Magazine.

Sad news for US music fans though: V Festival will take place on the same weekend as Chicago’s Lollapalooza.

Stay tuned to FasterLouder for further details.