So the final lineup for Toronto’s Virgin Festival was supposed to be announced yesterday but by the end of the work day, no press release from the organizers had appeared. But there was one from Universal Music which probably explained why the official announcement hadn’t come – as many had expected, Amy Winehouse had cancelled her Fall North American tour on account of her burgeoning career as a cautionary tale.

So as with last year when Massive Attack’s festival-closing slot was cancelled on account of visa issues, V Fest is again left scrambling to replace a high-profile act though the three weeks they have this time around is far better than the two days they had last time (Broken Social Scene were tapped last year, to the delight of some and the dismay of others). I’m also sure that feelers were put out for a possible replacement after Winehouse ODed a couple weeks ago. The most logical place to look for potential subs would be the Osheaga fest, happening that same weekend and just up the highway (well, six hours up the highway). I’d put money on Feist if she wasn’t scheduled for the Saturday in Montreal so maybe… Macy Gray? Or, possibly/hopefully a certain Brooklyn three-piece who it’s just come to my attention will be in town for a private sort of thing the night before… Who? Antonym up the post title for a hint. Also unclear is whether Paulo Nutini, who was going to be around on account of being the tour opener for Winehouse, will be in attendance.

But the rest of the show must go on and so looking at the Virgin Festival website, even though they haven’t announced it as such, it looks pretty final. A number of smaller acts have been added in the past week so if there’s still anyone yet to be announced, it’ll probably be of that stature. Those who are still hoping for someone like Radiohead to be a last minute addition – and they’re out there, I’ve seen them – will certainly be disappointed but if you live in a world where you honestly believe that Radiohead would be added to a festival lineup at the eleventh hour, you’re probably used to being disappointed.

So here’s how it’s looking:

Saturday, September 8th: Bjork Interpol Arctic Monkeys MIA Amy Winehouse Paulo Nutini (?) Mute Math The Coral Matt Costa Dragonette Enter Shikari Clothes Make The Man The Reason Birds of Wales Noah’s Arkweld Jon Levine Band Neurosonic The Wildbirds Spectrum Bang Camaro The Vincent Black Shadow Sybris k-os The Most Serene Republic Hayley Sales

Sunday, September 9th: The Smashing Pumpkins The Killers Metric Stars Tokyo Police Club Jamie T Louis XIV Editors Explosions In The Sky Peter Bjorn & John Blonde Redhead The Clientele Biffy Clyro Earl Greyhound Honeycut Justin Nozuka The Cinematics Museum Pieces DD/MM/YYYY The Carps Closedown The Heights The Red Romance Liam & Me The Postage Stamps

A whole lot of unknown names on that list, but having done a very quick sampling while gathering website links there’s a good mix of styles represented so there’s a good chance of finding something new and interesting no matter what a given festival-goer is into. Now even if the lineup is final (Update: obviously it’s not, as it’s been changing via various sources throughout the day, tracked above), there’s still the question of scheduling – there’s plenty of opportunity for conflicts between must-sees there. Hopefully that makes its way out soon and finally, since I won’t be posting this with the show review, a song from and for Ms Winehouse.

MP3: Amy Winehouse – “You Know I’m No Good” (featuring Ghostface Killah)

One of day two’s big acts – Stars – is gearing up for the physical release of In Our Bedroom After The War on September 25 by offering bonus goodies with the CD – a bonus 55-minute documentary feature on DVD called Are We Here Now?. Pitchfork has details and a trailer. And speaking of Stars goodies, make sure to swing back here later this week, I’ve got some good stuff to give away. In the meantime, watch their new video.

Video: Stars – “Take Me To The Riot” (MOV)

And if you clicked through the Feist link above, you may have found instead of her website a handwritten note announcing that she’s abandoned it for the time being for fear of robots, opting to use MySpace as her sole internet presence. She talks about many things in this interview with The Sydney Morning Herald but not the robophobia – maybe it’s still too delicate to discuss.

The New Pornographers finally released Challengers yesterday. New York Magazine, Dose, The Phoenix and The Globe & Mail talked to Carl Newman about the new album as well as his recent nuptials.

Check out the second video from Rilo Kiley’s Under The Black Light, centering around a plot wherein Jenny Lewis realizes just how short Blake Sennett is. Metacritic is being far kinder to the record than I’d expected.

Video: Rilo Kiley – “Silver Lining” (Flash)

Billboard has details on Neil Young’s next studio album and, in true Neil fashion, it’s a sequel to an album that was never released in the first place. Chrome Dreams 2, out October 16, is the follow-up to the original Chrome Dreams which was shelved in 1977 though many of the songs intended for it trickled out on subsequent releases. I had an MP3 version of it cobbled together from bootlegs, live recordings and outtakes and while it was near-unlistenable due to the crap audio quality, if released it would have possibly been Neil’s greatest record. I mean, look at the tracklist. INSANE. Here’s hoping the follow-up is even a patch on the original.

Ryan Adams discusses kicking his various drug and alcohol additions with The Sydney Morning Herald. Maybe someone should forward that link on to Amy Winehouse?

The AV Club’s Permanent Record Hall Of Fame is on a roll recently, with the latest inductee being The Wedding Present’s very worthy Seamonsters.

Billboard reports that REM will release their first live album, R.E.M. Live, on October 16 in a 2-CD/1-DVD package. Just in time for Hallowe’en!

Mercury prize nominee Bat For Lashes has a date at the El Mocambo on September 28, an unfortunate date because that’s the same night Bloc Party are going to be at Ricoh Coliseum and The Brunettes and Ferraby Lionheart are at the Horseshoe. The Sydney Morning Herald talks about the ’60s with Brunette Heather Mansfield. Hot Hot Heat is at the Kool Haus October 8 with Sebastien Grainger and De Novo Dahl, Spoon’s October 15 show has been moved from the Phoenix to the Kool Haus and Jesu is at Lee’s Palace on October 25. Adam Franklin is also at the Drake Underground on October 25. Check out the goods from his new album Bolts Of Melody below:

Stream: Adam Franklin / Bolts Of Melody
MP3: Adam Franklin – “Seize The Day”
MP3: Adam Franklin – “Syd’s Eyes”

And finally, Shout Out Out Out Out are at Lee’s for a two-night stand October 26 and 27. JAM! talks to the band about playing V Fest in Baltimore a couple weeks ago.

And we come topical full circle! Woot!

Shut up. I make my own fun.