Brit band Massive Attack pulls out of V-Fest over immigration visas

A British group has dropped out of the first North American V-Fest music extravaganza in Toronto because the memberscouldn't get U.S. immigration visas.

The two-day Virgin Festival is slatedfor this weekend on Toronto Island. It's sponsored by Virgin Mobile and is patterned after the hugely successful V-Fest in Britain thathas run for 11 years.

More than 40 bands — including The Flaming Lips, Gnarls Barkley, Sam Roberts Band, Alexisonfire, Wolfmother, The Dears, The Hidden Cameras, K'Naan and Starsailor— are expected to rock about 50,000 music fans.

"In spite of timely and co-ordinated efforts, the essential U.S. immigration visas were not issued in time," said a statement from the band's management on Thursday. Massive Attack has also cancelled shows in Montreal, Detroit and Chicago.

"The band hopes to reschedule the cancelled shows as soon as possible."

V-Fest organizers say Toronto indie rockers Broken Social Scene will perform instead.

"We apologize to everyone who bought tickets expecting to see Massive Attack perform, but we know that the new lineup continues to deliver an outstanding two-day experience," said producer Jacob Smid.

The music show will also feature DJs from around the world. There will be an onsite food court, beer gardens and a "V-Village" with interactive exhibitors.

V-Fest is set to move to Baltimore on Sept. 23, and to Vancouver, Montreal and three other countries in 2007.

"It's the biggest sort of social event on the calendar for a particular age group in the U.K.," Virgin boss Richard Branson proclaimedin announcing V-Fest Canada in June.

Britain's V-Fest in August featured the likes of Radiohead, Morrissey and Fat BoySlim.