Sounds of summer

Just bought my ticket to Supersonic, the left-field mini-ATP-type festival which takes place in Birmingham in July - should be a nice counterpoint to the populism and enormity of Glasto at the end of the previous month. It'll inevitably mean fraternising with the people Phill has labelled "the Custerati" - but at least I'll get the pleasure of witnessing sets by the likes of Mogwai, Om, Kling Klang, Sunn O))) and Kid 606, plus I'll be able to renew my acquaintance with Wolf Eyes. My bowels are already a-quiver at the prospect...

Much more sedate and serene is Summer Sundae, this year to be headlined by The Magic Numbers, The Divine Comedy and an acoustic Spiritualized performance. We had a fantastic time last year, but it's unlikely we'll end up there again this time around - and that's despite the lure of The Concretes, !!!, Malcolm Middleton, Gruff Rhys and (most of all) Low.

Gruff Rhys is also amongst those appearing at The Green Man Festival in Brecon. From humble beginnings, the festival founded by Jo and Danny of It's Jo & Danny has grown and grown and this year's line-up suggests it's moving gradually away from its folk-rock roots and branching out into different areas. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Battles, Bill Callahan, Fridge and Dead Meadow are among the reasons I'm itching to add it to the summer's itinerary.

End Of The Road in Dorset in September would wrap the summer up nicely, what with appearances from Archie Bronson Outfit, Josh Pearson, Howe Gelb, Midlake, Super Furry Animals and especially Yo La Tengo - but I suspect that finances will very probably dictate that I have to be satisfied with it all being capped by Sonic Youth performing Daydream Nation in its entirety on 1st September. Shouldn't complain, really...

So, how's your summer shaping up?