Self-evident though it may sound, Pitchfork Music Festival felt fantastically festive, as though our smug cynicism had been lifted from all of our minds for the duration of our stay at hip-young-music-snob-heaven, a time during which many Parisians briefly reunite with long-lost acquaintances such as the concept of bright, flashy colours and non-ironic optimism.

Pitchfork Music Festival has expanded to take over the Bastille area for two evenings chock full of performances by promising new acts from the indie music scene. Here I stood, sole person in line at the Badaboum at 7:30 pm sharp, with excitement tingling in my brain and French opinionatedness running through my veins. I was ready.

Set every year around the end of October and start of November, Pitchfork Music Festival has quickly earned its place as a staple event in the Parisian music scene through its yearly display of cutting-edge artists and rare live performances. Here are ten artists Echoes and Dust are looking forward to seeing at the festival.

The fact that it sold out months in advance . . . reflects the dedication shown by loyal customers who return to Green Man year-on-year, with familiar faces popping up and the taking place of many re-united hugs. This is a family affair; everybody knows everybody else, but first-timers will also undoubtedly be welcomed with open arms and warmth.

Here’s the lowdown on Kozfest 2018, including headline appearances by Mugstar, The Cosmic Dead and Nodens Ictus.

Even without Protest The Hero topping it, Sunday was still a stupidly impressive lineup, and after the quality sets on show on Saturday, the festival looked set to end on a massive high. . .

Saturday was all set to bring some well-hyped rising stars, returning favourites, a stacked after-party, and a left-field headliner for the Waghorn Guitars Stage. . .

It’s that time of year again, when the lovers of technical guitars and poly-rhythms descend on a cowshed in Newark for a weekend of musical virtuosity and wizardry. And nobody’s more excited than the weather, with literal tornadoes storming the campsite on the Thursday. . .

Michael Nash selects his must see acts at this year’s Green Man Festival.

If getting the Albini seal of approval doesn’t tell you a festival is worth the punt, nothing does.

Here are 10 unmissable highlights from Devon’s intimate psychedelic festival that’s very special indeed.

Be Prog! My Friend pulls together 10 top sets, with big names Pain of Salvation, A Perfect Circle, Sons of Apollo and Steve Hackett all delivering.

Of the many great things filling this weekend few can be as illustrative of Supersonic’s approach and its audience than the closing headline acts. An English folk singer in her 80’s and an American black metal band might appear at the furthest poles from one another, but that a considerable proportion of us aren’t sure which we’ll choose to watch, and that the deep currents that connect them seem natural and obvious, says much for the spirit of the festival.

Music-wise, it covers so much ground, and in a much more cohesive way than most rock or metal festivals manage, that any prog and/or extreme music fans should consider this festival a priority; it has a line-up that ranges from dreamy post rock to brutal death metal (and that’s just between 7pm and 9pm on Saturday), and that puts on workshops with some of the endless virtuosos that play the festival.

Deep in the heart of Camden Town’s infamous walks, devout masses gathered to witness and worship the sweet, ecstatic rage of amplified mayhem. . .

Kara Chavez was at this year’s Austin Terror Fest, trying to cover as many bands as possible. With a killer line up, 2 venues, over 30 bands, several metal and punk vendors, and only three jam packed days, it was a music fest not to miss.

The UK’s premier experimental music and arts event Supersonic Festival 2018 kicks off from 22 to 24 June in Birmingham, with a host of unique and exclusive performances and appearances to get excited about, including ten things that you won’t see anywhere else this festival season.

Be Prog! My Friend’s Saturday night bill welcomes Plini, Gazpacho, Sons of Apollo, Steve Hackett and Burst to Barcelona. Read about and listen to all five acts here.

Ahead of this year’s Be Prog! My Friend festival in Barcelona, read about and listen to Persefone, Baroness, Pain of Salvation, A Perfect Circle and Oranssi Pazuzu, the five bands appearing on the Friday night.

Sunday’s Desertfest ended the glorious weekend with Monolord’s huge Doom stamping enthusiasm and Hawkwind’s space riding grooves.

Womanby Street is not the be all and end all of alternative music in Cardiff but it is undeniably a truly special place and this event showcased what makes it so dear to the hearts of music fans in the city. It seems like it shouldn’t work but by golly it does. I doubt anyone left disappointed by the first Cardiff Psych and Noise Fest.