Foo Fighters Live @ Milton Keynes Bowl, 3rd June 2011

Foo Fighters are used to filling huge stadiums by now, but all that practice has made them one of the most consistently entertaining live acts in the world. The Foo’s graduated to one of the biggest live acts in 2006 following their first headliner slot at Hyde Park, before cementing their live reputation at the now legendary sold-out Wembley shows in 2008.

What makes the Foo Fighters such a popular and impressive live band is that they are not afraid to play their hits. In fact, Dave Grohl and Co. love returning to the live areas and playing classics such as ‘Everlong’ and ‘Best Of You’. So, with their new stadium-friendly album ready for another Foo’s tour, where better to perform than two nights at the Milton Keynes Bowl to over 140,000 fans.

After a strong supporting cast - including Jimmy Eat World and Scottish legends Biffy Clyro - kept the huge crowd more than entertained, it was time for the main event. And what an event it was. Kicking off with ‘Bridge Burning’ - the epic opener from Foo Fighter’s newest album, Wasting Light - the Foo’s proceeded to put on an unbelievable show, full of classics, newbie’s and some rarities.

Arcade Fire Live @ Hyde Park, 30th June 2011

Arcade Fire’s meteoric rise from quaint indie rock band to full-blown superstars always had an air of inevitability about it. Their debut album, Funeral, was mind-blowingly good. The Canadian band then released their follow up album, Neon Bible, and once again created a phenomenal album, full of truly epic rock anthems.

Yet whilst Arcade Fire swiftly built a strong cult following and critics poured praise all over their first two albums, they still remained relatively unknown. Third album, The Suburbs - yet another world class album from Arcade Fire - won Album of the Year at the 2011 Grammy Awards and two BRIT Awards, yet still had some people asking “Who Are Arcade Fire?”.

However, Arcade Fire’s Grammy win did bring them more attention and secured them a headline slot at Hyde Park, a gig that often provides a launch pad for bands to move from a big band to a massive one. Before the seven piece from Canada took to the stage there were stellar support slots from Arcade Fire contributor Owen Pallet, The Vaccines, Beirut and Mumford & Sons.

Sunday @ Glastonbury Review

After spending most of the week slushing about in mud, soaked to the bone, the sun finally decided to show up on Sunday. And it was bloody hot. So what better way to start the day than with the chilled R&B musings of Jamie Woon, whose debut album, Mirrorwriting, was one of the best albums from the BBC’s Sound of 2011 nominees.

The BRIT school graduate had a great crowd on the West Holts Stage, as he went through the best songs from Mirrorwriting such as ‘Night Air’, Lady Luck’ and ‘Spirals’. Woon was clearly enjoying himself and whilst his debut can be quite intense, he decided to lighten the mood a bit with a stonking cover of Charles & Eddie song ‘Would I Lie To You’.