Welcome to a slightly new style of news, where we pick up some highlights of the current festival week. These round ups will replace many of the one off news stories that appear here.  The aim is to add to this article as the week progresses if a big story breaks, so keep checking back here from time to time if you want the latest.

Round Up

First up and the big story of not only the week but possibly the summer. Owing to the serious back injury suffered by frontman Bono, U2 have reluctantly cancelled their 2010 Glastonbury headline appearance. The band have been described as ‘Heartbroken’ over the decision. Apparently Bono has suffered partial paralysis of the leg, and although he has recovered from this, the risk of further injury is too high without the necessary period of rehadilitation. The rumour mill is now in overdrive as to a replacement headliner. Dizzee Rascal is favourite as he is already second on the bill, though it is thought Eavis is looking to bring in a big name replacement. Other possibles include Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Prince and Kylie.

Reunion of the week is definitely the news that The Faces will be getting together to play Vintage at Goodwood which runs from 13th to 15th August. Unfortunately it is not a full blown line up as one Rod Stewart is washing his hair that night so Mick Hucknall of fairly popular light entertainment outfit Simply Red is doing the vocal duties. Ronnie Wood, Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan are present though. The festival claims to be showcasing the coolest elements of the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80’s, and so naturally features Noisettes and Lily Allen who aren’t from any of those decades. To be fair iconic acts such as Earth Wind and Fire, Alvin Stardust, Aswad and Heaven 17 are playing amongst a host of others. Tickets cost a not so vintage £135 for the 3 day thing and you can find out more Here

Back to Glastonbury now and the line up and news on the layout of the infamous Shangri La area has been released. Its too much for this simple publication to get into so let our good friends at E Festivals tell you all about it. Reading their take on the Shangri La story it sounds a bit like a computer game to us. Lets hope the weather doesn’t result in a ‘Game Over’ at any time during the festival.

Over in London at Hyde Park the line up for the 3 day Hard Rock Calling bash is now complete. Joining headliner Sir Paul Mc Cartney will be Crosby Stills and Nash, Crowded House and Elvis Costello. So a fair few classics to be belted out between that lot then. On Saturday the very hard rock  Stevie Wonder will be supported by Jamiroquai, James Morrison and Corinne Bailey Rae who are also very hard rock. On the Friday Pearl Jam are backed by Ben Harper, The Hives, Gaslight Anthem and Wolfmother. Tickets are still available from the usual outlets.

Reading and Leeds have announced the Lock Up Stage line ups for this year’s festival. Main attractions are Bad Religion, Against Me, Cancer Bats, Hatebreed and Sick of it All. The festival is headlined by Guns n Roses, Arcade Fire and Blink 182, with a supporting cast including Queens of the Stone Age, Weezer, the Libertines, the Cribs and Dizzee Rascal. Meanwhile the dance stage will feature Roots Manuva, Metronomy and Holy Fuck.

Festival Shorts

Biffy Clyro and Plan B to play Oxygen

Jay Z, Pink and LCD Soundsystem to headline the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park 2 – 4 July

Bob Dylan and Ray Davies to play Hop Farm Festival, Kent 2 – 3 August

News just in (Weds)

Glastonbury organisers have announced that the replacement for U2 on the Pyramid Stage on Friday will be Gorillaz. Band member Murdoch is excited about the prospect and has promised to rescue the festival. “We’re like some great big horrible warship pulling in to the Bay of Glastonbury to save the day. It was us or The Beatles and they split up years ago. The previous soldiers got pulled from duty last minute so it’s up to my Plastic Beach naval cavalry to sail in and sort the battlefield out. I can assure you though, I’m bringing extra troops. Loads of them. Glastonbury will be ours…cutlasses drawn, trumpets ready. We’re coming in…”
Quite. The other notable thing about this announcement is that band genius Damon Albarn will become the first person to make back to back main stage headline appearances in the history of the festival. Expect lights, lasers, video, very special guests and a few cartoons.