You may have been enjoying the unexpected warm weather, Pimms and lemonade on hand while the bloke on the radio starts rattling off a bunch of bands that are playing in the middle of a field this summer.
But after Brand New’s untimely and soul-destroying cancellation of their European tour dates, including their appearance at Reading and Leeds this year, just who is worth dusting off the mud-coated wellys for?
Headliners
Biffy Clyro
Their sixth studio album Opposites split the critics after reaching great heights as ‘The biggest rock band in the world right now,’ to crashing back down with a host of lukewarm reviews (with The Independent even going as far as stating if there was a God, he would have pushed them off a cliff by now).
Whatever your opinion, they’ll at least bring a touch of Scottish chaos to the Main Stage.
Eminem
Better suited to Glastonbury or V Festival; Eminem surprised a few by popping up on top of the line-up this year.
Working with Doctor Dre on his eighth studio album, which remains untitled, it’s release date is expected for late 2013.
Love him or loathe him – he’s here now
Green Day
Fresh outta rehab, Billie Joe Armstrong will lead his North Californian trio out on to the Main Stage to remind the masses why they’re still knocking about.
Propping up the Main Stage
System of a Down
How SOAD don’t top the bill this year is beyond me. A wonderful cocktail mix of thrash metal, alternative rock and the unbelievably talented Serj Tankian behind the microphone forms their unique sound.
Not to be missed.
Chase and Status
Playing understudy to Eminem – the two piece set-up of Saul Mitton and Will Kennard will have a point to prove.
There was once a time when you couldn’t have a night out without hearing a few C+S tracks – their set will remind you why.
Nine Inch Nails
Trent Reznor’s gift to the world has earned the group worldwide recognisability.
Another one to ponder why they haven’t been granted top-spot, make sure you catch their rare UK appearance.
Frank Turner
The nation’s favourite acoustic guitar player returns to the festival he has played numerous times. Helped along the way by his backing band, The Sleepless Souls, expect the one-time punk artist to draw his usual large following.
Over on the Radio 1/NME Stage…
Haim
This all girl three piece has whipped the music industry into a storm after droning comparisons to Fleetwood Mac.
Catch their set to see if they’re worth the hype.
Wavves
A personal favourite of mine and an amateur musician’s inspiration.
Nathan Williams started out with a typically hectic schedule – two albums crammed into just a month. Yet due to his equipment rig consisting of a Tascam Cassette Recorder and cheap ‘Garage Band’ computer software, his entire catalogue consisted of songs recorded with every input rammed up to 10.
Yet instead of scramming the fuzzy, mangled material – he embraced the overdriven sound and became ‘Wavves.’ A class act not to be missed.
Jake Bugg
‘HE’S THE NEXT BOB DYLAN.’ The cheeky 19 year old draws a lot of praise after the unbelievable success of his debut album. Just how good can this teenager from Nottingham be? Pretty good to be honest.
Peace, Palma Violets and Partquet courts – This tri are backed by NME as the ‘Future of British Music’ and you won’t find a review here arguing against this.
Peace exploded onto the scene, gaining huge attention after releasing their first album ‘In Love’ last year. Since then they have been nominated for the BBC’s ‘Sound of 2013’ poll (along with Palma Violets,) had a top 100 single and performed on the NME Awards Tour 2013.
Similar hype surrounds Palma Violets after NME awarded ‘Song of the Year’ to debut single ‘Best of Friends’ and also handed them their ‘Best new Band’ award last year. Reported to have formed around a campfire at Reading Festival, what better reason to see them where it all began?
Parquet Courts
Their debut album ‘Light up Gold’ has been described as ‘one of the best debut album’s you’ll hear all year.’ Check out their master class in the attitude of ‘It’s not about the songs, it’s the delivery.’ 
Lock up/Rock Stage
Enter Shikari Sound System
The nation’s favourite music genre abusers are back to blow out your eardrums, but with a DJ set twist. Making their world debut as ESSS, they headline the Lock up stage.
It’ll be their sixth time at the festival in the last eight years, albeit this summer with a spicy new twist; ‘’Expect re-worked Enter Shikari tracks along with class remixes and new surprises.’’ Sounds tasty.
The Virginmarys
I wouldn’t close their feature without special mention for the band that started from my hometown. The Virginmarys have risen from slumming it out at pokey little pub gigs in Macclesfield to nationwide festivals at an alarming pace. Since playing Download Festival in 2010 they haven’t looked back. Embarking on numerous support tours for Eagles of Death Metal, Feeder, Ash and even Slash – with a headline tour slotted in the between. Debut album King of Conflict hit the shelves February this year.
Reading and Leeds Festival runs from 23-25 August and tickets are still on sale
Entertainment Yesterday 