This band are destined to be bombarded with comparisons, but no one in the room seemed to be taking this as a negative

Famous faces from stage and screen who either came from, or studied in and around Manchester

Their raucous, sold-out Albert Hall show was exactly what we expected from The Vaccines

Citca Waves play some real barn-storming indie anthems

The Amazing Snakeheads have the musical pedigree to go on to be greats

The uncharacteristically bright weather at Richfield Avenue fails to breathe life into a festival that is as inconsistent as it is unsure of its own direction.

Guide to festivals in the second half of Summer

We picked the brains of the Internets busiest music nerd Anthony Fantano on the state of guitar music, why AM sucked and Cal Chuchesta’s Christmas movie.

Ruby Hoffman talks with The Family Rain about their debut album, highlights of last year and their fashion icon

Matt Byrne considers whether the prize that declares itself the musical equivalent of the Turner award for art, and the Booker prize for literature is worthy of such a claim.

Matt Byrne considers whether there is a space for The Libertines in contemporary music.

Miles Kane storms Academy 1.

The self-appointed leader of an apparent mod revival falls flat with his second solo effort

Open’er has become a major player on the international festival circuit in recent years

Backstage at The Deaf Institute, the band of brothers discuss Denmark, two-piece tribulations and the curse of the Sheffield band

Lisa Murgatroyd tucks in To Kill a King’s new album

Django Django, Miles Kane, Palma Violets and Peace comprised the bill for the famous jaunt’s newest incarnation

The Southampton trio bring some good old-fashioned rock and roll to the Ritz

A countdown of the best of 2012.

If only the band had paid a little more heed to what their loyal, paying followers wanted to hear.