Performing at Cambridge/Green Man/GuilFest 2005

If it's summer, it must be festival time in the U.K., which means a nation of groovers under the influence of great, live music. From main stage to fringe tent, the world's finest artists freely let it rip in an orgy of aural eclecticism. At Guilfest, the Pogues (original lineup) join mod god Paul Weller and Status Quo as headliners.

For its logo, the Green Man Festival — held at Baskerville Hall in Wales — has a man with antlers, which sets the tone for this most primal, wild, and earthy of musical gatherings. The likes of wistful James Yorkston, traditional Scottish folk hero Alasdair Roberts and genius/harpist/fabulist Joanna Newsom seal the event's uniqueness.

The Cambridge Folk Festival at Cherry Hinton Hall (one of the longest-running of its kind) is a celebration of diversity and honest-to-goodness talent. It all began in 1965, when the lineup included Paul Simon. For 2005, Lucinda Williams appears along with the Blind Boys of Alabama and songwriting legend Jimmy Webb.

From the edge of London's big smoke to the mystical wilds of Wales, there's a feast of summer festival tunes in store for the great British gig-lover. We've gathered the best of Albion's live events into a one-stop bazaar, featuring practically every musical flavour under the sun: there's Lulu next to the Alabama 3, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci alongside Fairport Convention, and Hal next to Echo & The Bunnymen. The names alone should set your ears a-tingling.