TMJ

Whilst true, I'm using previous UK festivals as precedent. Metallica and Guns N' Roses at Download in 2006. Foo Fighters and Iron Maiden headlining Carling in 2005. I could very easily see it happening, and not just because I would jump up and down like a little girl in excitement over knowing I'm going to see it. Plus, who else will they stick on the Sunday (at Reading)? It's always been the rock day and Slipknot won't headline it, nor can I see a bunch of rumoured bands like Slipknot, A7X and Machine Head opening for Rage, who I would still bank the house on playing AND headlining. Then again, look at the Download rumours on the first page compared to what the announcements ended up being. For all I know, we could end up with Kanye, MCR and K-Fed. But I'm only going if Rage are announced, and I've got my £200 ready to go.

Bullet For My Valentine played both in 2005. It's possible.

Kanye is an interesting choice that I hadn't contemplated. I don't expect it though. I just have thoughts of 50 Cent's attempt at Reading and think they'd veto it. Plus, Metallica and Rage are doing Rock AM together, so I could see Reading bring them together with QOTSA possibly under Rage (another rumour there for you). Here's the current rumour list, so as you can see it for yourself: Main Stage Friday 22 August Rage Against The Machine - to be confirmed Saturday 23 August The Killers - strong rumour Bloc Party - strong rumour Sunday 24 August Metallica - strong rumour Slipknot - strong rumour Serj Tankian - strong rumour unknown day Babyshambles - strong rumour My Chemical Romance - rumour unknown stage unknown day 30 Seconds to Mars - rumour Avenged Sevenfold - strong rumour Blood Red Shoes - to be confirmed British Sea Power - to be confirmed Broadway Calls - strong rumour Cut Off Your Hands - rumour Dizzee Rascal - strong rumour Editors - to be confirmed Feeder - rumour Foals - rumour Frank Turner - strong rumour Gallows - to be confirmed Glasvegas - rumour Hadouken! - rumour I was a Cub Scout - rumour Less Than Jake - rumour Los Campesinos! - rumour Metronomy - to be confirmed NoFX - strong rumour One Night Only - strong rumour Pendulum - strong rumour Plain White T's - strong rumour Queens of the Stone Age - rumour Story of the Year - strong rumour The Automatic - strong rumour The Cribs - to be confirmed The Fratellis - rumour The Metros - to be confirmed The Subways - strong rumour The Wombats - strong rumour Velvet Revolver - rumour

The rumoured headliners are Rage, Killers and Metallica. Slipknot and A7X would be under Metallica on the Sunday. Rage are all but confirmed, Metallica are doing summer shows in Europe and The Killers.. are just the biggest rumour next to the Foos, and I just can't see them doing it when they're headlining their own big shows. Makes sense though, since the headliners have all been confirmed as American. (Interestingly, according to Efestivals, Slipknot are only rumoured for Reading, whilst Velvet Revolver are also a rumour, although that in itself is something else because apparently VR are close to splitting) Bare in mind the word I use repetitively though: it's all rumours until later this week.

Really? I think some of his lyrics are atrocious. Not all of them - I'm not saying that he's a bad writer because some of his stuff is cracking. But he's also had a lot of, IMO, stinkers and especially with his newer stuff, I think he more suits offering his talent to a guy like Saul Williams who is possibly (I'd move the Earth to argue for it) the best lyricist of our time. I mean, it's a moot point when Ghosts is entirely instrumental but I prefer songs with lyrics as a general rule (unless, as I say, it's background music), but even as a NIN fan, I don't buy into the "Trent is a genius" garb.

I'm actually a huge Manson fan. I worshipped him as a child and still hold him in high regard. I just don't think that his cover versions are as good as a lot of people make out. But then I also refuse to buy into AS being his greatest album like most do (I'm a MA/EMDM guy). So take that for what it's worth.

I far prefer Year Zero to this, but it's certainly good background music for doing work to. Nothing more, sadly. Trent should stick to producing hip hop albums for guys who can actually write great lyrics.

I saw Kelly Clarkson live the other night and she is amazing. Incredible voice, some wonderful songs, great stage presence and stupidly cute. I can't not vote for her.

This is the first time in four years I'll be giving Download a miss. I've seen Prophets, Incubus, HIM, JEW, Alter Bridge and Simple Plan before. I love Jon Davis but I love him for Korn, not his own work. I have no interest in Kiss, Offspring, Priest or anyone except for Disturbed and Kid Rock, and two bands aren't worth my money, especially at such a steep price. I think I'm gonna roll for Reading instead. Rage Against The Machine are pretty much to be confirmed, with Metallica, A7X and Slipknot as strong rumours (and Dizzee Rascal - a guilty pleasure). But I promised myself that only two bands would sway my vote this year: RATM and AC/DC, and I don't see any Highway To Hell at Download, so it's Reading for me.

My current favourite tracks, and they'll change next week, no doubt... Armand Van Helden - "I Want Your Soul" Always loved his work, and this is one of the more catchier that he's done recently. Not a patch on "U Don't Know Me", but as close as he's ever gonna get. Radiohead - "15 Step" My favourite song off the new album so far. The first 40 seconds are probably my favourite of any song right now. Foo Fighters - "Cheer Up Boys (Your Make-Up Is Running)" Possibly the best chorus ever. I don't know why though. It sounds simple enough, and the lyrics aren't exactly ground-breaking. But it's so damn catchy, it just makes me feel warm inside. Also... Queens Of The Stone Age - "Sick Sick Sick" Rage Against The Machine - "Wake Up" Alter Bridge - "Ties That Bind" KoRn - "Bitch We Got A Problem"

If I were to go to the Carling Weekend, I'd go to Leeds. Reading was far too full of university kids and the generic "indie" fan look that just made it unenjoyable for me. I just couldn't enjoy Marilyn Manson surrounded by people who just didn't appreciate or understand his music or persona at all. Plus, I couldn't stand through a whole weekend of bands like Franz Ferdinand, Artic Monkeys etc. I need headbanging, moshes, air guitars, and combinations of any or all of them. By all accounts, Leeds seems/sounds a hell of a lot better for atmosphere.

Only one Axl moment at Birmingham last night. He started shouting mid-song telling security to "calm the fuck down" as they got heavy-handed with a crowd-surfer. He had a go at them, and then had them all ejected from the line. I have the video of it - might upload it to Youtube if they accept .avi An absolutely fantastic moment, and a tremendous gig - great crowd, the band gelled well, Axl was joking and talking all night, and his voice was superb.