The Carling Weekend Leeds August 22nd-24th -- Bramham Park, Wetherby

So the venue has shifted but the festival's general set-up hasn't.

This year Leeds/Reading hosts some of the biggest names in rock and pop with one of the best cross-sections of styles seen in Leeds for many years.

The main stage headliners are Linkin Park, Metallica and Blur, drawing in much of the weekend crowds but here are a few of my own personal recommendations of must-see bands throughout the three days.

Beginning with Friday, the evening session stage hosts US lo-fi melody kings Grandaddy, with local boys, The Music, headlining proceedings and delivering a potent dose of modern prog rock.

Rock kids Serafin and cool indie duo The Raveonettes also perform.

Don't miss cult veterans Primal Scream on the main stage either. On Saturday,

I recommend Radio One stage headliners Polyphonic Spree with their happy-clappy indie, critically acclaimed Mancunians Elbow are also worth checking out as are retro Electronica act Ladytron and main stage eyeliner kids Placebo. But today's band of the day has to be the brilliant Electric Six.

For me the final day, Sunday, is the best of the lot, and it's surprisingly mainly all on the main stage.

Epic indie gurus Doves, post punk revivalists The Libertines, and slapstick popsters Junior Senior are an absolute must and the wonderfully dark Black Rebel Motorcycle Club replace The White Stripes.

Also look out for Ireland's finest west coast harmonisers, The Thrills and gritty US punk duo, The Kills on the evening session stage.

Don't forget to have a nosey in the comedy tent and check out Phoenix Nights' Toby Foster as well as both The Concrete Jungle and Carling stages to see some of tomorrow's stars.

Weekend tickets cost £95 while day tickets are priced at £40.

See ya there!

James Heward