After tense weeks of debate as to whether this year's festival would be granted a licence, Mean Fiddler have finally been given the go ahead with the Carling Weekend Leeds Festival.

All we need now is decent weather.

As usual the event leans heavily towards rock, with the likes of Guns 'n' Roses, Slipknot and Foo Fighters leading the proceedings on the main stage, but here are a few of my lesser-known band recommendations worth checking out.

Brighton's excellent British Sea Power play The Carling Stage, delivering their own brand of Joy Division-esque art, along with rockers 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster and the female answer to Eminem Princess Super Star.

Pop along and see mod rockers The Parkinsons also, you won't be disappointed. The Boutique Stage hosts some of the best in modern electronica; don't miss Dot Allison's gritty industrial pop, and the 80s synth inspired Ladytron.

The Evening Session Stage proudly presents headliners Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, delivering wall to wall Jesus and Mary Chain noise.

Australians The Vines, also perform along with The Electric Soft Parade and my current favourite indie kids The Libertines.

Finally, The Main Stage also has a few gems, the criminally underrated Dandy Warhols, the Rolling Stones influenced Soundtrack Of Our Lives and a chance to see the magnificent Pulp once again, is reason enough to travel there.

So there you have it, just a small selection of some of the bands well worth having a nosey. Best get yer ticket quick, there's not many left.

*Temple Newsam Park, Leeds, August 23-25.

James Heward