Guardian Music — (Xtra Mile)Pastoral whimsy is a large part of Colin MacIntyre's makeup: it's hard to imagine him having the same penchant for eccentric little flourishes – everything from seagulls to recordings of train announcements – if he'd hailed from Manch... more info

Guardian Music — Now England are officially the best football team in the world, let's reconsider the last time that seemed possibleIn the wake of England beating Spain 1-0, and therefore proving to the rest of football the next World Cup is as good as decided, and o... more info

Stopcryingyourheartout.com — Even with a crackly phone line, 9,000 kilometres and a heavy Manchester accent between us, Liam Gallagher is making himself very clear indeed. Mind you, the 38-year-old Beady Eye frontman has always been an advocate of the direct-as-a-sla... more info

Guardian Music — Cher Lloyd Swagger Jagger (Syco) Music exec: Ciao. We've got to come up with a chart-topping tune for that girl who didn't win X Factor once.Minion: Sorry boss – you're going to have to be more specific. That's most of the country.Music exec: The o... more info

The Vinyl Villain — I've lifted the following info straight from the official Lightning Seeds website:-In 1983, Ian Broudie teamed up with ex-Wild Swans singer Paul Simpson to form the duo Care. Care signed to the Arista label and released three singles, My Boyish Days... more info

Guardian Music — Those Dancing Days Can't Find Entrance (Wichita) There is magic in the voice of Those Dancing Days singer Linnea Jönsson, who sounds as if she's been ripped from the great first Sugababes album, One Touch, and transported to present-day indie. Can't... more info

The Vinyl Villain — Yup...I'm in there. Left hand side. Grey t-shirt. Baldier than I like to think I am. Way fatter than I'd like to be. But at 47, I can still get up on a dance floor with the best of them.The occasion was the latest Nationalpopleague event, compered b... more info

Guardian Music — Bloomsbury, LondonFor an artist who once prided himself on never getting through a gig without making a hash of it, Damon Gough has certainly upped his game. So, by his previous standards, his London comeback was as slick as a Royal Variety Show. It... more info

Guardian Music — Martha Reeves, the Damned, Lightning Seeds and Rox (pictured) are confirmed for the 10th Croydon Summer Festival (31 Jul-1 Aug, Lloyd Park, croydonsummerfestival.org), with Jassi Sidhu, TAZ and Raghu Dixit among the attractions of the Sunday's Mela â... more info

Guardian Music — There was football fever at Glastonbury, the Lightning Seeds raised hopes on Saturday, but 24 hours later it all fell apartNormally the giant flags in the crowds at Glastonbury pledge allegiance to things such as sausages and Dizzee Rascal, but this ... more info