Guardian Music — Who needs Glasto? We have 12 good reasons why 2012's festival season will be one to rememberMADCHESTER RAVES ONThe reformation of baggy heroes the Stone Roses to play T in the Park and V (as well as their own Manchester shows) is the story of the sum... more info

Guardian Music — The hard rocker has handpicked a veteran Dutch post-punk group to open for him at Hammersmith. Is this the strangest support choice ever?Sometimes, even in music, it's wiser to go with your head than your heart. The big romantic gesture is all very w... more info

Guardian Music — Regular host Alexis Petridis is somewhere across the Atlantic this week, so Kieran Yatesis joined by Michael Hann, who exclusively reveals what he used to wear at funk gigs as a young man. Jude Rogers is our guest.James Fearnely, accordion player fo... more info

Guardian Music — Finally, a folk troupe whose bonhomie doesn't make us wretch. Think of them as the Pogues with good teethHometown: London.The lineup: Daniel Heptinstall (songwriter, vocals, stomp box, acoustic guitar), Lorna Thomas (vocals, ukelele), Maxwell Thomas ... more info

Guardian Music — City Halls, GlasgowWhat a pity we don't hear Richard Ayres in the UK more often. Since moving to the Netherlands in the late 80s – he went to study with Louis Andriessen and ended up staying – he has made his musical home on the continent, but re... more info

Guardian Music — Our critics' picks of this week's openings, plus your last chance to see and what to book now• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments belowOpening this week TheatreRomeo and Juliet in BaghdadShakespeare's epic lo... more info

ContactMusic — The Pogues Billy Bragg Badly Drawn Boy and Basement Jaxx are among the acts who have signed up to perform at a festival in honour of late The Clash frontman Joe Strummer The new Strummer of Love event to mark the 60th birthday of Strummer and the 10t... more info

Gigwise — Festival held in celebration of The Clash frontman announces first bands more info

Guardian Music — Banjo player and an original member of the Irish folk group the DublinersBarney McKenna, who has died aged 72, was the last surviving founding member of the Irish folk group the Dubliners. While Ronnie Drew's gravelly voice gave the band its memora... more info

Guardian Music — Influential banjo player and last of the four founding members of folk band formed in 1962 died in Dublin hospital aged 72Barney McKenna, the last founding member of the Irish folk band the Dubliners, has died aged 72.It is understood McKenna collaps... more info