Giant sand

Spiritualized, Wilco and Field Music are among the first acts to be confirmed for this summer's Wilderness Festival. The festival, which made its debut last year, takes place on August 10-12 in Oxfordshire's Cornbury Park. Also confirmed to play at this year's event are Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Stornoway, Lianne La Havas, London Folk Guild, Cloud Control, Grant Lee Buffalo and a host of others.

'Let’s make a mess, lioness': the Monkeys stray a long way from Sheffield on lascivious third

Acclaimed singer brings Middle Cyclone to life live

Freewheeling sixth from the loud Virginian

Plus new releases by Calexico, Kevin Ayers and Glasvegas

Thanks for all your half-year Top Tens; some interesting choices there, as well as The Charlatans. Keep them coming, and I’ll do some kind of dark mathematics and rustle up a collective Wild Mercury Sound chart next week.

Our last Summer festival highlight kicks off in two weeks; starring SFA, Lambchop and Yo La Tengo

Uncut favourites add desert twang to Willy Vlautin’s melancholy tales

Willy Vlautin and co play in support of a new studio album too

Uncut reports back from the music festival near Valencia in Spain.