Entrenched as we are in the summer festival season, things are pretty busy round here at the moment. While Radio 1's Big Weekend, Sonar, Glastonbury and T in the Park are all done and dusted, we've still got two more major events to come in August.

First up, on the 8th, we're heading to Gunnersbury Park with BBC Asian Network for London Mela, the last date in their Summer of Melas calendar. Bobby Friction announced the line-up on his Monday night show this week (listen again here).

Then at the end of the month, we'll be at Reading & Leeds once more, bringing our summer season to a close with a Bank Holiday bang. Stay tuned next week, when we'll be revealing who's on the bill!

Of course, these aren't the only festivals being held this summer. All over the country, there are festivals, fayres and fetes taking place practically every weekend. There's bound to be one in your neighbourhood, so if you or your band are gigging, make yourself known to the organisers and see if you can bag yourself a slot!



As Huw says, playing a small festival is a brilliant way to reach a slightly different audience and build up your live experience:

Right now, we're approaching the peak in festival season, as the school and university summer holidays begin. So let's take a quick jaunt around the country and find out which local events are on the horizon, and who'll be performing.

This weekend, Sheffield plays host to Europe's largest free music festival, Tramlines 2010 (23-25 July). Now in its second year, up to 80,000 people are expected to descend on the city to watch a line-up curated by Radio 1's Toddla T with performances from the likes of Simian Mobile Disco, Mystery Jets, 65daysofstatic and Echo and the Bunnymen. There will also be DJ sets from Annie Mac and Mary Anne Hobbs. Check the Tramlines site for a list of participating venues.

Over at BBC Shropshire, Blast Reporter Becki Birch has been talking to the organisers of Telford's CultureFest, which also takes place this weekend (24 July). Young local acts The Yipes and Aimee Lake will be performing at the event, which aims to celebrate cultural and showcase local talent, whilst getting the public involved in a wide range of activities. 

If you're in Derby this weekend, you should really get yourself along to IndieTracks (23 - 25 July) for a truly unique festival experience, says BBC Derbyshire reporter Oliver Claxton. The three-day event combines heritage Midland Railway steam trains and quality indie-pop bands like Allo Darlin', The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Slow Club and Eddie Argos's new project, Everybody Was In The French Resistance...Now.

Further north, BBC Tees are getting excited about the Stockton Fringe Festival (30 July - 1 August), where there will be sets from Calvin Harris, The Human League, Lightning Seeds and Mercury Rev. Blast Reporter Glen Keogh has been busy interviewing some of the local acts who'll be hoping to get themselves noticed at the festival this year, including Jimmy & The Sounds, Dirty Weekend and Stockton favourites Russell and the Wolves.



As part of the festival, BBC Tees are holding a session on 30 July to give local bands a chance to pose their questions to a panel of experts, including presenter Bob Fischer and Claire from BBC Introducing HQ!

Finally, if you're based in the Northampton area, check out Festinho, which will be taking place at Hinwick House (27 - 29 August). Crazy though it may sound, the festival aims to bring the spirit of Brazil to the rural Northamptonshire countryside. The organisers are offering one local unsigned band the chance to perform on the festival's main stage. You've got until 9 August to apply and can find out more on the Festinho blog. Good luck!