Indie Summer Fest

Our guide to the best indie music summer festivals

With no Glastonbury this year, the London leg of O2 Wireless (Hyde Park 21-25 June) expands to five days. Its extensive line-up includes The Strokes, Belle & Sebastian, Goldfrapp and Beth Orton. The Leeds leg of the festival at Harewood House (24 & 25 June) includes sets from Goldfrapp and The Zutons, the latter among those playing support to decidedly non-indie legends The Who.

Much further north, The Isle Of Skye Festival (16 & 17 June) offers "the biggest party since Bonnie Prince Charlie returned claiming to be king". The soundtrack will stem from electronica ace Mylo, winsome pop act Aberfeldy, and the hotly tipped Young Knives. Rock Ness (24 June, Dores, Loch Ness) should be similarly picturesque and bangin' to boot. Fatboy Slim and Carl Cox headline.

For historical kudos, you can't beat The Isle Of Wight Festival (Seaclose Park, 9-11 June). Previously host to Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, it has some serious indie talent lining up alongside yer Coldplays and Foo Fighters this year. The Prodigy headline on Friday, and there are sets from Maxïmo Park, Editors, The Rakes and (hurrah!) The Proclaimers.

Finally, a word about Benicàssim in Castellón, Spain. This much-loved beach festival (20-23 July) is a favourite with fans and artists alike, hence 2006 will see Babyshambles, Franz Ferdinand, the Pixies, Morrissey and Depeche Mode treading the boards. Put simply, this is the discerning indie fan's European festival of choice.

© 2006 Independent News and Media Limited