Another gloriously sunny day in Tilburg so what better way to start the musical experience than in the courtyard of the Duvelhok as the sun filters through the trees and the bells of the nearby church sound out the quarter hours? Otto Lindholm was up first, sampling his own upright bass and messing around with the resultant loops, followed by the "deep, percussive techno" of Acronym. Both had to be appreciated through wireless headphones but, unlike a silent disco, no one was dancing so all rather more staid than the music suggested.

In between the aforementioned acts I took a walk across the city centre to Sounds record store to see the punchy (and currently topical) Paralympics. Definitely a Dutch trio to be checked out if the idea of a hardcore version of Shopping appeals to you. Exciting and vibrant bands with female singers were key parts of today's choices as it turned out for next up was this year's first visit to Little Devil to see Blank, whose darkwave-style set (in particular 'Performance' and 'White Noise') vocally brought to mind Savages and overall was of a quality that belied their tender years.

Only one outing to Paradox today, to take in Zeno Van Den Broek, a man who likes it seems to have his minimal beats play out in minimal lighting. They do at least amount to something of substance. Whispering Sons, however, sound like a guitar being murdered, slowly & so their show was swiftly exited in favour of the excellent hardcore of Paranoid State, over in Extase. A bizarrely under attended gig but they cracked on with it unfazed & provided me with the second of today's fully watched shows.

Slow Down Molasses were in Cul De Sac for the second of their festival residency shows, four years after first playing the event. More restrained than last night they played a fair number of tracks from new album 100% Sunshine. 

Sweden's Grieved drew a good crowd to Little Devil & their metallic hardcore was on the the whole good quality but lacked that final something which would have seen me raving about it. Whereas Germany's Svffer pushed all the right buttons. Do they sing in German or English? No idea & it's the kind of style where it doesn't matter - extreme vocal delivery from a diminutive frontwoman backed up by hefty speed drumming and hammering riffs made for another exceptional show.

A complete change of genre at 013 next for Shackleton's Powerplant show. Tribal drumming performed live along with Giallo-esque input from an electronic xylophone and samples etc. made for an eerie and mesmerising performance that you could well appreciate the physicality of seeing as there was no let up for the four guys involved. A real tour de force.

The night finished off with more hardcore from Dutch veterans Vitamin X (old school and all over in half an hour filled with the weekend's first decent moshpit, spray string, a confetti bomb and an inflatable seal), more great darkwave-ish material in the shape of French youngsters Rendez-vous (the dancier end of the field is what they ply), punk of sorts from Mike Krol (dressed as a burglar supported by onion sellers on the tenth date of his & the band's Netherlands tour) and let down at the end by his fellow countrymen, shoegazers Nothing who failed to excite on any level. Maybe a 1am start was too late for them and they did experience a tech-related delay but whatever the reason theirs was a rather flat set. 

Overall then as varied and enjoyable a collection of acts as expected, for the most part. Roll on Saturday.

Thanks to Peter Spapens for the photo of Shackleton.

The economies of scale warranted by last year's great but overreaching Incubate are evident from the start of this, its second of three outings this year - paper wristbands rather than cotton, none of the larger performance spaces being used (so consequently expensive headliners are avoided), last year's merchandise rubbing shoulders with the new stuff etc. None of that should be seen as a negative though - think of it in terms of your team dropping down a league to return stronger after a year's recuperation. Better to try and fail etc.

Apologies are due to Statue who, due to making presumptions about my stored memory of Tilburg, I failed to catch through taking a wrong turning on my borrowed bike. No doubt they'll feature on another bill soon.

The first music which I managed to take in was therefore The Cult Of Dom Keller, last seen at Rockaway Beach 11 months ago. The more enclosed stage of Extase lends itself well to the moodier show they put on tonight. You could almost call it downbeat if not for the fact they still thrash out and suck you into the proceedings despite the more considered approach. Great to experience such growth in ability.

Nipping round the corner to Cul De Sac a cover version of Sinead O'Connor's 'Nothing Compares 2U' confirms for me that Quiet Hollers' brand of folkiness is not for me so instead the time's used to check out that diminished merchandise stall (al fresco as it's still in the 20s at 22:00) before wandering in to 013 to see Thurston Moore for the first time in 20 or so years.

Taking to the stage a tad late (possibly due to Thurston not yet having his watch on European time - it shows it's just gone nine) The Thurston Moore Band are clearly one of the event's highlights for many people. New album Rock And Roll Consciousness comes out next year but new song 'Ceasefire' turns out not to be on it any longer, having been culled to slim the tracklisting down from triple album length. Moore's in great form regaling the audience with chat, introducing the band and thanking the city for having him back. The class on offer is very evident.

Options after that point are thin on the ground - over at Paradox Edgars Rubenis's one note experimentation is a cross between listening to the noise your fridge makes and the torture methods used on terrorists, elsewhere Dead Days Beyond Help do the guitar and drums duo thing to reasonable effect but they're not yet in the upper strata of the form. 

Back at Extase we squeeze in for the final couple of numbers by Slow Down Molasses, the last being a messed up version of The Stooges 'TV Eye'. The band are playing a set each day over the four so it'll be interesting to see if they are each as intense as this one. A band on the rise anyway.

Finally tonight we caught Worlds Dirtiest Sport, a solo act by American Kevin Branstetter. Sampling himself and looping it, drum machine, semi-acoustic guitar playing etc. all combine to make a sound that flows over you more than it arrests your attention but that's not to say it doesn't butt in on your conversation now and again.

Three days to go - thanks for having us back Incubate.    

With a slightly pessimistic forecast, this weekend we ventured to the second Together the People.  Built as a community-based family festival this year’s line-up was certainly eye catching. 

The only UK appearance of Brian Wilson performing Pet Sounds is a major coup alongside this is the appearance of Suede who are back with a new album and are always an amazing live act. 

With a fairly sparse and hesitant crowd we made are way through the gates. Amongst the falafels, real ales and the endless stream of bubbles, people sat and enjoyed the sounds. Some were more prepared than others; many had predetermined the weather and were complete with folded chairs and full wet weather gear. 

Up first was some new reggae by the wonderful Natty. The sun even made an appearance and for a while it was fairly Summery.  His band produce a warming dub bass sound which backed with his soulful voice and really started the festival off in the right way.   Someone who has already achieved great things is local legend Gaz Coombs. Fresh from the success of his album Matador he treated us to a solo set of his work as well as a few Supergrass hits thrown in, which the waiting crowd lapped up.  As the rain arrived we sought cover and were pleased to find Brighton based band Fickle Friends in a covered tent. Boosted by the large numbers sheltering the band treated us to some wonderful swirling synth pop numbers. 

Looking for more shelter we ventured into a smaller tent where Daniel Westford was performing. He gained fame through the Channel 4 series The Undateables, and what a refreshing change to witness someone simply performing for the joy of singing. The crowd were fully involved in sharing his joy. In a cynical fame and money hungry industry it’s nice to be reminded that for some singing and performing is enough. 

Boosted by that and before the last two main acts we changed direction completely and went to see confrontational hip–hop artists Sage Francis and B Dolan who brought an onslaught of vicious political and dangerous lyrics to a slightly stunned but receptive crowd. 

With the rain slightly easing away it was time for the wonderful Nathaniel Rateliff.  Fresh from a huge worldwide tour off the back of a stunning debut album he and the band made us forget the drizzle.  The sheer power of his voice along with the hugely infectious hooks soulful guitar went down a storm.  A foot stomping set proceeded to make us all forget the weather and was the perfect aperitif for Brian.  

With a full 11 piece band he finally arrived.  The crowd were damp but spirits high.  All the classic were here. 'Help Me Rhonda', 'Surfing USA', 'Good Vibrations'.  The voice not as crisp, the sound not as sweet but it didn’t matter.  The irony of listening to 'California Girls' in the cold windy rain kind of summed up being British.  We were transported via Brian and once he started Pet Sounds in full. 

The sing along to 'Wouldn’t it Be Nice' and 'God Only Knows' were wonderful it’s just a shame the rain decided to join in.

It's been a good few months since the outstanding Franklin Fest (if you missed it, shame on you!), and I can’t think of a better way to kick off the new season than by opening with two local bands. Hot (relative) new-comers The No-Things, and legendary garage and beat merchants The Thanes. How lucky are we?

It's a packed shack tonight as The No-Things take to the floor. The No-Things are no stranger to The Franklin or Muso's Guide. They’ve played here a few times before, so this is really home turf for them. We have reviewed them on several occasions over the past year or so, and there are no surprises in store tonight, expect a brand new song. The band are on form, and sound as good as ever; entertaining, loud, fun, and more than capable of writing a good tune ('Diamond Ring' is still in my head two days later). They are also great crowd pleasers, and frontman Laurent Mombel - shaking his maracas don't you know - indulges the young and exuberant stag party that are in attendance tonight, dancing their socks off down the front.

In between times we are treated as per usual to some sexy sixties sounds from resident DJ, Tony Two-Eyes, and then without further ado…

Masters of the universe. That was the thought that popped into my head as The Thanes took to the stage. It's always a real treat to hear them play, and they do so with real wholeheartedness. Their self-penned numbers are just as good as the covers. The beautiful 'Darker Nights', 'In God I Trust', and the sublime 2013 single ‘She’s Coming Back To Me’, and they do this so effortlessly. They are on top form as always.

On the covers front, they take us on a journey through some of the different genres of ‘60s music. The shack goes crazy for The Guess Who’s ‘It’s My Pride’, Them’s 'Gloria', some Nederbeat with Q65's gem 'Nightmares' and freakbeat with The Answers 'It's Just A Fear'. They end with the spine-tingling 13th Floor Elevators favourite 'You're Gonna Miss Me' (Helsing’s screaming on a par with Erikson) this being their third(?) encore. A fitting end to a brilliant night*        

The No-Things have a new LP out soon on Soundflat Records (I’ve had a sneaky listen, and it’s very good). The Thanes will be playing at the Berlin Beat Explosion this Saturday, 10th September. The Next Franklin Rock ‘N’ Roll club on Saturday 24th September sees the return of Garage Punk Blues peddlers The Bonnevilles supported by Edinburgh’s best-est punk/psychobilly/rock 'n' roll/rockabilly trio, The Phlegm. Only £5.00 on the door, and cheapo drinks served by the lovely Brenda - you’d be an absolute fool to miss it. 

*apologies, I was too busy dancing to give a more indepth review :) 

With love and thanks to Kerry Robinson for the use of the photos.