It’s that time of year again… The festival season is well and truly underway, and it’ll be difficult not to notice the coverage of this year’s Glastonbury Festival as it finds its way onto our screens for another weekend of live music and unpredictable weather. Here are my top ten artists heading to this year’s festival:

Robert Plant – ‘Rainbow’

Rock legend Robert Plant returns to Glastonbury with a big slot on the Pyramid Stage before Jack White and Saturday night’s slightly controversial headliners, Metallica. Plant will be promoting his new album, Lullaby And The Ceaseless Roar, which will be released on September 8.

Here’s a taste of Robert Plant’s new track, which was aired for the first time on 6Music on Monday. The official video seems though to be unavailable in the UK so this is a live version:

Anna Calvi – ‘The Devil’

A great performer, and a voice that is both haunting and mesmerizing; Anna Calvi has landed herself a small slot playing at the Park Stage. It’s certainly one not to miss, if you’re happy to choose Calvi over the unfortunate clash with Jack White on the Pyramid Stage

Arcade Fire – ‘Normal Person’

If the rumours haven’t started already, then I’m starting them. Will David Bowie make an appearance for ‘Reflektor’? The answer, sadly, is probably not, but it won’t stop Arcade Fire putting on a great show after rave reviews from their shows at Earls Court earlier this month. Expect to see some special guests in this headline slot on the Pyramid Stage.

This version of ‘Normal Person’ also has a few lines of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ in the intro, and was performed on Later… With Jools Holland in May.

St. Vincent – ‘Birth In Reverse’

Annie Clark brings her latest album, St. Vincent, to Pilton with the promise of a UK tour this coming August. St. Vincent will then head to the states before yet more dates in the UK and Europe, so it’s set to be a very busy year for the 'Digital Witness' singer. Catch her at the Park Stage.

 

Jonny Greenwood – ‘Overtones’ (From The Master Soundtrack)

Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood has been focusing on his film scores of late, working with the London Contemporary Orchestra performing classical music including works from his film scores for There Will Be Blood and The Master. It’ll be interesting to see how this one goes down with a festival atmosphere, but I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

On a side note, what are the odds of Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood turning up for an impromptu set somewhere at Worthy Farm this weekend?

The Mariachis – ‘Don’t You Want Me Baby’

Yes, it’s that band from the Doritos advert. Yes, you can see them over at Avalon. Yes, I hope they play this song.

Kodaline – ‘One Day’ (2014 Version)

Any regular readers of this column will be aware that I am a fan of Kodaline. Their first album last year was greatly received as they played early on the Friday at the John Peel. This year they take to the Other Stage, potentially with a few new songs in the repertoire.

Lana Del Rey – ‘West Coast’

Having released Ultraviolence last week and then watched it top the UK album charts, Lana Del Rey should be full of confidence ahead of her slot on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday. With a reputation as a great performer, it’s difficult not to expect great things.

Kwabs – ‘Last Stand’

I cannot tell you how talented this man is. Having worked with renowned producer SOHN, Kwabs has produced some truly spectacular tracks. He is sure to impress on a small stage; you can catch him at La Pussy Parlure Nouveau on Sunday afternoon.

Plastic Ono Band – ‘Give Peace A Chance’

I didn’t even know that the Plastic Ono Band were still going, but they were a welcome surprise on the line up this year. Glastonbury is the perfect setting for a sing-a-long to this classic track, and the perfect chance to pay tribute to John Lennon with Yoko and co; it could be quite the moment.

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The Hot Five – My favourite new tracks of the week, usually rounded off with a classic, obscure or alternate track from my music collection. Tracks usually concentrate on guitar-based music, but really focus on anything and everything that I come across.

Track of the week: Dry The River – ‘Gethsemane’

Dry The River are back. With a UK tour booked for this October, and festival appearances at Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and the Camden Crawl, it seems that Stratford boys are in for a big summer. On top of all this, new album Alarms in the Heart will be released on August 25. Comeback track ‘Gethsemane’ is instantly impressive. A minimal arrangement focuses the attention on high, reverberating vocals that is layered with some clever harmonies. I’ve taken to this track straight away, so lets hope Dry The River continue from strength to strength.

Arctic Monkeys – ‘Snap Out Of It’

Arctic Monkeys new single ‘Snap Out Of It’, released last year on AM, is an example of a very well written song. There’s a sophistication about Alex Turner’s songwriting that has developed hugely since the release of Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not in 2006. ‘Snap Out Of It’ typifies Turner’s swaggering style; it oozes confidence and has the quality to be able to justify the conviction. The band have a busy summer of festival appearances, as well as dates across North America in August.

Strange Cages – ‘Desert’

There’s a really strong music scene coming out of Brighton at present. With new artists such as Royal Blood currently getting a lot of exposure, now seems a good time to be uncovering other artists too. This track from Strange Cages is a great example of garage rock, with a raw sound and energetic delivery. The track is available as a free download via SoundCloud, and Strange Cages will be playing shows in both London and Brighton this month.

Lykke Li – ‘Gunshot’

When discussing the writing of this song, Lykee Li said: "I wrote 'Gunshot' straight after a meditation and the lyrics just came out of violent words, 'I'm longing for your poison like a cancer for its prey, I shot an arrow in your heart where you waited in the rain'. This dark element to the song is heard in the reverberating lead vocals, and there is a generally brooding atmosphere on display here.

I’ve decided to share a live version of Lykee Li’s latest single with you. I have to say that I was listening to the track whilst writing this review and the performance was so good that I forgot it was recorded live. ‘Gunshot’ is taken from Li’s recent album I Never Learn, which she will be showcasing at Glastonbury and Latitude this year.

Hidden track of the week: The Stone Roses – ‘Fools Gold’

This is what I’ve spent the last week listening to; it’s arguably the Stone Roses’ best song, with such a strong bass line and drum / percussion section. Released as a double A-side single with ‘What The World Is Waiting For’ in 1989, and is the band’s most commercially successful release. The Stone Roses reformed in 2011, though there are dark rumours of rifts within the band, and as of yet there are no concrete plans for the band to release any new material.

You can follow Tom on twitter @tom_fake