What’s a visit to London, England without a last-minute plea for guestlistage to the Klaxons as they debuted their brand-new second album Surfing the Void? Not much, really. The Klaxons sorted the BackstageRider out, put us on the list and also managed to make a fair few other feet dance in the process. Welcome back, madmen.

Graphic novelist and odball genius Alan Moore has a new project out called “Unearthing.” It’s cool, it’s creepy, and it’s got music from Stuart from Mogwai, Mike Patton from Faith No More and DoseOne. Backstagerider talks to do DoseOne and Stuart about the project, the music, the backstory and their favourite Moore comics.

Reggae’s favourite Jew, Matisyahu, made his way back to Vancouver. And we’ve got all the lovely pics courtesy of local cyberpunk Kris Krüg. Open your eyes and peruse the gallery!

Oakland, Cali’s sexy colour explosion Hot Tub made a repeat visit to Vancouver as openers for Woodhands. And then all hell broke loose. Check the pics. Check the video. Check them out.

Why write a concert review when you can draft a tale involving a faerie princess and a forest gnome? Presenting the BackstageRider’s take on Joanna Newsom and Robin Pecknold’s August 5th live show at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver.

Hey guess what! I was in hospital on Monday-Tuesday! And off sick for the rest of it! Hurrah! Or not. Find, herewith, a Top 25 Playlist entitled “Sick of Being Sick”. Miss Misery loves company so bear this in mind the next time you’re fluey.

Must resist urge to make forced play on the phrase “He ain’t Heavy, he’s my brother”. England’s latest media darlings have brought the funk. And it’s heavy, man. Introducing a band you should probably know about.

HEY YOU! You could WIN A COPY OF SMILE SMILE’S LATEST CD “TRUTH ON TAPE”. Also: read on about this Texas twosome and find out why The Swell Season aren’t the only folkies who can date and break up and still make good music. Make with the click-through action.

MUSIC IS POWER! And we’ve got a nice little Bonnaroo playlist to help you get through the fact that this weekend you’re probably doing laundry. We’ve got music from Kings of Leon, Phoenix, Temper Trap, The Dead Weather, Crystal Method, Nas and Damian Marley, and, as they say, “more.”