Pitchfork

I have to say, of all the large-scale music gatherings going down the weekend of July 18-20 in this big old world of ours, Ferropolis, Germany's Melt! Festival is a strong contender for the second place spot. The locale, a pristine lake surrounded by huge industrial-era machinery, is choice, and the bill's no slouch, neither.

This year's Melt! features appearances from Björk, Franz Ferdinand, Robyn, Hot Chip, Battles, Los Campesinos!, Bonde do Role, Fujiya & Miyagi, Roísín Murphy, the Notwist, Why?, Hercules and Love Affair, Supermayer, Modeselektor, Gui Boratto, Booka Shade, M.A.N.D.Y., Editors, Mr. Oizo, (International) Noise Conspiracy, the Count & Sinden, the Teenagers, the Whitest Boy Alive, Miss Kittin and the Hacker, Lightspeed Champion, the Wombats, Late of the Pier, dEUS, Friendly Fires, Sascha Funke, Burger/Voigt, Operator Please, Ellen Allien, Boys Noize, MEN, Adam Green, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Kate Nash, and a whole lot more. Also, Uffie & Feadz will pump out a jam or two with the help of Technotronic... yes, THAT Technotronic!