Sincerity – unthinkingly accepted as a positive attribute in a rock band – is a false friend. Biffy Clyro "mean" it, there's no doubt. But what "it" do they mean?

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Green Day are to headline Reading and Leeds festivals

Green Day to headline Reading and Leeds festivals

After performing a secret gig at last year's Reading and Leeds festivals rockers Green Day have been confirmed as the final headliners for this year's event.

Album review: Biffy Clyro, Opposites (14th Floor)

There's a scene in Grandma's House in which Simon Amstell is informed by Clive, his ghastly father-in-law to be, "I tell you who's a great band: Biffy Clyro. Down-to-earth guys and grrreat tunes." The Kilmarnock trio won't have too much trouble living down that implied insult, their likely audience crossover with smart Jewish sitcoms being minimal.

Album review: Biffy Clyro, Opposites (14th Floor)

Sooner or later, every prog-metal band feels the need to record a double-album, and the results invariably expose the paucity of their inspiration.

This year revellers at the Isle of Wight Festival were unable to negotiate the muddy conditions in their cars

Extra police deployed to 'mudbath' Isle of Wight Festival

Extra police are to be deployed to help revellers leave at the end of the Isle of Wight Festival after heavy rains turned the site into a mudbath causing traffic chaos.

Tunbridge Wells' Forum scores NME top music venue award

Royal Tunbridge Wells may be the traditional voice of Middle England’s morality but the busybodies are in danger of being drowned out after one of its nightspots was named the best small music venue in the UK.

Festival Guide 2012: Q&A: Band of Skulls

For Matt Hayward from the Southampton rockers, festival season means tequila, Biffy Clyro – and a cup of tea with mum

Slipknot close Sonisphere UK

Slipknot closed Sonisphere festival in the UK with a "f***ing celebration" last night.

Sonisphere: Rocking all over Europe

Seven countries in 10 days. "Exhausting" sums up following the world's only touring music festival, Sonisphere. So far I've travelled with it from Turkey, up through Eastern Europe, into Croatia and Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland. I've clocked up 5,000km on the car, passed through four countries in one day and slept in a Swiss barn. I am on first name terms with border guards and a reluctant expert on Euro motorway cuisine.

Dave Grohl dedicates NME award to Kurt Cobain

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl was declared a God-like genius at the Shockwave NME awards and dedicated the prize to former Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain.

Roger Daltrey will give up music for art

Roger Daltrey plans to give up music to be an artist.

Biffy Clyro make second attempt at America

Biffy Clyro are trying to crack America for the second time.

Lady Gaga makes best and worst-dressed shortlists

Chart star Lady Gaga's outrageous dress sense has proved to be divisive - after she was shortlisted for both most and least stylish star in this year's NME Awards.

Cardle tops chart despite campaigns

The debut single by The X Factor winner Matt Cardle has fought off fierce competition from various internet campaigns to claim the Christmas No 1 spot.

Muse song named greatest riff of the 21st century

Rock trio Muse are the greatest riff merchants of the 21st century, music fans said today.

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National archives: Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

Newly unearthed papers reveal a shocking extra dimension to the constitutional crisis over monarch’s abdication
Sent down at the Old Bailey: A tour of the world's most famous court

Sent down at the Old Bailey

A tour of the world's most famous court
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

The Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis’s date for his movie premieres isn’t arm candy  – it’s his 87-year-old friend who he saved from homelessness
British football scores an own goal

British football scores an own goal

Many managers barely survive a year in post. Martin Baker talks to experts who make a case for clubs using forensic business skills to find the best staff
James Lawton: Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again

James Lawton

Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again
Dylan Hartley: Northampton have spent the season proving all our critics wrong

Dylan Hartley talks tough

Northampton have spent the season proving all our critics wrong
Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

Plenty of sleaze

Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

The Freemasons’ Code

Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
Why clubs are keen to take a stand

Why clubs are keen to take a stand

There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death