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.

There's great pleasure in a spot of "old-fashioned" shopping

Tre! is the third instalment of a trilogy which has been overshadowed by singer Billie Joe Armstrong’s descent into Drug Hell.

The rock opera first grappled with by Pete Townshend and Ray Davies at the end of the 1960s, as rock’s growing thematic seriousness and their own straining ambitions seemed to demand a grander canvas than three-minute pop, was often dashed on the rocks of their hubris.

I don't pine for childhood glories, but the disappearance of my old hairdresser is traumatic - and globalisation won't slow down any time soon

Pop music is going through a prolific period. Elisa Bray reports

“Bad news, guys. Billie Joe has got laryngitis. But I’m here!” said drummer Tre Cool, taking centre stage before singing a solo rude version of “All By Myself”, thus setting the tone for an evening of nostalgic messing around.

Your seatbelt isn’t the only belt that must be securely fastened if you’re a stratospherically-famous punk rocker on board a flight operated by America’s leading budget airline. So, apparently, must the one which holds up your trousers.

The no-frills route to Frankfurt is also a gateway to the Mosel river, says Andrew Eames. But this 'dreamier version of the Rhine' is under threat, so enjoy this treasure while you still can

The Kentucky combo Cage the Elephant manage to find a new wrinkle on the face of US indie-punk, thanks to an enthusiasm for yoking catchy melodies to abrasive guitar riffs that recalls the Pixies.

Red alert: 'C'mon America. You're better than this'

Who knew nihilist emo-punk could be so theatrical? My Chemical Romance revealed their penchant for the grand conceit with 2006's The Black Parade, a concept album about cancer that featured a queasy onstage mix of Busby Berkeley and pyrotechnics.

Reformed Take That made their first public appearance today since Robbie Williams rejoined as the group collected a prize for their years of success at the Q Awards.