Glastonbury celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and to mark the occasion, father-and-daughter organising team Michael and Emily Eavis have promised at least one artist on the bill from each of Glastonbury’s 40 years. Surely that’s the icing on a cake that already features Muse and Stevie Wonder as headliners?

Alas, U2 had to pull out because of poor old Bono’s back, but Gorillaz have saved the day and are stepping in to fill their slot. Just a shame it’s sold out.

So with all tickets for the big four – Glastonbury, T In The Park, Leeds And Reading and V all gone, what’s a music fan to do?

Go to Download, that’s what. Traditionally a heavy rock festival that takes place in Donington Park in the East Midlands, this year has more mass appeal than ever thanks to the presence of headliners Rage Against The Machine, revitalised after their Christmas No 1 victory, antipodean rock legends AC/DC and evergreen party band Aerosmith.

The same weekend (June 11-13) you could go to the Isle Of Wight. It’s a ferry ride away, but once you’re there, you’ll get to see Editors, Doves, Crowded House, Vampire Weekend, Florence And The Machine and Blondie. That’s before we get to some of the best headliners of the summer – Jay-Z, The Strokes and Sir Paul McCartney.

Macca pops up again at Hard Rock Calling just a couple of weeks later too. The London-based three-day festival set in Hyde Park (no camping) is always the same weekend as Glastonbury (June 25-27) and is fast becoming a viable alternative for those who don’t want to trek down to Somerset.

Joining Sir Paul on the bill this year are Pearl Jam and Stevie Wonder, as well as Corinne Bailey Rae, James Morrison and hotly-tipped Americans The Gaslight Anthem.

A week later (July 2-4), the Wireless bus rolls into London.

Like Hard Rock Calling, it’s in Hyde Park, so no camping, and takes place over three days. This year, the event boasts Pink, LCD Soundsystem and Jay-Z as headliners, with the likes of The Temper Trap, Unkle, Missy Elliott and Lily Allen appearing elsewhere on the line up.

The weekend after, July 9-11, all attention turns to Scotland’s premier festival T In The Park. It’s sold out, of course, but for those not lucky enough to have tickets, TV coverage of Muse, Kasabian, Eminem, Jay-Z, Biffy Clyro, Faithless, The Prodigy and Dizzee Rascal will be unmissable.

The term ’boutique festival’ was virtually invented for Latitude, which takes place between July 15-18 on the Henham Park Estate in Suffolk.

This year Florence And The Machine, Belle And Sebastian, Vampire Weekend, Laura Marling, Empire Of The Sun and Midlake are among the artists on the excellent line up.

London’s Victoria Park is the setting for Lovebox (July 16-18), which this year boasts performances from Ellie Goulding, Paloma Faith, Dizzie Rascal, Grace Jones and Roxy Music. Eclectic is the word.

V Festival, split over two sites takes place on Saturday 21 August and Sunday 22.

It depends whether you go to Chelmsford or Stafford which order you see the acts in, but this year the big names include Kings Of Leon, Kasabian, Stereophonics, Paul Weller, Faithless, Paolo Nutini, The Prodigy, Florence And The Machine and the nation’s sweetheart herself, Cheryl Cole.

Camp Bestival (July 30 to August 1) has a reputation for an eclectic line-up, and this year’s Camp is no different with Madness, Human League, George Clinton, Calvin Harris, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Friendly Fires, Marc Almond and newcomers Hurts all appearing.

Sonisphere takes place the same weekend at ‘the home of rock’ Knebworth, and theatrical rocker Alice Cooper, industrial Germans Rammstein and heavy metal icons Iron Maiden top the bill, with Placebo, Alice In Chains, Iggy And The Stooges and Motley Crue among the other acts performing.

The Big Chill is among the most relaxed festivals out there.

Taking place between August 5-8 in Eastnor Castle Deer Park, this year’s line-up includes MIA, Massive Attack, Thom Yorke and Lily Allen, as well as Polarbear, Kelis, Norman Jay, Explosions In The Sky, The Heavy and Plan B, plus hundreds more.

Established in 1971 (the Leeds leg wasn’t added till the Nineties) Leeds and Reading Festival is among the oldest on the block and always takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. This year, that’s Friday 27 – Sunday 29.

Slightly more rock-oriented than other mainstream events, this year’s line-up boasts Guns ‘N Roses, Arcade Fire and Blink 182 as headliners, while Queens Of The Stone Age, Biffy Clyro, Dizzee Rascal, LCD Soundsystem, Paramore and The Futureheads are also appearing. The story of the weekend is likely to be whether a performance from the reformed Libertines goes to plan. If Pete Doherty makes it, all eyes will be on him.

Bestival, on the Isle Of Wight, closes the festival season between September 9-12, and its reputation as the most enjoyable festival continues – so much so it’s now sold out. The lucky ticketholders in themed fancy dress will be treated to performances from headliners including The Prodigy, Dizzee Rascal, The Flaming Lips, and Roxy Music.