The Observer's music writers' guide to this summer's festival highlights, taking in A$AP Rocky and OutKast, Dolly Parton and Neutral Milk Hotel
Sex, drugs and Jimi Hendrix: my life in festivals, by Ed VulliamyWin a pair of tickets to the festival of your choice this summer
At 16, Ed Vulliamy saw Jimi Hendrix blow the crowd away on the Isle of Wight. Today, at nearly 60, he is still chasing the festival spirit round far-flung fields. Here is his tale of peace, love and mud
The Observer's A-Z of festivals 2014 in pictures
Win a pair of tickets to the festival of your choice this summer
Just as it had rained at Woodstock in 1969 so it began to pour down too on the 1970 Bath Blues and Progressive Music festival in Somerset. And because it had rained at Woodstock, it didn't seem to matter it was what one did, apparently, with Peace, Love and Music: one sat or slid around in mud.
This was the prototype Glastonbury, and because of the rain the Byrds high point of the bill had to play an acoustic set. But what the hell: covered by a plastic sheet, I had to pinch myself to believe I was hearing Roger McGuinn sing Mr Tambourine Man live. And Jefferson Airplane Grace Slick was my pubescent pin-up passion thundering White Rabbit. The Airplane's bluesy offshoot, Hot Tuna, played, too, as did mighty Steppenwolf who performed Monster, their epic counter-history of America, in its entirety.
The Observer has 24 pairs of tickets to give away to some of the top festivals across the summer
The Observer's A-Z of festivals 2014 in pictures
Ed Vulliamy: my life in festivals
The Blondie singer on the outrageous example of Screamin' Jay Hawkins, the folk happenings of the hippy era and unwinding with a bit of Bizet
Born at the end of the second world war and adopted by two gift-shop owners, Debbie Harry grew up in suburban New Jersey. After apprenticeships in folk band the Wind in the Willows and girl trio the Stilettos, she was 31 when Blondie released their 1976 debut LP. Their first UK hit was 1977's Denis and by 1978's Parallel Lines they were global stars. Reuniting in 1997 after a 15-year sabbatical in which Harry made solo records and films, Blondie play Glastonbury in June and V festival in August.
The Virginia-based rapper has sharpened up his act and his after-show activities in preparation for forthcoming summer festival appearances
The Observer's A-Z of festivals 2014 in pictures
Ed Vulliamy: my life in festivals
Win a pair of tickets to the festival of your choice this summer
"There isn't a free moment," says Pusha T on the phone from Virginia. It's 9am on the east coast and the veteran rapper, currently one of the hottest emcees on the planet, has been up bright and early washing clothes. "I'm supposed to be taking a holiday, man, but today I've got to go to New York City for two meetings about my album and another meeting about my clothing line." He sighs. "So much for the vacation."
Pusha T born Terrence Thornton in the Bronx and raised in Norfolk, Virginia has been active in hip-hop for the past two decades, but he's never been busier than he is right now. Last October, four years into his solo career, having taken extended leave from the fraternal rap duo Clipse, he released his debut album. My Name is My Name had plenty of wattage behind it Pusha's label boss, Kanye West, oversaw production and guest stars included Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar but nobody expected it to generate much commercial heat. The album sold 74,000 copies in its first week and went to No 4 on the Billboard charts, not bad for a hard-edged rap record largely preoccupied with the travails of being a crack dealer.
Now is the summer of our disco tent. Arm yourself with our spotter's guide to 25 things that happen whenever Brits gather for alfresco fun
The Observer's A-Z of festivals 2014 in pictures
Ed Vulliamy: my life in festivals
Win a pair of tickets to the festival of your choice this summer
1 | Chino-clad politician arrives on-site for awkward photo opportunity
2 | Horrifically sunburnt man asleep on ground but everyone's too scared to wake him
New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson says his team is looking to knock favourites Sri Lanka out of the World Twenty20. Williamson admits New Zealand's opponents have been playing good cricket in the competition, but says his side are confident they have the talent to win on Monday. The batsman also says his team is benefitting from the performances of Brendan McCullum
Oxford don John Carey's trawl through his back pages is at its best when least professorial
At the very beginning of John Carey's enjoyable ramble through his life as a scholar, critic, literary prize judge, writer and professor, he admits that at first he wanted to write a history of English literature, rather than a history of himself. "Then I realised it would be a lot of donkey work," he confesses, immediately striking the kind of straight-talking, warmly accessible tone that has characterised his career.
Not that Carey takes the easy option; he aims for a book that intertwines his admiration (and sometimes disgust) for literature with the major events in his life. A neat intention, but for the first third The Unexpected Professor is a pretty straightforward autobiography of growing up without privilege in south-west London, completing national service, and going to Oxford in the 1950s, which seemed as different a world to him then as it does now. Strangely this is when Carey is at his best; uninhibited by the Oxford life he both loves and rails against. The tracts on the great writers are to come, and while they don't feel professorial, thankfully, it's those vivid early days that really stick in the mind.
Political scientist who sought reform from within the Soviet Communist party and was an early advocate of perestroika
Behind its facade of unity, the post-Stalin Soviet Communist party was nothing like as single-minded as its leaders pretended and as many in the outside world believed. It contained radically different undercurrents: among the reformers essential to Mikhail Gorbachev's eventual programme of perestroika was Fedor Burlatsky, who has died aged 87.
A vivid personality and at times an influential figure in intellectual and political life, he observed enough of the rules of the game to maintain a comfortable, although far from lavish, lifestyle. His political writings often pushed to the limits of the permissible: he was an eloquent representative of those party insiders who were critical both of the influence of the military-industrial complex and of Russian nationalist currents within the party.
David Moyes says the support for him at Old Trafford was fantastic despite an aeroplane, which was carrying a 'Wrong one Moyes out' banner, that flew above the stadium during their game against Aston Villa. The plane, which appeared two minutes into the game, was booed by fans in the stadium. Moyes says his team did not start well, but commends them for their goal-scoring performance
A mother is distraught at her failure to get pregnant again. Mariella Frostrup says she should focus on the child she has, not the child she may never have.
If you have a dilemma, send a brief email to mariella.frostrup@observer.co.uk
The dilemma I will turn 40 in a few weeks and have spent the past decade battling with infertility. After two miscarriages and infertility treatment from the age of 30 to 35, at 36 I was fortunate enough to bring a wonderful boy into the world. For the past four years, I have been struggling to have a second. Despite IVF attempts, my doctor now tells me my age is an additional negative factor. There are medical problems which have been overcome but, for the most part, the IVF failure is unexplained. I feel anguish when, every month, I realise my efforts have failed and that I may not ever be able to have a second child. My world centres around this overwhelming problem. IVF is taking a toll on my job, our finances, my health and my relationship. The need and desire to be pregnant is so deep, I don't know how to cope.
Mariella replies A big deep breath would be my first suggestion. You are hurtling towards your 40th birthday and, as with all landmarks, it can play havoc with your mind and increase anxiety. I'm not being dismissive of your dilemma. Having given birth to my first child at 42 I know all too well the anguish of trying for a baby, the corrosive effect it can have on your relationship and the ease with which monthly disappointment can tip into depression. My gynaecologist, a lovely man in every other respect, was equally negative about my chances of conceiving and actually laughed when, at your age, I announced my husband and I were trying for a baby.
The Private Eye editor on his new TV series, nostalgia, hobbits, and why Scotland should vote No
Your new BBC series, Ian Hislop's Olden Days, is a history of the British belief that things are never what they used to be. How far back does your looking back go?
The first part is the very olden days, right back to the 8th century. It is: where did Arthur first appear?
The author of Kinder Than Solitude on Tiananmen Square and the psychological violence people inflict
Yiyun Li, 41, was born in Beijing. After college, she emigrated to the US to study immunology and turned to creative writing. Her first collection of short stories, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers, won the 2005 Guardian first book award. Her first novel, The Vagrants was set shortly after the death of Chairman Mao. Her second collection, Gold Boy, Emerald Girl, followed in 2010. Her new novel, Kinder Than Solitude, focuses on three friends, and alternates between 1990s Beijing and present-day America. She lives in Oakland, California, with her husband and sons, and teaches creative writing at the University of California, Davis.
It's a brilliant device to open a novel with the death of a 43-year-old women who has been in a coma for 20 years. But isn't it inspired by a real-life case the thallium poisoning of a Chinese student, Zhu Ling, in 1995?
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini commends his team for a successful week after a 1-1 draw at the Emirates stadium. Pellegrini says his side would have been happier if they had walked away with a win against Arsenal, but are satisfied with being four points ahead of them in the league. Manchester City will play Southampton on 5 April
As the V&A celebrates Italian fashion, we pick our favourites
Who do you think should have made the list? Leave your comments below and you could feature in our alternative list next week
Two dozen family members fly into Kuala Lumpur to meet 'highest officials' as search for missing plane still draws blanks
Razzak, back into the side today, comes into the attack and his flatter brand of left-arm spin is effective early on. As I said may happen, the ball sticks in the pitch and Kamran knew he was in trouble with his pre-meditated lap scoop thing straight away. Captain Hafeez comes in and gets his first run with a sharp single to mid-on. That's a great over from Razzak, who is bowling from very wide around the stumps. Four runs and a wicket.
Oh what a catch this is! Akmal fluffs a scoop and top edges it to short fine leg, where Ziaur takes a marvellous catch leaping backwards. Like watching Paul Collingwood, that one.
It's fair to say that seam isn't working, so Bangladesh turn to their star all-rounder Shakib and his left-arm darts. He induces a big top edge from the sweeping Kamran Akmal, but with no fielder at deep square leg the ball trickles sadly for four. Akmal tries to slog an ugly leg side wide but misses it and gets a few byes. The final ball brings a shout for LBW from the wicketkeeper but it's come off the gloves. Great start this for Pakistan but it's very much buffet bowling.
Ugh, a disgusting slog from Shehzad over mid-wicket brings four, as does a much nicer flick over fine leg. Mortaza is bowling these on a good length and it's difficult to work out what his idea length would be. He tries a fuller, slower ball and Shehzad makes it three boundaries in three with an inside-out cover drive. A rare dot ball follows before Shehzad dances down the track and lofts a straight drive for six to make it 18 from the over.
"An hour early isn't embarassing," writes Gary Naylor. "I once turned up a whole day early for a ferry to Bergen and had to invest in a Whitley Bay BandB."
Al-Amin Hossain is, as usual, the other opening bowler, which means seam from both ends. The pitch looks so slow that it might be difficult to get the ball away to the fence here, as it could well stick in the pitch. The batsmen are happy to get on to the front foot, work the ball into the gaps here and run the singles quickly. Al-Amin strays on to Shehzad's pads with a full one and fine leg is up, so the batsman easily flicks it over him for four.
Mashrafe Mortaza, who has spearheaded Bangladesh's attack since 1904, is opening the bowling to the out-of-form Shehzad under the watchful eyes of Richard Kettleborough and Ian Gould. Pakistan get off the mark thanks to a misfield at square leg; Bangladesh's fielding hasn't been good so far in this tournament and that's an ominous portent. There's absolutely nothing on offer for the bowlers on what looks to be a featherbed and, after a couple of leaves, I can't imagine that Akmal will need long to get his eye in here. Oh I say that and he's beaten all ends up here by one angled in, the crooked bat wafting miles from both body and ball and it passes low over the stumps. Wide filth for the final ball though and it's cut hard to the point boundary.
Which means we'll begin in a couple of minutes. What do we reckon a good score for Pakistan will be? They're capable of getting 180+, especially if Umar Akmal continues the form he showed against Australia, although I doubt they'll need that many. Anything over 160 should be defended comfortably enough.
"Hi Dan," begins this email from Zeeshan Ahmad. "Any news on the Pakistan flag being allowed inside the stadium? Last I heard they had been banned by the Bangladesh Cricket Board authorities."
I'd not heard about this, but there appears to be something to it. Specifically, Bangladeshis are banned from carrying the flags of any other nation into the ground, so it's not a Pakistan-specific thing.
They're both in the bowling department too: Sohail Tanvir comes in for Bilawal Bhatti for Pakistan, while for Bangladesh, Abdur Razzak replaces Sohag Gazi.
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim*, Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah, Ziaur Rahman, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Al-Amin Hossain
Pakistan: Kamran Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez*, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Zulfiqar Babar, Saeed Ajmal
Pakistan have won that and will have a bat.
Perhaps surprisingly, Bangladesh can still qualify for the semi-finals. Beat Pakistan today and Australia on Tuesday and they'll have four points; if Pakistan beat the West Indies in the following game, then both of those teams will have the same and it all comes down to net run rate.
The bad news is that Bangladesh's is now a miserable -2.204, largely thanks to that enormous 73-run defeat by the Windies the second-highest in this competition overall and the highest in the main pool stage and their chances of overhauling the West Indies' +1.223 are slightly on the slim side. Still, hope there!
I'm going to sheepishly get a coffee. You guys can get an extra hour's kip, I guess.
Bangladesh doesn't appear to have adjusted its clocks, unlike here, which means I'm an hour early.
Morning folks. Apologies but we don't have long to go until this one starts as it took me a while to get into the building this morning, so let's get on with it.
Bangladesh been pretty dismal in hosting their own tournament. Never mind the lights going out regularly in Chittagong, nor the bizarre decision to hold day-night games in locations that become drenched with dew at night making bowling and catching near-impossible; they've been close to inept when it comes to actually playing
cricket
T20. It's three defeats in a row now, narrowly to lil' ol' Hong Kong then utter spankings by the West Indies and India. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim has urged players to play their natural game, but if this is that then things do not bode well for Bangladeshi cricket.
Dan will be along from around 10am.
Nineteen-year-old Yashika Bageerathi due to be flown out from Heathrow on Sunday without her mother and siblings
A 19-year-old Mauritian schoolgirl who was to have been deported at 5pm on Sunday has won a further reprieve although it was unclear why she was not being sent back to Mauritius as planned.
According to Lynne Dawes, the principal at the Oasis Academy Hadley in north London, where Yashika Bageerathi is studying for her A-levels, Air Mauritius refused to take her. "We believe that Air Mauritius refused to fly her," Dawes told Sky News, adding that there had been no official word from the Home Office on why the deportation was not going ahead.
Defence cuts have 'hollowed out' armed forces and left navy cut to the bone, says Nato's outgoing deputy supreme commander
Restructuring the army is "one hell of a risk" that will weaken the armed forces, one of Britain's most senior generals has said.
General Sir Richard Shirreff said that the "jury is out still" on plans to cut troop numbers in the regular army and substitute them with reservists, saying if the idea is going to work "the nation needs to get behind" it.
As the clocks change from GMT to British Summer Time, Rebekah Higgitt looks at the history of Britains standard time
It has become something of a tradition on this blog to mark the biannual change of the clocks and, although I no longer work at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, its a habit that sticks. This time, as we say farewell to it until the autumn, it seems a good opportunity to reminisce about Greenwich Mean Time.*
Why Greenwich time? And whats mean about it?
Gold, paintings and property confiscated, and 300 relatives and allies held or questioned in huge investigation into corruption
Chinese authorities have seized assets worth at least 90bn yuan ($US14.5bn) from family members and associates of retired domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang, who is at the centre of China's biggest corruption scandal in more than six decades, two sources said.
More than 300 of Zhou's relatives, political allies, proteges and staff have also been taken into custody or questioned in the past four months, the sources told Reuters.
Football Federation Australia has denied any wrongdoing amid allegations its 2022 World Cup bid team paid discredited former FIFA vice president Jack Warner almost half a million dollars in the belief it would secure his vote.
UK tabloid the Daily Mail reported on Sunday the allegations have been made by an Australian whistleblower to Michael Garcia, the American lawyer leading FIFA's investigations into claims of corruption in the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Cross-checking eliminates dozens from list of potential victims in disaster as search teams continue to battle harsh conditions
The number of those believed missing following a deadly mudslide in Washington state has plummeted to 30 after many people were found safe, authorities said late Saturday.
Officials previously set the number of missing people at 90, but said they expected that figure to drop dramatically as they worked to find people and cross-referenced a list that included partial reports and duplicates.
Workman fell to his death helping to install seats at the Sao Paulo stadium where Brazil will play the opener on 12 June
A worker died Saturday after falling at the construction site of the stadium that will host the World Cup opener in Sao Paulo, marking the seventh death in accidents at World Cup venues in Brazil.
Fabio Hamilton da Cruz, whose age was not disclosed, fell about 8 metres (26ft) while helping install temporary seats at the Itaquerao stadium, construction company Fast Engenharia said in a statement. Firefighters said the worker fell from about 15m.
As the channel celebrates its half-centenary, key figures behind some of its landmark programmes from Arena and The Office to Boys From the Blackstuff pay tribute to the channel that tore up the TV rulebook
As a BBC trainee in the late 90s, Stephen Merchant made a short film in which he cast his friend, Ricky Gervais, as the awful boss of a small paper firm. The short eventually became The Office, a sitcom first broadcast in 2001 which ran for two series and won multiple awards, including a pair of Golden Globes. With Gervais, Merchant went on to write and appear in two further BBC2 sitcoms, Extras and Life's Too Short. Now 39, he recently created and starred in the HBO comedy Hello Ladies.