Portugal. The Man are Alaska's strangest band

Portugal. The ManThe most unusual band to come out of Alaska is Portugal. The Man. They love to mix styles – their sound is often indie but they also flirt with soul, blues, and folk music. After the band moved from Alaska to the US state of Oregon, they released their first album, Waiter: "You Vultures!" in 2006. Last year's Censored Colors was on many critics' "best album of the year" lists and the single "Lay Me Back Down" got a lot of media attention. The band's new album, The Satanic Satanist, will be in shops later this month.

08.07. Mechelen, Belgium - Jeugdhuis Metteko
10.07. Rüsselsheim - Phono Pop
11.07. Görlitz - La Pampa
15.07. Zürich, Switzerland - Sommerbühne der Roten Fabrik
16.07. Innsbruck, Austria - Weekender
17.07. Golling, Salzburg, Austria - On the Rocks Festival
18.07. Feldkirch, Austria - Poolbar
19.07. Bayreuth - Glashaus
20.07. Dusseldorff - Zakk
21.07. Hannover - Cafe Glocksee
22.07. Nijmegen, Netherlands - De Affaire
23.07. Saarbrucken - Kleiner Club Garage
24.07. Weinheim - Cafe Central
25.07. Alterswil, Switzerland - Stone Hill Festival 31
01.08. Elend Bei Sorge - Rocken am Brocken

Cold War KidsFor quite a while now, people have been wondering if Cold War Kids might be the best band in America. Their debut album, 2006's Robbers & Cowards, included the single "Hospital Beds" . Their second album, Loyalty to Loyalty (2008), built on their cool indie sound and got excellent reviews in music magazines around the world. (Photo: Wignall)

11.07. Bruges, Belgium - Cactus Festival
12.07. Liege, Belgium - Ardentes Festival
13.07. Groningen, Netherlands - Vera
14.07. Heidelberg - Karistorbahnhof
15.07. Affienz, Austria - Green Valle Festival
17.07. Feropolis - Melt Festival
21.07. Luxembourg, Luxembourg - Den Atelier
22.07. Cologne - Luxor
23.07. Rotterdam, Netherlands - Watt Basement
24.07. Nimegan, Netherlands - De Affaire Festival
25.07. Nyon, Switzerland - Paleo Festival

U2Probably the biggest band in the world right now, U2 seem to have been around forever. Since their first album, Boy, in 1980, the Irish group have been redefining what rock music is all about. Songs like "With or Without You" , "One" and "Beautiful Day" are classics, while The Joshua Tree (1987) is often listed as one of the best albums ever. U2 are absolutely amazing in concert. It doesn't get better than this!

18.07. Berlin - Olympic Stadium
20.07. Amsterdam - ArenA
21.07. Amsterdam - ArenA
03.08. Gelsenkirchen - Veltins-Arena