Summercase Preview

In the song North American Scum, LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy sings: "We can't have parties like in Spain where they go all night. Shut down in North America." That is probably why he is one of several North Americans and many Brits to sign up to Summercase, a two night musical party happening simultaneously over a July weekend in Madrid and Barcelona.

As any intrepid festival bagger knows, choice is nothing new on the summer circuit. The Carling Weekend offers the choice of Reading or Leeds in which to watch bands, drink and be merry. V Festival divides itself in a similar fashion between Chelmsford and Staffordshire.

But if you want to combine your self-prescribed weekend of live music with your self-prescribed sojourn to warmer climes, then Summercase festival may just be your answer.

Whether you opt for Madrid with its promise of 'scorchio' temperatures and vibrant terrace-bar nightlife, or Barcelona with its stunning views at every turn (and that's not just the architecture), the allure of either location is considerable. And whichever city you choose, there is already a mouth-watering line-up of artists stopping over at the two open-air, suburban sites.

Headliners Arcade Fire and The Flaming Lips are sure to live up to their imperious live reputations, while Kaiser Chiefs and Bloc Party will also export their crowd-pleasing indie for the occasion. There is a healthy mix of youth and experience elsewhere. Up-and-coming bands The View, Guillemots and The Twang will vie for your attention with a few who've been up, down and up again, including The Jesus & Mary Chain, Jarvis Cocker and James.

If you like to dance, look no further than the aforementioned punk-funk maestros LCD Soundsystem and the mad-as-a-brush !!! Superstar DJs have never needed much persuasion for a Mediterranean holiday either. In addition, The Chemical Brothers and DJ Shadow will man the decks along with Felix Da Housecat and 2manyDJs.

Add to this global collective French pop-classicists Air, New York disco queens the Scissor Sisters, Brummie favourites Editors, a resurgent PJ Harvey and grunge survivor Mark Lanegan (appearing with the excellent Soulsavers), and you have a line-up of pioneers and entertainers in equal measure.

James Murphy is not the only one who will appreciate the more relaxed approach to timings. If you're always left scratching your head when UK festivals shut up shop before midnight, just as the atmosphere is just starting to simmer, you'll be glad to know that Summercase is a nocturnal beast, rising at 6pm only to collapse in a blissful stupor a full 12 hours later.

And if you have any spare euros left and haven't overfed your appetite for live music, the granddaddy of musical fiestas, Benicassim, takes place in its coastal resort near Valencia the following weekend - never a better opportunity to kill two birds with one return flight booking.