Specials For Summer Sonic

Japan is probably the coolest nation on earth.

Having produced mind meltingly inventive technology, cool comics, great films and nifty clobber for decades now, the Japanese can rest easy that they are perhaps the most cutting edge people on the planet. Which makes the Summer Sonic festival one of the most bizarre yet brilliant events around.

Held in Tokyo, it gathers a bill that contains some of the biggest names on the planet. 'Cadillac Records' star Beyonce will headline, having recently performed at Barack Obama's inauguration. Joining her will be emo types My Chemical Romance and rap metal survivors Linkin Park.

Further down the bill is where the fun lies however. Nine Inch Nails are set to go on hiatus soon, but not before they play a final tour. Their performance at Summer Sonic Festival will no doubt be an emotional occasion, as Trent Reznor says goodbye to his Japanese fans.

Elsewhere on the bill Leicester group Kasabian will preview their new album 'West Rider Pauper Asylum', one of the year's most anticipated releases. The band are due to support Oasis on their upcoming stadium tour, with fellow support act The Enemy also due to star at Summer Sonic.

Coventry 2-Tone legends The Specials reformation tour is set to be one of the musical talking points in Britain this summer, and the band are set to head out to Japan for their first ever show in the country.

One time producer Elvis Costello is also due to perform at the festival, while The Flaming Lips will bring their loud and colourful live show to Tokyo.

Summer Sonic is set to take place between August 7th - 9th.