The vast majority of us will be heading off to Reading or Leeds tomorrow, so it’s time for our writers to give their final verdict on who to see, what to do, and, of course, what not to do.

David Hayter

The One Act You Have To See:

I won’t be seeing them at Reading and Leeds this year, but at Isle Of Wight and Wireless they were simple phenomenal. Witty, euphoric, thrilling, everything you could want from a headliner with plenty of great tunes and a frontman capable of outshining, and outwitting, any and all of his peers. Pulp are a feel good band, sexy and perverse, their set will go down in history.

Look for “Something Changed”, “F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E” and “Sorted Out For E’s And Whizz” to be the surprise show stealers.

The Band You Might Not Know, But Really Should See:

The Antlers aren’t my favourite of the “Pitchfork brigade” but they do create awe-inspiring music. Heartbreaking catharsis, glorious soundscapes, and a brilliant mix of the intimate and the epic; The Antlers set might be huge, sweeping and euphoric or it could be a slice of low key misanthropic misery.

Do: Go and see that band. Everyone has one, that one band that you want to see really badly, but you friends don’t know, or don’t like. Whatever you do, don’t listen to your mates, go and see whoever it is that you’re desperate to see, you won’t regret it.

Don’t: Be a loner. Seeing two or three bands on your own is fine, but completely abandoning your friends is just lame, and if they really are good friends, they’ll probably end up worrying about you by the end of the day.

Lee Jeffrey

The One Band You Have To See:

Probably the main band I want to see at this year’s Reading and Leeds festival. The Offspring are a band I have always wanted to see, and a band that I am sure are going to be a major highlight of the festival for many of the people. The sing-a-longs will be amazing, and it really will be a Reading moment to remember. A longer set would be better, but something is better than nothing!

The Band You Might Not Know, But Really Should See:

I was only made aware of this band at Sonisphere 2010, but they ended up being a highlight of the festival. A great band from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who are really making a name for themselves. A four piece instrumental band playing post-rock is the recipe for an interesting set in my eyes, and I am sure you will walk away from their set wanting to buy a ASIWYFA CD when you get home on the Monday.

Do: See all the bands you want to see. Even if it means going to watch them alone when your friends have all gone to see someone else.

Don’t: Miss your favourite band because you have drank too much. You can drink any time of the year.

Fox James

The One Act You Have To See:

One of the bands that the rock elite pretend to hate in public, but can’t help liking in secret. There is no denying Mr Leto’s storming stage presence, nor his truly outstanding vocal ability. With two highly praised albums under their belt, and Jared’s Hollywood acting career on hold, 30STM already have their own Echelon fan club who would happily tear you apart with their teeth if Jared was stood behind you. Obsessive Fan Girls aside, tracks such as “Kings & Queens” and “Closer To The Edge” will have the crowd singing along at the top of their voices ‘til they are hoarse. Be warned: Fans in the pit will use you in any way possible to get a better view. The band perform expertly executed catchy hooks and the occasional ballad that will remain in your head whether you like it or not. Huge fun.

What to expect! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAZuKQJRnjY

The Band you might not know but really should see:

Silly name, not so silly sound. The Leeds based alternative rockers write songs with titles such as “I punched a lion in the throat” and “E=MC Hammer”. That should give you an idea of their personalities. What you will get however is high octane, slick, mosh pit inducing mayhem heavily laden with dirty bass riffs and screaming hardcore metal style vocals. Imagine a merging of Bring Me the Horizon and Biffy Clyro. Highly recommended. But avoid the centre of the crowd if you value your limbs.

What to expect! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utu7KNS5xmE

DO: Make the most of refilling your water bottles at the free water points. Paying around £2-£2.50 a time will soon bleed your purse/wallet dry.

DON’T: If you are a Reading newbie, or under 18, or have never been in the pit area before, Don’t position yourself close to the front at the main stage to see your favourite band, however tempting it might be. If you are on the barrier itself, you’ll be fine. If you are 2-5 rows from the front you will experience a serious, and sometimes terrifying crush. You will also have crowd surfers on top of you frequently. If you get pulled out, or are injured, you will miss your band. The slight of frame and the young are advised to stay out of the main circle.

Rik Sharma

The One Band You Have To See: 

If you don’t know who they are or why you have to see them, where have you been? Or maybe it’s their fault for disappearing, only to surface recently. Either way, at dusk on Sunday you better be in the Lock-up tent if you know what’s good for you. All together now; ‘I need a remedy, of diesel and dust…’.

The Band You Might Not Know, But Really Should See: 

They’re not a ‘must see’ in the vein of Frank Turner back in 2007, because they’ll only appeal to a niche crowd. And in that respect, maybe they’re not the best band to pick for this, because a lot of the people who would be interested in the hardcore scene will already have heard of, if not actually heard, them. With that in mind, this is a reminder to those of you who are interested to get up early on the Saturday, and go check them out. ‘Cause they pack a punch.

Do: Take some time out at the alternative stage. Especially when Henry Rollins is on.

Don’t: Don’t set fire to my tent, you cunts.

Craig Brooks

The One Band You Have To See:

Up until quite recently I would’ve had this guy under a heading of acts you might not know but have to see. However times have changed and Ed Sheeran has found himself thrust into the big time after the great success of his single “The A Team”.

To his credit he had already built up a major cult following by this time and will hopefully start to get the credit he deserves. It’s really unique how expertly he manages to combine many different genres into his music, he may have the title of singer/songwriter but there is so much more to him, expect to hear a superb blend of Folk-Rock, Acoustic and Rap amongst other things. I’ve only been able to judge from videos thus far but he looks capable of putting on a fantastic live show and if anyone on the entire bill is going to perform one of all those all time memorable festival sets it will be Ed Sheeran. Look out for tracks “The A-Team”, “Wayfaring Stranger” and “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You”.

The Band You Might Not Know, But Really Should See:

DO: try not to stick to just one stage all weekend and acts that you already know. By going and exploring acts on the different stages you will come away from the festival with some new favourite bands you may not have even heard of before.

DON’T: Ignore your camping neighbours. I met my two best friends through Reading Festival. By merely saying hello to neighbours and people at the festival you can come away from it with some cool friends and can also keep an eye on each others tents throughout the weekend.

Tom Forster

The Band You Have To See:

Even though Muse are the “obvious” choice, it’s hard to pick anyone else. It’s no secret that they are one of the great live acts of this generation and if that isn’t enough, this is supposedly the last chance fans will get to hear many of the songs from iconic album Origin Of Symmetry, which is to be played in it’s entirety. Add to this the promise of a brand new stage show and this is one truly unmissable set.

The Band You Might Not Know, But Really Should See:

I’ve been going on like a broken record about these since they were announced for the Festival Republic stage, but in all honesty they are one of the few gems on a fairly low quality line up this year. The new record is sounding great and they will, as usual, be bags of fun. You’d be a fool to miss them.

Do: Try and take in as many of the stages as possible. Especially in a year like this, when the main stage is made up largely of mediocre acts. By searching elsewhere you can catch the likes of: Janes Addiction, OFWGKTA, Capdown, Flogging Molly, Mariachi El Bronx, Twin Atlantic, Don Broco and plenty of other great acts.

Don’t: Be a dick. Respect other people and their stuff. Too many years I’ve seen scumbags robbing, wrecking and setting fire to people’s possessions. Don’t be that guy (or girl).

Simone F

The One Band You Have To See:

Pretty self-explanatory really. The Strokes are The Strokes and will always be The Strokes. For me personally they would be the only big band to have drawn me in this year. Indie’s finest. The Strokes have so many troubling issues within the band that may not make it any further than their recent album and this tour. Go see them power their way through the finest indie club records.

The Band You Might Not Know, But Really Should See:

Championing their way through my heart at the minute, preparing themselves to be one of Oxford’s finest bands with the correct amount of layered brightly coloured psychedelics Fixers are standing steady as BBC Introducing headliners.

Do:  If you have a few hours, even under an hour, spare in your bands to see list, please go see bands that you have never heard/seen before. You never know you may end up with a new favourite band.

Don’t: Be ignorant and refuse to see bands other than the bands you already love. You deserve to be bottled.