Wednesday Intermezzo: Lotsa Festies

We’ve hit the peak of the summer concert season, with multiple festivals going off this weekend. RatDog, String Cheese Incident and Umphrey’s McGee headline the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Minnesota, while RAQ is throwing Lew-Au II with friends Al and the Transamericans, Tim Reynolds and Strangefolk. For something a little different, check out the sixth annual Lebowski Festival in Louisville.

As usual we’ve got a heady batch of links to keep you busy:

Pro-shot footage of Sly Stone performing three songs at the North Sea Festival is has been uploaded to YouTube
A hipster’s head explodes at the Pitchfork Music Festival
George Porter Jr. will be leaving the New Orleans Social Club after a gig in Canada next weekend — 70 Volt Parade bassist Tony Hall takes over
An open letter from Billy Corgan
Phil Lesh will play at the Independent in SF on July 21st with Steve Molitz, John Molo, Jackie Greene, Larry Campbell and Barry Sless
Los Lobos is keeping busy this summer
The White Stripes left their audience wanting more at a “secret show”
Glen Friedman’s photo book on Fugazi, entitled Keep Your Eyes Open, looks incredible
10 Simple Rules of Concert Etiquette
Glide’s Chris Clark caught up with Bassnectar to discuss his second album
Levon Helm thrilled the crowd at Bethel Woods
Sting and his wife lost a sexual-discrimination lawsuit to former chef
Jefitoblog brings us The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Evan Dando and the Lemonheads, Part 1
Joe Satriani is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Surfing With The Alien by playing a few special gigs
Phish’s legacy inspires new artists