Q's week that was... Blur, The Vaccines, Calexico, Rita Ora, Q Awards, Kasabian, The Darkness & more

In case you missed it, here's what we've been up to on Qthemusic.com this week.

Blur head to the seaside to play their first gig since 2009
Damon Albarn & co kick off warm-up dates with intimate show in Margate - plus get Q314 now for an exclusive interview with the band

Plus...
"It feels like there's more gas in the tank for Blur" - Alex James (Q314 preview)
The bassist believes Blur could do another album, get our new issue out now to see what his bandmates think...

Q&a The Vaccines' Justin Young - on new album The Vaccines Come Of Age, why "clunky lyrics" rule, the need to make an emotional connection & more...
Plus the man they used to call Jay Jay Pistolet explains why he needed Ryan Adams & Kings Of Leon's producer, Ethan Johns, for his band's second LP

Q Awards 2012 launches - vote now for your favourite acts
The opening voting kicks off today (31 July), so here's your chance to help decide who makes this year's shortlist

Guest column - Three reasons why sport is brilliant by Liars' Angus Andrew
With the Olympics in full swing, the band remind us why two weeks of sport is a good thing...

Q314 Caption Competition - enter now to win Festival No. 6 tickets
The Queen meets JLS... you provide the punchline and you could win luxury weekend at the Portmeirion event

Watch Rita Ora's new on the road video for remix of How We Do (Party) - exclusive
Plus the former New To Q singer explains how Jay-Z convinced her to sign to his label

Singles column 30 July 2012 - Tom Jones, Noel Gallagher, Chemical Brothers, Tame Impala, Dizzee & more
Jamie Skey rounds-up this week's releases and the best new songs that have appeared online in the last seven days...

Tom Meighan reveals his Kasabian nickname (Q314 preview)
Get a sneak preview from the interview with the singer in our new issue

Help Q Radio pick the best track of the 1980s
Nominate your favourites for the 100th edition of Sunday night's Q The 80s show

The Darkness: 'We built giant breasts so we could take cocaine onstage'
The band recall the highs and lows - plus discuss the future following their recent reunion - in the new issue of Q, on sale now

Get the Q Festival App - keep in touch with friends & the latest festival news while you're in a field
Our new iPhone app not only has all the line-up and festival news, but it lets you stay in contact with your friends on & off site...

Plus check out all of this week's Tracks Of The Day.

11:27 AM | 04/08/2012

Summer Of The Stones - take a look at the new cover of Q

Here's a preview of the cover of Q324, which hits the shops next Tuesday (28 May)
Q&a Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - "Everything's an open book. I only open new doors, I don't close them"

Mars Volta's acrimonious split? The future of At The Drive-In? As he launches new band Bosnian Rainbows the hardcore hero speaks
Have you got a question for Biffy Clyro? Cash For Questions

Get your questions in by 4pm on Monday (27 May)
Five songs to hear this week - Mount Kimbie, Nick Cave, !!!, Wu-Tang & more

Jamie Skey rounds-up this week's releases and the best new songs that have appeared online in the last seven days... (20 May)
Noel Gallagher wins Ivor Novello award, Thom Yorke scores tax documentary, Franz Ferdinand return with new album... Music News Daily

A round-up of all the news, views, interviews and cool music things online today (17 May)
Playlist - Parquet Courts "People we want to play gigs with this year"

With their Great Escape show this week (18 May) and further UK dates, the New York punk are in a gig booking mood...

QTheMusic.com