Lanterns on the Lake

Chosen by Jonny Ensall, Editor, The List
What does that name bring to mind? Boats on the water? A night to remember? An ethereal choir of knitting together a sense of the magical past and the optimistic future? You’re spot on with this talented bunch of Bella Union-signed Geordies.
■ Belladrum, Beauly, 3 & 4 Aug.

Lord Rochester

Chosen by Vic Galloway, BBC presenter, music journalist
A raucous, tartan-clad R&B trio who love Diddley! They lay down the law with ham-bone rhythms, primitive bass and tremelo guitar on a selection of 7” vinyl singles and their excellent Hey! LP. Catch them on the Isle of Eigg and shake yo tail feather!
■ Away Game, the Isle of Eigg, 20–22 Jul.

Jeff Mills

Chosen by Henry Northmore, Clubs editor, The List
Technically one of the best DJs the world has ever seen, alternating quick cuts, scratching, multi-layered mixing usually on three decks plus CDs and FX. They don’t call him the Wizard for nothing. Perhaps an obvious choice, but the right choice.
■ RockNess, Dores, 8–10 Jun.

Three Blind Wolves

Chosen by Ally McCrae, Presenter, BBC Introducing, Radio 1
Their howling, beer-raising, fist pumping folk/americana live show is unmissable. Imagine seeing that, at dusk, on a stage in a clearing in a Highland forest, surrounded by good people and no doubt even better beer.
■ Insider Festival, Aviemore, 16 Jun.

United Fruit

Chosen by Lauren Mayberry, Around Town/LGBT editor, The List
United Fruit are great live – chest-crushingly heavy and tight as a gnat's proverbial. Festival-goers seeking the gnarlier ilk should also look out for Holy Mountain, Hey Enemy and Edinburgh’s Vasquez.
■ Wickerman, 20 & 21 Jul.

Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher

Chosen by Ian Harrower, Festival producer, The Big Tent
Weaving together shifting melodies that are intelligent but still reach the heart and the head these are one of our best kept secrets – though not for much longer. Classy musicians, clever ideas and musical fusions: an electric live band that will get our festivalgoers on their feet.
■ The Big Tent, Falkland, Fife, 21–22 Jul.

Nicki Minaj

Chosen by Nicola Meighan, Music writer, The List
Hits, wigs, tits, power, the biggest balls and all the best raps: Nicki Minaj is reason alone to head to Balado this festival season. The hyper-star’s day-glo muse embraces pop, hardcore hip hop and R&B balladry, and her mantras are equally incandescent: ‘It’s Barbie, bitch!’
■ T in the Park, Balado, 8 Jul.

Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard

Chosen by Alun Woodward, Director, Chemikal Underground
Jeffrey Lewis writes really engaging, entertaining songs and it would be a treat to see him in surroundings as beautiful as Doune. All that and I can sleep in the comfort of a warm bed in my parents’ house!
■ Doune The Rabbit Hole, Doune, 24–26 Aug.