Part 2 of our Roadburn Redux coverage. “Even online, Roadburn really is like no other festival: diverse, innovative music whose heaviness always cuts deep.”

Part 1 of our Roadburn Redux coverage. “It got far, far closer to that magic than I imagined possible for a digitally distanced event. A fantastic achievement from all involved.”

Roadburn Festival returns this year as ‘Roadburn Redux’, which takes place online with loads of things to choose from. Echoes and Dust looks ahead to see who and what is involved this year.

First Flight of the White Raven is a success, as long as you judge it fairly. If you’re a Wardruna fan, and the band release this show for purchase then you’ll want to buy it. . . For those who tuned in, it was Wardruna alive, bursting with energy and splendour, if not live with the full capacity for majesty that that experience entails. The white raven itself is prophetic, as Einar explained: a symbol of hope – and that’s something we all need now, more than ever.

In a world without live music Owen Coggins was lucky enough to see back-to-back gigs by Tuskar – one live, the other livestream – in an autumnal double-header at the Black Heart.

With the stroke of a Covid-19 pen, Birmingham’s brilliant but lockdowned Supersonic festival became the virtual, Sofasonic. Jared Dix was sitting comfortably and gives us the full DFS. . .

They are legends of their genre for a reason, and showed why with this celebration of their greatest achievement as a band.

Heavy Psych Sounds Records brought some heavy Stoner and Psych Rock vibes to Camden’s Underworld in a one-day mini-festival.

Employed To Serve keeping moving forward, with Birmingham’s Mama Roux’s the latest conquest in their eternal campaign.

This is exactly the sort of stuff for which this venue is perfect. Deep listening music that taps into the same meditative qualities as the building . . . Here in a space that already encourages stillness, in your own shut-off little pew, you can drift away with it.

I can’t imagine many bands would like to follow Birds in Row but Alcest managed it with ease; they played a varied set with a good balance of old and new, showed some versatility and somehow, after all I have said, remained slightly understated. Highly recommended.

The best gig I’ve seen so far this year . . . Bruxa Maria look set to become much bigger names within the UK’s growing psychedelic noise circuit.

It’s a ragged rendition of Sonic Youth’s ‘White Kross’ that puts the perfect rusty nail in the night’s coffin . . . a weird and wonderful conclusion to a night of utter sonic devastation.

Sabaton didn’t just rise to challenge of playing Wembley Arena, they smashed right through it and proved why they should be taken seriously as one this generation’s biggest metal headline acts.

There’s a similar playfulness in reworking rock moves as Pigsx7; but if Pigs dig in to a particular groove and ride it, Michael are more erratic – like Pigs’ weird and intense brother who doesn’t go out much. Imagine that.