Like a lot of festivals on the continent, the action doesn't get into full swing until after dark, with the final acts appearing at around 7am. Musically it's an eclectic offering, with big established indie acts piled together with some of the finest electronic acts from both home and abroad.

Among the big guns are Sunday's headliner Björk, still touring her Volta LP and with a spectacular stage show that is bound to look impressive among the lit-up cranes at night. Franz Ferdinand also continue their comeback at the festival, previewing tracks from their continually delayed third record. Kate Nash brings her musical equivalent of Marmite to the Germans and Hot Chip continue their mission to seemingly play every festival this summer.

Other expected crowd-pullers include cult favourites dEUS, pop princess Robyn, the shouty and overly-excitable Los Campisenos and former Moloko vocalist turned solo success Róisín Murphy.

The weekend is a haven for those of the more blippy persuasion. Minimal Techno legend Ellen Allien plays a show on home soil, following her excellent new record Sool. Expect to hear tracks both from that and other artists on the BPitch Control label (including Thomas Anderson, who will also be making an appearance) of which she is the founder. Brazil's finest Gui Boratto will also be there, following his much-acclaimed Minimal masterpiece Chromophobia last year. Supermayer, Miss Kitten, ex-Le Tigre girls Men and German hero Len Faki will all be turning up for DJ sets too.

Superb alternative exports aren't few and far between either. Take your pick from the likes of Why? touring their stunning new album Alopecia, a homecoming show for experimental The Notwist, the multi-talented cult favourite Miss Platinum, Gruff Rhys' new project Neon Neon and '90s legends Stereo MCs.

If the music or the heat gets too much for you, rejoice in the knowledge that back at the campsite, a huge lake awaits you and your fellow revellers in need of cooling down and bearing in mind the weather is likely to be a scorcher (last year reached 34 degrees) ñ you'll be left wondering why British festivals aren't so thoughtful.

Melt is (description of timescale), taking place on 18, 19 and 20 July 2008 at Ferropolis, City Of Steel, Gräfenhainichen. Three-day tickets cost 85 euros plus booking fees and are available from Melt's ticket partners. Day tickets, from 45 euros, are only available from the festival box office on the day.