We're in the thick of the summer's dog days and you're either loathing or adoring 'em, depending on how well you’re air conditioner works.

Between bubbling beer-and-BBQ daydreams and trips to the fireworks stand to stock up on smoke bombs and sparklers, much was learned this week with lessons arriving courtesy of Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, reunited hard rockers Toadies, and many more. Here’s a rundown:

It's one thing when the Empire strikes back, but wait till you get a load of Kanye's rebuttal to the Bonnaroo scuttlebutt. But West was just one of may artists who made the week memorable, as you will read below.