The countdown is almost over!

So, tomorrow sees the first day of the

London International Music Show

at the Excel Centre, Docklands, and Rhythm will be there with

MusicRadar.com

to bring you all the coverage from the event, as it happens!

For the latest news and updates keep your browser locked on the

Rhythm Blog

, plus the dedicated

Musicradar LIMS blog

. Remember, if you see any of the Rhythm team at the show (we'll be the ones in the funky new Rhythm t-shirts), be sure to come and say hi.

Of course, that's not the only event taking place this weekend. The Download festival kicks off on Friday at Donington Park for three days of metal mayhem. We'll be there too, interviewing the hottest drummers and bringing you all the action from the fest. We'll be uploading video diaries, messages from the stars and blogging all the backstage shenanigans.

We'll also be bringing you up-to-the-minute news and view from both events from the

Rhythm Twitter page

. If you're not following us yet, now would be the perfect time to get on board.

If you're staying in this weekend don't worry. Sit back, relax, and let us do the work for you!

Chris Barnes

I'm MusicRadar's eCommerce Editor. In addition to testing the latest music gear, with a particular focus on electronic drums, it's my job to manage the 300+ buyer's guides on MusicRadar and help musicians find the right gear for them at the best prices. I dabble with guitar, but my main instrument is the drums, which I have been playing for 24 years. I've been a part of the music gear industry for 20 years, including 7 years as Editor of the UK's best-selling drum magazine Rhythm, and 5 years as a freelance music writer, during which time I worked with the world's biggest instrument brands including Roland, Boss, Laney and Natal.