Midlands to welcome A-list stars this autumn

If your gig diary's looking a bit bare fear not because a string of top acts will soon be gracing the region's many stages,

.

It's easy to feel like you're at a loose end during the summer, especially when all everyone seems to talk about it what festival they lost their phone at this year.

And with four gig-free August weeks stretching before you, you could be forgiven for thinking we've been all but abandoned by the music movers and shakers.

But take comfort – come September, a rock-star-studded programme of musical excitement is headed for the Midlands, so start saving your pennies now for the autumn/winter season.

Country legend Dolly Parton kicks things off in style on September 2, bringing her unique style to Britain's second city with a performance at the LG Arena.

"I had a great time when we were in Europe on the last tour and I expect to have an even better time and give people a better show on this one," she says.

"I'm really looking forward to this and I can't wait to see all the fans again. We have a lot of fun things for everybody". Limited tickets are still available.

We've then got record-breaking chart-hogger Adele heading to Wolverhampton's Civic Hall for two sold out dates on September 10 and 11.

The young singer, who recently had to cancel some of her US tour dates in order to give her soulful voice a break, has this week spoken of her sadness at the news of Amy Winehouse's death.

Adele said of the troubled singer: "Amy paved the way for artists like me and made people excited about British music again, while being fearlessly hilarious and blase about the whole thing.

"I don't think she ever realised just how brilliant she was and how important she is, but that just makes her even more charming.

"Allthough I'm incredibly sad about Amy passing, I'm also reminded of how immensely proud of her I am as well and I'm grateful to be inspired by her."

Adele's Wolverhampton appearance will be closely followed by loveable rogue, and fellow pal of the late Amy, Peter Doherty, who – provided he doesn't break in anywhere or get caught with a stash of class As – will play the Wulfrun Hall on September 20.

Comedy genius and perspiration king Lee Evans will inevitably have people rolling in the aisles when he hits the stage at the NIA for a five-day run from September 22 to 26 – although tickets to this event are limited.

And you had better buckle your seatbelts for October as some of the music world's biggest names start swamping the region. At the LG alone we have the gorgeous Rihanna, the legend that is Cliff Richard, and Britney on her comeback tour, while heartthrob-for-the-silver-haired Daniel O'Donnell joins popstrel Katy Perry and rocker Alice Cooper for the line-up at the NIA.

"To be honest, it's the people rather than the places I play in that really make the show for me," says O'Donnell, who tours annually.

"When I think back over my time on stage since the 80s, it's the response from the audience every night that is exciting to remember."

Meanwhile, in Wolverhampton, Hard Fi make their own comeback at the Wulfrun Hall on October 1, followed by The Specials at the Civic Hall on 12, former Busted boy Charlie Simpson at the Slade Rooms on 20, and Erasure at the Civic on 23. And keep your eyes peeled for some hidden gems as well – hotly-tipped ginger Ed Sheeran, The Kooks, The Horrors, The Overtones and the divine Bombay Bicycle Club are all dropping into Birmingham at some point over the month, as is Katy B, Professor Green and Chase and Status.

For details and gig tickets for events at the LG Arena and NIA, visit www.thenia.co.uk/whatson and for details of gigs at the Civic Hall, Wulfrun Hall and Slade Rooms, see www.wolvescivic.co.uk

Tickets for gigs at Birmingham's O2 Academy can be bought from www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk

Charlotte Cross