A-listers Cheryl Cole and George Michael in Midlands over autumn

Some of the biggest names in rock and pop will visit the West Midlands during a packed autumn programme at venues in the region.

George Michael, Cheryl, Kelly Clarkson and Nicki Minaj are among the A list pop stars booked to appear, while Muse and Evanescence will thrill fans with a headline set at the end of October.

Scores of up-coming bands will also headline local venues, with Wolverhampton's Civic Halls and Birmingham's O2 Academy among the concert halls with busy programmes planned.

George Michael will take his Symphonica tour to Birmingham's LG Arena on September 16 and 17.

A carefully chosen selection of his own songs, spanning his remarkable, near 30-year career, have been re-worked and re-arranged and will be played out against an orchestral setting.

Former Girls Aloud star Cheryl will visit the LG Arena on October 12 as part of her first headline arena tour. The reality TV star, who opened as special guest on the Black Eyed Peas European tour in 2010, will play her back catalogue.

Kelly Clarkson will star at the same venue on October 14, celebrating the 10th anniversary since she broke onto the scene. The songstress will play songs from her five studio albums – Thankful, Breakaway, My December, All I Ever Wanted and Stronger – which have sold more than 20 million copies.

Nicki Minaj will return to Birmingham on October 27 for a one-night stand with guests Tyga and Misha B, following her sold out Birmingham NIA date in June. The multi-platinum selling superstar is capitalising on an incredible 2011, in which her debut album Pink Friday boasted the most charted singles by any female rap album in Billboard history.

Rock music is also on the bill, with Muse headlining the LG Arena on October 30 as part of a lengthy European tour and Evanescence playing Birmingham's NIA on November 8, with support from The Used and Lost Alone.

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton's Civic Halls will welcome a musicians from all genres, with W.A.S.P, Chris Isaak, Marina And The Diamonds, Terrorvision, Field Music, Tenacious D, Lostprophets, Motorhead, Bellowhead, Ian McNabb and Stiff Little Fingers among the headliners.

The O2 Academy in Birmingham will host gigs to suit all tastes with hotly-tipped Essex four-piece The Milk following up a 27-date tour earlier this year with a performance on November 25. Singer, songwriter and actor Tyler Hilton will play the venue on October 30 while ageing pop star Rick Astley will visit as part of his full UK tour on October 18.

Hard rockers SOiL will following their appearances at this year's Download Festival by joining metal heavyweights Fozzy on November 29 and Sonic Boom Six will mash-up ska, pop, grime, dubstep, punk and metal on November 22.

Tickets and ticket price details are available at www.lgarena.co.uk, www.thenia.co.uk, www.wolvescivic.co.uk and www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk