One of the top events on Belfast’s musical calendar takes place next month as the Guinness Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival comes to town.

More than 100 songwriters will play 35 concerts in venues throughout the city from February 24 to 28.

Highlights of the festival, which is in its sixth year, includes the return of Nashville legend Nanci Griffith and Tom Baxter headlining the Avalon Guitars at the Ulster Hall on Saturday, February 27.

Other acts to appear are local writers Iain Archer, Andy White and The Lost Brothers as well as Carlene Carter, Midge Ure, Ralph McTell, Holly Williams, Mundy and Dave Gunning.

Tickets and full details are available online at www.belfastnashville.com and Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place telephone 90246609.

Fans of Dolly Parton are in for a treat as Dolly, The Show returns to Belfast next month — taking the audience on a journey through her fantastic career.

The two-hour show, featuring a full cast of singers, dancers and superb musicians, will be on at the Waterfront Hall on February 7 and 8.

It is packed with all of Dolly’s hits, such as 9 to 5, I Will Always Love You, Islands in the Stream, Jolene, Here You Come Again, Coat of Many Colors and many more.

Tickets are £19.

Pop star Mika is making his way to Belfast for a concert next week, which will have his fans dancing in the aisles.

The London-based singer, whose debut album, Life In Cartoon Motion, sold almost three million copies worldwide, will be performing at the Waterfront Hall on February 3.

Mika has already been nominated for, and won, awards from the Brits, the Grammys, the Ivor Novellos, Capital Radio, Q magazine and The World Music Awards among many others.

Tickets are £27.50.

The enigmatic Adam Green is set to make a welcome return to Belfast next week for a gig.

He will be performing at the Speakeasy at Queen’s Students Union on Wednesday, January 27.

The show comes in support of his new album Minor Love which was released last week.

Tickets are priced £10.

Belfast is to get its first — and only — classic rock club night next week.

Paradise City Belfast launches at Madison’s on Botanic Avenue on Thursday, January 28.

Further nights are booked for the last Thursdays in February and March, with a special live event also planned for the end of February.

Paradise City marks the return of legendary heavy rock DJ, Monk, after a 17 year sabbatical, with a three-hour vinyl-based set. Doors open at 9.30pm, Monk’s set starts at 10pm, and admission is just £3.

Ireland's multi-platinum selling comedian Conal Gallen is back with his brand new show Laugh, Laugh, Laugh and he does exactly what it says on the tin.

The comedy king, will be performing at the Waterfront Hall on January 30.

He is best known for his comedic songs, including Anna From Buncrana and Horse It in to ya Cynthia.

Tickets are £20.

Babyshambles front man Peter Doherty is returning to Belfast this month for his rescheduled October solo performance.

The former boyfriend of Kate Moss is scheduled to play at the Mandela Hall on Friday, January 22.

This follows the cancellation of several shows in Ireland last year.

His debut solo album Grace/Wastelands, was released in March 2009 and received outstanding reviews.

There are a limited number of tickets available priced at £18.50.

Hot on the heels of their recent debut album British folk rockers Mumford & Sons are pleased to announce a gig in Belfast in March.

The show at the Mandela Hall on Saturday, March 20, promises to be their largest to date.

The tour follows widespread critical praise for their debut album Sigh No More which entered the UK album charts at number 11.

Tickets are priced at £14.

• Tickets for Pete Doherty and Adam Green are available from all Ticketmaster outlets. For 24-hour credit card bookings, call 0870 2434455. Alternatively book online at www.ticketmaster.ie .
• Tickets for Dolly, The Show, Mika and Conal Gallen are available from the Waterfront box office 9033 4455 or online at www.waterfront.co.uk and from the usual Ticketmaster outlets.
• Mumford & Sons tickets are available from all usual Ticketmaster outlets, Katie Daly’s, Auntie Annie’s Attic and from the website www.cdleisure.com , phone 0844 2774455.