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Not only is Manchester the home of music as we know it and Liverpool the home of the true music wizards of the last century, Elvis apparently thinks so too and we have just got wind of two exclusive concerts that the king is playing next month

Aging has not mellowed this crazy guy as he celebrates his 75th birthday (happy birthday wherever you are) and he plays the MEN in Manchester on February the 26th and the fabulous new Echo Arena in Liverpool on March the 7th. Get your tonsils ready to warble for what promises to be the wierdest gig of the year. And sure you may as well stay with us and we can all sing happy pre army period Elvis songs and argue over his greatest movies (the cowboy one where he gets framed by a bunch of nasty bad cowboys would be ours)

So you’re sitting at home looking at the calendar and realising there is only one week until New Year! Where has 2009 gone?! Until now we have all been praying for a white Christmas and a reason to phone the boss to say ‘‘There is too much snow outside to get to work!’’. You may have been working your donkey off, or studying so much you could write your own encyclopaedia. Now is the time to get your glad rags on, let your hair down and pile into Birmingham for some of the best New Year celebrations you will find this side of Europe! We have events going on to cater for everyone’s needs. From the inaugural Centennary Square fireworks at midnight, to some of the most famous and original UK Dance events.

At the top of our list, the biggest UK New Year’s Eve dance music event and is going to be immense. The NEC plays host to five massive arenas of hardcore, trance, house, and of course drum ‘n’ bass, with state-of-the-art lighting and sound technology. Not only is d ‘n’ b master Andy C going to be there, but so will Goldie, DJ Hype and DJ Sky, with an exclusive 2-hour midnight set from Tidy Boys. Check out www.slamminvinyl.com for tickets and further details.

Also not needing much of an intro, Godskitchen @ Air is always a favourite within the rave world, and the New Year’s Eve offering is no exception, with trance legends Tall Paul, John 00Flemming and Big Al sending you into a euphoric whirlwind of New Year cheer in the Oxygen Room, the Nitrogen Room pumping out all those massive house tunes you want to hear, and a host of other stuff going on in between.

Brum’s central arts hub Custard Factory is being taken over by Belgian electro-giants, 2 Many DJs, who’ll be bringing their cutting edge mixes and headlining the lakeside marquee. Alongside these legends will be a DJ set from Simian Mobile Disco, Plump DJs, with their bouncy mix of breaks and beats, and a whole gang of other electro and indie/alternative artists.

Lest we forget Brum’s very own Ibiza! Gatecrasher will be home to a collective mix of Dance, R’n’B, and Indie across four rooms. With acts like Deadmau5, Calvin Harris and Lost Prophets very own Ian Watkins, they are bound to satisfy the gathering of music lovers! www.gatecrasherbirmingham.com/

If you would prefer dining with friends whilst watching some of the UK’s and international best comedy talent, the Glee Club NYE party is the one for you. For just £30 you can laugh your way into 2010 and enjoy the late bar and disco after the show. Check out: www.glee.co.uk for tickets and more info.

If Classical music is more your thing… Try out the Symphony Hall for your NYE celebrations. With guest appearances from the London Concert Orchestra, music conductor Anthony Inglis, and soprano Claire Wild, it’ll be sure to get those hairs raised off the back of your neck! Check out: www.thsh.co.uk/view/new-years-eve-gala09 .

And where better to accommodate yourself than our cosy Hatters Hostel! Be quick though as spaces are filling fast….

Liverpool Music Week, is upon us again, and as one has come to expect: it’s a star-studded line-up that promises to light up Liverpool’s many venues this autumn. The Specials, Calvin Harris, Kasabian, The Enemy, Seasick Steve, Super Furry Animals and Rumble Strips are among the stellar names already announced, as well as the cream of Liverpool’s brightest young things, including: Fraktures, Sound of Guns, The Moguls & Strawhouses for the event in its seventh year. Previous ‘Music Weeks have seen the likes of The Kooks, The Wombats and Hot Club De Paris significantly raise their profile before a crowd of industry experts and local music enthusiasts. Plenty of free shows have also been announced for the festival that kicks off on the 29th October, including performances by Wild Beasts, Field Music and Kurt Cobain’s hero, Daniel Johnston, meaning that Liverpool Music Week is not only a treat for your ears, but for your wallet, too.

Full details on the free shows can be found on Liverpool Music Week’s Myspace page on http://www.myspace.com/liverpoolmusicweek

Main Liverpool Music Week Shows

Super Furry Animals @ Nation, Courtyard Thursday 5th November Tickets on sale 9am Friday 18th Sept / www.ticketline.co.uk / Tel: 0844 888 4401 Price: £17.50+BF Notes: Over 18’s Only / Doors 8pm

Calvin Harris @ O2 Academy Tuesday 10th November Tickets on Sale now from www.ticketline.co.uk / Tel: 0844 888 4401 Price: £14 + BF Notes: Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult

The Specials @ Olympia Theatre Thursday 29th October Tickets on sale now / £32.50+BF / www.ticketline.co.uk / Tel: 0844 888 4401 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk Tel: 0844 847 1788 Notes: Under 14’s to be accompanied by an adult / 7pm – 11pm

Seasick Steve @ Liverpool Olympia Theatre Saturday 7th November 2009 Tickets on sale now / Tel: 0844 847 1727 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk Price: £17.50+BF Notes: Under 14’s to be accompanied by an adult / Doors @ 7pm

Reverend And The Makers @ Nation ‘Courtyard’ Saturday 7th November Tickets on sale Now / £12+BF /www.seetickets.com/ Tel: 0871 22 00 260 Notes: Over 18’s Only / 8pm – midnight

The Enemy @ Liverpool University + Support acts: General Fiasco / Akeal Sunday 8th November Tickets on sale now / £18+BF / www.seetickets.com / Tel: 0871 22 00 260 Notes: Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult / Doors 7:30pm

Kasabian @ Echo Arena Monday 16th November Tickets on sale Now / £25+BF / www.livenation.co.uk / Tel: 0844 800 0400 Notes: Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult

The Gallows @ Academy 2 Saturday 28th November Tickets on sale now £12+BF / www.ticketweb.co.uk / Tel: 08444 77 2000 Notes: Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult / 7pm – 11pm

The Brand New Heavies @ The Masque Theatre Monday 3rd November Tickets £16.50+BF www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08444 77 1000 Tickets are £16.50 for BNH

Soft Toy Emergency @ O2 Academy Saturday 31st October Tickets £6+bf www.ticketweb.co.uk

In a week that saw Liverpool FC undone by Darren Bent and a stray beachball, the goal, if you haven’t seen it – how couldn’t you have!?!, we’ve been preparing ourselves for a busy week of footballing action, here at Hatters Liverpool. First, Liverpool welcome Lyon in a Champions League showdown, needing a win to get their qualification campaign back on track after a wobble against Fiorentina. They will, of course, be hoping for no further intervention from this years LFC official merchandise collection, although a header from this fella into the Lyon net tonight would be a welcome early Christmas present for Rafa’s men.

Liverpool are also gearing up to face the old enemy next Sunday, as Manchester United make the trip up the M62 to Anfield for a mouthwatering early-season test of the Reds’ title credentials. Here’s hoping Sir Alex is fitted with an official LFC watch, rather than his usual “Fergie Time” timepiece.

It’s not just the red side of Merseyside in for a big week though, as Everton are also in continental action in Portugal on Thursday night. They will face the mighty Benfica at Estadio Da Luz in Europa League Group I, and will hope to build on their encouraging 2-1 win against Bate Borisov last time out. The Toffees will also face Bolton back on home-soil on Sunday afternoon, and will need to convince the Goodison Park faithful after a disappointing draw with Wolves last week.

Now, how to convince the owners to install a massive plasma screen with full sports package in reception…? Answers on a postcard, folks.