IF you want a special treat this year then there are a couple of great shows to loosen the change in your pocket.

Mention songs like Lying Eyes, Take It To The Limit and Hotel California and you know I'm relating to the best country rock band the world has ever seen in the shape of the Eagles.

After their Hell Freezes Over Tour a few year ago they now embark on six more dates next month. On June 13 they appear at the Birmingham Indoor Arena, 17 Twickenham, 18 Wembley Arena, 20 Manchester Evening News Arena, 23 Hampden Park Glasgow, and the Millenium Stadium Cardiff on June 25th. (Hotline 01159 934 169).

The amazing Dixie Chicks return for a series of concerts bringing with them a new album entitled Taking The Long Way Home, to be released on June 12. All dates have not been announced apart from Shepherds Bush Empire on June 15.

The Dixie Chicks are special guests of The Eagles two nights later (on June 17 at Twickenham) when they are the opening act.

As brilliant as this is, it still makes me wonder why acts like this always seem to pass the MetroRadio Arena in Newcastle, after all the North-East hosts Elton John at Durham County Cricket Club on June 10. I wonder if it could be that the North begins and ends at Manchester, and then you're in Scotland?