Manchester (www.visitmanchester.com/gay-and-lesbian.aspx)
Manchester International Festival (www.visitmanchester.com/Parts4.aspx?PartId=504&ExperienceId=4), various venues,
2nd - 19th July 2009
Rufus Wainwright debuts his first opera Prima Donna, "a day in the life of a fading diva", Neil Bartlett opens a new all-singing, all-dancing work focusing on bingo called Everybody Loves a Winner, while JS Bach gets the Zaha Hadid treatment when the avant-garde architect attempts to create the ultimate acoustic space for world-famous soloists. It can only be the Manchester International Festival.

London (www.visitlondon.com/people/gay/)
Madonna (www.theo2.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=122&eventId=695) 4th - 5th July 2009
Madonna brings her Sticky and Sweet shows back to London, this time to the beautiful former Millennium Dome. The show is opened by DJ Paul Oakenfold, so expect a clubby atmosphere (or go to one of the venue's many restaurants during that bit) and make sure you travel back to the centre by ferry. It's magical.

Scotland (www.cometoscotland.com/)
Morrissey (www.glasgow-barrowland.com) 7th - 8th May 2009
Morrissey makes one of his all-too-rare appearances at this legendary Glasgow music venue that has seen the greatest of the greats, usually early on in their careers. Expect the roof to be raised as he showcases the new Nude album and the wry witty songs that have made him one of the most revered artists in the gay community.

Wales (www.travelwales.org) 
Take That! (www.millenniumstadium.com) 16th - 17th June 2009
The biggest British boy band since The Beatles, Take That! are a national treasure and pretty cute into the bargain, even if they are all well into their 30s by now. The biggest comeback in pop history lands in Cardiff in June where the massive Circus Live show is destined to whip gay men into a frenzy.