With a host of FA Cup finals under its belt, allied to a rugby world cup final and a history of staging some of the largest rock & roll gigs in UK history, its fair to suggest Cardiff has finally arrived as an event venue of international renown. Come of age, if you will!

Looking forwards to 2010 and the events diary is already filling up quickly. News which will no doubt be a massive cash-booster for the Capital city's recession hit retail sector.

When Take That came to Cardiff shops across the city reported massive upturns in sales during the days the event took place and with big crowd pullers already lined up to play Cardiff this year which include the likes of Westlife, Jack Johnson and The Stereophonics to name but three, retailers will already be planning for extra staff for when the bands hit town.

And its not just music which is breathing new life (and bringing new money) to Cardiff, according to Ian Malley, who runs a website which is part gig-guide and part glossy online magazine (http://eventscardiff.net ).

"2010 will see some great live shows come to Cardiff" he said.

"Holiday on Ice is already in the record books as the worlds most visited show. The spectacular, which is performed (perhaps unsurprisingly) entirely on ice, passed the 300 million paying spectator mark as far back as 2003!

Add to this the popularity and awareness brought about by Holiday on Ice technical director Robin Cousins appearance on TV every week as a judge on 'Dancing on Ice, and its fair to suggest the 6 days the show plays at the Cardiff International Arena (9th - 14th February 2010), will all be played to huge sell-out crowds".

If however, you prefer your music venues a little bit smaller. More intimate maybe?

Cardiff delivers equally well with a fringe venue roster which includes well-known venues like Clwb Ifor Bach and the recently revamped 'The Coal Exchange' in Cardiff Bay, which will host an Ocean Colour Scene gig on March 3rd. And if Live theatre is more you thing check out the New Theatre , or one of the city's smaller theatrical venues like Capital Arts in Canton.

So from an entertainment point of view the future looks bright for the city of Cardiff and if you would like to be kept abreast of what gigs are happening where and when, bookmark Events Cardiff and never miss another show.

http://eventscardiff.net
The LOCAL gig-guide