Weekend of top international music ahead

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, then look no further.

The annual Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival is taking place this weekend, and is bringing with it some of the world's most talented singers and songwriters who will be playing gigs and workshops across the City this weekend.

The biggest names performing include Nanci Griffith, Carlene Carter, Tom Baxter, Midge Ure and our very own Iain Archer.

There are also lots of other superb artists who are making the journey to Northen Ireland to what has become a world-renowned festival.

Join The Lost Brothers at the Black Box (Hill Street) tonight, Thursday February 25 from 8 pm.

Supported by Noelie McDonnell and Dean Owens, The Lost Brothers sing original songs that feature two-part harmonies over mellow acoustic guitars.

Although the music is modern, they somehow invoke a time gone by, resting gently between the Everly Brothers and the classic brother duets of early bluegrass. Their debut album Trails of the lonely (parts 1&111) received rave reviews from NME, Hotpress and The Word.

Paul Bernard from Richmond Fontaine will play pedal steel and trumpet at the concert. Admission £10.

Also appearing tonight are Carlene Carterm Eilidh Patterson and Jess Klein.

America has produced few musical clans as talented as the Carter-Cashes, and the tools of the family trade have clearly been passed down to Carlene. Her voice is powerful, her sound is timeless and the melodies she crafts can make even the saddest songs sound uplifting. To date she has recorded 12 albums, more than 20 singles, including three number three hits on the Billboard chart.

The event takes place at the King's Head, Lisburn Road at 8 pm. Tickets are £18, and you can also pay at the door.

Tomorrow night, Friday, enjoy Wine Women & Song with Holly Williams in Concert at the King's Head from 8 pm.

'When it's in the blood, you can't help it', says singer-songwriter Holly Williams and as granddaughter of country legend Hank Williams and daughter of Hank Jr, she should know. Having paid her dues with five years of independent touring before signing her first record deal, and citing influences from Dolly Parton to Radiohead, she embraced her country heritage on her 2009's widely-acclaimed album release, Here With Me.

Tickets are £10 (pay at the door also) with a free glass of wine or pint of Guinness courtesy of sponsors Diageo.

Finally, don't miss the fantastic Midge Ure at the Empire Music Hall Botanic Avenue from 8 pm on Saturday night.

From Slik and The Rich Kids to Ultravox and Band Aid, Midge has produced consistently innovative and

excellent pop music. Fronting Ultravox, Midge had nine top 10 albums and sold in excess of 20 million records in the UK alone,  before moving on to an equally successful solo career with the number one worldwide  hits 'If I Was' and 'Breath'. He also co-wrote and produced the charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' and co-organised  Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8 with Bob Geldof. He has received Ivor Novello,  Grammy and BASCAP awards along with a host of gold and platinum  records. Tickets £15.

For more information on these events or to see the full line-up for the five day event click online at www.belfastnashville.com