South Belfast will not miss out as one of the most important weeks in local music history kicks off towards the end of this month.

As part of Belfast Music Week, which will run from Sunday, October 30 until the MTV European Music Awards at the Odyssey Arena on November 6, local talent will be in the spotlight as part of the city-wide build-up. There will be a number of landmark concerts at the Ulster Hall, as well as scores of live gigs and DJ sessions, music on buses and in shopping centres, and a series of high profile music industry seminars.

The Limelight complex is bookending the week with two special gigs showcasing some of the best bands Northern Ireland has to offer.

On October 30, the Ormeau Avenue building will be the venue for Helloween Havok II, headlined by rockers Trucker Diablo. Support acts are Sweet Taste, Red Six and MindLock, with the Paradise City DJs spinning classic rock and metal tunes between the bands.

On November 5, Belfast Calling will bring together more than a dozen acts on nine stages across all three of the complex’s venues. Headlined by Ormeau Road-based Starsailor singer James Walsh, this super-gig will also feature performances by Mojo Fury, John D’Arcy, Katie and the Carnival, Yes Cadets, Anthony Toner and more.

A number of other South Belfast venues will be staging gigs throughout Belfast Music Week, including the Mandela Hall, Whitla Hall, Auntie Annie’s, the Pavilion, Lavery’s, Ma Nelson’s, the Crescent Arts Centre, the Errigle Inn, the Stiff Kitten and Browne’s Bar on Boucher Road.

Full details of the Belfast Music Week programme can be found at www.belfastmusic.org.