With the introduction of the Hampshire Rose Bowl as a concert venue, plus all the other ideal music venues in Hampshire and the surrounding areas, music lovers in the south are in for a feast of music over the coming summer months...

WHAT do Darius, The Drifters and Aled Jones have in common?

Very little, probably, apart from the fact that they are all performing live at an outdoor venue not very far from you this summer.

Power in the Park and the Isle of Wight Festival have already attracted thousands of music fans to the region and there's no let-up over the next three months, with one of the best, and biggest, outdoor line-ups seen in Hampshire and neighbouring counties for a long time.

From bubblegum popsters such as Blue and Atomic Kitten to revered rockers like Bob Geldof and Van Morrison, virtually every musical taste gets an outdoor show thrown in its honour between now and the end of August.

Hampshire has always enjoyed its fair share of summer festivals and concerts, thanks to its wealth of beautiful outdoor venues, from the ancient estates of Beaulieu and Broadlands to Southampton Common itself - home to Power in the Park for the last nine years.

This year, though, there seems to be more on offer than ever, and current developments, such as the relaunching of the Rose Bowl as a multi-purpose entertainments venue and the proposed West Quay Phase Three development, are set to fix Southampton's place on the musical map.

In addition to established favourites such as Power in the Park, the Broadlands concerts and the now almost completely sold-out Larmer Tree Festival in nearby Wiltshire - a must for folkies of all generations - there is a brand new entertainments venue in the shape of Hampshire Cricket's home ground, the 6,000-capacity Rose Bowl in West End.

Three major concerts, featuring performances by Blue, Darius, Mis-Teeq and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, are lined up for the summer, with more expected for next year.

Rose Bowl managing director Nick Pike commented: "The August concerts are another demonstration of using the Rose Bowl's fantastic all-year round facilities for a variety of top level sports, leisure and business events.

"With Blue and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, we are definitely on our way to becoming one of the leading venues in the south of England."

Southampton's status as a major music centre on the south coast is set to receive a major boost with the proposed West Quay Phase Three project.

The £131 million leisure scheme, currently awaiting approval by planning committee, includes a major concert arena, certain to attract the kind of performers and audiences too big for the Guildhall to accommodate.

Perhaps soul star Craig David, who has announced a date at the Bournemouth International Centre for later this year, could soon be performing on his home ground again?

So, whether you're a fan of Busted or Blue or simply can't get enough of Rolf Harris, Southampton and the south coast is the place to be this summer - and probably for a long time to come.

WHERE TO GO AND WHO TO SEE THIS SUMMER . . .

Larmer Tree Festival

Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire

When: Thursday, July 17-Sunday July, 20

Who: More than 50 acts, including Van Morrison and Jools Holland, right

Crowd: Folk-lovers

Box office: 023 8071 1820

Folk at the Abbey

Where: Titchfield Abbey, near Fareham

When: Friday, July 18

Who: Bluehorses, Bob Cheevers, Legacy (1) and Arlen

Crowd: Hardcore folkies and open-minded rockers

Box office: 023 9286 3911

Blues at the Abbey

Where: Titchfield Abbey, near Fareham

When: Saturday, July 19

Who: The Holmes Brothers, Amor and Reconsider

Crowd: Eclectic

Box office: 023 9286 3911

Simply Red in Concert

Where: Beaulieu Abbey

When: Sunday, July 27

Who: Mick Hucknall and his white soul outfit

Crowd: Fans of middle-of-the-road pop

Box office: 08700 600 100

Eastleigh 'Big Top' Music Festival

Where: Eastleigh (various venues)

When: Tuesday, July 29-Sunday, August 3

Who: Rock and pop veterans including Bob Geldof, Paul Young, Leo Sayer, Midge Ure, The Saw Doctors, Rolf Harris and Jools Holland

Crowd: Diverse, judging by line-up

Box office: 08700 600 100

One Big Saturday

Where: Broadlands Estate, Romsey

When: Saturday, August 9

Who: Hot Chocolate, right, Showaddy-waddy, The Searchers, Heat-wave, Boney M, Real Thing, Rose Royce, UK Beach Boys

Crowd: Picnicking 70s revivalists

Box office: 023 8071 1811 or www.ticketsouth.co.uk

Atomic Kitten

Where: Broadlands Estate, Romsey

When: Saturday, August 16

Who: The Kittens plus support from D'Side and others

Crowd: Atomic Kitten fans, at a guess

Box office: 023 8071 1811 or www.ticketsouth.co.uk

Rose Bowl Concerts

Where: Rose Bowl Cricket Ground, West End

When: August 30-31

Who: Two very different line-ups: an evening of pop on August 30 includes Blue, Darius, Sinead Quinn, 3SL, D'side and The Drifters, while the classical line-up on August 31 features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Aled Jones

Crowd: Anyone with a Tupperware set, probably

Box office: 0871 2223943