LAST year saw names as big and varied as Steve Vai, Ozzie Osbourne, Cesaria Evora and Korn perform in Bulgaria. The coming year looks set to promise more in the way of performances to look forward to. The big gig that's got everybody talking this year is the headlining act at Sofia Music Enterprise's 5th annual Arena Musika Festival. Last year the festival hosted bands such as Kraftwerk, Megadeth and Black Sabbath. This year, electronic music kings Depeche Mode top the bill, performing on June 21 at the Lokomotiv Stadium, Sofia. Tickets (25- 50 leva) go on sale on January 23. Tickets will be available from the Ticket Centre at The National Palace of Culture (Tel: 9166369), the organisers advise that you book early to avoid disappointment.

Also of note on the music calendar this year is a visit from veteran rock legends the Rolling Stones, who have confirmed a gig in Belgrade in neighbouring Serbia and Montenegro on July 2 as part of their A Bigger Bang World Tour.

In the meantime, January and February offer up some dates that should keep metal and hip hop fans happy. German veterans Helloween play the Winter Sports Palace, Sofia on January 29, while hip hop collective The Wu-Tang Killa Beez play Hristo Botev Hall, Sofia as part of their 10-year anniversary tour on February 14. Soulfly (fronted by Max Cavalera formerly of Sepultura) also play Hristo Botev Hall on February 24. Tickets for these three events can be purchased from www.ticketstream.bg.

For those who prefer something with a more traditional flavour, the 16th International Festival of the Masquerade Games will be held in Pernik from Friday January 27 to Sunday January 29. The Surva, as it is known, is one of the largest authentic folklore festivals in the region and plays host to groups from across the Balkan Peninsula as well as further afield. Pernik is 30km from Sofia and is easily accessible by car, bus or train.