If at all possible, there is almost too much to do in London after the sun sets. From world class theatre, ballet and opera, to underground dive bars and ?ber-trendy nightclubs, the foremost metropolis in Europe has it all. Most remarkable however, is London’s absurd and ridiculous variety of music to suit just about every taste.

From punk to grime, jungle to hip hop, garage to drum and bass, the city’s (and country’s for that matter) beat heads slice and dice and re-engineer musical genres like mad teppanyaki chefs. Head to Heathrow, get on the Tube and pick your poison. London is a rich, eclectic stew with some of the best concert halls and arenas in the world. Sorry New York but London’s ability to lure the best acts, bands and entertainers in the world is without peer.

With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of some of the best concerts on the schedule so far for London in ‘09.

February 26: Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig

The New Musical Express Awards Big Gig takes O2 arena by storm with performances by The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, Crystal Castles and White Lies. The superb indoor arena on the Greenwich peninsula should host a capcity crowd for the massive event.

March 2, 28: Metallica

Thrash metal band Metallica was made for arena gigs. The icon group will no doubt sell out the O2 when the Death Magnetic tour hits London twice in March.

March 3, 4, 7, 8, 11: Tina Turner

Legend Tina Turner plays five shows at O2 arena in early March, her first live concerts in the United Kingdom in nine years. What more can you ask for?

April 16, 17: The Prodigy and Dizzee Rascal

Electronic music giants The Prodigy take their sonic spectacle to Wembley Arena for two shows in April. Rapper/producer genius Dizzee Rascal, a prodigy in his own right, will round out the bill quite nicely.

April 14, 16: AC/DC

Ageless Aussie band AC/DC will thrill O2 audiences in trademark style when the Black Ice World Tour hits London in April. They return to play Wembley Stadium on June 26.

April 25: Bob Dylan

O2 arena’s steady stream of world class concerts rolls on in late April when folk legend and singer-songwriter Bob Dylan takes the stage.

May 11: Morrissey

Historic Royal Albert Hall will host influential singer Morrissey for what promises to be a special concert on May 11.

May 16, 17, 26, 28, 29, 30: Eric Clapton

Another major act to play grand Royal Albert Hall in May, for six dates no less, is legendary guitarist and singer Eric Clapton.

May 25, 26: Beyonc?

Pop diva par excellence Beyonc? makes her debut at the O2 in one of the most anticipated tours to visit London in 2009.

June 15, 16, 30: Kings of Leon

Perennially adored by music critics and European audiences alike, Kings of Leon finally made headway with fans in the U.S. in 2008. They return to the city that first embraced their infectious brand of southern alt rock with three gigs in June at O2 arena.

July 2, 3: Blur

The first of two iconic Britpop bands to play London in July, Blur will kick off the month with two shows in Hyde Park. A quintessential London concert experience if ever there was one.

July 9, 11, 12: Oasis

One of the most successful British bands of all-time, Manchester’s Oasis will entertain over 200,000 people at Wembley Stadium in what is sure to be three consecutive sold-out shows in July. If you had to select one unforgettable concert in London for 2009, with a native British supergroup as the headline act no less, this could be it.

September 18, 19: Coldplay

Maybe the one homegrown band that can rival Oasis in 2009, Coldplay’s Viva La Vida Tour will wrap up after 15 long months with two massive shows in front of capacity crowds at Wembley Stadium. The encore on September 19 is sure to last into the wee hours.

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