We haven't even reached July but already the second half of 2019 is promising to be a hedonistic assault on Hunter ear drums. In a good way. Here's the 10 biggest shows of the next six months.

Catfish & The Bottlemen, Civic Theatre, July 23: It's rare that a UK rock band in their prime performs at Newcastle's finest venue. The Welsh lads are here for Splendour In The Grass and riding high on their album, The Balance, which hit No.2 on the UK charts.

Kris Kristofferson, Civic Theatre, September 29: Can the 82-year-old country legend still deliver? Kristofferson last visited Newcastle in 2014 and this upcoming trip will surely be the final opportunity to witness one of the great songsmiths live.

Tim McGraw, Hope Estate, October 4: There aren't many bigger names in American pop-country than the three-time Grammy Award winner. Chuck on your Akubra, moleskins and cowboy boots and get down to McGraw's many hits like Humble and Kind and Highway Don't Care.

Jimmy Barnes, Newcastle Entertainment Centre, October 25: The Cold Chisel frontman might be 63 but he remains at the top of his game. This week Barnesy surpassed Madonna and U2 by scoring his 16^th career ARIA No.1 album with his latest release My Criminal Record.

Kasey Chambers, Wests NEX, October 26: The release of The Captain in 1999 launched Chambers towards her rightful mantle as Australia's queen of alt-country. The Central Coast local will reform her original band and perform The Captain in full plus many of her greatest hits.

Grinspoon, Newcastle Entertainment Centre, November 1: Anyone who witnessed The Grinners' set at the Cambridge Hotel two years ago knows the alt-rockers are possibly a better live act now than they were in their early 2000s prime.

Scene & Heard Festival, Wickham Park, November 10: The Gen X-focused festival returns for a second year with a bigger line-up. USA indie legends The Dandy Warhols join Australian 2000s stalwarts Wolfmother, Eskimo Joe, Jebediah, Alex Lloyd and Magic Dirt. Get that babysitter booked.

KISS, No.1 Sportsground, November 23: If you don't know at least three KISS songs you were obviously born on Mars. The glam rock megastars have sold in excess of 100 million records and are Rock'n'roll Hall of Famers. KISS will assure this is the biggest Newcastle Supercars show yet, especially as it's part of their final Australian tour.

Grapevine Gathering, Roche Estate, November 30: Another second-year festival returning with an amped-up line-up. The electro-indie bill features UK band Two Door Cinema Club and Flight Facilities.

Elton John, Hope Estate, January 11 & 12: This is undoubtedly the main event of the summer. The Rocketman icon is on his three-year farewell tour which should guarantee an emotional night of hits like Your Song and Candle In The Wind.