The Royal Albert All

Although not every event in the diary is confirmed, it is set to host acts ranging from Mark Knopfler to the Mozart Festival Orchestra. The hall, with 5,500 seats, is on course to match this year's tally of 359 performances - six short of the 2004 record of 365.

The packed schedule comes despite fierce competition from the former Dome with 20,000 seats, Wembley and the revamped Roundhouse.

Chief executive David Elliott said: "Five or 10 years ago, everyone was predicting the demise of the live concert but the opposite has happened.

"Curiously, because everybody can now play their iPod and we're inundated with downloads, the live experience is at a premium." Mr Elliott said there was competition between venues, but added: "The O2 has just had a series of headline acts but some of those artists would probably never play here and some prefer the intimate feel of the Royal Albert Hall."

He said he also wanted a mixed programme, not just big names. This year, the hall held the first in a series of events called Hush aimed at presenting younger, edgier artists to appeal to new audiences. It has also introduced lunchtime and Sunday brunch concerts in its restaurants. However, ticket prices, which are normally set by the artist rather than the venue, are rising. For the Hush series, the hall aims to keep prices at £17 to £20 but big-name acts can command £70 for the best seats.

Mr Elliott said: "Prices are creeping up north of £50 even for non-charity events so the big question is whether audiences hold up. It amazes me they keep on buying - and it's the most expensive tickets that sell first."

HIGHLIGHTS

Varekai: new show from the Canadian circus troupe Cirque du Soleil. 6 January - 10 February.

Tosca: Puccini's opera presented by Raymond Gubbay with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. 28 February - 9 March.

Sugababes: biggest-selling British female act of the century. 20 March.

Messiah: annual Royal Choral Society performance of the Handel classic. 21 March.

Chris Rea: soft rock crooner returns with a new band. 28 March.

Kris Kristofferson: with songs from his first album in 11 years. 2 April.

Ali Campbell: the voice of UB40 with special guests. 3 April.

St George's Day Gala: English national classics from the Dam Busters march to Jerusalem. 23 April.

Katie Melua: the best-selling British female in the world last year. 4 May.

Filmharmonic: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plays scores from a range of films from Zulu to Harry Potter. 9 May.

Mark Knopfler: the voice and guitar of Dire Straits 30 years after the band's formation. 25 May-30 May.

Strictly Gershwin: ballet, tap and salsa choreographed to composer George's music. 13-22 June.

Grand Organ Gala: celebration of music on the Royal Albert Hall organ. 28 June.

BBC Proms: the annual classical music festival. 18 July-13 September.

Echo And The Bunnymen: one of Liverpool's finest groups are already sold out. 16 September.

Elgar Gala Concert: featuring The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Julian Lloyd Webber. 20 September.

International Ballroom Dancing Championships: the 56th competition for amateur and professional dancers. 9 October.

Four Seasons By Candlelight: The Mozart Festival Orchestra plays 18th century and baroque classics. 12 October.

Carmina Burana: Carl Orff's aftershave ad masterpiece. 25 October.

Michael Bolton: the Grammy-winning American balladeer. 26-27 October.