There are some gigs in venues so spectacular they are worth planning a holiday or mini-break around. And while many of these artists are playing various shows and festivals across the UK there's nothing like turning a gig into an event, taking a concert to the next level, something you will remember for the rest of your life rather than just another band plugging away in another sweaty room or soulless arena. And with cheap flights Europe is more accessible than ever. Or if you think that's too much to shell out to see a band, flip it round and think of it as a nice trip to Verona where you happen to see Kraftwerk. Result.

Here's our guide to ten very special gigs taking place across Europe in 2016.

AC/DC
Where: Lisbon Passeio Maritimo De Alges, Portugal
When: Sat 7 May
Ok, this is a risky choice. Not only will it be a chance to watch rock gods AC/DC by the sea in sunny Portugal but it will be the first opportunity to hear Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose on vocals as he stands in for Brian Johnson, who was ordered to stop touring or risk going deaf. A bold move or a disaster in waiting? Only time will tell, but it'll certainly be interesting either way.
Nearest Airport: Lisbon
Useful Airlines: British Airways, EasyJet
Tickets available via seetickets.com

Hans Zimmer
Where: Roman Theatre & Museum of Orange, Vaucluse, France
When: Sun 5 Jun
Hans Zimmer is one of the most prolific and respected film composers in the business, he wrote soundtracks for Thelma & Louise, True Romance, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean and many more. Epic music with an epic backdrop.
Nearest airport: Caumont, Avignon,
Useful airlines: FlyBe, City Jet
Tickets available at theatre-antique.com

Chemical Brothers
Where: Titanic, Belfast, Northern Ireland
When: Fri 10 Jun
Keeping things closer to home at the spectacularly modern building that houses the world's largest Titanic exhibition. Expect big beats from the Chemical Brothers with DJ support from Erol Alkan, Phil Kieran and Schmutz.
Nearest Airport: Belfast International
Useful airlines: Easy Jet, Jet2
Tickets available at ticketmaster.ie

PJ Harvey
Where: Théâtres Romains de Fourvière, Lyon, France
When: Tue 14 Jun
A perfect match of venue and artist as one of Britain's greatest songwriters plays in a Roman amphitheatre carved into the rock over looking Lyon.
Nearest airport: Lyon–Saint-Exupéry
Useful airlines: Air France, British Airways, Easy Jet, FlyBe, City Jet
Tickets available at plateforme.francebillet.com

David Gilmour
Where: Anfiteatro Scavi di Pompei, Italy
When: Thu 7 & Fri 8 Jul
The very definition of an 'event gig' as David Gilmour plays at the historic amphitheatre in Pompeii recreating Pink Floyd's iconic 1972 performance. Tickets are pretty pricey (€300 each) but this is a once in a lifetime kinda thing (and don't worry Gilmour plays plenty of classic Floyd material).
Nearest airport: Naples International
Useful airlines: Easy Jet, British Airways, Meridiana, Monarch
Tickets available at dalessandroegalli.com/events/393/david-gilmour

Jean Michel Jarre
Where: Arena of Nîmes, France
When: Mon 14 Jul
An electronic innovator already famed for his large scale live shows brings his lights and lasers to this Roman amphitheatre. Support comes from Koudlam and Télépopmusik.
Nearest Airport: Nîmes–Alès–Camargue–Cévennes
Useful airlines: Ryan Air
Tickets available at festivaldenimes.com

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Where: Circus Maximus, Rome
When: Sat 16 July
Circus Maximus is an ancient chariot racing stadium so just visiting it alone is pretty damn amazing. Add The Boss and you have a night to remember especially when you factor in that Springsteen regularly plays for three hours.
Nearest airport: Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino
Useful airlines: British Airways, Easy Jet, Jet2, Monarch
Tickets available at ticketone.it

Beck
Where: Zitadelle, Berlin, Germany
When: Mon 25 Jul
You need to cross a moat just to enter this renaissance military structure. How exciting is that? Then you get to watch the funky indie rock weirdness of Beck with support from Band of Horses.
Nearest Airport: Tegel or Schönefeld
Useful airlines: British Airways, Easy Jet, FlyBe, Jet2, Ryanair
Tickets available at citadel-music-festival.de/veranstaltungen/beck

Kraftwerk
Where: Verona Arena, Italy
When: Mon 25 Jul
Unsurprisingly there are a lot of Roman amphitheatres in our countdown. Electronic pioneers Kraftwerk provide the perfect juxtaposition of ancient and modern when they play this 1st century venue in 3D.
Nearest Airport: Verona
Useful airlines: Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Easy Jet, KLM, Jet2, FlyBe, Monarch
Tickets available at ticketone.it

Peter Doherty
Where: Le Bataclan, Paris
When: Wed 16 Nov
Finally this is a very special gig for a very different reason. The Bataclan haven't confirmed if this is their official reopening after the tragic events of November 2015 but it's the earliest gig they currently have listed. Sure to be an emotional event and the perfect opportunity to show solidarity with the people of Paris.
Nearest airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle
Useful airlines: British Airways, Easy Jet, FlyBe, Jet2
Tickets available at bataclan.fr/events