Here are the music and theatre listings for this week, as well as standup comedy. We've got the best of what's on plus ticket booking information.

If you're looking for a gig, a play or comedy to head to this week or one to look forward to this weekend, take a look below as we've got a whole range of different event types.

The starred links below are affiliate - at no extra cost to you, ExplorAR receives commission, without which we couldn't keep this site running.

#1: Darlington Comedy Festival

The Darlington Comedy Festival continues this week. On Tuesday July 23 it's the turn of Mick Neven and Nicky Wilkinson at the Old English Gentleman, Darlington. Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm.

Mick Neven's show is Apocalypse Comedy Club featuring Mick Neven. He's described as 'seriously entertaining' by The Age, Melbourne. Nicky Wilkinson's show is Game On. She was a So You Think You’re Funny? finalist in 2013.

Tickets cost £5 plus 50p booking fee. You can purchase tickets* from the official booking page.

Then on Wednesday July 24 at 7.30pm it's the turn of Tom Binns and Funny in Real Life. Tom Binns show is The Psychic Comedium. Tom Binns has performed his psychic character Ian D Montfort to 5-star reviews around the world. In Funny in Real Life, a standup comedian sees his world fall apart when his wife decides he can no longer mention her onstage. Should anything be off-limits in the realm of confessional comedy?

Tickets* cost £5 plus 50p booking fee on the booking website.

Read next: Hardwick Live times, tickets and what's on

#2: Hilarity Bites Comedy Club, Outstanding Art

Outstanding Art in Durham is hosting this week's Hilarity Bites Comedy Club. A total Fringe sell-out and star of Comedy Central's Roast Battle, Tom Houghton's show is That's What I Go To School For. Tom was sent to an all-boys boarding school at age six. A world where 'day kids' are shunned, and girls? Non-existent. But when, in his second to last year the school decided to go co-ed, everything was to change.

John-Luke Roberts' shows is After Me Comes the Flood - a brand-new hour of extraordinary daft-hearted comedy, following a complete sell out at last year's Fringe.

It's on Thursday July 25, doors 7.30pm.

Tickets* cost £10 plus £1 booking fee from the official booking page.

Read next: Durham family events this weekend

#3: Jumpin Hot Club Country Cantina 2019, Easington Colliery

Thorp Lea East Farm in Easington Colliery is hosting the Jumpin Hot Club Country Cantina 2019. There'll be food from the La Fiesta ladies, beer from Hadrian Border, and special barn spirits and cocktails. The Jumpin Hot Club Country Cantina music is from Strange Blue Dreams, Martin Stephenson and The Toe Rags, Rob Heron, Big Red and The Grinners, The Jaywalkers (Bluegrass Trio), Awkward Family Portraits, and David Broad - plus DJs Shippy and Rob 78 records set. Jumpin Hot Club Country Cantina camping can be booked at www.thebarnateasington.co.uk

Jumpin Hot Club Country Cantina is on Saturday July 27, doors at 12pm.

Tickets* cost £22 plus £2.20 booking fee (£5 for children) from the booking site.

#4: Tears for Fears, Durham Riverside Stadium

The world famous Tears For Fears are heading to Durham and play at the Riverside Stadium in Chester le Street. It's on Saturday July 27 - you can read full details and book tickets in our Tears For Fears Durham story.

Read next: Durham's free events this week

#5: Pete Tong's Ibiza Classics, Durham Riverside Stadium

Famous Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong brings his Ibiza Classics to Durham Riverside Stadium.

Pete Tong comes to Durham on Friday July 26 at 5pm.

Tickets* cost £47.50 plus £4.75 booking fee from the booking site.

Read next: What's on at Durham Cathedral for the rest of July

#6: Funny Way To Be Comedy – Edinburgh Previews, Witham Arts Centre

The Witham Arts Centre in Barnard Castle hosts Funny Way To Be Comedy – Edinburgh Previews, which will feature two one-hour long Edinburgh Preview shows from two of top performers at next summer's festival.

Lucy Beaumont is a Sony Radio Award winner, was winner of The BBC New Comedy Award in 2012 and the Chortle Award for Best Newcomer in 2013.

Since winning the BBC New Comedy Award in 2013, Steve Bugeja has gone on to host the BBC Radio 4 series Economics with Subtitles, and has made numerous appearances on TV shows.

Tickets cost £12 plus 58p booking fee from the booking site.

#7: Freddie Mercury Tribute Night, Wynyard Hall Hotel

Sammy K has headlined festivals and events all over the UK as lead singer of Rock Q. With his vocal range and witty charm, he brings Freddie Mercury's energy to life.

The price includes two-course meal (main course and dessert). It's on Friday July 26 and doors open 7pm.

Tickets cost £25 from the booking page.

#8: Withered Hand, Old Cinema Launderette

Withered Hand was described by Mojo as "beautifully constructed lyrical frameworks on this banjo-tinged brand of Caledonian gospel".

Withered Hand are performing on Saturday July 27, doors 7pm.

Tickets cost £16.50 adults plus £1.65 booking fee from the booking page.

Feature image: swimfinfan from Chicago (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Read next: Guided walks around County Durham this month