The Pogues @ Carling Academy, 7 Dec

Yuletide-themed sofa adverts are all very well, but the Christmas build-up only truly begins when the Pogues arrive in town for their annual festive shindig. Expect a crowd of ruddy-cheeked men, dewy-eyed with nostalgia and Guinness, belting out every word of a set that, unsurprisingly, saves its Fairytale (of New York) ending for last but is heavy on soulful Irish punk classics throughout. Shane MacGowan’s increasingly shambolic performances might not be to everybody’s taste, but chances are most will be too drunk to notice – particularly by the time Dirty Old Town instigates mass stranger-hugging. Peace and goodwill to all men indeed. [Chris Buckle]