The best pop concerts for Christmas 2010

Vampire Weekend A mammoth victory-lap tour for preppy afro-influenced indie rockers, who arrive bearing intriguingly eclectic support acts at their two London shows (on 2 and 3 December). One night, you get the critically acclaimed, winsome femme-folk stylings of Laura Marling; the next, it's spacey, conceptual R&B diva Janelle Monae. ▶ Empress Ballroom, Blackpool (0844 856 1111), Thursday, then touring. The Human League The Human League have been doing seasonal nostalgia tours for decades now – they're old hands at rolling out the old hits. But this might be something slightly different: advance reports suggest that their forthcoming album, Credo, is a return to prime early-80s form. ▶ UEA, Norwich (01603 508 050), 29 November, then touring. Arcade Fire They seem to be in the process of mounting a challenge for Radiohead's title of the biggest art-rock band in the world. Arcade Fire have sounded – and, indeed, performed – as if they should have been playing vast arenas right from the start. Now, to general delight, they are. ▶ O2 Arena, London SE10 (0844 856 0202), 1 December, then touring. Bowlie 2 This three-day festival, based in a holiday camp and curated by Belle and Sebastian, returns for the first time in 11 years. The lineup looks great – as well as Belle and Sebastian, there's Vashti Bunyan, Julian Cope, Teenage Fanclub, the Vaselines, the Zombies, Dirty Projectors and Wild Beasts, among a host of others. ▶ Butlins Holiday Centre, Minehead, Somerset (0870 060 0958), 10-12 December. The Pogues Apparently for the last time, the Pogues take to the road with their annual Christmas tour: equal parts celebration of their back catalogue and, in the shape of frontman Shane MacGowan, a timely reminder of what too much festive overindulgence can do to a chap. ▶ O2 Academy, Glasgow (0844 499 9990), 13 December. Soulwaxmas Two late-night seasonal shows from the Belgian indie/electro band. They're playing live, but the real pull is undoubtedly the set from their DJ alter ego 2manydjs: nearly a decade on from their epochal, mash-up heavy mix album As Heard On Radio Soulwax, they still prove unfailingly experimental and party-starting in equal measure. ▶ Brixton Academy, London SW9 (0844 811 0051), 16-18 December. Strange Days Well, it's certainly one way to spend New Year's Eve: esconced in London's Hammersmith Apollo with a host of leftfield rock legends for company. Sonic Youth headline and Steve Albini's Shellac support – as do recently reformed 80s agit-prop punk-funkers the Pop Group and acclaimed newcomers Factory Floor. ▶ Hammersmith Apollo, London W6 (08448 444 748), 31 December.