Status Quo

Brighton Centre, King’s Road, Fri, Dec 11, doors 6.30pm, from £39.50, 08448 471515

THE masters of the 12-bar boogie are back for their annual Christmas visit with their thundering electric set. Get down early to catch Dr Feelgood founder Wilko Johnson - worth the entry price alone.

The Copper Family

Ropetackle Arts Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham, Fri, Dec 11, 8pm, £15, 01273 464440

WITH a family history in Rottingdean which dates back 400 years, The Copper Family have been the keepers of Sussex song for centuries, with the current touring band the seventh consecutive generation of singing Coppers.

Jools Holland

Brighton Centre, King’s Road, Sat, Dec 12, doors 6.30pm, from £29.50, 08448 471515

THE Later host returns to the Brighton Centre with his Rhythm And Blues Orchestra plus special guest Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall.

Lewes Chamber Music Festival Christmas Concert

St John Sub Castro Church, Abinger Place, Lewes, 7pm, £14, 01273 479865

THE Eusebius Quartet plays Beethoven’s Serioso Quartet (Op 95), Haydn’s String Quartet in E flat major (Op 20) and Debussy’s String Quartet in G Minor (Op 10) for Christmas – under 26s get in free.

The Darkness

De La Warr Pavilion, Marina, Bexhill, Tues, Dec 15, doors 7pm, £25, 01424 229111

AUGMENTED by new drummer Rufus Taylor, the million-selling Lowestoft rockers return for the first time in two years in support of fourth album Last Of Our Kind. Expect to hear their tongue in cheek seasonal song Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End).

Stereophonics

Brighton Centre, King’s Road, Tues, Dec 15, doors 6.30pm, £39.50, 08448 471515

SINCE breaking through with debut Word Gets Around back in 1997, Stereophonics are now on their ninth album Keep The Village Alive. Kelly Jones’s huge voice was built for arenas so this will be a welcome return after two years away.

Support from Kid Wave.

Hounds Of Love

The Old Market, Upper Market Street, Hove, Thurs, December 17, 8pm, £16/£14, 01273 201801

LISA Abbott’s ten-piece band returns to tackle Kate Bush’s 1985 magnum opus – home to hits like Cloudbusting, Running Up That Hill and the title track.

The Beat

Concorde 2, Madeira Drive, Brighton, Thurs, Dec 17, 7.30pm, £18, 01273 673311

THE UK version of the 1980s 2Tone ska outfit return led by original vocalist Ranking Roger with toasting from Ranking Jnr.

Krankenhaus

The Haunt, Pool Valley, Brighton, Thurs, Dec 17, 7pm, £14/£16, 01273 606312

BRITISH Sea Power’s club night returns with a Christmas edition – expect live sets from the band and some special guests.