It's been a busy few days for gig announcements, with a slew of promoters announcing details of upcoming concerts with the hopes of getting a slice of the lucrative Christmas market.

Perhaps most intriguing of all of them is The xx, who will play their biggest Irish show to date at The O2 on Wednesday 26th June after recent well-received performances at the Olympia and the main stage of Electric Picnic 2012. Tickets are priced between €36.50 and €32.50.

R&B superstar Ne-Yo is another who will also play The O2. The rapper will play in Dublin on 11th March next, with Tulisa signed up as support.

The Coronas have been confirmed as the latest addition to Cork's Live at the Marquee series for next summer, Saturday 29th June. Elton John, Elvis Costello, ZZ Top and Christy Moore were announced last week. Coronas tickets have been priced at €33.50.

Simple Minds have added an additional date to their previously announced Olympia show. The Scottish band will now play the Dublin venue on March 25th and 26th, with tickets costing €39.05.

Finally (for now, anyway) one of the great icons of the 1970's new wave punk scene, Blondie will The Olympia on 25th June next year and the Waterfront in Belfast the following night, 26th June.