What's on in the South this week.

ONE of the major success stories of 2004, Snow Patrol, are coming to Southampton Guildhall on Wednesday, December 15.

The release of their single Run shot them to fame in January and they have been going from strength to strength ever since.

Their album, Final Straw, has gone double platinum and, unsurprisingly, their gig at Southampton has been sold out for some time.

Returns may be available. Box office: 023 8063 2601.

AFTER a sell-out concert for Children in Need, the Southampton Pops Orchestra is bringing its Christmas Spectacular concert to Southampton Guildhall on Tuesday, December 14.

The concert will have an orchestra of over 135 musicians with dancers and vocalists.

The programme includes film and show music by John Williams, Henri Mancini, Leroy Anderson and many other well-known composers.

The Southampton Pops Orchestra will also be performing the same concert at the Thornden Concert Hall, Chandler's Ford, on Thursday, December 16.

Southampton Guildhall box office 023 8063 2601.

Thorndean Concert Hall box office: 023 8026 5852.

OUTRAGEOUS San Francisco-based band The Tubes are coming to the Southsea Parade Pier in Portsmouth on Tuesday, December 14.

They are coming on their The Tubes Wild West Tour and will be playing all their hits, including their anti-drugs anthem White Punks on Dope and She's a Beauty.

Tickets: £12. Box office: 023 9273 2283.

IRISH group The Saw Doctors are bringing their rootsy-rock sound to The Brook in Southampton on Wednesday, December 15.

The group, have had three Irish number ones - I Useta Lover, N17 and Hay Wrap. They have also enjoyed chart success in the UK, reaching their highest chart position - 14 - in 1996 with To Win Just Once.

Their UK tour, which brings them to Southampton, follows a 17-date coast-to-coast tour of America.

Sold out - returns may be available. Box office: 023 8055 5366.

MUSICAL comedian Mitch Benn, star of Radio 4's The Now Show and Crimes Against Music, comes to the Ashcroft Arts Centre in Fareham on Saturday, December 11.

He will be performing with his band, The Distractions.

The show falls somewhere between a gig and a comedy routine but don't worry too much about defining it - just enjoy it!

Mitch is touring to promote his third album, Too Late to Cancel, which was released in October.

In 1995 he was voted Best New Comic at the Glastonbury Festival and he has performed there every year since, as well as appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in Dubai, South Africa, Hong King and Singapore.

Tickets: £8. Box office: 01329 310600.