And so the impending horror of Christmas television descends upon this miserable, grey island yet again. Already, advertisements abound, striving to forcefully inject the merry, smiling and objectionably glittery seasonal spirit into our chilled, grumpy and flu-ridden veins in the hope that we will spend more money. Having already gobbled the chocs from our advent calendars in the first week of December, what more do we have to look forward to other than the obligatory broadcast of Santa Claus: The Movie, Home Alone, The Snowman, Eastenders Christmas Special and the Queen’s Speech?

Fear not edgy culture-types! Sky Arts has pulled out all the stops to ensure that your December entertainment remains as kitsch-free as possible, with the introduction of Centre Stage.

Starting on the 1st December and continuing every Saturday at 9pm until March, Centre Stage is Sky Arts’ most ambitious and dedicated foray into offering live performances and is likely to develop in reaction to popular demand. Throughout December and leading into early January, contemporary artists including The White Stripes, Thom Yorke, Beck, Jarvis Cocker, Free Blood, Autolux, and Sonic Youth will be performing intimate gigs ‘from the Basement’. We haven’t been able to glean much information from the Sky Arts team as of yet, but we are chasing up for more details and you’ll be among the first to know. That’s our Christmas present to you.

In January, Centre Stage takes something of a dramatic twist by moving away from the intimate gigs to broadcasting influential concerts from such legendary performers as The Rolling Stones, Eric Claption, Elvis Costello, The Pixies, and Queen and Paul Rodgers. Not to be missed.