It's cold and dark outside but 2024 is already jam-packed with unmissable gigs to help brighten up our lives.

Here are the biggest musical acts coming to our area this year.

On January 29, singer and musician, best known as a solo artist and the co-frontman of the Last Shadow Puppets Miles Kane plays Oxford's O2 Academy.

And you can catch indie rock band The Vaccines at the same venue the following month on February 17.

In March, The Pretenders play at Oxford's New Theatre as part of their theatre tour across the UK. 

Oxford Mail: Chrissie Hynde

Their new album, Relentless, is their highest-charting record in 23 years while their surprise performance at Glastonbury, featuring special guests Johnny Marr and Dave Grohl, was considered a highlight of the entire festival weekend. 

Welsh-Japanese rock band Feeder also play at the O2 Academy on March 11.

Husband and wife folk duo Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman have announced a Spring tour and will be at Oxford's Fire Station in March while West End star and actor Michael Ball performs at the New Theatre on March 19.

For a bit of nostalgia Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark have a new album Bauhaus Staircase out and will showcase their new songs at the New Theatre on March 20 while art rock legends 10CC also play Oxford's New Theatre the same month.

Oxford Mail: OMD

Folk artist Eliza Carthy will be bringing her fiercely beautiful fiddle-playing and mesmerizing live performance to The North Wall Arts Centre on April 20.

Meanwhile The Zutons, Jake Bugg and The Men They Couldn't Hang are all playing the O2 Academy.

DJ and presenter Trevor Nelson and champion for RnB music worldwide is at Meca in Oxford in May while Paloma Faith will perform at the New Theatre.

The Average White Band will be coming round again and are at the O2 Academy on May 14.

In June the Nocturne series of concerts kicks off at Blenheim Palace.

Oxford Mail: Sheryl Crow

Nocturne Live turns The Great Court at the palace into a grand arena with legendary acts and 10,000 seats.

Funk legend Chaka Khan and The Fatback Band headline on June 13 supported by Sister Sledge.

Oxford Mail: Chaka Khan Chaka Khan (Image: Nocturne)

On June 15, headliners are Sugababes and Melanie C and the concerts are rounded off on Sunday June 16 with a set from Australians Crowded House and the legendary Sheryl Crow.

Truck Festival is in July and Wilderness Festival will be back at Cornbury Park in August with acts yet to be announced.

Major acts are also on the cards at The Big Feastival at Blur bassist Alex James’ farm in Kingham.

On September 15, Elvis Costello, considered to be one of the most gifted and versatile songwriters of his generation, plays Oxford's New Theatre.

Oxford Mail: Elvis Costello at Glastonbury in 2019

And in October Welsh hip hop group Goldie Lookin Chain are at The Bullingdon.

Influential former Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook plays with his band The Light at the O2 Academy in October.

Oxford Mail: Peter Hook

Bellowhead will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a UK tour in November 2024 and will be at the New Theatre in November.

You can also catch the Lightning Seeds at 02 Academy the same month.