GENRE-smashing group the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are bringing their rabble-rousing tunes to Southampton.

With a back catalogue which includes covers of Anarchy in the UK, Smells Like Teen Spirit, works by Ennio Morricone and Waltzing Matilda, the nine-piece band will be heading at the O2 Guildhall on Friday, December 12.

Their ‘A Fistful of Ukuleles’ show is part of their flagship UK tour and promises to pack a punch, with a diverse set of songs, tunes and special performances.

Famed for turning well-known songs on their heads, they have gained worldwide acclaim from celebrities ranging from David Bowie and Brian Eno to Michael Palin and Jeremy Paxman.

The all-plucking orchestra arrive in this country fresh from their winter tour in the USA and northern Europe, before heading off to the Far East.

Previous success has meant that new instruments have been added to the orchestra.

Highlights will include a tiny sopranino ukulele, a contrabass and what the band has described as a “fuzz-distorted, portable non-mains-electricity Judas Ukulele”.

Their diverse selection of tunes goes through all genres of music, from classical to pop, with tracks ranging from BBC Radio theme tune Housewives’ Choice to Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile.

They will also perform songs from their Live at Sydney Opera House DVD and a taster of previously unheard material from their forthcoming album.

Doors open at 8pm and tickets cost £23.

Contact 023 8063 2601 or visit o2guildhallsouthampton.co.uk.