Ernest Aines plays Heath Street Baptist Church [L Ford Yellowstone live session]

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LOVE or hate it, February 14 rolls around every year so, if you choose not to ignore it, we have some events to consider…

• Starting with the ultimate Anti-Valentine’s Special – Speed Hating at The Flamingo Rooms in Wardour Street on Feb 12. The concept is simple – and as described – like speed dating but sharing your true self, your dislikes, hates etc. Dare you brave it?

• No doubt booked for their talent as well as their name, Berlin duo DJ Heartstring bring their dancefloor grooves to Roundhouse on Feb 14.

• Experience music from some of the greatest love stories in film, performed by violinist Esther Abrami, soprano Carly Paoli and a live orchestra at Music of The Movies – songs from films including Love Actually, Romeo and Juliet, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Pretty Woman, Bridgerton, Amélie, Chocolat, La La Land and Titanic, at Barbican Hall on Feb 14.

• Just before Christmas, we mentioned the upcoming opening of a new music experience due to open in Camden Stables Market – Live Odyssey – an immersive two-and-a-half hour journey through British music history combining holograms – one holographic highlight being an exclusive Libertines show – with live performances, curated set lists, exclusive memorabilia, previously unseen live footage and photography, with rooms dedicated to specific eras. With a portion of ticket sales going to support Music Venue Trust’s mission to support grassroots music venues and the venue opening in May, it’s time to get planning.

• Critically acclaimed Australian Americana singer Ernest Haines brings his Tales of a Modern Man tour to Heath Street Baptist Church on Feb 8. Known for his intricate guitar playing and powerful vocals, multi-award-winner Haines has chosen to play a series of intimate shows where his talents can be most appreciated.

• Enjoy a day-long winter feast of music at The Magpie Arc’s Indoor Festival of Folk at Cecil Sharp House on Feb 8 – an excuse to hide from the weather. Co-hosted by the English Folk Dance Society, expect performances from The Bookshop Band, Frankie Archer, Edgelarks, Sam Carter and The Magpie Arc. In addition, BBC Radio and Folk on Foot broadcaster Matthew Bannister will interview Fairport Convention founder Ashley “The Guv’nor” Hutchings.

• Expect the unexpected as the Japanese manga superhero TV series Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon comes to life in the “Super Live” musical version coming to Koko on various dates between Feb 11 and March 11.

• HighRise Entertainment’s Lil.Miss.Lady, starring Lady Lykez, is part rave, part drama, telling an immersive history of Grime, through the eyes of a trailblazing female MC. Tracing the emergence of the genre through Black-British, bass-music culture from the early stages of jungle, through UK garage, sub-low, funky house to dubstep and grime, the show takes place at Barbican’s The Pit, Feb 12-15.

• All-Female Slade Tribute Band Slady play glam rock covers and brand new Slade songs at The Lexington on Feb 16. Expect party bags and exclusive merch.

• French-Congolese rap sensation Tiakola, plays the Roundhouse on Feb 13.

More upcoming gigs

Feb 7 – The Rifles, Koko;

Feb 7-8 – Dexter Wansel, Jazz Cafe;

Feb 8 – Field Music, Union Chapel; Actors, The Garage; Rubella Ballet + Brigandage + Omega Tribe + DJs We Got Killers, The Dublin Castle;

Feb 9 – Steve Macdream Colours + Josh Dennett, The Fiddler’s Elbow; Firewind + Fury, The Underworld;

Feb 10 – Jason Isbell, Barbican; Bobby Oroza, Jazz Cafe;

Feb 11 – Helen King + Hani Abbasi: Double album launch, The Water Rats; Corey Kent, Electric Ballroom;

Feb 11-12 – Justice, Ally Pally;

Feb 12 – Henry Wagons, Green Note; Sophie Jamieson, The Lexington;

Feb 13 – Noor Chahal, Scala; Oliver Anthony Music, The Forum; RANT, Cecil Sharp House; Richard Bona, Jazz Cafe;

Feb 14 – NXDIA, Camden Assembly; Cut Glass Kings, The Black Hear; Lazy Day, The Lower Third; Peter Alexander Jobson, St Pancras Old Church; Will Dowling, 100 Club; Tremonti, The Forum;

Feb 15 – Everyone You Know, Electric Ballroom; Margarita Witch Cult, The Camden Assembly; Fizzy Orange + Nige, 100 Club; Everyone You Know, Electric Ballroom; Goldie Lookin Chain, Dingwalls; February Blues, The Camden Club; Bayside + Cold Years, Islington Academy;

Feb 16 – Sunday Papers Live, Park Village Studios;

Feb 17 – Eleanor Dunsdon & Gregor Black, Green Note; Arctic Lake – farewell show, The Lower Third;

Feb 18 – Honne, Roundhouse; Joy Crookes, Islington Assembly Hall; The Veils, Union Chapel;

Feb 18-19 – Alisa Amador, Green Note:

Feb 19 – Spiers & Boden, Cecil Sharp House; Cory Wong, The Forum; Peter Perrett, Islington Assembly Hall; Mad Morning, The Black Heart;

Feb 20 – Barcelona Gipsy Balkan Orchestra, Islington Assembly Hall; Darren Kiely, Electric Ballroom; Schoolboy Q, Roundhouse; Brigid Mae Power, Kings Place; Communion return for their monthly club night with Blood Wizard, GIFTHORSE, Charlie Noordewier and Jack Gray, The Social; Chip presents: Grime Scene Saviours ft Mak 10 + DJ Maximum. HERE at Outernet; Barcelona Gipsy Balkan Orchestra, Islington Assembly Hall.