Femi Luti plays Koko [The Loba]

AFTER a bit of a lull earlier this month, things are picking up. We’ve found an eclectic selection of music-related ventures – and straightforward proper gigs – to pick from, so go dig out those pennies from the back of the sofa and spend them on an experience you won’t forget…

• Who remembers 80s shopping mall sensation and girl next door pinup Tiffany? The voice behind teen fave I Think We’re Alone Now is coming to The Camden Club on Jan 29 for an intimate show and Q&A – only 150 tickets available and themed menu.

• What’s going on at Lafayette? The calendar has cleared and the website is promising exciting news…

• January Blues Festival continues this month at 229, which includes performances from Kitty, Daisy & Lewis (Jan 24); Nine Below Zero (Jan 25 ); Anthony Gomes (Jan 28); Harlem Lake + The Cadillac Kings (Jan 29) and, none other than Muddy Waters’ son Mud Morganfield + Kyla Brox (Jan 30-31) and many more.

• Nigerian musician and long time voice for justice Femi Kuti plays Koko on Jan 24 following the release of his first solo music in six years – single Politics Don Expose Them – a reflection on broken and corrupt political leaders of our times. A solo album is also due to follow.

• US singer-songwriter Joshua Radinis probably best known for his TV and film music – if you’ve seen House / Bones / One Tree Hill / Grey’s Anatomy, you’ve probably heard his stuff – and for being close friends with Zac Braff, who got his song Winter on Scrubs way back. He and Ellen Krauss play Jazz Cafe on Jan 29.

• For something a little different, why not join folk musician and songwriter Jim Causley in a traditional Wassail ceremony singing to the apple trees in Cecil Sharp House’s walled garden to promote a good harvest for the coming year followed by a music and singing session in the basement room (Jan 29).

• Multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Seye Adelekan, known for being the live bass player in Gorillaz, brings his own music to Green Note’s basement on Jan 30 with a mix of 60s pop, bossa nova, Afrobeat grooves and shimmering 80s melancholy.

• The Dublin Castle’s next R’n’R Book Club explores Toby Manning’s Mixing Pop & Politics: a Marxist History of Popular Music. Taking place on Jan 30, the author will be in conversation with Alison Beale with DJ set from Tony Bugbear.

• West London rapper Central Cee plays a one-off show at Koko on Jan 30 in celebration of debut studio album Can’t Rush Greatness.

• Everyone Says Hi, the new project from Kaiser Chiefs’ songwriter Nick Hodgson, will be releasing their self-titled debut album at Rough Trade Denmark Street on Jan 31. Latest single Lucky Stars is out now.

• The day party revolution continues as friends – actress Vicky McClure, filmmaker and broadcaster Jonny Owen, and Reverend & The Makers frontman Jon McClure bring DAY FEVER to Outernet on Feb 1 – 3pm-8pm – don’t be late!

• Tribes’ frontman Johnny Lloyd presents his first solo material in over three years with brand new album Punchline at Green Note (Feb 1-2).

More upcoming gigs

Jan 24 – Lloyd Cole & band, Barbican; Amyjo Doh and The Spangles, The Lexington; Floating Points, Here at Outernet;

Jan 25 – Blues Rock Bash ft The Blues Movement Band + The Average Joes + The Creatures of Habit, Fiddlers Elbow; High Fade, Jazz Cafe; Alizade, Dingwalls; The Washboard Resonators, Green Note; Split Frenz + Loungeroom Lizards, The Dublin Castle; Valley, Scala;

Jan 28 – Natetaylorr Sensitive Gangsta Tour, The Social; Adya Rose + Lovelle + Noa Lauryn, Cafe Koko;  Earth Gang, Koko;

Jan 29 – Abbie McCarthy’s Future Karma Series, The Lower Third;

Jan 30 – Ron Pope’s Neon and Glass World Tour, The Garage; Anoushka Lucas, Green Note;

Jan 31 – Tiken Jah Fakoly, Koko; Lake Street Dive, Roundhouse; Leprous, The Forum; Steve’N’Seagulls, The Underworld; Kris Barras Band Unplugged, Union Chapel; Destroy Boys, Electric Ballroom;

Feb 1 – EXTC ft XTC’s Terry Chambers, 229; Willie Watson 100 Club; The Wonder Years with Greywind and Beauty School, The Underworld;

Feb 2 – Mobb Deep ft Havoc + Big Noyd & DJ L.E.S.Shem, Islington Academy; Fillmore Quartet and Zach Thompson, Aces & Eights;

Feb 2-3 – Ruth Moody, The Water Rats;

Feb 3 – Castanights: A Night of Flamenco with “virtuoso guitarrista” Ramon Ruiz, Jazz Cafe; If I Could Only Remember My Name – The Music of David Crosby. An evening celebrating the musical genius of American songwriter David Crosby, member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young ft The Staves, Liam Ó Maonlaí (Hothouse Flowers), Kris Drever (Lau) and BC Camplight, Barbican Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats, 229;

Feb 4 – Dylan Sinclair, Islington Assembly Hall; JPEGMAFIA, Roundhouse; The Wanton Bishops, Camden Assembly;

Feb 5 – Mia Kelly (CAN) and Blair Dunlop (UK) join forces for reciprocal tours at St. Pancras Old Church; Katy J Pearson, Koko; Jack Warnock Trio, The Harrison; Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn + KiLLOWEN + Harvey Whyte, Roundhouse; Sam Greenfield + Gareth Donkin, Jazz Cafe; Tayne Love album launch show + Street Grease + after party DJ set from Wayne Adams, The Black Heart;

Feb 6 – Du Blonde + Big Fat Big, Scala; Madina Lake, The Garage;

Feb 6-8 – Caribou, Roundhouse.