Sprints play the Scala on October 4 [Niamh Barry]

FIFTEEN years ago we were there as Amy Winehouse and her friend DJ Bioux Hayes launched Snakehips at The Monarch, a night designed to bring their carefully curated tracks – all on vinyl – to the masses. But Amy looked distant at times and many in the crowd were more concerned with photographing her than immersing themselves in the music. Just three years later, Amy sadly died, her persona leaving an indelible mark in the history of Camden, her contribution to music, a legacy that continues to resonate. When Amy’s friends gathered to mark what would have been her 40th birthday last Thursday, they honoured her in a way she would no doubt have loved – at one of her most frequented haunts, The Hawley Arms. “It’s heartbreaking to celebrate Amy’s birthday without her, but sharing that heartbreak with so many that loved her felt beautiful,” Bioux told me. “I created Snakehips with her so I brought a box of records I played back then, the one that cemented our friendship. She would pinch records out of my box while I wasn’t looking and replace the record I was going to play with them. There were so many records that were special to her. I played all those.”

• The illustrious Abbey Road Music Photography awards take place this evening (Thursday), recognising some of the best music moments captured on camera. Check out the inspirational entries at https://abbeyroadmusicphotographyawards.com

• Raucous Dublin post-punk four-piece Sprints bring their politically charged sound to Scala on Oct 4.

• Recently reformed, Camden’s own Tribes play their home turf, Koko on Sept 22. Then, on Sept 29, intriguing lyricist Hak Baker plays Koko with support from Sasha Keable and Giya.

• The Classic Car Boot Fair returns to King’s Cross on Sept 30-Oct 1. With vintage vinyl on sale, a display of replica Mini Coopers formerly owned by The Beatles, Led Zepp’s former two door Range Rover, live performances from the Classic Car Boot Sale Band, Ronnie Ripple and the Rip Chords and The Estimators plus a huge array of vintage wares.

• The Dublin Castle’s Rock ‘n Roll Book Club returns on Sept 22 with Bad Actors drummer Griff Griffiths talking to Tony Bugbear about his book I Was The King of Spain detailing his rock ‘n roll life and crazy encounters with the likes of Robert Plant, The Krays, Rick Astley and Salt-N-Pepa. With both Griff’s current bands, punk covers outfit Circa79 and Ghosts plus a set from DJ Fuzz reflecting the book’s contents. Continuing the book theme, Simon Matthews launches BEFORE IT WENT ROTTEN: The Music That Rocked London’s Pubs 1972-1976, at the Hope and Anchor on Sept 28 – an account of the vibrant era where London’s pub music scene was brimming with up-and-coming talent.

• The Forum has an Egyptian double bill on Oct 5 with Alexandrian rapper Wegz, who brings his experimental blend of Shaabi and trap to Kentish Town with support from Shaabi duo El Sawareekh plus Nihal.

• Electric Ballroom continues to scoop up the legacy acts and rock music coups, the latest being The Pretenders, who mark the release of their 12th studio album Relentless at the venue on Oct 19. Before that, on Oct 5, The Undertones celebrate 45 years of Teenage Kicks at Electric Ballroom with special guests Tom Robinson Band.

• Singer-songwriter and music producer Arjun has the accolade of being the UK’s most viewed UK Asian artist on YouTube, having amassed more than 1.1 billion views. He plays The Camden Club on Sept 23.

• The Barbican has a knack of attracting fascinating collaborations. The latest offering brings John Grant and Richard Hawley and band together in a celebration of the late country star Patsy Cline as they run through her repertoire. Support from Lauren Housley. Also at Barbican on Sept 28, American folk and pop singer-songwriter Judy Collins performs her 29th studio album Spellbound alongside material from more than 50 years in music.

• Kilkenny duo 49th & Main probably wouldn’t agree but there’s a dreamy element to their lo-fi indie-pop. They play Scala on Sept 27 with support from Sofy.

• After 45 years of touring, punk band UK Subs are embarking on their final farewell tour this month with a few days at 100 Club from Sept 27 to Oct 1 – Chaos 8 support. Going forward, they will play a few festivals, the odd gig and members will focus on their own solo projects.

• Celebrate 20 years of Random Hand at Handfest at The Dome on Sept 30 with 14 bands on two stages including Random Hand, Lightyear, Popes of Chilli Town, The JB Conspiracy, Crazy Arm and many more.

• More upcoming gigs: Sept 22 – Rudeboy plays Urban Dance Squad ft DJ DNA, The Forge; Highly Suspect, The Forum; Scarlet Pleasure, Lafayette; Sept 22-23 – The Sisters of Mercy, Roundhouse; Sept 23 – Pat Thomas, Jazz Café; The Midnight Special + Say Yes, Do Nothing + The Pali Gap + Getner, Camden Assembly; Illa J, Dingwalls; The Icicle Works – Ian McNabb & Chris Layhe, Union Chapel; Odyssey, Jazz Café; Young Gun Silver Fox + Emma Noble, Electric Ballroom; Velvet Grip + Lost Gravity, The Fiddler’s Elbow; Dreadzone, Islington Assembly Hall; Sept 23-24 – How The Light Gets In Festival, Kenwood; Sept 24 – Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, The Camden Club; Sept 25 – Alfie Boe, Palladium; King Herd album release show, The Water Rats; Shawn Colvin + Blair Dunlop, Union Chapel; Sept 26 – Loveless, Electric Ballroom; The Analogues. Palladium; Saint Joshua, The Grace; Michigander, The Camden Assembly; Sept 26-28 – KEM, Jazz Café; Sept 27 – Henge, Electric Ballroom; Maz O’Connor, Green Note; Last Dinosaurs, Lafayette; When Rivers Meet, Islington Academy; Johnny Hates Jazz, The Forge; Sept 28 – Roachford, The Forge; Royal & The Serpent, Camden Assembly; Oli Brown & The Dead Collective, Black Heart; Seb Lowe, Dingwalls; Puma Blue, Koko; Lucida Presents Electroniq + Analogue Electronic Whatever + Legpuppy + Valentina Reptile + Palindrones + Electronicq DJs, The Dublin Castle; Emily Saunders album launch, The Forge; Henge, Electric Ballroom; Seb Lowe, Dingwalls; Sept 28-29 – PJ Harvey, Roundhouse; Sept 29 – Snowboy & The Latin Section, 229; The Blue Aeroplanes, Electric Ballroom; JAWS, The Garage; The Ichi Bons, The Water Rats; Divine Order + Billy Bligh + Ciinema + Joe Taylor, Camden Assembly; The Moonshine Sisters, Green Note; Hak Baker, Koko; Ron Pope, Union Chapel; Roc Maricano, Jazz Café; Jaws, The Garage; Sept 30 – Public Image Ltd – End Of The World Tour, The Forum; Ryan Beatty, Lafayette; Sam Brookes, Green Note; Matt Johnson (Jamiroquai), Jazz Café; Oct 1 – Bentley Rhythm Ace + Jon Carter, The Forge; The Universe of Tim Maia, Jazz Café; Sam Kelly and Jamie Francis, The Water Rats; Alexander Valentine + Cho Garna + Lady Grey and The Earls, The Fiddler’s Elbow; Oct 1-3 – An Evening with Manchester Orchestra, Union Chapel; Oct 2 – Terry Reid + Toby Lee, Jazz Café; Oct 3 – Alberto Giurioli, Roundhouse; The Mary Wallopers, Dingwalls; Fat Dog, Scala; Armani Caesar + Meyham Lauren, Jazz Café; Oct 4 – Kaleem Taylor, Lafayette; Black Pantera + Black Rooster + Kosta Burgess, The Dublin Castle; Jill Andrews, Green Note; Oct 4-5 – Jorja Smith: Falling Or Flying album launch, Here@Outernet; Oct 5 – Marc Broussard, Jazz Café; Frances Willow + Finches, The Old Queen’s Head; The Xcerts, Lafayette; The Hoosiers, Koko; FKP Scorpio presents Pastel, Camden Assembly; Skipinnish, Islington Assembly Hall; Oct 5-6 – Marc Broussard, Jazz Café.