Zara Larsson plays Roundhouse

BAZ Luhrmann’s Technicolor interpretation of Romeo + Juliet would not have been the same without the 1996 movie’s arresting soundtrack. Now, nearly 30 years after the film’s first release, Backyard Cinema takes over the Union Chapel for a series of screenings of Shakespeare’s classic love story, brought to life by a live choir performing some of the film’s prevailing musical moments, including Young Hearts, Everybody’s Free, Kissing You, You and Me Song, Local God and When Doves Cry (Feb 10-13 and 16-18). As Valentine’s Day approaches, what better way to spend a date?

• Green Note has laid on two special gigs for Feb 14 – the Deborah Carew Swing Trio playing the music of love, with original arrangements from the early jazz era, while in the Basement Bar, hear a mix of originals, jazz, chansons and tongue-in-cheek pop covers from the Gypsy Dreamers Trio. The venue is also increasing its matinees, with new musical Idle Women written and performed by The Busy Lizzies theatre group based on women working on canals in the Second World War (Feb 10), a double bill of singer-songwriters Daisy Chute and James Walker (Feb 17), plus monthly residencies Rebet Asker Greek Roots Series (Feb 11) and Green Note’s much-loved open mic on Feb 18.

• BRITs Week 2024 approaches with a number of big gigs in north London: Cian Ducrot, Union Chapel (Feb 19); Baby Queen, Lafayette; Ash, 100 Club (Feb 21); Pendulum, Here at Outernet (Feb 23) and Sleaford Mods (Feb 28) – all in aid of War Child.

• Yasiin Bey (FKA Mos Def) performs his own interpretation of the late MF DOOM’s music at Roundhouse on Feb 11. Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson also plays Roundhouse on Feb 21-22.

• Empress Of, who has worked with the likes of Khalid and Blood Orange, appears at Jazz Café on Feb 13 ahead of the release of her bilingual Spanish-English album For Your Consideration (out March 22). Then, on Feb 14, check out some bright new talent at the venue at Mahalia Presents … (Feb 14), where the singer, who will not be performing, hosts and curates a hand-picked line-up of emerging talent. And on Feb 18, Wu-Tang Clan founder member GZA aka the Genius aka Gary Grice plays two shows at Jazz Café with a full live band.

• Just in time for half-term, Roundhouse is offering young musicians (age 11-14) with an interest in songwriting a chance to follow in the footsteps of their music idols with the Roundhouse Music Experience (Feb 12-15) – a chance to create, rehearse and perform with various instruments and the guidance of experienced mentors.

• Robbie Williams’ on-off songwriting partner Guy Chambers tours with his band The Lemon Trees, playing Islington Academy on Feb 10, with support from Amelie.

• Tony Christie launches new album We Still Shine at Water Rats on Feb 15.

• Ukulele-playing internet sensation BoyWithUke plays The Forum on Feb 11 + 20.

More upcoming gigs

Feb 9 – Brutalismus 3000, Roundhouse; Evil Scarecrow, The Garage; Courting, Dingwalls; Chuck Ragan and the Camaraderie + Guise + Hannah Rose Plant, 100 Club; Shimza, Koko; Imoni, Cafe Koko; Stephen Sanchez, Koko; Streamer + The Blonde Parade + Susan + Two Ply Duke, The Dublin Castle; Cri, Lafayette; Majid Jordan + Dar Disku + Alex Lustig, The Forum; Club de Fromage Disco, Wembley Rollerscape;

Feb 9-10 – Miles Kane + The Royston Club + Alex Spencer, Electric Ballroom;

Feb 10 – Matt Bianco, The Forge; McLusky, The Lexington; The Go! Team + Charif Megarbane + Inside The Wheel, Roundhouse; The Junimo Junos, Camden Assembly;

Feb 11 – Nigel Wearne, The Harrison; Jeru The Damaja, Jazz Cafe; Andy Skellam and Beth Porter, Green Note;

Feb 12 – Dirty Honey – Can’t Find The Brakes Tour, Electric Ballroom;

Feb 13 – Jordan Davis, The Forum; Beach Fossils + Sunnbrella, Electric Ballroom;

Feb 14 – Black Honey, The Forum; Joy (Anonymous) + Arthi, Roundhouse; Kitewing, The Harrison; Mahmoud El Esseily, Islington Assembly Hall; Andy Sharrocks and the Incurable Romantics, 100 Club; Pierce Brothers, The Garage; IAMDDB, Lafayette;

Feb 15 – Omar and QCBA, 100 Club; Ben Brown + Burney + Amber Dee, The Camden Club; Mic Righteous, Islington Academy; Blick Bassy, Jazz Cafe;

Feb 15-16 – Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes + The Mysterines + HotWax, Roundhouse;

Feb 16 – J.I., Koko; Sukha, Electric Ballroom; The Scamps + Shooting Souls, The Fiddler’s Elbow; Hidden Mothers + Copse + Tayne + Still In Love, The Black Heart; The Herbaliser Band, The Forge; Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, The Lexington;

Feb 16-17 – Sea Power, Islington Assembly Hall;

Feb 17 – PP Arnold, Dingwalls; Slayyyter, The Forum; My Life Story, 100 Club; Sonny George + Boz Boorer Allstars + DJ Little Carl, The Dublin Castle; Roisin Murphy, Alexandra Palace; Baiana, The Forge; My Life Story, 100 Club; ABC The Lexicon of Love, Palladium; Four Tet + Floating Points, Roundhouse; Macka B & Roots Reggae + Greensleeves Hi-Fi (ft Oxman & Adam Prescott), Jazz Cafe;

Feb 18 – Sancak, Islington Assembly Hall; Alireza Ghorbani, Barbican;

Feb 19 – Ladyhawke, Lafayette; Gigs for Gaza – Warmduscher + Steve Mason + Oneda + Louis O/B + DJ sets from Faris Badwan (The Horrors); Dr Pam Hogg + Heavenly Jukebox, The Social;

Feb 20 – Masego, Alexandra Palace; Seckou Keita, Jazz Cafe; Isata Kenneh-Mason, Scala;

Feb 20-21 – Poppy, Koko;

Feb 21 – The Mezz, The Camden Assembly; Baby Queen, Lafayette; Helena Deland, The Lexington; Allman Brown, Green Note;

Feb 22 – Fozzy, Electric Ballroom; Fozzy, Electric Ballroom; Al-Qasar, The Forge; Hari Mata Hari & Valentino, Scala;

Feb 22-23 – Deaf Havana, Islington Assembly Hall;

Feb 23 – TesseracT, The Forum; Les Savy Fav, Electric Ballroom; Feb 23-24 – The Real Thing + Nia Ekanem + DJ Fitzroy Facey, Jazz Cafe.