EMF play The Garage on January 20

LOSE yourself in Symphonic Anime Film Scores as piano and string ensemble Stompy’s Playground recreate the themes and compositions from some of Studio Ghibli’s greatest creations at Jazz Café (on Jan 15). The scores of Grave of the Fireflies, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and more will be performed live alongside a bespoke audio visual display evoking the magical world of the Japanese animation giants.

• You never know what future sounds you might find at The Dublin Castle, their listings are packed most days, always worth a visit. Three bands line up on Saturday to take over the hallowed backroom stage – five-piece crossover thrash band Grifter; Dublin rock outfit Even Angels and shoegaze-tinged artful pop from indie group Explode The TV plus DJs We Got Killers on the decks.

• Green Note honours two music greats this month. First, on Jan 16, there’s Bob Dylan’s Greatest Rejected Album Tracks – An evening with writer Michael Gray. The author of Song & Dance Man III: The Art Of Bob Dylan, The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia and Outtakes On Bob Dylan: Selected Writings 1967-2021, will be discussing and playing his choice of the greatest tracks Dylan ever left off his own albums. Then, on Jan 19 (also on Feb 12), poet/singer-songwriter Gabriel Moreno and singer-songwriter Jason McNiff present A Celebration of Poetry and music and the songs of Leonard Cohen, performing a selection of Cohen’s works as well as some of their own creations which pay tribute to the late poet and singer.

• Mud Morganfield, the son of Muddy Waters brings his pedigree blues to The Forge on Jan 13. Support from Johnny Mars & The Cold Heart Revue.

• EMF celebrates the release of new album The Beauty and the Chaos, at The Garage on Jan 20. The album, from which the first single features a guest appearance by Stephen Fry (on Hello People), explores political themes such as immigration, protest and climate change while staying loyal to their classic EMF love of partying and the dance floor, and the band promises the tour will bring songs, energy, lasers, community and a feeling like we all live together – happy vibes all round!

• The 100 Club’s annual punk festival Resolution 2024 concludes this week with Anti Nowhere League + Menace + Chinese Burn (January 12); GBH + The Varukers + Desperate Measures (Jan 13); and 999 + The Satellites + The Bottlekids (Jan 14).

• Melanie C aka Sporty Spice will be joined by some special surprise guests when she celebrates her 50th birthday at Koko on Jan 12. Continue the fun at the Sink The Pink Afterparty if you’re quick enough to grab a ticket.

• Philadelphia producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Fridayy plays two headline dates at Koko on Jan 19 and 21. The Grammy-nominated artist has been around for a while but his big break came after featuring on the title track to DJ Khaled’s God Did.

• Following the release of his latest album The Other Side, The Enemy vocalist and guitarist Tom Clarke plays an intimate solo set at Islington Academy performing fan favourites and solo material plus support from Adam Zindani + Joe Dolman.

• Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra returns to Jazz Café after two years with an 11-piece band and some special guests, playing classic tracks from the Fela Kuti back catalogue (Jan 17).

• Vinyl lovers and fans of northern soul, mod, Motown, vintage R&B, Two Tone, ska and rocksteady unite at The Fiddler’s Elbow on Jan 19 where Gary, Lucienne and Danny will be spinning the tunes with the help of special guests Kev and Linda from Recordsville.

More upcoming gigs

Jan 12 – Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers + Lauren Hibberd, Electric Ballroom; Laura B and her band + Chris Corcoran Trio, The Forge; Bojockey, Green Note; The Britpop Show presents: The 355’s + Nigel Clark from Dodgy + Sahaji, The Water Rats;

Jan 16 – Rachel Croft, Cafe Koko;

Jan 17 – Muriel + Hannah Rodgers + Flypaper, The Social; Andriah Arrindell + Riya Gadher + Connor Adams + Jordan Nash, The Camden Club;

Jan 18 – Townhouse + The Colour Blind Monks + Haiko + The Order of the Hour + Arkadia, The Fiddler’s Elbow; Lottery Winners + The Clause + The Howlers, Electric Ballroom; The Orb + Violetta Vicci, Dingwalls;

Jan 19 – Brakence, The Forum; The Clientele, Lafayette; Milk Carton Kids + Jenny Owen Youngs, Barbican;

Jan 19-20 – Nine Below Zero, The Forge;

Jan 20 – Arnaud Delerue, The Camden Club; Natassa Bofiliou, Electric Ballroom;

Jan 21 – It Bites FD + John Young, Islington Assembly Hall; Carus Thompson, Green Note;

Jan 22 – Michael & Michelle, Lafayette; Abbie McCarthy’s Future Karma presents Royston Club + Soft Launch + Josie Oliver, Camden Assembly;

Jan 23 – RUG x Glowe, Cafe Koko; Yoke Lore, Scala; Sarah Kinsley, Lafayette; Blue Polar + Cardboard, The Social; Laurence Jones, The Forge; Abbie McCarthy’s Future Karma ft Royston Club + Soft Launch + Josie Oliver, The Camden Assembly;

Jan 24 – Izzy Moriarty Whyte with Sodden Pelt & friends, The Old Queen’s Head; Ben Poole, The Forge; Rialto, The Lexington; Ben Poole, The Forge; Adam French + Darla Jade, The Social;

Jan 24-25 – G-Flip, Koko; Jan 25 – Abbie McCarthy’s Future Karma ft Paris Paloma + Nectar Woode + Jacob Alon, St Pancras Old Church; Ernest Aines, The Green Note; Hugh Cornwell + The Primitives, Islington Assembly Hall.