London Events, Feb 2012: Emeli Sande, Labrinth, Eric Roberson, Speech Debelle, SWV, Omar

As 2012 gets into full swing, London is as usual full of musical guests blessing stages across the UK’s capital city. Obviously, Voodoo funk/soul king D’Angelo has been the talk of the town with his two recent London stops at the O2 Brixton Academy last week, as part of his European comeback tour breaking a 10+ year hiatus. We went, we loved. And here are some other events you might look forward to this month…

On Thursday night (Feb 9), soulfully tipped talents Emeli Sande and Daley take to Borderline for performances in HMV’s Next Big Thing live series of events. They’re followed swiftly by London producer/singer/artist Labrinth, who with a trio of versatile singles to date has been keeping his fans guessing as to what his debut album’s going to sound like. Perhaps his show at the Jazz Cafe on Saturday, Feb 10 will be a good chance to get a proper feel for it, as he plays a sold-out set alongside Stooshe and Tanya Lacey, who you can get to know here.

R&B lovers can reminisce over ’90s classics and newer material as SWV, Ginuwine, Dru Hill and Silk come together for a special London show at Hammersmith Apollo on February 12 [Buy Tickets]. The inevitably smooth show precedes the day itself, February 14, which sees independent Soul ‘Nice Guy’ Eric Roberson command the Jazz Cafe [sold out] whilst R&B crooner Joe drops in at the IndigO2 for a Valentine’s Special [Buy Tickets].

Keeping the soul moving, UK legend Omar returns to the Jazz Cafe on February 18 [Buy Tickets], and South London storyteller Speech Debelle follows suit on February 23 with the official launch party for her sophomore album, Freedom Of Speech, released through Big Dada [Buy Tickets].

For the Hip Hop heads, Alchemist and OhNo take over the Jazz Cafe for a night of Gangrene supporting their latest release, Vodka & Ayahuasca [Buy Tickets]. If you like yours with a poetic twist, Scroobius Pip at KOKO on February 27 might be for you [Buy Tickets].

Or perhaps some contemporary jazz with YolanDa Brown and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra at Hammersmith Apollo? [Feb 14/17]

Finally [for now], if you fancy some theatre and amusement: The Comedy Of Errors is a contemporary, comedic staging of Shakespeare starring Lenny Henry running at the National Theatre throughout February and March. Check the trailer below and buy tickets here.