The best gigs and concerts in January

Feeling uncomfortably stuffed and over-indulged? You and me both, my friend. While January is usually a pretty quiet month, made up of disgruntled mocktail making, purchasing gym membership you know you’ll never use and returning unwanted Christmas presents (sorry Mum), London’s gig scene is still ticking away in the background. Sure, it may not be as busy as usual, but there are still some absolute belters that are worth peeling yourself from the sofa and turning off The Traitors for. From rousing post-punk to headsy jazz and emo rap, there’s a show for whatever mood you’re in this Jan. 

Georgia curates Time Out’s music lists and makes it a priority to go to as many shows as physically possible. Because of this, she’s finally splashed out on some decent earplugs and accepted that she can no longer get in the pit like she used to.

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For the January blues-conquering mystics  

Mount Kimbie 

Having named Mount Kimbie’s song Empty and Silent (feat. King Krule) one of 2024’s finest, we can’t wait to it live than during the band’s residency at Phonox. The native Londoners have been at the forefront of alternative electronic music for well over a decade, constructing a back catalogue of seminal indie-rock-meets-electronic hits. We can’t think of a better way to drift through January than one of these all-night performances. 

Phonox, SW9 7AY. Fri Jan 10, 17, 24, 31, 10pm. From £20.

Floating Points

Sometimes, you just want to close your eyes, feel a rumbling bassline pulse through your body and watch kaleidoscopic club lights blur through your eyelids. It’s a kind of euphoria that can cure any woes, and precisely what you can expect from Floating Points’ January live dates. The British producer is bringing his brand of heady electronic jazz to HERE at Outernet for three nights (including one extra late performance), promising a transcendent experience that’ll make you forget all about life away from the dancefloor. 

HERE at Outernet, WC2H 8LH. Jan 22-24, 7.30pm. From £31.78. 

Tara Lily

If you’re looking for more soothing sounds to get you through the winter, here’s where you’ll find them. British Bengali singer Tara Lily studied jazz at the acclaimed Trinity Laban Conservatoire and has since channelled her classical training into creating music that taps into her personal heritage. Her electric stage shows blend modern jazz and Indian classical influences, resulting in a thoroughly refreshing and memorable live experience.  

The 100 Club, W1D 1LL. Tue Jan 14, 7.30pm. From £15.68. 

For the headbanging moshpit regulars 

The Jesus Lizard

Formed in 1987, The Jesus Lizard are legends of the American underground noise rock scene, known for their raw, guitar-heavy industrial sound and electrifying performances. They are recognised for pioneering a musical style called ‘pigfuck’ (for its filth and grittiness), and paved the way for post-hardcore groups like Sonic Youth. The group is back with a new album that carefully balances vocal bedlam with the signature grizzly instrumentals they’re so known for. 

Electric Ballroom, NW1 8QP. Sat Jan 11, 7pm. From £39.40.

Heavy Lungs at Duck and Dive Festival

Is there a better way to start 2025 than writhing around in a mosh pit? Heavy Lungs frontman Danny Nedelko certainly thinks not. Join the Bristol-based rock band as they headline Duck and Dive Festival at Signature Brew’s Haggerston tap room this month, alongside an equally loud line-up of new artists including Guardian-tipped punk foursome Loose Articles, noise-pop group Sick Joy and Ipswich rapper Native James. 

Signature Brew Haggerston, E8 4EA. Sat Jan 25 and Sun Jan 26, 1pm. From £21.83.

For the fresh sound seekers 

Master Peace

This month’s BOXPARK Black Card Session focuses on an underground artist who seems to be making headway in the Gen Z music world. Master Peace is an Ivor Award-winning performer with an idiosyncratic sound that blends Klaxtons-esque instrumentals with lyrical nods to Black artists, as exemplified in the 2016 single Dancing With A (nuva) Man where he channels his inner Skepta. This careful balance of nostalgia and newness has attracted an enthusiastic teenage fanbase who’ll probably be toting bag charms and fluffy boots while jumping about on the dancefloor. 

BOXPARK Camden, NW1 7BU. Fri Jan 17, 7pm. From £10.30.

Lambrini Girls

Brighton-based duo Phoebe Lunny (vocals/guitar) and Lilly Macieira (bass) have spent the last few years tearing up dancefloors across the UK with their politically astute blunt-force punk. Championing lyrics combining scathing social commentary with a prickly sense of humour, they’ve shared bills with icons like Iggy Pop and been compared to Bikini Kill. But by turning their attention to issues like transphobia and lad culture, they’ve propelled an old-school sound into the modern age with utter success. Definitely ones to watch out for in 2025.

Rough Trade East, E1 6QL. Tue Jan 14, 7pm. From £16.06.

Ebbb

This night at the Windmill comes as part of Independent Venue Week – so you can be smug about supporting your local venues while discovering exciting new music. One of our ones to watch in 2025, the group were described by us as, ‘heavenly, cavernous vocals meet rippling post-industrial electronica, Beach Boys sunshine soaring across murky, rumbling club music.’ Explore their world of gabber-meets-ambient pop (by way of folk?) at this rousing live show. 

The Windmill, SW2 5BZ. Thur Jan 30, 7.45pm. From £7.

For the hip-hop groovers

EarthGang

Atlanta-based American hip-hop duo EarthGang (made up of Olu and WowGr8) first made waves with their musical collective Spillage Village, which included the likes of JID and 6lack. Last year, the group released their first fully independent record PERFECT FANTASY. Taking inspiration from AI and its effects on modern life, the album is the final installment in the EARTHGANG vs. The Algorithm trilogy, and offers listeners a lengthy and diverse catalogue of reflections on the modern age. It’s sure to result in a chaotically good live show.

KOKO, NW1 7JE. Tue Jan 28, 7pm. From £35.50.

Mobb Deep

With their dark and blunt delivery, Mobb Deep are recognised as progenitors of hardcore East Coast hip hop,and popularised the 1990s slang ‘Dunn language’ that originated in the Queensbridge housing projects in New York. Originally a duo consisting of rappers, songwriters and producers Prodigy and Havoc, Mobb Deep has continued as a solo project since the former’s untimely death in 2017, with Havoc often performing classics from the 90s alongside new material he’s crafting with hip-hop super-producer The Alchemist. 

O2 Academy Islington, N1 0PS. Thur 16 Jan, 7pm. From £45.36.

For the emo sadbois 

GothBoiClique 

Sometimes, it’s necessary to embrace your emotions fully – and GothBoiClique provides the perfect outlet. Comprising of Lil Peep (who passed away in 2017), Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, Cold Hart, Døves, Fish Narc, Horse Head, JPDreamthu, Lil Tracy, Mackned and Yawns, the nine-member-strong emo collective has churned out brooding tunes to suit every mood, from country ballads to turn-up anthems and heart-wrenching croons. Now, for the first time since forming in 2012, all living members of the GothBoiClique will come together for just three worldwide gigs. Given the significance of their reunion, you can only expect this show to be an emotional rollercoaster. 

Troxy, E1 0HX. Fri Jan 31, 7pm. From £35.81.