{"id":672553,"date":"2026-01-04T04:12:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T04:12:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/672553\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T04:12:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T04:12:43","slug":"dijon-mariah-the-scientist-soulwax-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/672553\/","title":{"rendered":"Dijon, Mariah the Scientist, Soulwax and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

January in London can be grim: wallets are empty, the weather\u2019s miserable, and everyone\u2019s pretending they care about collagen smoothies, creatine and wellness fads. But if there\u2019s one thing that can drag you through this dreary month, it\u2019s live music.<\/p>\n

Goth legends wailing in black, messy DIY post-punk ragers and R&B shows that\u2019ll make you float like you\u2019ve had one too many espresso martinis: there\u2019s more than enough variety to make up for the post-sales blues. Wrap up, head out and lose yourself in the sweaty, joyous blur of London\u2019s live scene this month.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Georgia is\u00a0a freelance contributor to Time Out\u2019s music section. To survive the post-Christmas comedown, she\u2019s rewatching The Dark Knight trilogy and practicing her mediocre DJing so she can one day join Nikki Nair at his Phonox residency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RECOMMENDED:
<\/strong>\ud83c\udfb5 The best albums of 2025<\/a>.
<\/strong>\ud83c\udfb6 The best songs of 2025<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best gigs, concerts and live music in London in January 2026<\/strong>
\n\"Dijon\"
\nPhotograph: Courtesy of the artist <\/p>\n

1. Dijon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dijon\u2019s sophomore album Baby was consistently among the top performers in 2025 end-of-year lists. Inspired by the singer\u2019s fatherhood journey, the record is a half-confessional, half-experimental blur of indie, folk, soul and pop. Dijon\u2019s most impressive moments are also his softest; critics have frequently praised his live shows for being transcendent with peaceful sing-alongs and unexpected instrumental arrangements that\u2019ll have you floored.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Good for: <\/strong>Moustachioed men with little beanies and Mubu tote bags.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>Thu January 22 and Fri January 23, 7pm<\/p>\n

Venue: <\/strong>O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 9SL<\/p>\n

Tickets: <\/strong>Buy now<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Mariah
\nPhotograph: Stephany Davis <\/p>\n

2. Mariah the Scientist<\/strong><\/p>\n

The US singer will hit another peak this month with a hugely in-demand Brixton show. Her emotionally open, whisper-close R&B has made Mariah one of the most talked-about voices in contemporary soul. While it\u2019s tricky not to imagine her heartfelt lyrics being directed at her longtime boyfriend, Young Thug, her to-the-point documenting of relationships has an undeniable warmth that keeps you hanging onto every line.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Good for: <\/strong>Empaths looking for any excuse to cry in public.<\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>Sat January 17, 7pm<\/p>\n

Venue: <\/strong>O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 9SL<\/p>\n

Tickets: <\/strong>Buy now<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Soulwax\"
\nPhotograph: Nadine Fraczkowski <\/p>\n

3. Soulwax<\/strong><\/p>\n

Belgian electronic rockers Soulwax aren\u2019t so much DJs as instigators of controlled explosions. Their shows are raucous affairs that combine live drums, snarling synthesisers and relentless basslines that\u00a0blast your senses like a rave in a pressure chamber. Sweaty movement and zero let-up are on the agenda for this night at Brixton.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Good for: <\/strong>Dancefloor loyalists who remember peak Cobrasnake.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>Thu January 15, 7pm<\/p>\n

Venue: <\/strong>O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 9SL<\/p>\n

Tickets: <\/strong>Buy now<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The
\nPhotograph: Steve Gullick <\/p>\n

3. The Cribs<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the title of the Cribs\u2019 new album Selling A Vibe feels eye-rollingly millennial, the band have still got their discordant indie edge. Watching this band in a small room is a real gift, a rare up-close encounter with one of the UK\u2019s most enduring indie\u00a0acts\u00a0\u2013 and that\u2019s exactly what\u2019s on offer at their\u00a0 Rough Trade show this month. offers. Shout-along hooks and sweaty dancefloor pogoing will be in abundance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Good for: <\/strong>Leyton-dwelling indie lifers.<\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>Fri January 9, 4pm<\/p>\n

Venue: <\/strong>Rough Trade East, E1 6QL<\/p>\n

Tickets: <\/strong>Buy now<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Superheaven\"
\nPhotograph: Vincent Guglielmo <\/p>\n

4. Superheaven<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last year Superheaven returned\u00a0from a nine-year hiatus, picking up right where they left off\u00a0with their signature\u00a0blend of grunge and shoegaze. The Pennsylvania band is perfectly suited for alt-rock TikTok fandom with big riffs, heavy choruses and emotionally sincere songwriting. The spiritual despair of tracks like \u2018Long Gone\u2019 from the new self-titled album will provide a cathartic outlet for all your January woes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Good for: <\/strong>Loud-guitar loyalists in battered band T-shirts.<\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>Fri January 16, 7pm<\/p>\n

Venue: <\/strong>O2 Forum Kentish Town, NW5 1JY<\/p>\n

Tickets: <\/strong>Buy now<\/a><\/p>\n

\"PVA\"
\nPhotograph: Tatiana Gorilovsky <\/p>\n

5. PVA<\/strong><\/p>\n

PVA are dialling down the band\u2019s usual thumping post-punk beats for a stripped-back performance and signing session that will put their sharp songwriting front and centre. Their Rough Trade show is a chance to hear every nuance behind the noise and snag a signed record while you\u2019re at it. Listen out for hits like \u2018Untethered\u2019 and \u2018Talks\u2019 reimagined in a barer setting.<\/p>\n

Good for: <\/strong>South London music nerds with a Quietus subscription.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>Wed January 28, 7pm<\/p>\n

Venue: <\/strong>Rough Trade East, E1 6QL<\/p>\n

Tickets: <\/strong>Buy now<\/a><\/p>\n

\"TTSSFU\"
\nPhotograph: Henry Collier <\/p>\n

6.\u00a0TTSSFU<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tied into Independent Venue Week, this Brixton show will proudly show off why places like the Windmill matter so much. Tasmin Stephens\u2019 TTSSFU blends eerie, shoegaze-tinged textures with punchy post-punk energy, all of which is sure to melt the walls of the intimate 150-capacity room.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Good for: <\/strong>Messy rock chicks and DIY indie devotees.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>Wed January 28, 7.45pm<\/p>\n

Venue: <\/strong>Windmill Brixton, SW2 5BZ<\/p>\n

Tickets: <\/strong>Buy now<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sassy
\nPhotograph: Brydon Browley <\/p>\n

7. Sassy 009<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dreamy, slightly off-kilter electronic pop will take centre stage as Norwegian electronic artist Sassy 009 hosts a friends-led night at Next Door Records Two. Her effortlessly cool art-pop image makes her look just like\u00a0one of the many Stoke Newington residents you\u2019ll\u00a0no doubt join at the venue. Whether you\u2019re new to Sassy or a fan since her Soundcloud days, this show will leave you with a floating feeling that\u2019ll last well into the\u00a0next morning.<\/p>\n

Good for: <\/strong>Underground music heads searching for the next Scandi pop moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>Thu January 15, 7pm<\/p>\n

Venue: <\/strong>Next Door Records Two, N16 7UY<\/p>\n

Tickets: <\/strong>Buy now<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Saint
\nPhotograph: Courtesy of the artist <\/p>\n

9. Saint Jude<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bad Vibrations\u2019 annual new-talent showcase is a reliable glance at who\u2019s on the rise in the year ahead, and Saint Jude\u2019s night\u00a0is\u00a0one of those early tip-offs. The Forest Hill musician leans into airy production and sun-faded breaks (as you\u2019ll hear on his debut album Signal), the kind of music that might briefly trick you into forgetting it\u2019s January.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Good for: <\/strong>Anyone who fancies a free night of new music discovery.<\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>Fri January 9, 6pm.<\/p>\n

Venue: <\/strong>Moth Club, E9 6NU<\/p>\n

Tickets: <\/strong>Book now<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Nikki
\nPhotograph: Courtesy of the artist <\/p>\n

10. Nikki Nair + special guests<\/strong><\/p>\n

Less gig, more dancefloor workout, DJ and producer Nikki Nair opens the year at Phonox with a club residency pulling out bass, breaks, electroclash and anything else that gets people moving. On Jan 9 he\u2019ll combine with electronic pop starlet Yun\u00e9 Pinku. Her wistful sophisti-house alt-pop is sure to collide with his frantic electrocalsh energy in a truly unique way. Talk about starting 2026 on a high.<\/p>\n

Good for: <\/strong>Club kids with endless stamina.<\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>Fri January 9, 10pm<\/p>\n

Venue: <\/strong>Phonox, SW9 7AY<\/p>\n

Tickets: <\/strong>Buy now<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Hillary
\nPhotograph: Lauren Dunn <\/p>\n

Big artist gig tickets available on resale<\/p>\n