The Lena Jonsson Trio play Aces & Eights on May 4  [Klara G]

FOR those who like to immerse themselves in a musical genre or theme, there are plenty of suitably curated festivals coming up. First, is Kings Place Folk Weekend (April 21-23) showcasing innovative musicians changing perceptions about instrumental music in the contemporary folk scene. Highlights include: BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winners Ímar, who share a background in Irish music and open the weekend; Lauded folk trio Leveret, featuring three of England’s finest folk musicians Andy Cutting, Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron, celebrating 10 years together; Bellowhead’s Sam Sweeney joins forces with Louis Campbell for the first time as a duo; and award-winning Piper Brìghde Chaimbeul, musician and composer Ross Ainslie, and Irish guitarist / drummer Steven Byrnes, who team up for an innovative instrumental collaboration showcasing Scottish smallpipes. See the full line-up at: www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/folk-weekend/

• If you like your beats with a Latin vibe, La Linea’s London Latin Music Festival returns to venues across London with a simmering line-up including: Susana Baca, queen of Afro-Peruvian sounds, Jazz Café (April 21); British Columbian 13-piece Mestizo, Village Underground (April 22); Uruguayan musician, actor, doctor and seven-time Latin Grammy award-winner Jorge Drexler, Barbican (May 1) plus many more. See full line-up at www.comono.co.uk/la-linea/

• Roundhouse’s In The Round festival, known for creating unique moments in the round, continues this week with The Magic’s fusion of jazz hip-hop and R&B (April 21); Stormzy’s Merk Books literature festival (April 21-22); thrilling duelling acoustic guitars from Rodrigo Y Gabriela and support from former Roundhouse resident artist Chisara Agor (April 24); Sound & Solidarity’s collective music listening session, while the festival ends on April 25 with Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour with support from Katherine Priddy.

• And if you like your rock with a bit of sludge and doom, Desertfest takes over Camden’s venues – Roundhouse / Dingwalls / Electric Ballroom / The Underworld / The Black Heart / The Devonshire Arms for three days (May 5-7) featuring the usual collection of spooky named bands including Bloodswamp, Gandalf the Green, Celestial Sanctuary, Death Chant, Church of the Cosmic Skull, Trevor’s Head and Boris.

• Record Store day rolls around so quickly. Look up your favourite artists and record shops for exclusive in-stores and special releases on Saturday (April 22).

• Award-winning folk trio Lena Jonsson Trio play Tufnell Park’s Aces & Eights on May 4. Lena is one of Scandinavia’s most influential fiddlers, combining traditional folk music with rock, pop, jazz and bluegrass. Guitarist Erik Ronström and bassist Krydda Sundström complete the trio.

• Rapper and producer Skepta’s second record label Más Tiempo – focusing on house music – launches at Koko on April 30 featuring performances from Jammer, Benji B and DJ Maximum. Also coming up at Koko – Pete Tong headlines on April 21 with William Djoko, Silvie Loto and ABEL.

• Irish musician Hozier plays Electric Ballroom on April 25; Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes plays a solo set at the venue on April 29 with support from LoneLady followed by Steve Mason + Honeymoan + Wax-Tree-Cast on May 4.

• After releasing The Night Safari EP, his first full body of work in a decade, cult musician Patrick Wolf is well and truly back and plays Lafayette on April 24. Aussie surf-rockers Hockey Dad also play Lafayette on April 28.

• More upcoming gigs: April 21 – Push, The Forge; Pokey La Farge + Sam Shackleton, Islington Assembly Hall; The Damned, Ally Pally; April 22 – Sean McGowan, Camden Assembly; Monday Michiru, The Forge; Old Spot, Aces & Eights; Izo FitzRoy, Jazz Café; April 23 – sanah, Koko; Spear of Destiny, Water Rats; April 24 – Smino, Koko; Holiday Ghosts + Supe + Hancuff, Lexington; Marcus Bonfanti & The Delta Duo, Green Note; April 24-25 – Zach Bryan, Islington Assembly Hall; April 25 – Bella Gaffney and Dan Webster, The Harrison; Natalie Bergman, Lafayette; April 25-26 – Havoc (Mobb Deep), Jazz Café; April 26 – Seafret, Koko; Deadletter, Lafayette; Bluey (from Incognito) & friends – Amp Up The Night ft Max Beesley Gilles Peterson + more, The Forge; April 27 – Emicida, Barbican; Cardinal Black, Islington Assembly Hall; Picture This, Koko; Foxhaunt, The Finsbury; April 27 – Billy Nomates + RVG, The Forum; April 28 – Aldous Harding + H Hawkline, Barbican; Yahael Camara Onono, Milton Court Concert Hall; April 28-29 – Michelle David & The True-Tones, The Forge; Jocelyn Brown, Jazz Café; Thank Frank It’s Friday, Kentish Town Stores; April 29 – Camden Rocks All Dayer – Camden Assembly; A Certain Ratio, The Garage; Hishek Bishek, The Garage; Mamas Gun, Islington Assembly Hall; Jack Blackman, The Harrison; The Lottery Winners + Pet Needs, Lafayette; Aldous Harding + Alice Low, Barbican; April 30 – Kinky Trade, Egg LDN; Etana, Islington Assembly Hall; Os Quatro E Meia, Jazz Café; Tokimonsta, Jazz Café; May 1 – Ajebo Hustlers, Jazz Café; Henry Moodie, Lafayette; Eliane Correa & La Evolucion, Jazz Café; May 2 – Petite Noir, Scala; May 3 – Barry Can’t Swim, Islington Assembly Hall; Teleman, Koko; Judith Hill, Jazz Cafe; Nuria Graham, St Pancras Old Church; May 4 – James Vickery, Islington Assembly Hall; Cub Sport, Lafayette; Acantha Lang, The Forge; Lankum, Barbican.