Hotels for Elmiene

Elmiene's soul-inflected songwriting draws on gospel, jazz and old-school R&B, built around a voice that can drop to a whisper or open into full-throated conviction. A Tuesday evening slot in December gives the show a wintry, low-lit feel, the sort of gig suited to hushed listening rather than shouting along.

Expect a set drawn from his tender, romantic songbook, delivered with the kind of warmth that turns a weeknight into something worth dressing up for. Horns and backing vocalists often thicken the sound live, giving the recordings extra muscle on stage.

A beautifully preserved art-deco theatre in Hammersmith, the Eventim Apollo is one of London's best-loved mid-size music venues, hosting touring bands, comedy and one-off gigs. The surrounding west London district blends riverside pubs along the Thames with the bustle of the Broadway's shops and cafés.

Hammersmith station, served by the District, Piccadilly and other lines, sits almost opposite the entrance. Booking a room nearby means you can spill out after the show straight into the neighbourhood's late bars and easy transport.