Main image: British Sea Power
At last! Cold, quiet and poor January is behind us and February is packed with gigs to perk us up. There are some big name shows already sold out this month, including Reading hometown heroes The Amazons at the Hexagon and indie pop legends The Wombats at Sub89. They’re so popular, it seems like everyone in Reading will be out seeing gigs this month!
If you weren’t lucky enough to bag tickets to these shows, fear not! There is no shortage of equally great bands to see this month. Check out our picks of the gigs to watch in Reading in February below, including Inheaven, British Sea Power and Ed Lofstedt.
Inheaven
Alt-rock fourpiece Inheaven have played Reading a ton of times in the past, but this will be their first show back since releasing their highly acclaimed debut album INHEAVEN. That album featured their unique take on shoegaze guitars, alt-rock anthems and political lyricism. The band’s first single ‘Regeneration’ is already seen as a landmark moment of their shows. It never fails to kick off.
Inheaven play Face Bar, Tuesday 6 February, £9, book online
BBC Introducing: Honey Lung
Sluggy guitars and a driving rhythm section are what draw you into Honey Lung’s world. Blowing audiences away with their intense live shows, this is already looking to be one of the best BBC Introducing shows this year! They are also joined by Flashfires.
Honey Lung play Purple Turtle, Wednesday 7 February, free entry.
British Sea Power
Indie rock legends, British Sea Power, mark their 18th year as a band with a new UK tour, heading to Sub89 this month as one of the stops. Critics liken their sound to Arcade Fire, Joy Division and the Pixies – this is a band who truly know how to wow a crowd.
British Sea Power play Sub89, Monday 12 February, £17.60, book online.
Ed Lofstedt
This month’s Club Velocity highlight comes from the folk musings of Bristol-based Ed Lofstedt. With brilliant lyricism and words that’ll captivate the listener, this is sure to a special show in such an intimate venue. If you like singer-songwriters, don’t miss this show. Ed is joined by Seasons of Shorthand and Ocean Ruins.
Ed Lofstedt plays Rising Sun Arts Centre, Friday 23 February, £5.50, book online.
BBC Introducing: Sam Handy
The second BBC Introducing show on our list is from local artist, Sam Handy. Sam fuses stunning guitar work with his incredible song writing abilities. Be ready to be stunned into silence because Sam is one of the most exciting rising stars in the area. Support comes from Mosaic.
Sam Handy plays Purple Turtle on Wednesday 28 February, free entry.

I love to write about the bands I'm listening to, and the gigs that I'm attending in Reading. I'm a proud champion of the local Reading music scene, and am always looking for new acts to see live. Aside from writing about local music, I am also the co-founder of Reading based record label, Porterbrook Records.