CREDIT: SONY MUSIC
Young Empires are just one of the bands performing in London this month

I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. It’s a tough time of year; the days are slowly getting longer, but it’s hard to get excited about that when you’re getting up early for classes, or not leaving campus until long after dark.

I get it. Second semester is way tougher than the first. All the more reason why Study Week shines like a beacon on a cold, grey day; it’s the gift of time, right when it means the most. And whether you intend to use the time to catch up on work or would prefer not to even look at a computer for one straight week, it’s up to you to make the most of it.

Submitted for your consideration, here are a couple of tips on some highly anticipated shows on their way to London before the month is out. If what you need is a night of great music and misadventure downtown, make a plan to start here.

This week, head to Call the Office to catch Toronto’s Operators in concert with Little Scream from Montréal. The pair of acts visit on Friday, Feb. 19, part of a brief series of shows in Ontario and Québec before they individually take on the U.S. in the spring. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the show and doors open at 9 p.m.

In the case of Operators, the latest project by prolific indie–rock keener Dan Boeckner, the tour is ramping up momentum for their coming album Blue Wave, due for release on April 1 on Last Gang Records. The lead single “Cold Light” was released in January and offers the first glimpse into the new record, which sees the roster expand to include multi–instrumentalist Devojka and drummer Sam Brown of Divine Fits.

“I can’t wait to play this stuff for people,” Boeckner said in a recent phone interview, referring to the coming record. He hinted of a better- than-good chance the band will be playing new material from Blue Wave on Friday. “When you’re live, it’s completely different. You’re in the moment, and to me that is where the songs are finally born,.”

Boeckner has a long history with London and Call the Office, which he calls an institution in the city. “It’s a classic punk rock venue, I like it,” he said, reminiscing over gigs he’s played in with numerous bands over the years. “It’s also a point of entry into Canada for a lot of international bands, too, I don’t think there are a lot of venues that can brag of that, it’s pretty cool.”

Equally excited to return to the city are Toronto’s Young Empires, who perform here on Sunday, Feb. 28 at Rum Runners with Banners and Blajk, one of those rare occasions on which the lineup is as exciting as they are buzzworthy. Tickets are $15 from Ticketmaster and doors open at 8 p.m.

For Young Empires, the core trio of frontman Matt Vlahovich, drummer Taylor Hill and bassist Jake Palahnuk, recently expanded to tour as a five-piece band. The gig marks their first appearance in London since performing at Rock the Park this past summer. They rounded out the year on tour with Dragonette and have been preparing to return to the road in 2016.

In fact, the group has hardly rested since releasing The Gates on Pirates Blend Records in September; their debut full-length album includes their latest radio single “Uncover Your Eyes”, with highlights “So Cruel” and “Sunshine”. It was surely a big catalyst in earning them a nomination for Breakthrough Group of the Year at the upcoming JUNO Awards in Calgary this April.

Their show at Rum Runners, according to Vlahovich, is one the band is looking forward to playing.

“We’ve been to London a few times, but I think this will be our first headlining show,” he said in a recent phone interview. “It was so long between releases that part of our goal for this record was to re-engage our fans and introduce the new sound that we’re exploring. The response has been really positive.”

“We try to enjoy ourselves on stage,” he continued. “Music careers are short nowadays, you might as well have fun while you’re playing live, you’ll get the crowd to have fun.”

For more on Operators and their coming record Blue Wave, visit operatorsmusic.com or follow @operators_band on Twitter. The trio tour deep into the U.S. to support the release of their new record in April, watch for them to make a big statement this summer.

Keep your eyes on Young Empires while you’re at it. Visit them online at youngempires.com or follow @youngempires on Twitter and Instagram as they unveil their plans for the summer and beyond.

And for more of the latest music news, album streams and gigs coming to London, add @fsu_bobbyisms to your Twitter timeline. Support local music. I’m out of words.