Here’s some of the stuff we’re dying to see and hear between now and summer. For more on what's coming up in music and the art, check out our calendars of spring must-sees for visual arts, dance, theater and music from jazz to roots to classical.

Emeli Sande

Last year was a big one for the British pop-soul singer (right). Not only did her heavenly debut, Our Version of Events, top the charts back home, but her performance at the London Olympics made the world take note.  

Jan. 19, TLA.

The A’s: The Last Dance

This is it, the final performance by Philly rock/new-wave knights The A’s, who put out some memorable music — look up “C.I.A.” and “Teenage Jerk Off” — in the early ’80s.

Jan. 26, Underground Arts.

Kindred

Always a good time when neo-soul Black Lily alums Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon put on a show.

Jan. 30, World Café Live.

Cat Power

Poorness and illness caused Chan Marshall to cancel a European tour last year, but she recently declared herself healthy and wealthy enough to play again. We win. The Old World can suck it.

Jan. 30, Electric Factory.

Lumineers

Last year, the arcadian Denver folk-pop band rode their stellar self-titled debut to Johnny Brenda’s and the Electric Factory. After opening for Dave Matthews and scoring a couple Grammy noms, they’re marching back to headline the Tower.

Jan. 31, Tower.

Toro Y Moi

Geeky, cheeky chillwave star Chazwick Bundick (right) returns in support of his latest, Anything in Return. Everybody must dance in tight pants.

Feb. 11, Union Transfer.

Lindsey Stirling

A dubstep violinist. Yep: Dub. Step. Violinist.

Feb. 12, Trocadero.

Why? Will your sweetheart appreciate Valentine’s Day in a room full of sweaty, indie/hip-hop fans? Yeah? Could be a keeper.

Feb. 14, Union Transfer.

Desaparecidos  

Read Music/Speak Spanish is still the best thing Conor Oberst ever did. Here’s hoping Desaparecidos’ long-awaited follow-up, Mari-KKKopa/Backsell, is every bit as loud, mean and angry.

Feb. 23, Union Transfer.

Django Django

The Scottish electro-psych-pop rockers finally come around to support last year’s fun-as-hell eponymous debut. (No relation to Djangos Reinhart or Unchained.)

March 8, Union Transfer.

KMFDM

Doin’ it again. (Repeat 100 times.)

March 19, Trocadero.

They Might Be Giants

Nice to see that the Johns have rededicated themselves to making weirdly morbid and witty music for grownups. The new one, Nanobots, comes out in March.

April 5, TLA.

Lianne La Havas

The young British soul-folkie put out the criminally overlooked Is Your Love Big Enough? This is your chance to play catch-up.

April 7, World Café Live.

Jennifer Hudson

The Academy Award-winning Weight Watchers spokesmodel also sings sometimes, and she’s pretty good.

April 8, Susquehanna Bank Center.

Killing Joke

Voted Best Band Name to Carve into an Eighth-Grade Desk (1981-1987), Killing Joke returns to celebrate 35 years of Goth-rock drama.

April 21, Union Transfer.