What they share is a knack for atmosphere. Here's a closer look at each.
Candlelight Concerts: classical music, reimagined
Step into a Candlelight Concert and the first thing you'll notice is the setting - a church, a historic hall, or some other space you wouldn't normally associate with a gig, lit entirely by candlelight, with a string ensemble or quartet performing at the centre of it. It's a simple format, but one that's clearly struck a chord: the series now runs in well over 100 cities worldwide.
Programmes range from classical staples (Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven) to string arrangements of more contemporary artists - tributes to Coldplay, Queen, ABBA and Ed Sheeran are regulars. There's even a version aimed at parents wanting to introduce young children to live music.
Come the warmer months, the series moves outdoors for its Open Air programme, taking the same candlelit setup into gardens, courtyards and other open spaces. It's a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than the indoor shows, and a great option for anyone who'd like to make the most of the summer weather.
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DroneArt Shows: live music under a lit-up sky
DroneArt Shows take a similar idea and add a visual element: a live string quartet performs pieces like Vivaldi's The Four Seasons or Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, while hundreds of illuminated drones move in formation overhead, choreographed to the music in real time.
These tend to be staged at larger open-air venues such as racecourses, with doors opening a couple of hours before showtime so people can grab food and drink and watch the sunset before things get underway once it's properly dark. There are also themed editions tied to major franchises; a Harry Potter version has been touring as part of the film series' 25th anniversary, pairing over a thousand synchronised drones with the film scores and a live violinist. Live chamber music and a drone display isn't a pairing you'd expect, but it makes for a genuinely striking evening out - and very much a summer-only format, given it depends on clear skies after dark.
The Jazz Room: a low-key night of live music
The Jazz Room is the most laid-back of the three: an hour or so of live jazz, blues and soul in an intimate venue with a bit of character, rather than a standard music hall. In London, for instance, it's held at the Phoenix Arts Club, a small speakeasy-style spot tucked away in the West End.
The programme rotates between New Orleans-style "hot jazz" sets and tribute nights built around specific artists - Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Marvin Gaye have all featured. Seating is shared, drinks are available at the bar, and the band tends to lean into improvisation rather than sticking rigidly to a setlist. It's a relaxed, sociable evening - well suited to a date night or a catch-up with friends looking for a bit more atmosphere than a standard bar.
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Take a look
None of these are big, headline-grabbing nights out, and they don't need to be - the appeal is in the setting and the atmosphere rather than the scale. Each runs to around an hour, so they're easy to slot into an evening without taking it over. If you're after something a little different next time you're planning a night out, it's worth checking what's on near you.