Love is in the air this month, and what better way to show it than with a benefit concert? The Red Cross’s third annual Beats Not Bullets show, unfolding over February 12 and 13 at Broken City, will feature such acts as The Neckers, Axis of Conversation, Nushi, Beija Flor, Reuben Bolluck, Fox Opera, The Grim Beat, Ghostkeeper, Hunter Gatherer and Edmonton’s Michael Rault. As part of the Canadian Red Cross’s Humanitarian Issues Program (with its highly appropriate acronym, HIP), all proceeds from Beats Not Bullets will go towards children affected by civil war in Liberia. Artist co-ordinator Shahrazad Fazzi has been involved in the project for the last two years, with the goal of bringing awareness to a more youthful audience. This year’s event, a stacked double bill at a popular bar, seems set to do just that.

“I hope people take away a sense of empowerment — that they can affect positive change in their community,” says Fazzi. “There is no reason why the youth demographic cannot become more engaged at a grassroots level in issues that they care about. This doesn't have to be limited to a global issue.”

There’s no question that the cause is worth the $20 ticket ($35 for both nights). According to Owen Edwards of second-time Beats Not Bullets participant Hunter Gatherer, the artists lined up for both nights will make it worth your time, as well.

“I think it’s a great thing,” says Edwards. “We’ve never really been involved with bands like Beija Flor enough to play a lot of shows, so it’s cool that we’re able to get these local bands together. I think people are going to have a good time, and they’re going to be exposed to a lot of great local bands.”

This month will also see new releases from on-the-rise power poppers The Fast Romantics, local legend Lorrie Matheson and experimental prog-pop band Ahnabith Gish. The Cripple Creek Fairies are daringly debuting not one, but two new albums simultaneously this month (see “CCF aces space race,” this issue), with a show at The Stetson on February 13 to celebrate. The Fairies show also marks the debut of Black Dirt of the West, fronted by Agriculture Club’s Rick Overwater. Overwater promises a little rougher presentation than his more country-oriented band The Culls, citing Motorhead, Social Distortion and Scandinavian rock as major reference points.

If one hot new band isn’t enough for you, Ahnabith Gish will help celebrate the release of their stripped-down three-song EP at the Underground with the debut of dirty post-punk four-piece Mount Analogue, featuring members of Gish and the fondly recalled Sudden Infant Dance Syndrome. Influences include Nick Cave’s avant-garde punk rock project The Birthday Party and the metallic dissonance of The Pop Group. The creaky indie-rock of Matt Gigg & the Intellectuals will also be in the air that night.