Our Top 5s for the Edinburgh Festivals

MUSIC

1. Doogie Paul Memorial Concert
8 Aug, The Assembly Rooms, 9pm, £18

Some of the finest minds in contemporary Scottish music celebrate the life of bass player Doogie Paul, who succumbed to cancer last year. Post-rock titans Mogwai headline alongside Doogie’s friend and former Athletes bandmate James Yorkston, plus King Creosote, Alasdair Roberts and crime author Ian Rankin, amongst others.

2. Swans
13 Aug, The Liquid Room, 7pm, £22

Come down from a day of Fringe hilarity by, umm… plumbing the depths of human despair with Michael Gira’s post-punk margin walkers, Swans. Although last summer’s formidable two-hour piece The Seer is barely in the rear view, Gira’s men have been debuting work in progress on recent dates. Expect catharsis. Expect to shit the bed.

3. Songs in the Key of Fife
25 Aug, The Guardian Spiegeltent, 9pm, Free

Veteran broadcaster Vic Galloway presents an evening of music and discussion centring around his debut book – an insightful document from the frontlines on the much-missed Beta Band’s rise and fall, the Fence collective’s steady trajectory and a still-burgeoning community of DIY musicians hailing from Fife’s East Neuk.

4. The Twilight Sad
21 Aug (rescheduled for 14 Dec), The Liquid Room, 7pm, £12.50

Following a successful run of acoustic shows, the Kilsyth trio return fully amped to win hearts and perforate eardrums with their spellbinding Scottish Album of the Year nominated LP. “This will be the last show of the No One Can Ever Know era before we disappear to record our new album,” frontman James Graham tells us. Unmissable, then.

5. Roddy Woomble
7 Aug, The Assembly Rooms, 9.30pm, £14

Will Idlewild ever return from hiatus? While you’re left pondering one of the great mysteries of the universe, seize this opportunity to catch the local institution’s frontman Woomble, who’ll deliver selections from his recently released third solo LP, Listen to Keep, a series of sedate, latter day folk hymns. [Dave Kerr]

Books

1. Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series
10-26 Aug, Peppers Theatre, 5.30pm, Free

Every day at the Book Fest Amnesty International explore the plight of imprisoned writers from around the globe. Featuring readings and discussions from a variety of contemporary voices, this series aims to spread awareness of marginalised authors and show how we can help. Go get informed.

2. Jura Unbound
10-26 Aug, The Guardian Spiegeltent, 9pm, Free

Drop in, have a beer, grab some culture – the more free-form alternative to the main book festival, Jura Unbound features a mix of music and readings in the cosy Spiegeltent setting. Grab a copy of our Jura Unbound supplement, via various stands on-site, and check out what's on.

3. Iain Macwhirter
15 Aug, Scottish Power Studio Theatre, 5pm, £10 (£8)

Accompanying the TV series book, political journalist Iain Macwhirter's talk is part of the 'Scotland's Choice' strand. Whatever your opinion on next year's referendum, this event looking at the key moments leading to the independence crossroads will make sure you're making an informed decision when the time comes.

4. Partick Flanery + Philipp Meyer
10 Aug, Peppers Theatre, 6.45pm, £10 (£8)

Two exciting up-and-coming novelists take to Edinburgh, offering their sophomore efforts on the dark side of the American dream. Meyer in particular has been singled out for praise in many quarters, with his new book, The Son, set to establish him as one of the most important new contemporary voices in American fiction.

5. Joe Sacco + Chris Ware
14 Aug, Scottish Power Studio Theatre, 7pm, £10 (£8)

As part of the 'Stripped' strand, a duo of the most innovative and ground-breaking graphic novelists in conversation. Sacco, known for his politically engaged, yet beautiful narratives, and Ware, the technically ambitious observer of unnoticed lives. This one is a must-see, and not just because we're sponsoring it. [Ryan Rushton]

Theatre

1. Metamorphosis
10-12 Aug, King's Theatre, Various times, From £12

A play adapted from Kafka’s original work about a man who, one day, wakes to find he has been transformed into a large insect. This adaptation makes for an exhilarating multidisciplinary one-man show, weaving together the flair and beauty of the Far East with the anxiety of Kafka’s narrative.

2. Psycho
1-13 Aug, The Counting House, 10.15pm, Free

Described as “fantastic, like a kind of dark, dirty, louche angel” by Martyn Jaques of the Tiger Lillies, cabaret singer and comic Dusty Limits is back. A performer like no other – a pioneer even – Dusty’s is not a show to miss, especially as it is part of the Free Fringe.

3. Motherland
19-23 Aug, Summerhall, Various times, £12 (£10)

A direct attack on society’s hypocrisies, Vincent Dance Theatre’s latest show negotiates the troublesome issue of gender politics through live music, dance and theatre. Victim blaming, slut shaming, boob jobs, Botox and motherhood are just a few of the issues tackled by this funny yet thought-provoking piece.

4. Fight Night
1-25 Aug, Traverse, Various times, £19 (£14)

Ontroerend Goed, multiple Fringe First winners, along with Australia’s The Border Project return to the Traverse an ambitious new piece. Set up as five rounds, with five performers, and one survivor, it reflects the traps of voting systems that seem inherently democratic and ‘fair.’

5. L’Après-midi d’Un Foehn
2-25 Aug (not 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 22), Summerhall, 2pm/7pm, £10 (£7)

Colourful plastic bags, Debussy and air currents. This inspired dance piece offers up an ethereal performance, with plastic bags featuring as ‘dancers.’ Defying gravity, and beautiful in its simplicity, this is Company Non Nova’s UK debut, and is definitely worth catching. [Eric Karoulla]

Comedy

1. The Malcolm Hardee Comedy Awards Show
23 Aug, The Counting House, 11pm, Free

Increasingly prestigious, and increasingly a beacon for the truly alternative, the Hardee Awards are presented during a two-hour variety show that brings together the most bizarre and brilliant acts in town. If you're looking for the Spirit of the Fringe, it's right here. And it's free.

2. The Wrestling II
13 Aug, Pleasance Courtyard, 11pm, £15

A one-night only blend of genuine wrestling, top comedians and utter chaos, the 2011 incarnation of this show scooped the Panel Prize at the comedy awards in recognition of its hilarious insanity, and this outing promises another evening of big names and horrifying injuries. There may be blood.

3. Scotland's Pick of the Fringe
31 Jul-25 Aug (not 12, 19), The Beehive Inn, 9pm, £5 (£4)

Grassmarket haven The Beehive Inn is once again hosting the Scottish Comedy Festival, bringing together some of the best homegrown talent in one location. It's another great line-up this year, but if you want to get a flavour of what's on offer you could do worse than checking out this nightly showcase.

4. Baconface: It's All Bacon!
3-25 Aug (not 12), The Stand Comedy Club II, 1.20pm, £5

The legendary 80s hero of Canadian comedy is back, but who is really hiding behind the Mexican wrestling bacon mask? Could it actually be a well-known British comic doing a character act? Baconface's identity is pretty much the worst-kept secret in Edinburgh, but come see for yourself.

5. A Young Man Dressed As A Gorilla... 5
12 Aug, The Voodoo Rooms, 6.45pm, Free

Perhaps the longest title ever – full mouthful: A Young Man Dressed As A Gorilla Dressed As An Old Man Sits Rocking In A Rocking Chair For Fifty-Six Minutes And Then Leaves... Part 5 – yet also completely accurate. Whether it's comedy, theatre, performance art or a desperate cry for help, this cult classic is the stuff of Fringe legend. [Bernard O'Leary]

Art

1. Rachel Maclean: I Heart Scotland
2 Aug-7 Sep, Edinburgh Printmakers, Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm, Free

Skinny favourite and winner of this year’s Margaret Tait Award, Rachel Maclean’s hilarious exploration of Scottish identity cuts close to the bone in this solo show of digital prints. Expect fairy princess Celtic and Rangers dresses, a Foxy John Knox and a sticky fate for the Commonwealth Games' Mascot.

2. Gregor Schneider: Süßer Duft Edinburgh 2013
2-31 Aug, Summerhall, Mon-Sun, 1pm-6pm, Free

Since 1985 Gregor Schneider has created disturbing environments based on his childhood home in Germany – dank, wretched holes suggesting the nefarious deeds of ghouls like Fred West. His major new installation work in Summerhall’s basement promises a controversial statement about racism and slavery.

3. The Complaints Choir of Edinburgh
1 Aug-1 Sep, Times and locations tbc, Free

A unique idea, The Complaints Choir invites residents to share their complaints and sing them aloud. Finnish artists Tellervo Kalleinen and Oliver Kochta Kalleinen have taken the project all over the world, and the premiere of their video installation situates the gripes of Edinburgers alongside those of Singaporeans and Helsinkians.

4. Jeremy Deller + Alan Kane
3 Aug-15 Sep, Jupiter Artland, Thu-Sun 10am-5pm, £8.50 (£4.50)

Fresh from representing Britain at the Venice Biennale, Jeremy Deller teams up with long-time collaborator Alan Kane in a show at expansive sculptural installation park, Jupiter Artland, featuring a Steam Powered Internet Machine and one of Deller’s beloved steel drum bands. Free shuttlebus leaves from the EAF kiosk on George Street.

5. Game Changer
1 Aug-1 Sep, Meadowbank Sports Centre, Mon-Sun 10am-8pm, Free

Rachel Adams, Jacob Dahlgren, Nilbar Güres and Haroon Mirza explore materials, physicality and body image in the context of the sporting arena. Held in Meadowbank, an athletics venue of the 1970 and 1986 Commonwealth Games, this is the first in a series of Collective Offsite shows placing art in sporting venues. [Jac Mantle]