Tigerfest 2008, Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, 14-18 May

Like public libraries and cinemas, a live music scene can enhance any town. But too often the only places to regularly hear original live music in Scotland are the culturally overfed conurbations. The starved provincials usually have to make do with ageing covers bands or whatever Britpop has-beens deign to visit the town hall (as a Fifer I speak from experience).

But Tigerfest aims to remedy this injustice for the citizens of Dunfermline at least, filling the month of May with gigs from Scotland's finest musical talent. The mid-month showcase weekend begins with three of the nation's up, coming up, and up and coming bands: our band of 2007 the Twilight Sad, 2008 contenders Frightened Rabbit, and Dunfy's own Dirty Summer (15 May). Next up is Teenage Fanclub singer Norman Blake performing with a string quartet (16 May), before headliners and perennial favourites Idlewild rock the Carnegie Hall (17 May). This weighty weekend is topped off with a rare chance to hear ex-Josef K legend Paul Haig solo (May 18).

There are many more gigs planned, with the event spreading out across Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow and featuring performances by local Skinny favourites Ballboy and Popup, as well as psychedelic heavyweights Caribou and Vetiver. Check the Tigerfest website for more info on this particularly tasty run of events taking place throughout Scotland this May. In the meantime, and all you Edinburgh urbanites have no excuse not to check out the kingdom's culture: remember, the Forth Road Bridge is toll free now.