Duty Free @ Cabaret Voltaire, July

For the culture-hungry of Edinburgh, the month of August can and will leave a damaging effect on wallets and purses. So many shows to see, so much alcohol to consume, so much gourmet fast food to devour. Which makes Duty Free's series of – yes, you guessed it – free gigs in July all the more timely. And instead of the parochial, friends-and-family open mic affairs that one associates with tariff-less nights, these gigs have a glint of quality about them. Take, for instance, the night of 17 Jul: a trio of some of Scotland's most interesting new music, with lusty electro-punks Fangs, romantic synth poets Swimmer One and the darkly alluring Sellotape. The following week's line-up of The Kays Lavelle, Meursault, Barn Owl and Ross Clark is equally unmissable. And it's not just home-grown talent on offer. On 3 Jul, the Washington DC music scene relocates to Edinburgh, with Dylan disciple Vandaveer and These United States, a loose-knit indie-folk collective with an excellent debut album, leading the charge. That's just a snapshot of the full programme, so save your tenners for the Fringe and discover your new favourite band at Cabaret Voltaire in July. [Nick Mitchell]