Gilles Peterson & Livesciences, Glenfiddich Independent Mix, Cabaret Voltaire, Mar 2

The Glenfiddich Independent Mix is a monthly session started at Cargo in London. Radio 1FM DJ Gilles Peterson picks acts for the gigs from demos sent to his show – and over the past few years they have featured many outstanding talents and unique acts, both from the UK and worldwide. The Glenfiddich Independent Mix has been running for a year now in Edinburgh, and with the help of the Trouble boys, we have already seen some top hip-hop, funk, soul and urban acts grace the stage. Showcasing the likes of Alice Russell and Dirty Diggers alongside local heroes like Great Ezcape and Penpushers has been the recipe for success at this Thursday night session so far – but the best is yet to come.

Cabaret Voltaire, in collaboration with Radio 1FM and Glenfiddich Indpendent Mix, are upping the ante in two ways. Firstly, there will be a big name guest DJ or band playing every single month, kicking off with the man who masterminded the collaboration, Gilles Peterson himself, DJing exclusively at Cabaret Voltaire on Thursday March 2, mere days after the March Skinny hits the streets. Peterson has paved the way for countless new broken beat, hip-hop and jazz artists over the years on his radio show, DJing worldwide from Tokyo to New York and everywhere in between. He will be supported by Livesciences, whom he championed on his show earlier in the year – arguably the finest band in Edinburgh right now, their blend of jazz musicianship and conscious hip-hop was a sure-fire winner when they headlined The Skinny's own launch party in December.

But that's not all – from April onwards, The Skinny is teaming up with Cabaret Voltaire, and helping to pick the support acts for the big-name DJs headlining each month. Gilles Peterson wil be promoting the gigs on his show, so this is the perfect opportunity for an up-and-coming band. If you or someone you know is in a jazz, funk, world music or hip-hop-oriented band, get them to send a demo to: GLENFIDDICH DEMOS, The Cabaret Voltaire, 36 Blair Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QR. We at Skinny Towers, along with the good folk of the Cab, will listen to your demos and pick the best act to support the next guest DJ.

It's also worth mentioning that although the night does cost a fiver, if you take your ticket to the bar you will be able to sample a free whisky cocktail, concocted by trained Glenfiddich mixologists, worth roughly the price of entry... so in other words, this is a free night. Don't miss the first date with Gilles Peterson and Livesciences – the winner of April's support slot will be announced by Cabaret Voltaire and The Skinny on our websites during March – watch this space. [Bram Gieben]