Gigs in Glasgow and Edinburgh: 14-20 Aug

John Grant, Dirty Projectors, Pussy Riot, Karine Polwart, Brian Wilson, Lau, Anna Meredith and The Vaselines are just some of what's going on with gigs in the central belt this week

Preview by Music Team | 14 Aug 2018

Gigs in Edinburgh this week

The Jesus and Mary Chain @ Leith Theatre, 14 Aug
As the month rolls on, Edinburgh International Festival's Light on the Shore gig series continues with a night curated by Edinburgh multi-arts festival Hidden Door. East Kilbride shoegazers The Jesus and Mary Chain headline with support from slacker-rock duo Honeyblood and Spinning Coin.

Blue Rose Code: This is Caledonian Soul @ The Queen's Hall, 14 Aug
Last year Ross Wilson’s Blue Rose Code won The Skinny’s Scottish Album of the Year, as voted for by our readers, for his stunning fourth studio album The Water of Leith. This August, as part of Made in Scotland’s extensive programme, Blue Rose Code will attempt to answer the question: ‘What is Caledonian Soul?’ With the help of a 14-piece band featuring Hamish Stuart (Average White Band), triple BRIT Awards winner Eddi Reader (Fairground Attraction) and Duke Special, Wilson will offer his unique take on cult, iconic and classic Scots song.

Stories and Songs with Beans on Toast @ Voodoo Rooms, 14-26 Aug (not 20)
Catch Jay McAllister, aka Beans on Toast, performing a rare string of dates in Edinburgh as he plays a mix of drinking songs, songs about love and protest intertwined with storytelling as part of the Fringe.

Pussy Riot @ Summerhall, daily until 19 Aug
Following on from an explosive opening weekend (read our 5-star review here), feminist protest collective Pussy Riot continue to fight the power every night at Summerhall, up til and including 19 August.

Meursault: Crow Hill @ Summerhall, 15 & 16 Aug
To say we’re intrigued by Neil Pennycook's latest project under his Meursault moniker would be an understatement; a series of urban horror story vignettes set in the fictitious Scottish town of the same name, Crow Hill comprises of a studio album, feature film and graphic novel. 'What!?' we hear you cry! What’s more, for the live show Meursault will perform the album in its entirety accompanied by dancers, projections and actors. A unique show not to be missed this August.

Karine Polwart's Scottish Songbook @ Leith Theatre, 16 Aug
Scottish folk singer-songwriter Karine Polwart performs a soundtrack of seminal Scottish pop songs tonight as part of EIF's Light on the Shore series.

Midnight Marauders @ Assembly Checkpoint, 16-19 Aug
Last week we went to check out Carla Lippis' Midnight Marauders and what a bloody performer she is, with a bloody great band to boot. Featuring Victoria Falconer from Fringe Wives Club on keys, Lippis and co performing "subtle" covers of songs like Too Drunk to Fuck by The Dead Kennedys in-between welcoming an entertaining and varied selection of special guests onstage every night to perform snippets from their own shows. Guilt-free and sleaze-fuelled cabaret worth staying up late for.

Paloma Faith @ Princes Street Gardens, 17 Aug
Fancy yourself a good ol' slice of pop music this August in Edinburgh then look no further than the Edinburgh Summer Sessions line-up, in particular this one headlined by the retro-fuelled pop of Paloma Faith.

ANNO: Anna Meredith & Scottish Ensemble @ Pleasance at EICC, 17 & 18 Aug
Anna Meredith has been an unbelievably busy bee of late with multiple projects all seeming to come to a head this month. ANNO is just one of these, with six performances taking place over the course of two days of her brand new record of the same name, a contemporary reworking of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with electronics and 360 degree visual arts. Throughout the 60 minute run time, you’ll be fully immersed in a year-long journey through the seasons via the power of music and art courtesy of Meredith, her sister Eleanor and the Scottish Ensemble.

Neu! Reekie! #2 @ Leith Theatre, 17 Aug
The strong August line-up continues tonight down at the Leith Theatre with another excellent billing from the wonderful team at Neu! Reekie! Tonight you can expect music from Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee, otherwise known as The Vaselines, with support from The Pastels, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Molly Nilsson.

Spare Snare @ Leith Depot, 18 Aug
Recorded to tape by Steve Albini at chem19 recording studio, Spare Snare released their latest album Sounds just last month. Join them tonight in the diminutive Leith Depot to help celebrate its release.

Lau-Land @ Leith Theatre, 18 Aug
Experimental folk band Lau take over Leith Theatre proceedings tonight and they’ve invited some truly astonishing artists to join them onstage: Egyptian experimental artist Nadah El Shazly, American singer-songwriter Joan As Police Woman, avant-folk star Alasdair Roberts, Scottish Brass Band of the Year the Whitburn Band, traditional singing quartet Landless and experimental electronica from James Holden and the Animal Spirits plus more!

Brian Wilson presents Pet Sounds @ Edinburgh Playhouse, 19 Aug
Wouldn't it be nice if you could see The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson in the height of summer in Edinburgh? Then look no further for he plays the Edinburgh Playhouse tonight where he'll be performing the music from Pet Sounds along with rare cuts and greatest hits.

John Grant @ Edinburgh Playhouse, 20 Aug
The inimitable Michigan-born, Reykjavík-based singer-songwriter John Grant recently announced Love is Magic, his upcoming fourth solo record. Ahead of its October release, he's performing at the Edinburgh Playhouse tonight as part of EIF and we reckon that as well as playing innumerable bangers from across his impressive back catalogue, there'll also be plenty of new stuff to get your teeth stuck into.


Scottish Event of the Week


[OMNI by Sebastian Weiss]

OMNI @ Leith Dockers Club, Edinburgh, 19 Aug
Two Edinburgh promoters, City of Glass and Good Grief, are getting together tonight to bring a wonderful bill of music and food together while also offering a possible much needed escape from the madness that is the Edinburgh Fringe. They've booked one of their favourite bands, OMNI, whose lates album Multi-task is a real treat for fans of triumphant post-punk. Glasgow band Kaputt, featuring members of Breakfast Muff and Hairband are on support duty alongside Edinburgh lo-fi punk Jonny Parriss. What about the food we hear you cry!? Well, the lovely folks at Harmonium are putting on a tasty vegan BBQ. Get down, get musical, get your bellies filled.


Gigs in Glasgow this week

Pianos Become the Teeth / Foxing @ Stereo, 14 Aug
Maryland's Pianos Become the Teeth and Missouri's Foxing have joined forces for a co-headline tour this summer and are stopping by Glasgow's Stereo tonight so head along for your fill of lovely post-hardcore and emo noises.

Gabrielle @ King Tut's, 14 Aug
Dreams can come true, 90s R'n'B singer-songwriter Gabrielle stops by King Tut's Wah Wah Hut tonight for a set which will know doubt take in the hits from her 25-year-long career.

Shoot Your Shot @ Stereo, 17 Aug
For Shoot Your Shot's first outing at Stereo they're bringing the late night party vibes to the vegan-friendly Renfield Lane venue with a live set from 80s-indebted Soft Riot with support from Vixxxionary. There'll also be two B2B DJ sets from Cammy de Felice B2B Mr Naga and Bonzai Bonner B2B Aisha. Oh, and live visuals from Georgina Penstkart.

Josephine Sillars + The Manic Pixie Dreams @ Broadcast, 18 Aug
Glasgow band Josephin Sillars + The Manic Pixie Dreams are launching their brand new single Is It Love? tonight at Broadcast and you should go along for a wee dance. Support comes from Freakwave and Caitlin Buchanan.


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The Violet Kind @ Classic Grand, 18 Aug
Paramore-influenced three-piece The Violet Kind play a headline show at the Classic Grand tonight. We think they've got loads of potential and premiered their video for Speakeasy back in February. Go check them out tonight if you can. Support tonight comes from St. Clements, Dross and The Stop Watch Gang.

The Glad Cafe 6th Birthday @ The Glad Cafe, 18 Aug
Another week another birthday celebration in the beautiful scene that is Scotland's music – this time the focus turns to The Glad Cafe who are celebrating six years of excellent gigs with the equally excellent King Ayisoba with Ayuune Sule, Painted Xray (fka ILK) and Howie Reeve with a DJ set from David Barbarossa. Candles at the ready!

Dirty Projectors @ King Tut's, 19 Aug
Just over a year since releasing their self-titled seventh album, Dirty Projectors returned with another phenomenal new album Lamp Lit Prose last month. This is just one of four UK dates, so no excuses please. Also, please note the change of venue as this show was originally meant to take place at The Art School but will now be at King Tut's.

Föllakzoid @ Broadcast, 20 Aug
The Chilean band bring their cosmic, experimental and psych-fuelled sounds to Broadcast tonight as part of their UK tour. Get ready to rock out and feel spaced out.

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