Going Local

This month in Edinburgh local DIY promoters Tracer Trails, The Gentle Invasion and Trampoline (as well as local independent music retailers Avalanche Records), are stoically ploughing on with what they do best, regardless of the invading festival circus.

Amongst others, these committed souls have played a key part in the rejuvenation of the capital’s music scene over the last couple of years, putting on atmospheric gigs in unusual places and cherry-picking the most interesting and unique acts from both the city itself and further afield. Now the invading hordes from around the globe have a first hand opportunity to see for themselves that Scotland's East Coast music scene is on a par with any of the UK’s larger and more celebrated spots.

To the delight of those who attended the inaugural, critically lauded Retreat! mini-fest last year, Tracer Trails and The Gentle Invasion have again teamed up for another generous helping of ‘locally sourced DIY pop and urban folk’. This year, Retreat! takes the form of a free all-dayer at Bristo Hall (16 Aug) and if you’re from around Auld Reekie you’ll be well aware of how good the line-up is, with such imaginatively-monikered local luminaries as Withered Hand, Wounded Knee, Enfant Bastard & Meursault as well as cult US band Viking Moses, the hilariously twee Allo, Darlin’ and London-based dafties Moustache of Insanity (clearly the best band name ever).

Local gig/club night Trampoline has also consistently attracted great music to the city at the Edinburgh College of Art’s Wee Red Bar. Over five nights in August they'll be unearthing some lesser known gems including a rare showcase from Y'all is Fantasy Island frontman Adam Stafford's Wiseblood Industries label (7 Aug), the winning combo of FOUND's Ziggy Campbell and distinctive vocalist/guitarist Yusuf Azak (both 14 Aug), the ethereal Animal Magic Tricks (8 & 9 Aug) and the mariachi stomp of Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers (18 Aug). Also of note at the Wee Red this month is The Final Vinyl, a 10th birthday celebration showcase for Benbecula Records which sadly doubles as a closing party for the cult label. Sets from Christ., Araya and newcomer Plum will drop the curtain on one of the finest and most consistent stables of ambient electronica we've ever known (21 Aug).

Finally, thanks to the combined efforts of Scottish street art collective Rough Cut Nation and Avalanche Records – one of the few independent music retailers left in the land – a number of cracking gigs are scheduled to take place at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery throughout August. Both Withered Hand and Meursault (both 28 Aug) make another welcome appearance, as well as sublime folksters Rob St John and Emily Scott (both 8 Aug), synth maestro X-Lion Tamer (21 Aug), moody troubadours St Jude’s Infirmary and Glasgow’s premier folk-popsters Zoey van Goey (both 22 Aug).

Third time's a charm as the 'sault once again return with Eagleowl and FOUND in tow for an encore performance of Playing with the Past – a unique dovetailing of original music and silent short films from a bygone age – over at the Filmhouse on Saturday 22 August. 

Thankfully then, the onslaught of the more monolithic festivals no longer means death to the local scene for the summer. If you're uninitiated with the above acts, this is a wonderful opportunity to get yourself acquainted with the true beating heart of Auld Reekie.