Scottish Live Music Highlights: February 2024
February brings shows from Alison Goldfrapp, Slowdive, Zara Larsson and billy woods, as well as a clutch of exciting local gigs in Glasgow and Edinburgh
In Glasgow, February continues where January left off, with Celtic Connections. Running right up until the 4th, there are still shows to come from Lau (Tramway, 1 Feb), Les Amazones D’Afrique (Saint Luke’s, 2 Feb), Fatoumata Diawara (Old Fruitmarket, 3 Feb), and Acolyte (Broadcast, 4 Feb). The start of February also means the remainder of Independent Venue Week, so look up your favourite local indie venue and go support them by catching a show, some of which you'll find included below.
Outwith all that, the bid for spring touring gets fully underway. Margaret Glaspy brings her latest album Echo the Diamond on the road, swinging by Mono (1 Feb), Pip Blom bring Bobbie, full of indie-pop bangers like Tiger and Is This Love?, to Òran Mór (12 Feb), and Glasser gets on the road with the gorgeous Crux, playing Stereo (18 Feb). On the same night, Massachusetts indie rockers Speedy Ortiz land in the basement of The Hug & Pint with their latest Rabbit Rabbit, while L’Rain plays there the following night in honour of I Killed Your Dog. Supergroup FIZZ, featuring dodie and Orla Gartland, then play the Old Fruitmarket (20 Feb), before Alison Goldfrapp plays the Barrowlands (24 Feb) and NewDad Saint Luke’s (26 Feb). You’ll also find a whole host of pop gems at the O2 Academy on Eglinton Street this month in the form of Roísín Murphy (13 Feb), Kim Petras (15 Feb), Zara Larsson (17 Feb), Renée Rapp (25 Feb) and multi-BRIT Awards nominee Raye (29 Feb).
Glasser. Image credit: YIS KID
In Edinburgh, acclaimed New York-based rapper billy woods brings the incredible Maps to Summerhall’s Dissection Room (6 Feb), while fresh from releasing New Last Name, Liverpool outfit Courting play The Mash House (17 Feb). Later, Slowdive play The Liquid Room (24 Feb), The Pretenders play Usher Hall (25 Feb) and Lime Garden play Voodoo Rooms (28 Feb).
From a local point of view, the month is thick with shows. In Edinburgh, Azamiah play Summerhall (2 Feb) with support from Nikhita, Lizzie Reid plays Cabaret Voltaire (4 Feb), Bikini Body headline The Mash House with support from Eyes of Others and Isabella Strange (9 Feb), Savage Mansion launch The Shakes at Summerhall’s Old Lab on the 15th (Glasgow fans, catch them at The Rum Shack, 17 Feb), Aurora Engine launches Secret Knock at Wee Red Bar (16 Feb), Haiver play Voodoo Rooms (23 Feb), and Alice Faye plays Leith Depot (24 Feb). In Glasgow, a collaboration with the brand new Kitchen Sink art gallery sees BRENDA launch their latest single Pigs at the Torridon Court location in Maryhill. Hamish Hawk levels up with a headline show at the Barras (10 Feb), half girl, half android Kleo plays The Poetry Club (17 Feb), where you’ll also find rapper Tzusan the following week (24 Feb), while in Dundee, as part of a wider tour, Gallus play Beat Generator Live! (17 Feb).