Scottish Music Highlights: 19-25 Sep

With sold out shows aplenty across the Central Belt this week from the likes of LCD Soundsystem, The National, Sparks, and The Jesus & Mary Chain, we take a look at what else is on offer.

Gigs in Edinburgh this week

Micah P. Hinson @ Sneaky Pete's, 20 Sep
Having just released The Holy Strangers via Full Time Hobby at the start of the month, Americana singer-songwriter Micah P. Hinson plays Edinburgh's Sneaky Pete's tonight. Can't make it, then catch him at Broadcast, Glasgow, 19 Sep.

DAREFest @ Wee Red Bar, 23 Sep
DAREFest is a brand new all dayer full of workshops and live music set up by Lou Mclean and Ashley Stein to help promote empowerment and the vital importance of safe spaces. They settled on 'DAREFest' as it's "about daring to do the things that you really deep down want to do but are too scared to do." And, even if you don't want to become a musician, the ambitious duo promise there's something for everyone to take home from their inaugural event. Read our full interview with them here, then buy a ticket and get along for what's set to be an awesome day. Peformances on the night will come from Lou Mclean, Fistymuffs and Violet Kind.

Ayakara @ The Mash House, 23 Sep
Ayakara are five school friends from Leith – Max, Callum, Felix, Alex and Jonnie – who have been making their mark with energetic, crowd-bouncing live shows for three years now. Their tunes have an old school vibe, and are laced with a good sense of humour; they’re catchy, cheeky and loads of fun. We recently premiered their latest single, Caroline's Summer Nights, which you can check out here. 

Siobhan Wilson @ Voodoo Rooms, 24 Sep
Siobhan Wilson released her There Are No Saints record via Edinburgh label Song, by Toad earlier this year; a stunning listen from start to end, her vocal – a mix of English and French – is simply beautiful. Live is where Wilson really comes into her own – she has one of those voices that is truly captivating and we promise you’ll be hooked on her every word until the final note on the final song is sung. You can also catch her later in the month at Strange Behaviours' event with support from Quick; Tolbooth, Stirling, 28 Sep.

Gigs in Glasgow this week

OMNI @ Hug & Pint, 21 Sep
Just over a year since the release of their debut album, Deluxe, the Atlanta three-piece play Glasgow's Hug & Pint tonight, mere hours before their sophomore record, Multi-task – due for release on 22 Sep – drops. Their slacker-infused, jagged indie-pop promises to get you moving and ready for the weekend.

L.A. Witch @ Mono, 21 Sep
There's no rest for those lovely peeps at Freakender as just after their Freakender weekender (15-17 Sep), they're back already with the first of two shows this week. Tonight's features Californian trio, L.A. Witch, who just released their self-titled debut album at the start of the month. We reckon "they've never sounded harder or sharper." And in case you were wondering, Freakender's other event this week features Guantanamo Baywatch @ Nice N Sleazy, 24 Sep.

Bo Ningen @ Broadcast, 24 Sep
Bo Ningen are a Japanese four-piece who specialise in psychedelic noise rock. Live, they've loads of energy and are pretty loud so pack your earplugs and get ready to have your senses well and truly assaulted. Support tonight comes from Mr TC, and Sweaty Palms.

Sigur Rós @ SEC Armadillo, 24 Sep
Icelandic ethereal post-rockers Sigur Rós have been on the go now, amazingly, for over 20 years. They've been relatively quiet since the release of 2013's Kveikur, but play two shows in Glasgow this week. While their 25 Sep show is sold out, there are still tickets available for the first night. Treat your ears.

The Black Angels @ SWG3, 25 Sep
The Black Angels released their fifth studio album, Death Song, back in April and tonight the Austin psych-rock outfit bring the noise to Glasgow's SWG3. We recently spoke to guitarist Christian Bland about their latest album and living the psychedelic life, which you can read here.

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Event of the week

[Opimo (Espacio) by David Moffat]

Skye Live 2017 @ The Lump, Portree, Isle Of Skye, 22-23 Sep
If you fancy getting away from the smoky, sweaty club environment and out into Scotland’s bracing outdoors, Skye Live 2017 has the scenery and the talent to match. The line-up features high-quality local and international acts, with Mano Le Tough, Niteworks, Pronto Mama, Joy Orbison b2b Optimo (Espacio), Lord of the Isles, Eclair Fifi, Mylo and many more taking to the stage over this two day festival. 

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Club nights this week

ODYSSEY. 101 – Mall Grab @ The Liquid Room, Edinburgh, 21 Sep
Fast-rising Aussie talent Mall Grab, aka Jordon Alexander, is currently one of the hottest names in house music. The young DJ and producer returns to Edinburgh for Odyssey’s party at The Liquid Room Warehouse – go and see what all the fuss is about for yourself.

Thunder Disco is 8 with Maurice Fulton @ Sub Club, Glasgow, 22 Sep
Tonight, Thunder Disco celebrate their eighth birthday with one of their favourite disco selectors who always brings the boogie, Maurice Fulton. Support comes from Hammer, and Jubé.

FLY Open Air After Party @ Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh, 23 Sep
If you missed out on tickets to FLY Open Air's massive outdoor festival today at the Ross Band Stand in Princes Street, then you could do worse things than head down to Sneaky's early for a chance to get in on the after party fun. Lil' Louis, Eats Everything, Leon Vynehall, La La and Theo Kottis all play the main festival and they're promising a very special guest for the after party, but they won't announce until the night. We're 99.9% sure it'll be worth it!

Lionoil: Jane Fitz & Telfort @ The Mash House, Edinburgh, 23 Sep
Freerotation and Pickle Factory resident Jane Fitz impressed at Bicep’s SWG3 party back in February this year, with a techno and acid-laden set that drew scores of people out onto the dancefloor in what was one of the best sets of the evening. Get acquainted with this underrated DJ at The Mash House, where Telfort will also be providing the warm-up.

Grrrl Crush @ The Loft in The Mash House, Edinburgh, 23 Sep
"Parties run by girls, for girls who like girls, and their pals," is how Grrrl Crush describe themselves. After celebrating their first birthday last month, Grrrl Crush have moved from The Mousetrap to The Loft at The Mash House. Tonight's instalment features sets from NikNak, Eva Crystaltips, Bonzai Bonner and Some Chick Called BOB.

On The House & Broken Disco @ The Courtyard, Glasgow, 24 Sep
“Tucked away within an old man's boozer lies one of Glasgow’s most intriguing hidden gems, an open air courtyard awaiting the footprints of our fellow ravers.” The Courtyard parties have acquired cult status amongst Glaswegian ravers-in-the-know, especially in their Sunday Circus heyday. Head along to this On The House & Broken Disco Sunday event to discover a state of the art sound-system and some very special guests.