Scottish Music Highlights: 27 Feb - 5 Mar
This week's gig guide features a weekend of music in Paisley, live returns from Wiley and Nils Frahm, and a birthday and programme launch to celebrate
Gigs in Edinburgh this week
Wiley @ Liquid Room, 28 Feb
The grime mainstay returned to the forefront of the scene with a bang courtesy of last year's Godfather LP, and the follow-up Godfather II hits the shelves this weekend. Get reacquainted with one of the best MCs in the game at a pair of Scottish shows this week – Wiley is also at SWG3 in Glasgow on 27 Feb.
Hidden Door Programme Launch @ Liquid Room, 2 Mar
Hidden Door will return to the Leith Theatre this May for a huge programme of art, film and music, but to launch that programme the HD team have put together an impressive line-up this weekend. It's headed by Pronto Mama, with the ambient experimentation of Ela Orleans and the dancefloor-friendly sounds of The Reverse Engineer along for company.
The Bug @ La Belle Angele, 2 Mar
This year's Wee Dub Festival kicks off with a four-room party headlined by the experimental, abrasive but highly intriguing sounds of Kevin Martin, aka The Bug, who'll be joined by Miss Red on MC duties. Expect a loud and vibrant mix of dub, dancehall and reggae across the night and the course of the weekend, with the Electrikal and Mighty Oak soundsystems helping to power the party to the next level.
Event of the Week
SAMA Paisley Takeover @ various venues, 2 & 3 Mar
The town's bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021 may have been unsuccesful, but the SAMAs Paisley Takeover is a sign that the venture isn't going away quietly. An impressive collection of music workshops, seminars and live music, the Friday line-up is headed by James Graham, Kathryn Joseph and Marcus Mackay's Out Lines project. Meanwhile Saturday features a music-making session with Paisley natives The Vegan Leather, alongside workshops and seminars on breaking into the music scene. Saturday night's gig is headlined by Glasgow indie-rockers Pronto Mama, with Sway and Siobhan Wilson also on the bill. Photo: Pronto Mama by Ryan Johnston
Gigs in Glasgow this week
The Vegan Leather @ Saint Lukes, 27 Feb
The Paisley art-pop four-piece continue their excellent start to 2018, headlining the second Ignite new acts showcase from Help Musicians UK and the PRS Foundation. TVL are joined on the bill by Niko, ACRYLIC & Aaron Smith.
Mint Field @ Broadcast, 27 Feb
Tijuana-based Mint Field – 21-year-olds Estrella Sánchez (vocals, guitar) and Amor Amezcua (drums, synths) – release their debut album, Pasar de las Luces, via Innovative Leisure Records last Friday. The shoegaze duo are gearing up for some big things this year including the huge SXSW showcase in Austin, Texas, as well as Mexico’s incredible Ceremonia festival, so catch them in the intimate surrounds of Broadcast tonight while you can.
Django Django @ SWG3, 1 Mar **postponed due to inclement weather**
ECA alumni Django Django sent heads a-nodding when they broke on to the scene with their self-titled Mercury-nominated debut album in 2012. They returned last month with new album Marble Skies, building on their psych-meets-indie-via-surf-rock sound; hear the new album in the flesh at SWG3 tonight.
Nils Frahm @ Royal Concert Hall, 1 Mar **postponed due to inclement weather**
On record his ambient techno stylings are just the right mix of relaxing and energising, but the Berlin-based pianist and composer's live shows are enthralling spectacles. Frahm throws himself between multiple pianos, synths and instruments to put together impressive walls of noise. His latest album All Melody features some pretty experimental sounds, so we're intrigued to see how it translates to the grand surroundings of the Royal Concert Hall.
Stereo is 10! @ Stereo, 2 Mar
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of our favourite gig-venues-slash-vegan-cafe-bars! The good people of Stereo celebrate a decade in the game this weekend with a party headed up by futuristic synth duo Happy Meals, with LAPS, Tarantula and the "medieval futurist, nu-celtic folk" of Kelora also featuring. All that, plus DJ sets, performances, and a whole lot more.
Pale Waves @ King Tut's, 4 Mar
Looking for some hotly-tipped new bands to drop in to conversation to look cool in front of your pals? Well, DIY's Class of 2018 tour is the perfect place to do just that. Manchester goth-pop four-piece, and favourites of fellow Manc's The 1975, Pale Waves headline, with support from Brighton garage-rock trio Our Girl and indie-pop band Bloxx – something for everyone, you might say.