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It’s that time of year again when Auld Reekie teems with tourists, students distributing flyers and general arty-farty types. The Edinburgh Festival continues to draw performers of all persuasions, and promoters are increasingly capitalising on the added influx of artistic life in the city, providing bigger and better night-time events.

Adding to the developing club scene is the re-opening of the Picture House. If you’re a regular around Edinburgh you’ve probably noticed the seemingly continual opening and shutting down of what was previously called Gig. Beset by licensing problems and multiple owners, the venue has never fully realised its potential as one of the best spots in Edinburgh. With a capacity of 1500, it may help alleviate the city’s reliance on Cabaret Voltaire or the Corn Exchange for music events. Under new management, it’s been revamped into a plush, retro styled theatre/dancehall.

Musika have been given the challenge of being the first to use the new surroundings in a club vein. The idea is to put on a night that no one can ignore, and it should work. With guests The Japanese Popstars, Smokin’ Jo, Slam and Felix Da Housecat all confirmed, it’s shaping up to be a Fringe closing party to remember.

Residents Derek Martin and Jamie McKenzie will be on warm-up duties. Derek has been an integral part of Musika since its birth early 2007. He’s likely to mix progressive house and techno; his club's past bookings have ranged from Booka Shade and M.A.N.D.Y to Deadmau5, D Ramirez and Dubfire. Jamie is the newest member of the Musika crew, keeping in line with their tech house manifesto. He’s recently started producing his own tunes with partner Ryan McKay.

The Japanese Popstars are an Irish trio gaining maximum respect for their no-nonsense, straight-up, big-room sound. They’ll be presenting their live show, which is currently doing the festival circuit to much media praise. Expect a vigourous performance with stabbing rhythms. And for them to drop ‘Face Melter’. Nuff said.

Smokin’ Jo has been invited back for another Festival performance. Last year she made quite the impression on the Progression/Musika crew. Having lived in Ibiza for seven years, she’s been busy back in the UK making tunes with Steve Lawler’s ‘Viva’ record label. Her guise lately has been TRNSSTR (pronounced Transistor), producing with friend Pete Gleadall. Her set promises to be an education into the freshest tech house beats around.

Continuing the positive education of tech house is none other than Scotland’s finest, Slam. Things just keep getting busier and busier for the Glaswegian pair, and they’re riding high off the back of shows at the Slam tent at T in the Park, the Extrema festival in Holland and the Big Chill festival. They’re also showcasing lots of their new material off the new label ‘Paragraph’; Edinburgh awaits the drop of ‘City Destroyer’.

Headlining the occasion is Chicago house cat Felix Stallings. Back after a well overdue break from releasing tunes, ‘He Was King’ is his new album and brings more than a hint of 80s synth-pop nostalgia. The latest single ‘We all wanna be Prince’ is the self-explanatory tribute to his hero and is a lighter, more fun-orientated stab at electronic pop. Saying that, ‘Elvis’ off the album covers more familiar territory and is getting blasted by the likes of 2manydjs, Erol Alkan and Justice. This year is a big one for Felix, as he comes back to the DJ circuit with new vitality after a turbulent personal  spell. The return to form is welcomed; he hasn’t played a Saturday night in Edinburgh in over ten years. Kudos to the Musika crew for this scoop!