The Edge Festival

Article by Paul Neeson | 11 Jun 2010

Edinburgh’s The Edge festival returns in 2010 with an eclectic line-up, including some chart-dominating names; however it’s the strong undercurrent of alternative acts which once again provides its life-blood. Running from 5 to 31 August, with a focus on the HMV Picture House, newly reopened Liquid Room and Electric Circus venues, 2010 provides a strong showing from Scotland’s finest, in the form of the surging indie-pop of We Were Promised Jetpacks, The Phantom Band’s spectral-rock and the indie-drama of Broken Records, alongside a revival of the revered SOMA Night, featuring Scotland’s seminal techno-deities Slam.

The presence of local talent doesn’t stop there, with appearances also scheduled for ex-Beta Band frontman Steve Mason, Pearl and the Puppets, and Colin McIntyre of Mull Historical Society. Beyond Scottish shores, festival highlights include sets from the multifarious mastery of Beirut, The Low Anthem’s off-kilter folk and Phoenix’s synth-rich Parisian-pop, with Doves, The Coral and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly providing a taster of sounds from south of the border.

Top 10 stalwarts Dizzee Rascal, Mika and Tinchy Stryder may dominate the line-up with a larger font size, however dig a little deeper and you’ll find an abundance of talent on show here.