Edinburgh Under Surveillance: March

While the Capital's music community mourns yet another premature departure from its uneasy landscape - see Billy Hamilton's piece on the closure of The Lighthouse Studios in Lifestyle - the launch of the curiously monikered Octopus Diamond on Guthrie Street at least looks likely to ensure that the sorely missed residence of what was formerly the Left Bank isn't laid to waste. This month sees the venue running as its feet hit the ground with the stellar sounds of local instrumental hip-hop collective Livesciences on the 3rd, stoner rock captains Lords of Bastard on the 15th and alternative pop proponents Found on the 17th.

Of course, that's just the tip of the iceberg in March. The Caves house Fence Club featuring Kid Canaveral on the 1st and The Common Redstarts sign up for some Toffs Can't Dance action on the 3rd. The latest New Found Sounds should make for another evening of most pleasant riffs and thrills at Cab Vol on the 6th, with sets from Little Doses (comprised of Snow Patrol and mighty Degrassi alum), fellow Skinny favourites KiDDO, dirty rockers Vitamin Flintheart and funk rock up and comers, Gildoza. Also kicking up a fuss at the Cab: The Acute, The Vivians and O.B.E team up for an unmissable trilogy of indie punk terror on the 7th. Later in the month, I Fly Spitfires duels with This Is Music at Henry's on the 17th, and the superb Household will rock a late night crowd at HOBO (Bongo Club) on the 18th. Babytiger are back in the game with a bevvy of gigs at the Tron too. See our listings for full details of who and when.

Finally, the springtime return of the Spectrum Festival at the Queen's Hall on the 1st of April is another local endeavour to look forward to. Other than aforementioned speed rockers KiDDO and folk rock collective Ten Storeys High among many others tbc, the event also comprises a marketplace for local designers, promoters, gamers and filmmakers to converge.

Auld Reekie might be down a quality recording and rehearsal space, but an otherwise prosperous month nevertheless beckons.