Live Music Roundup - August

Edinburgh

Glasgow trio Union of Knives kick Auld Reekie's live music highlights off at Cabaret Voltaire on 18 Aug with a cheap-as-chips gig that should be good value for money. Think sleazy electro beats, aggressive synths and atmospheric vocals – basically everything that was good about music in the 80s. Dark and dreamy – fuck aye!

Guillemots make the migration from daahn saahf to land at the Corn Exchange on 20 Aug. A highly unconventional pop outfit, they like to throw a myriad of influences into the mix and more often than not come out clutching a sophisticated, woozy gem. Tracks like the shimmering Through My Windowpane show their capacity for great songwriting – this should be a treat.

Oddball freak–genius Mike Patton corrals his twisted pop troupe – known collectively as Peeping Tom – into the Liquid Room on 24 Aug. With various members rounded up on an ad hoc basis, you can expect a few surprises, but nevertheless this remains the most accessible music the man has made for years. Peeping Tom bring a strong hip-hop flavour to the table along with all the usual strangeness. The Zappa of his generation?

Dinosaur Jr hit up Edinburgh once again in their original formation on 27 Aug. Cynics take note, this is no half-hearted reunion – the band still sound monstrous, and recent album Below proves they still have the power to conjure up wonderful songs. Say it loud: "J Mascis for President!"

Glasgow

Brace yourself Glasgow, the Dwarves are coming (literally?) to Glasgow on 10 Aug – and they fully intend to disgrace themselves. They're the punk band that recorded 17 ear-shredding albums and still came back for more. Expect high volume, low intelligence and songs with titles like Fuck the Bitch and Go. Don't say you weren't warned.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Willy Mason will warm your heart and stir your soul when he plays the ABC on 23 Aug. Clearly one of the most talented singer / songwriters around, he's really too young to be this amazing – but he is. An essential gig.

Also on the 23rd, this time at King Tut's, Devotchka will deliver a set of fiery, passionate, folk-tinged wonder. This is beautiful, unconventional stuff, so if you crave something more substantial than the usual fare, this is the ticket. Oh, and they use an enormous tuba instead of a bass. Respect.

Russian Circles round things out with what might well be the gig of the month at Nice N Sleazy on 26 Aug. This dynamic instrumental trio have their roots in math rock, but create music that shifts and swells and encompasses an array of delicate atmospheres. They also do riffs; big cock-off riffs. Do not miss.