Scotland Gig Highlights – June 2013

A survey of the land's forthcoming live picks for June, including RockNess and Eden Festival; an epic closing party for the West End Festival featuring The Twilight Sad and Meursault; plus reunions a-go-go, with the return of Jurassic 5 and the Breeders

Preview by Illya Kuryakin | 31 May 2013

It's June! With the festival season well and truly under way in Europe, and reports trickling in from Primavera and other gatherings, it's time to start getting excited about our homegrown festival calendar, which starts to get interesting from June onwards. But wait, that's not all June has to offer, The Skinny is here to help you navigate. Forward! 

First up, on 4 Jun, Camera Obscura celebrate the launch of their new album Desire Lines, for which the band augmented their elegant, carefully-drawn sound with the help of veteran Portland producer Tucker Martine, and backing vocals from Neko Case and Jim James (of My Morning Jacket). See them recreate the album live at The Liquid Room on 4 Jun, and read our interview with the band in this month's issue.

On 5 Jun, Scott Ian, the legendary guitarist of thrash pioneers Anthrax, brings his spoken word show to The Arches; telling tales from his life on the road, and reflecting on his three decades-long contribution to the world of heavy rock. He'll even be giving away a signed Jackson guitar – head along, and it could be yours!

Both regular fixtures on the Scottish circuit, RM Hubbert and Adam Stafford join forces at Electric Circus on 6 Jun. Hubbert's ceaselessly inventive approach to instrumental guitar music is always a wonder to experience, and although most recent album Thirteen Lost & Found featured guest vocals from the likes of Aidan Moffat, it's his compositional flair and mesmerising technique that draw you in to his live performances. The always-excellent former Y'All Is Fantasy Island front-man Stafford supports, showcasing his mercurial, inventive songsmithery (and maybe some beatboxing, if we're lucky).

It's on 7 Jun that festival fever really kicks in, with the start of the Eden Festival, taking place in Dumfries & Galloway's picturesque Raehills district. Their rootsy, funk-filled bill includes drum & bass originator Shy FX, the novelty hip-hop stylings of Mr B. The Gentleman Rhymer, swing/hip-hop party-starters The Correspondents, reggae soundsystem Mungo's Hi-fi, and bass warriors Ed Solo & Deekline.

Also starting on 7 Jun is RockNess, situated on the banks of Loch Ness – truly one of the most visually striking festival settings in the UK – returning for its eighth annual outing. It's a hedonist's playground, with big beats, breaks and riffs from yer Fatboy Slim, Jackmaster, Jessie Ware, The Futureheads, Fatherson, Netsky and many, many more. You'll also be able to catch comedy and spoken word sets from the likes of Dylan Moran and Jim Jeffries. 

If your more at home with a roof over your head, however, Fence Records Showcase at Glasgow's Òran Mór is an essential destination on 9 Jun. At time of going to press, the much-admired Fife label have announced live sets from Kid Canaveral, Randolph's Leap, label boss The Pictish Trail, eagleowl, Monoganon, and Pip Dylan. The diverse and ceaselessly creative Fence gang have long been a shining beacon of quality in Scottish music, and with strong albums from several from its roster having appeared already this year, now's the time to catch the lot as they take part in the West End Festival.  

Ah, Jurassic 5. In many ways the quintissential late 90s hip-hop artists, there was a time between 1998 and 2000 where their Concrete Schoolyard was literally inescapable, this and other tracks from their debut album echoing out from cars, boom-boxes, student flats and nightclubs wherever you went. Live, they are an incendiary proposition – some of the tightest, slickest hip-hop performers you are ever likely to witness, trading lines and finishing each others' rhymes with effortless aplomb. Reunited with the full original lineup, this is a rare opportunity to see them in the flesh. They play The Arches on 10 Jun.

Remember Spike Island? Of course you don't. You're too bloody young. But with a new film on the way fictionalising the story of the legendary 1990 gig, and Shane Meadows offering up his documentary on the band's much-talked about reunion, it seems the Stone Roses are bound to be the name on everyone's lips this summer. So if you have sixty sheets, and want to recreate that heady Spike Island vibe, get thee along to their show at Glasgow Green on 15 Jun.

Also on 15 Jun, eclectic hip-hop artist Danny Brown comes to The Arches. Ever since 2010's The Hybrid this Detroit rapper has been one of hip-hop's most sought after emcees, working with everyone from A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamarr and Charli XCX to Das Racist, Purity Ring and Baauer. Support comes from Numbers star Jackmaster and Pro Vinylist Karim.

Kim Deal's revitalised post-Pixies band The Breeders have been swaggering across the globe promoting the 20th anniversary re-release of Last Splash, and rumours are they're getting on so well that a new album is in the works too. This tour reunites their classic album's lineup of Kim and Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs and Jim Macpherson, and even for casual fans, presents a pretty unmissable opportunity to see the infectious Cannonball given a live outing. Get your best bass face on at O2 ABC on 17 Jun.



Do Not Miss: The West end festival all-dayer, 23 jun, @ Òran Mór

As the West End Festival draws to a close, you should definitely not miss this very special all-day gig featuring the absolute cream of the Scottish indie music scene all together on one bill. Perennial Skinny favourites The Twilight Sad headline, playing a very special stripped-down set. They are joined by dramatic indie chameleons Meursault, earnest folk-rockers Campfires in Winter, resurfacing local legends BMX Bandits, experimental pop duo Conquering Animal Sound, and a ten other bands who we can't name at the time of going to press... but trust us, this is going to be an epic gig, and very much a unique opportunity to see the best guitar-based music Scotland has to offer without having to trudge from venue to venue, or from stage to muddy stage. With so many incredible musicians in one place, it's possible that we might see some one-off, impromptu collaborations on stage as well – and you wouldn't want to miss that. We'll see you down the front!

Check listings for times and prices.