The Beat Goes On: 14 Festivals in Scotland this Autumn

Outwith Festival

Dunfermline, 3-7 Sep
Lineup: The Twilight Sad, Haiver, The Twistettes
Outwith isn’t just about music, it’s a multidisciplinary celebration of live music, theatre, film, literature, visual arts, family-friendly activities and wellness events.

The festival was founded to promote local artists and spaces, and it continues to spotlight emerging talent from Fife and beyond. Events like the West Wind Youth Music Showcase and spoken word open mic nights give new voices a platform. It’s a festival with heart and purpose... designed to be inclusive. [George Murray, Trustee and Chairperson on the Outwith Festival board and festival volunteer]

Lammermuir Festival

Haddington, 4-15 Sep
Lineup: Hebrides Ensemble, Van Baerle Trio
The stars have aligned to bring together a particularly brilliant programme this year. We love everything in there, but particular standouts would be the outstanding French pianist Jean Efflam-Bavouzet, the brilliant young British viola player Tim Ridout and in particular Rinaldo Alessandrini who brings his sensational ensemble, Concerto Italiano. Expect artists of top international quality playing wonderful music in stunning venues in a truly beautiful part of Scotland. [James Waters, CEO and Joint Artistic Director]

No a Mean City III (in aid of Refuweegee)

Glasgow, 6 Sep
Lineup: Psweatpants, Salt, Dara Dubh
Salt and Psweatpants are examples of artists who have moved to Glasgow from other countries and been embraced by the local music community so I’m particularly excited to have them on the bill. No a Mean City rejects the greed and amorality which is so often associated with modern concert experiences. People should come to celebrate the diversity of Glasgow and contribute to supporting refugees at a time where they are being dehumanised and vilified more than ever. You’ll also have a great night! [Mackenzie Burns, founder]

125 Live!

Perth, 6-7 Sep
Lineup: Walt Disco, Parliamo, Valtos
Walt Disco's performance perfectly embodies our vision of showcasing local talent 'front and centre' and illustrates how Perth's artists have achieved significant success on the global stage. Unlike traditional festivals, the evening show is a singular, spectacular performance that unfolds sequentially across four stages along Mill Street, extending from the Perth Concert Hall Plaza to the courtyard of Perth Theatre. It will be presented in an ambitious immersive format, partly designed by Cryptic’s Cathie Boyd, and will include dramatic projections by Catalonian visual artist Alba Corral, as well as a stunning laser and light show by award-winning designer Will Potts. Working with Scottish DJ Jack David, they will transform the site of the headliner stage into an audiovisual amphitheatre at the end of the night. [Christopher Glasgow, Director of Perth Theatre and Concert Hall, and Producer of 125 Live!]

Core. – a Celebration of Noise.

Glasgow, 12-14 Sep
Lineup: And So I Watch You From Afar, Ditz, Gout
We’re absolutely buzzing to have Cave In performing one of the greatest heavy albums of all time, Jupiter. We’ve also pulled off something we’re incredibly proud of: a reformation set from sludge icons Torche! But, the magic of Core. lives in the depths of the lineup. You can stumble across your new favourite band at any set.

At its heart, Core. is about community. Our audience is one of the most open, welcoming, and passionate groups you’ll ever meet at a heavy music event. It’s a space where people connect, discover, and feel seen and accepted! We also put a huge amount of care into platforming diverse and marginalised voices in heavy music... we’re committed to shifting that balance. At the end of the day, Core. is more than just a festival, it’s a movement. See you in the pit? [Daniel Mutch, co-founder and booker]

Caol Ila Islay Jazz Festival

Islay, 19-21 Sep
Lineup: Fergus McCreadie, Colin Steele Quartet, GAÏA
I am always attracted to this festival's propensity for creating such amazing collaborations so I think my top one is Late & Live in Bruichladdich: A World Premiere Islay Quintet. I am very excited to hear GAÏA, Ali Affleck and Colin Steele Quartet, not to mention Fergus McCreadie Trio and Stephen Henderson's Modern Vikings. 

Caol Ila Islay Jazz Festival is so different from all the other Jazz Festivals I've been at – the sense of community and togetherness, and the friendship you can feel between the audience, the musicians, it is just so great. Jazz, single malts, beautiful scenery, tranquility, community, you can't help but fall in love with this festival. [Ana-Maria Bogdan (Gheorghe), Festivals and Programmes Coordinator for Jazz Scotland]

Freakender

Glasgow, 19-21 Sep
Lineup: Lylo, Sacred Paws, Former Champ
I’m excited for all of it. On Friday we've got a debut from Spacial Awareness (feat a few familiar faces) and the return of V-Twin who hadn't played in 20 years until last month. Saturday always gets a bit wild and this year the lineup is stacked, we've got one of my fave locals Doss along with this amazing garage rock’n’roll band from Cornwall called Heavenly Bodes. On Sunday we've got the return of one of Freakender favourites L.A. Witch plus heaps more. 

The lineup is usually very good and fun, 20+ acts over three days taking over both levels of The Old Hairdresser's and Stereo this year. This is our 7th (or maybe 8th) year and might be our best yet, you decide! [Ross Keppie, promoter]

Mean City Fest

Glasgow, 19-21 Sep
Lineup: Meryl Streek, Peroxide, Pizza Tramp
We're very excited about the entire lineup, but we're really proud to be hosting Anarcho legends Zounds as they play their last ever gig in Scotland. We're also incredibly stoked to have Meryl Streek on the bill – he's been such a vocal critic of Dublin’s housing crisis, his performance at Mean City Fest is a powerful statement of solidarity with Glasgow’s homeless community.

Mean City Fest is an entirely DIY undertaking with all profits going to our nominated charity: the Homeless Project Scotland. Our gigs are always a lot of fun and this will be no exception. As we always say, good times for good causes. [Dan and Laura, promoters at Beyond the Gap]

Days

The Pitt, Edinburgh, 27 Sep
Lineup: Erol Alkan, George Riley, Or:la
Putting Days together we had a rough idea that it was a festival for Sneaky Pete's kinda people with great DJs playing. But when the first edition came round, actually being there it dawned on me; this was one of the best crowds ever. We'd somehow managed to attract only sincerely lovely people who knew how to party right. And then the same thing happened at the second Days event – it wasn't a fluke! I guess really good music plus Sneaky Pete's, The Pitt, and RARE together makes this really special thing happen. [Nick Stewart, owner Sneaky Pete's & co-booker of Days alongside RARE]

Interesting Things

Tolbooth, Stirling, 4 Oct
Lineup: Proc Fiskal, Alliyah Enyo, Luga Europ
It's a festival for the curious – so you might come for the mind-bending techno of Mun Sing, but then fall in love with the unhinged dadaist doom poetry of L, the industrial noise of Mrs Frighthouse, or the improv jazz of Ubu Warp Cheer. The thing that unites all the artists, and hopefully the festival itself, is that it's about breaking down boundaries and working beyond any barriers. [David Weaver, programmer for Tolbooth, Stirling]

Edinburgh Indiepop All-dayer

The Mash House, Edinburgh, 4 Oct
Lineup: The Cords, F.O. Machete, The Just Joans
The magic of indiepop events is always the warmth and enthusiasm of the people who come together for them. The idea for this festival really grew out of a conversation with a band after a gig in England. We asked, “Why haven’t you played Edinburgh in so long?” and their answer was simple: “No one asks us.” We wanted to change that and bring more brilliant bands to the city. As a not-for-profit collective, our focus is always on creating great shows and paying bands fairly – something we feel is really important. [Craig McCormack and Andy Watson, members of the Edinburgh Indiepop Collective]

Tenement Trail

Glasgow, 11 Oct
Lineup: Pale Waves, Adult DVD, Cowboy Hunters
This year's lineup feels REALLY special with Pale Waves headlining – I cannot wait to see them in the Barras! I am a HUGE fan of Gallus and Soapbox who never disappoint live! The magic lives in the artists you've maybe never seen before, so I have to shout-out the likes of Sister Madds, Dirty Faces and Matt White & The Emulsions who are all on my MUST SEE list.

Tenement Trail was created by a few young pals and was proper DIY! Now it's en epic production which has grown and grown – it's a special place where music is the answer!! I cannot wait to see everyone do 30,000 steps in Doc Martens and see 30+ bands in one day... It's iconic! [Nadine Walker, part of the festival organiser team]

Trax

Dumfries & Galloway, 11 Oct
Lineup: Stealing Sheep, Paix, Pearling
We're so excited to be bringing Liverpool's Stealing Sheep to the stage this year! The band have spanned so many eras, from indie-folk to rave-pop, and I think how they present this on stage will be really interesting, and knowing them, very fun. Trax celebrates DIY and combats the standard commercial model of festivals. The bill is also extremely varied, celebrating the best of the best in emerging local music. FOMO guaranteed! [Chloe Lancaster, Marketing Officer]

Pop Mutations x Tiny Changes

Glasgow, 18 Oct
Lineup: Altered Images
We have such a cool lineup coming together – some of it is still hush hush! But, I am super excited to have the amazing Altered Images headlining one of the stages – you've heard it here first! We wanted to create something really special, bringing people together and helping us to reach as many people as possible. We'll have well established artists playing at Mono, Stereo, The Old Hairdresser's, The Flying Duck, The Glad Cafe and The 78 at the same time. Hen Hoose and Monorail are helping curate the lineups at two of the venues, so you know they're going to be good! [Nic Beedie, event organiser]