Scottish Live Music Highlights: July 2026

Writing this on the hottest day of the year so far, it seems fitting to start by telling you about some of the lovely gigs and festivals taking place outside this July. The month is bookended by two gorgeous camping festivals – Kelburn Garden Party (2-6 Jul) at Kelburn Castle on the west coast near Largs and Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (30 Jul-1 Aug) on the Belladrum Estate near Inverness. At the former you’ll find a whole stage curated by us with local artists like SOAPBOX, Kai Reesu and Indoor Foxes playing, while big hitters like Joshua Idenehen, Emma-Jane Thackray and Snapped Ankles can be found elsewhere. At Belladrum, expect The Human League, Rizzle Kicks, Brooke Combe, Getdown Services and loads more.

In Glasgow, there’s also loads going on in the great outdoors. At Bellahouston Park get yr bald caps polished off for Mr Worldwide, aka Pitbull, who rolls into the city on 1 July, while on the 4th, look out your emo militaria for My Chemical Romance. At Queen’s Park Arena, Black Country, New Road (16 Jul) and Gary Numan (17 Jul) are set to play, while The Flaming Lips (27 Jul) kick off this year's Summer Nights at the Bandstand shows in Kelvingrove Park. SWG3 are in on the outdoor fun too, with Caribou (17 Jul) and the Lost Map Summer Party (31 Jul) featuring Pictish Trail, The Bug Club, Both Hands and Hot Chip DJs taking place in the Galvanizers Yard.

Heading indoors, festival season continues in Glasgow with the start of The Hug & Pint’s Endless Summer series on 2 July and King Tut’s Summer Nights on 9 July. On 18 July, the Crossbreaker all-dayer at Stereo is one for fans of metal and hardcore, while in Edinburgh, it’s time for round three of Edinburgh’s Cowgate Block Party, this time featuring Ask Alice, Both Hands, Nick Dow and PVC alongside more local and touring talent. The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (17-26 Jul) returns to the capital this month too, where amongst a packed programme you'll find loads of local talent. At the St Bride’s Centre in Dalry, check out GAÏA (17 Jul), Seonaid Aitken (21 Jul) and Fergus McCreadie Meets Xhosa Cole (24 Jul). At The Jazz Bar, check out TAO (18 Jul) and Laura Osa Quartet (25 Jul), while the George Square Spiegeltent will host Matt Carmichael Sextet (18 Jul) and Alice Faye (23 Jul) among many others.

Festivals aside, following the release of The Lightswitch last month, Jo Mango plays Stirling’s Tolbooth (3 Jul), while later in the month two New Noise nights celebrate new Scottish talent (18 & 24 Jul). In Edinburgh, Martha May & The Mondays play Sneaky Pete’s (2 Jul), Frankie Morrow celebrates debut album Way Out West at Leith Depot (5 Jul), quirky avant-pop artist Gurry Wurry launches new album Glue at Sneaky Pete’s (10 Jul), Dovetailed, the new project from Raveloe and Simon Liddell (Frightened Rabbit) play Home Bar with Faith Eliott and Quitter (12 Jul), and bedroom pop artist and former Edinburgh resident sarya plays People’s Leisure Club (16 Jul).

In Glasgow, Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Carl Marah brings the retro vibes of his recent Me, Myself and I EP to McChuills (8 Jul), before Glasgow-based, British-Canadian synth whizz Soft Riot celebrates Crux at The Old Hairdresser’s (18 Jul). On 25 July, Edinburgh-based Irish singer-songwriter Étáin brings her debut album, The Well, to The Hug & Pint, while rounding out the month, Bill Wells, Norman Blake and Aby Vuillamy perform Dreams ‘24 / ‘25 at The Glad Cafe (31 Jul).

And finally, fitting into none of the above categories, The Maccabees play the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh (6 Jul), David Byrne plays three nights at the Edinburgh Playhouse (20-22 Jul) and Agnes Obel plays Stirling’s Albert Halls on the 24th.