Scottish Live Music Highlights: March 2023
March is packed with left-field pop from Young Fathers, Self Esteem, Låpsley and the return of AMPLIFI – details of that and more in our Scottish gig guide
The March gigs calendar starts off strong with what we’re sure will be two intimate yet absolute fire nights at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh on the 1st and 2nd. First up, fresh from remixing Caroline Polachek, South London trio PVA bring their debut album BLUSH to the capital, while the following night Edinburgh-based hip-hop heavyweight Psweatpants is in the top spot. A couple of nights later, New Zealander Nadia Reid swings by Sneaky’s (4 Mar), while pop icon Self Esteem rolls into town for her biggest Edinburgh show to date at The Queen’s Hall (5 Mar), before playing the Barrowlands the following night.
On 12 March, you’re guaranteed a night of unstoppable fun at The Mash House courtesy of Dutch alt-indie troupe Personal Trainer. Death Cab for Cutie bring Asphalt Meadows – as well as many other hits, we’re sure – to the gorgeous Usher Hall (22 Mar) and Glasgow rising talent Joesef plays The Queen's Hall (23 Mar). Catch both at the Barras on the next night of their respective tours.
Rounding out our Edinburgh recommendations, be sure to catch Lisa O’Neill who plays two nights at the Voodoo Rooms (26 and 27 Mar) in celebration of All of This Is Chance, released last month via Rough Trade. A slew of local talent rounds out the month with the latest instalment of AMPLIFI at The Queen’s Hall (29 Mar) featuring 4tune, Xavier Lacroix and Nikhita, before Glasgow garage rock trio Shredd play Voodoo Rooms (30 Mar).
In Glasgow, Edinburgh's premier boy band Young Fathers continue their lap of honour with two nights at the O2 Academy (3 and 4 Mar), while a few nights later (8 Mar) queen Lizzo brings her mighty pop credentials and non-stop bangers to the OVO Hydro. Further up the river, a week apart from one another at SWG3 you’ll find Ladytron (10 Mar) and Alex G (17 Mar).
If Alex G doesn't float your boat, on the same day you'll find the alt-pop stylings of Låpsley at St Luke’s, while the more experimental soundscapes of composer and producer Hinako Omori can be heard at The Glad Cafe. The second half of the month also brings the gorgeous songwriting of Anna B Savage to the CCA (21 Mar), while on the same night you can catch Graham Coxon's new project with Rose Elinor Dougall, The Waeve, at St Luke’s. Finally, be sure to catch LVRA’s visceral live show at Civic House on 31 March as they celebrate the release of Soft Like Steel.