Scottish Live Music Highlights: November 2026

One of the biggest nights for the Scottish music industry happens this month, with The SAY Award (5 Nov) returning to Dundee’s Caird Hall. Performances on the night will include 2025 winners Kai Reesu alongside 2025 Sound of Young Scotland winner Alice Faye. With a lot of past winners and nominees also out on the road this month, that's where we're headed next... In Edinburgh, recently returned from the moon, The Spook School play The Caves (4 Nov) with support from KuleeAngee and Zoe Graham, Jasmin Jet (nominated for this year's Sound of Young Scotland award) forms part of an Off the Record showcase at Sneaky Pete’s (6 Nov), while Becky Sikasa brings her soulful sounds to The Caves (10 Nov), with a show at Glasgow's Rum Shack on the 12th.

Also in Glasgow, Theo Bleak (8 Nov) and Pippa Blundell (12 Nov) play shows at Cottiers, Kai Reesu launch sophomore record Kompromat, vol. II at The Rum Shack with Sonedo on support (13 Nov), and Dead Pony play Barrowlands (14 Nov). The Snuts play Dundee (LiveHouse, 19 Nov), Aberdeen (Beach Ballroom, 20 Nov) and Edinburgh (Corn Exchange, 21 Nov), Mogwai play two nights at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (20 & 21 Nov) and Niamh Corkey supports Curiosity Shop at The Glad Cafe (21 Nov).

There's loads of exceptional rising Scottish talent to be found across the country this month too. In Edinburgh, experimental electronic artist samwooddoowmas launches his brand new night Splinters at People’s Leisure Club (4 Nov) with music from Faliraki, You Are Lost Be Careful and Novalia. AMPLIFI returns to The Queen’s Hall with Jaz Riley, Khalid Al Khajah and Tayoh (11 Nov), Stillhound’s Laurie Corlett-Donald launches his debut solo album at Voodoo Rooms (12 Nov), Supper Club welcome Texture Texture to the basement of Safari Lounge (14 Nov), play nice presents a triple bill of HMS Morris, Big Girl’s Blouse and Hens Bens at the Leith Cricket Club (14 Nov), Samuel Nicholson brings his big voice to Leith Depot (21 Nov) and Haiver play The Caves (26 Nov).

In Glasgow, catch Birdvox at The Art School (7 Nov), Humour at The Hug & Pint (12 Nov), Life Without Buildings at Saint Luke’s (16 & 17 Nov) and Clay Rings at McChuills (20 Nov). Post Coal Prom Queen launch their Gaelic-infused album at The Old Hairdresser’s (23 Nov), Goodnight Louisa plays The Poetry Club (27 Nov) and Fright Years play King Tut’s (28 Nov). In Dundee, head to CANVAS for Lewis McLaughlin (19 Nov) and Beat Generator Live! for Helicon (28 Nov).

When it comes to festivals, annual celebration of noise, core. (13-15 Nov) returns to Glasgow with Saetia, Petrol Girls, Pig Destroyer and Gun Ghaol all set to play, Pop Mutations team up once again with Tiny Changes (13 & 14 Nov) for a lineup featuring Kathryn Joseph, Rozi Plain, Billy Nomates and more, while not festival but awards ceremony the SAMAs returns to Saint Luke’s (28 Nov). In Edinburgh, Deep Time’s festival of new music returns to Fruitmarket (26-28 Nov) with a programme curated by multi-hyphenate Jennifer Walshe, while the Soundhouse Winter Festival (26-30 Nov) brings a stacked lineup to the Traverse featuring Sacred Paws, Malin Lewis, Matt Carmichael, Laura Osa and more.

It's also a packed month for touring artists. In Edinburgh catch rex orange county (Assembly Rooms, 10 Nov), Anna von Hausswolff (The Queen’s Hall, 14 Nov), Joshua Idehen (La Belle Angele, 16 Nov), The Big Moon (La Belle Angele, 19 Nov) and Clara Mann (Pianodrome, 24 Nov), while Glasgow welcomes Yard Act (Barrowlands, 11 Nov), Tara Clerkin Trio (The Glad Cafe, 15 Nov), Haute & Freddy (King Tut’s, 15 Nov), Fontaines D.C. (OVO Hydro, 22 Nov), Westside Cowboy (Saint Luke’s, 24 Nov), Getdown Services (Barrowlands, 26 Nov), Phoebe Bridgers (OVO Hydro, 27 Nov), Fat Dog (Old Fruitmarket, 28 Nov) and DESIRE (Stereo, 28 Nov). In Dundee, seek out Dogshow (Beat Generator Live!, 19 Nov).