What's On: Live Music in Scotland, August 2021

The live music industry completely shut down overnight back in March 2020 and it was a complete shock to the system. We all thought the lockdown was temporary, so after countless postponements and cancellations, 17 months later, live music is finally back on the menu.

Starting in Edinburgh, on 8 August Kathryn Joseph kicks off the International Festival’s contemporary programme at their Edinburgh Park pop-up marquee in the west of the city. Others set to grace its stage include Erland Cooper (15 Aug), Nadine Shah (18 Aug), and Anna Meredith (20 Aug) as well as a trio of 2021 Mercury Prize shortlisted artists: Floating Points (14 Aug), Black Country, New Road (23 Aug), and Laura Mvula (29 Aug), nominated for her recent 80s-indebted album Pink Noise.

Want to get straight back into the swing of things? We have pairs of tickets for both Kathryn Joseph's gig on 8 Aug and the Neu! Reekie! show featuring Edwin Collins on 12 Aug to be won in our competition – put your name in the virtual hat here!

Summerhall reopens this month, too, where a slew of local talent will be gracing the stage of their brand new Secret Courtyard venue as part of their Edinburgh Festival Fringe schedule. Running from 6 to 28 August, expect everyone from Meursault (7 Aug) and Siobhan Wilson (26 Aug) to past SAY Award winners Sacred Paws (13 Aug), Steve Lamacq favourite Hamish Hawk (17 Aug) and Kapil Seshasayee (15 Aug).

Glasgow dwellers will also find Seshasayee at King Tut’s this month (24 Aug), where he’s set to play his brand new, yet to be released, album in full as part of their Summer Nights festival. Running from 9 to 31 August, the local talent on offer across the month is outstanding, with one to watch Brooke Combe opening proceedings. Our other top shouts include TAAHLIAH (14 Aug), Scarlet Randle (16 Aug), Swim School (21 Aug), HYYTS (26 Aug), Dead Pony (28 Aug), and Kitti (29 Aug).

Hug & Pint also have their own festival this month – Endless Summer. Running until 9 September, quirky Edinburgh four-piece Bikini Body headline the opening night on 10 August. Another pair of Edinburgh acts, Maranta and Super Inuit play two days later (12 Aug), while towards the end of the month you can catch the inimitable Heir of the Cursed (26 Aug), and Chizu Nnamdi (29 Aug). The Jupiter Rising festival is also back at Edinburgh sculpture park Jupiter Artland (27-29 Aug) this month, with co-curation from Lost Map Records, Night School Records and OH141. [Tallah Brash]