OK PAL Records MAP Fundraiser @ Lost In Leith, Edinburgh, 20 Jan

Down by The Shore in Leith, independent label OK PAL Records and the cosy, secluded Lost In Leith bar are tonight joining forces for a charitable evening packed with live music and unique prizes. The venue is compact and stylishly lit – perfect shelter on a cold, blustery evening – with a small stage tucked away in one corner, nestled beneath a rustic stone arch ceiling.

It's from this vantage point that our host Hailey Beavis (co-founder of OK PAL Records) announces an intriguing lineup of artists before reminding us to purchase a raffle ticket for the chance of winning one of the incredible prize bundles on offer (all donated by local artists and businesses) – but more importantly, to help raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Image: Faith Eliott and Robyn Dawson at Lost In Leith by Andy Catlin

Without much delay, Faith Eliott (OK PAL's other co-founder) takes over, stepping onto the stage armed with just an acoustic guitar. Their ammunition? A soothing voice, a witty vocabulary and an endearing collection of folk tunes: often quirky, occasionally haunting, and always lyrically engaging. For a couple of songs, they're joined on stage by violinist and vocalist Robyn Dawson, her strings and backing vocals providing the perfect accompaniment to Eliott's gently sombre songwriting. The set ends with a brilliant number about a container ship (carrying luxury cars) on fire in the Atlantic Ocean, a satisfying demonstration of Eliott's unusual sense of humour.

After some delightfully catchy beats in the interlude, electronic pop artist SHEARS (Ayr's own Rebecca Shearing, now based in Leith) ignites the room with an impressive set of rousing pop songs, club bangers and soulful ballads. Her vocals are simply jaw-dropping, occasionally hitting high notes Mariah Carey would be jealous of, and her heavy electronic instrumentals are utterly infectious, serving up classic club anthems alongside thundering drum'n'bass. SHEARS allows herself the occasional vocal overindulgence (something she confesses on stage), but with a voice that good, the extravagance is quickly forgiven.

Image: SHEARS at Lost In Leith by Andy Catlin

For the third act, our host Beavis joins producer Brian Pokora, becoming Both Hands. Offering up a heady mixture of knob-twiddling electronics, trip-hop and performance art, the pair make an immediate impression. Pokora (dressed in tiny swimming trunks and a Hawaiian shirt) focuses intently on his buttons and dials, jiving alongside Beavis (a blonde enigma clad entirely in black), whose expressive vocals and vivid dance moves are mesmerising. Their songs sit in the gaps between Portishead, Post Coal Prom Queen, Pumarosa and Björk, resulting in a weirdly thrilling experience.

Those performances alone would have been plenty justification for the asking price, but (following the raffle) DJ sets from Pokora and Arusa Qureshi keep the party going well into the wee hours. This wasn't just any charity gig, this was an OK PAL Records charity gig, which, as it turns out, is a very unusual and special thing indeed.

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The OK Pal fundraiser for Medical Aid for Palestinians raised a whopping £2,808 – if you weren't there, but would like to donate, you can do so here

okpalrecords.com