Summerhall appoint Arusa Qureshi as Music Programme Manager

At the end of June it was announced that, after eight years in the role, Jamie Sutherland would be stepping down as Music Programme Manager at Summerhall, the iconic multi-arts venue in Edinburgh’s Southside. Having launched and run the highly successful Nothing Ever Happens Here series, bringing artists from near and far to the venue over the years, he has been an integral part of growing Edinburgh’s life music offerings for the best part of ten years, and we’re excited to see what he brings in his new role at arts and performance venue SEALL on the Isle of Skye.

But what does that mean for Summerhall? For us at The Skinny, one name immediately came to mind when it was announced that Sutherland would be stepping down. We’re delighted and excited to say our hopes and dreams have come true, and that the incomparable Arusa Qureshi will be stepping into the role in a freelance capacity.

“We are so very lucky to be able to work with Arusa,” Summerhall Chief Executive Sam Gough says. “As we move forward with our live music programme, we can’t wait to see how much further we can go and where she will take us. I am certain the programme will be embraced by our current audiences as well as many new ones. This is a very exciting announcement!”

Many Skinny readers will already know the name. Arusa has featured in our pages and at our events on many occasions – as a writer, DJ, music programmer, and as the Editor of our sister publication Fest. But her talents don’t stop there. Qureshi is a freelance writer for publications such as The Scotsman, Clash, The Guardian, GoldFlakePaint, Time Out, The Quietus and NME among others.

In 2021 she penned the book Flip the Script: How Women Came to Rule Hip Hop. Part of 404 Ink’s Inklings series, Flip the Script is an invigorating and inspiring read that puts women in music in the spotlight. Later this year Qureshi is set to chair the 12th annual Scottish Album of the Year Award, she’s on the board of the Scottish Music Centre and is a co-curator of the award-winning AMPLIFI gig series at The Queen’s Hall, helping platform Black People and People of Colour in the Scottish music scene.

Arusa Qureshi DJing at The Skinny 200th Issue Party @ Summerhall, 1 Dec 2023. Photo: Martyna Maz

As you can see, Qureshi is a real force for positive change in the Scottish music scene and we can’t wait to see what she brings to her new position to Summerhall. Of her appointment, Qureshi says: “I'm absolutely delighted to be joining the team at Summerhall and I'm honoured to have been considered in the first place for such an important role. 

“As an Edinburgh native, I feel strongly about protecting, uplifting and highlighting the city’s music community, from its talented artists and DJs to its grassroots venues and spaces. Summerhall has felt like home to me as a creative in the city for quite some time and I’m thrilled to be coming on board and joining a team that I’ve had the pleasure of working with in various capacities in the past. Jamie Sutherland has been and is a total force in the music industry and what he has achieved in his role at Summerhall is outstanding. I hope to be able to build on his legacy and his immense hard work to ensure Summerhall's music programme remains vibrant, bold and exceptional.”