The Skinny's guide to Edinburgh's music scene

We've said it before and we'll say it again, despite being Scotland's capital, Edinburgh is often overshadowed by its pal in the west, Glasgow. It is a UNESCO city of music, after all, so you'll be pleased to hear that if there are gigs happening there while you're in the Burgh, it's super easy and quick to get to by train, with some Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street trains taking as little as 45 minutes.

But that's enough about Glasgow. Stick around in Edinburgh and there are rewards to be found. The DIY and grassroots scene in the capital is great, if you know where to look – enter us! Hi, hello! If you head down to Leith, near the bottom of Leith Walk is Leith Depot – with its thriving small gigs scene, you'll find local bands playing most nights of the week, and we're not talking cover bands, we mean bona fide local talent writing their own original songs and carving their own place in Edinburgh's music scene. A short walk across Leith Links, is Leith FAB Cricket Club, a social club with their irregular gigs and clubs programme overseen by Leith Depot. Here, you'll find local artists launching new releases, one-off parties, clubs that finish at 1am and Scotland's national lager – Tennent's – served in glass bottles that look antique. If you've got time to really get to grips with Leith while you're here, pop into spots like Sett Studios and Settlements Projects, or Safari Lounge and Bellfield Brewery in neigbouring Abbeyhill. While live music isn't what any of them do as a priority, they've all been known to put on unforgettable gigs in recent times, so swing by at the right time and you might stumble upon a rare gem.

Good Vibes record shop, just beyond the Foot of the Walk, and helpfully on the tram route, have also been known to host in-stores from time to time, as do most other independents in the city, with Bruntsfield's Thorne Records and Grindlay Street's Assai Records worth looking up while you're in town. The latter have hosted out-stores for big names like Confidence Man and our own Young Fathers at city centre venues for intimate album launches.

Thorne Records. Image: Thorne Records.

Sticking in the city centre, grassroots music thrives in spots like Bannerman's and Banshee Labyrinth, if you like your music on the slightly heavier, more abrasive side, while a little further along the Cowgate, at world-renowned, award-winning spot Sneaky Pete's, you'll find all manner of local and touring talent playing intimate shows for just over 100 people at a time. What's more, some of the world's biggest names in DJing have played here over the years, with many requesting to come back again and again to play this intimate sweatbox like no other. If you're here in August, Sneaky's has a late license meaning it's open until 5am every night, so don't be surprised if you stumble out the club to find the sun is coming up. It happens.

Also in the old town, mid-sized gig and club spots like The Liquid Room, Bongo Club (an Underbelly Fringe venue in August), Cabaret Voltaire, The Mash House, The Caves and La Belle Angele should also be on your checklist. If you're specifically in the city for August, La Belle has a packed live programme, including a new gig series from 432 Presents called Big Nights @ La Belle. Highlights include BC Camplight (3 Aug), Jurassic 5's Chali 2na (1 Aug), LA's hiliarious Thumpasaurus (18 Aug) and Kate Stables' This Is the Kit (26 Aug). Also at La Belle, keep an eye out for the Made in Scotland Showcases, still TBC at the time of writing, forming part of the Fringe series that celebrates world class music, theatre, and dance being created in Scotland.

If BIG gigs are more your vibe, you'll find shows at grander spots in the city like the Usher Hall and The Queen's Hall, while Edinburgh Castle provides an impressive backdrop for a few shows in July. For EVEN BIGGER shows, look to the outskirts of the city. In August, Edinburgh Summer Sessions are set to welcome Sam Fender and Chappell Roan to the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston (near the Airport); while they are sold out, it's worth checking Ticketmaster nearer the time for official resales.

Christine and the Queens @ Usher Hall, Edinburgh. Image: Mert Keith.

In North Berwick, an East Lothian seaside town just over half an hour away on the train from Edinburgh Waverley, see some big names as part of their Fringe by the Sea festival (1-10 Aug). French electronic pop pioneers Air (2 Aug) are set to play their iconic debut album Moon Safari in full to mark its 25th anniversary, local star Hamish Hawk plays alongside Billy Nomates and Cloth on the 8th, while 2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective play the following night. At the end of August seek out Edinburgh Psych Fest (31 Aug) taking over arts space Summerhall as well as The Queen's Hall for a big day of exciting music to end the month on a high. Nadine Shah, Du Blonde, Getdown Services, Horse Jumper of Love and local party starters Bikini Body, signed to Glasgow's Optimo Music Rocks label, are all set to play.

Finally, if you want to get to the heart of the city's musical history, add Edinburgh's Greatest Hits Walking Tour to your to-do list. Running on Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 23 August (or nab a 2for1 on their Monday 4 August outing), learn about the musicians who have stayed, played and made music in Scotland's capital over the years, and hear tales of artists like David Bowie and Nirvana and how they made their mark on the city's ever-evolving music scene.

This article is taken from the 2025 edition of The Skinny Guide to Edinburgh – a 116-page selection of some of our favourite things to do and places to go across the city. Pick up a copy at venues across Edinburgh this summer, or read it online via Issuu.