What's On Scotland 1-8 Aug: Summer Nights at the Bandstand

Yeah, yeah, we know the Fringe has officially started but before we spend the rest of the month bombarding you with even more Edinburgh Festivals content we're taking this opportunity to look outside of the capital, and at the world outside of the Fringe – it is out there, trust us.

Throughout the first half of August, local promoters Regular Music will be hosting a series of gigs in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park under the banner Summer Nights at the Bandstand. The legendary Patti Smith and her band will take to the stage tonight, with further gigs throughout the week from Father John Misty, The Human League and two nights with The National.

Meanwhile, next week there are even more shows from Echo & the Bunnymen, Bloc Party – performing their debut album Silent Alarm in full – and Hue & Cry, who round off proceedings on 10 August. So if you fancy fleeing the Fringe, you know where to go.

---

Want a guide to the best of the Scottish cultural scene in your inbox every week? Sign up to our mailing list! 

---

Akala In Conversation
Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh. 2-6 Aug, times vary
Following his appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival to discuss his first book, Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire, last year, Akala is back at the Edinburgh Festivals, this time for a series of In Conversation shows. In them, he will discuss topics covered in the book, as well as other important themes. And if you're a fan of Akala's music as well as his writing, he'll also be playing a gig at The Liquid Room on Saturday. Image: Paul Husband

Native Girl Syndrome
Summerhall, Edinburgh. 2-11 Aug (not 5 & 6), 4.20pm
From the mind of Lara Kramer comes a fascinating new work that holds a magnifying glass over the cultural displacement Indigenous people feel when placed into contrasting, alien societies. Inspired by the tale of her own migrant grandmother, Kramer’s play sees the duo of Karina Iraola and Angie Cheng embark on a journey of societal reflection, shining an unpleasantly realistic light on the hardships of adjusting to urban life. Image: Marc J. Chalifoux

ADVERTISEMENT | How Not to Drown
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, 4-25 Aug, times vary
The true story of an 11-year-old asylum seeker arriving in the UK, told by the man he is now. In 2002, Dritan is sent on the notoriously perilous journey across the Adriatic with a gang of people smugglers to a new life in Europe. But the fight for survival continues when he ends up in the British care system. Award-winning ThickSkin returns to the stage with an action-packed, highly visual production. Watch the trailer.

Free Love
Summerhall, Edinburgh. 2 Aug, 7pm
Free Love are one of the most exciting live acts to have come out of Scotland in recent years, and it will never not be utterly thrilling to see Suzi Rodden catapulting herself offstage to get up in a crowd. What’s more, this show will feature the exciting angular hooks of Glasgow sextet Kaputt, and the exceptional beats and vocals of Edinburgh duo Maranta. Image: David Wilkinson

Playground Festival
Rouken Glen Park, Glasgow. 2-4 Aug
As if Glasgow's music scene wasn't vibrant enough already, Playground Festival has entered the game. Marking its debut onto the Scottish festival calendar in style, blending together a diverse array of genres over three days, it plays host to an intriguing line-up including the likes of Hot Chip (pictured), Ms Lauryn Hill and Groove Armada – the latter’s only Scottish show in 2019. Image: Aimee Young

Nick Cave: Until
Tramway, Glasgow. 3 Aug-24 Nov
Until sees American artist Nick Cave bring his work to Scotland following its display in Sydney's Carriageworks, and tweaking it specifically to fit Tramway. Until, as in ‘innocent until proven guilty’ – or vice versa here – alludes to gun violence and race hate at play in America, with a plethora of found objects serving as an artistic entrance to a sad, sorry world. Image: Unarmed, 2016 by James Prinz

Free Pride
CCA, Glasgow. 3 Aug, 12pm
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, Free Pride returns for another day of anti-commercialised LGBTQ+ related activities. The event prides (pun intended) itself on being a radical, inclusive and free affair that offers a safe space for attendees to learn, express themselves and rebel against the lack of inclusivity in mainstream LGBTQ+ society. Image: Max Crawford

Miss World: All Stars
Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh. 2 Aug, 11pm
Miss World showcase eight female DJs, new and established, at their monthly Sneaky's residency on Friday, this month landing on the opening weekend of the Fringe. Those on the bill include the participants in their DJing workshop series, which offered five places to women (trans inclusive) and non-binary individuals interested in learning to DJ and starting their own club night. Image: Tiu Makkonen

Shoot Your Shot: 5th Birthday
The Poetry Club, Glasgow. 3 Aug, 11pm
Following their Fringe opening party at Summerhall on Friday – after the Free Love gig – Shoot Your Shot head back to Glasgow, where it all began, to celebrate their fifth birthday. SYS resident and founder Bonzai Bonner will warm up the crowd before Northern Ireland's Cormac graces the booth, delving deep into his extensive record collection to keep the party bouncing until the early hours. Image: Tiu Makonnen

---

Read more news from across the Scottish cultural scene at theskinny.co.uk/news
Find out how you could win some lovely prizes at theskinny.co.uk/competitions

---