What's On Scotland 1-8 Nov: NEoN

Prepare to get digital, as NEoN digital arts festival is back, and we've not forgotten about the fifth of November either. Plus, Alternative Peers Ball, Parquet Courts, Joe Lycett, Edinburgh Oktoberfest, Numbers and more...

Feature by Nadia Younes | 01 Nov 2018

Annual festival of digital and technological art, NEoN returns for its tenth year in venues across Dundee next week, from 6-11 November.

Just one feature of this year's programme is a festival merging theatre and technology presented by the National Theatre of Scotland, Citizen of Nowhere. Experience VR Theatre (pictured), co-curated by Limina Immersive and William Galinsky, or witness two Macbooks acting in Annie Dorsen’s digital theatre piece Hello Hi There. So modern; so meta.

And, lest we forget, the fifth of November means bonfires, fireworks and other fire-related activities. In Edinburgh, while Meadowbank Stadium is closed for refurbishment, the official Edinburgh fireworks display isn't on this year, but you'll be able to catch some sparks flying at Hopetoun House on 3 November instead. Glasgow Green will once again be lit up on 5 November, but for a quieter affair, head to BAaD's Glasgow Green Fireworks Party, where less people = more fun. Finally, Dundee's annual display will take place as usual in Baxter Park, with entertainment from Tay FM.



Connan Mockasin
Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow. 1 Nov, 7pm
Back with his first solo album in five years and his first full band album ever, slow jam maestro Connan Mockasin released his new album Jassbusters in October. Accompanying the album, Mockasin will be releasing a five-part film project, the first of which he’ll be premiering on an international tour. Expect lots of smooth, funky jams. Image: Alexander Bell



Parquet Courts
SWG3, Glasgow. 6 Nov, 7pm
Brooklyn quartet Parquet Courts latest album, Wide Awake! came third in our Albums of 2018 so far list back in July, after earning a five star review on its release. The band collaborated with Danger Mouse on the record, who has previously produced albums for Gorillaz and The Black Keys, and is also known for being one half of crazy boys Gnarls Barkley. Image: Kathryn Wood


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Alternative Peers Ball
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh. 3 Nov, 5pm
We’ve only gone and co-curated this year’s Alternative Peers Ball line-up, with help from broadcaster and journalist Vic Galloway, and we have to say we’re pretty happy with it. Kilmarnock-formed trio Fatherson will headline the event, which will also see performances from Bossy Love, The Spook School (pictured), Martha Ffion, Kobi Onyame and many more. Image: Cameron Brisbane



FFS!!
Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh. 2 Nov, 8pm
Bearded drag queen Timberlina is the creation of performance artist Tim Redfern, who presents a new show, combining cabaret, theatre, music, drag and comedy, about leaving the city for the countryside. In FFS!!, Timberlina will discuss her new country lifestyle, gardening, foraging, freecycling and all, through a series of original songs and stories based on real life adventures.



Joe Lycett: I'm About To Lose Control And I Think Joe Lycett
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh. 7 Nov, 8pm
Always a fan of pun-heavy show titles, comedian Joe Lycett’s latest tour has the, quite simply, brilliant title of I'm About To Lose Control And I Think Joe Lycett. Seemingly out of parking tickets to protest, Lycett’s getting back on that stand-up horse and hitting the road again, sharing many a funny tale in venues across the UK. Image: Matt Crockett



ADVERTISEMENT | Celtic Connections 2019
Various venues, Glasgow, 17 Jan-3 Feb 2019
Celtic Connections is the leading annual festival of world, folk and roots music that lights up the Scottish winter each year. Taking place in Glasgow every January, the festival welcomes over 2000 artists and musicians to the city from all over the world including some of the most prominent names in roots and world music. Artists appearing at the 2019 festival include Moonlight Benjamin, Rhiannon Giddens, KT Tunstall and Aidan Moffatt & RM Hubbert.



Edinburgh Oktoberfest
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. 31 Oct-4 Nov
We all love a good beer and currywurst, don’t we? Well indulge yourself in plenty at the Halloween edition of Edinburgh Oktoberfest. The event will recreate the feel of genuine Oktoberfest celebrations, held in a 1,800 capacity tent, with waiters and waitresses dressed in Dirndl and Lederhosen. All that, and you don’t even need to brush up on your German beforehand. Prost!



Miss World feat. Nina Las Vegas
Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh. 2 Nov, 11pm
All-female DJ collective Miss World bring Australian DJ Nina Las Vegas along for a guest set at Sneaks tomorrow night. Previously a presenter on renowned Aussie radio station Triple J for over a decade, Nina Agzarian launched her own label, NLV Records, in 2015, on which she has released her own music and that of artists including Ninajirachi and UNiiQU3. Image: Michelle Tran



Numbers
The Art School, Glasgow. 3 Nov, 10pm
The beloved Art School is back in business, and with it comes this huge Numbers night, headed up by the inimitable Helena Hauff (pictured). The line-up includes live shows from South London musician Klein – fresh from supporting Björk on her recent tour – and riotous Bristol band Giant Swan. There's also sets from Batu, Sue Zuki, Numbers co-founder Spencer and new label signing Perko. Image: Fabian Hammerl


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