What's On Scotland 2-8 Jul: Kelburn Garden Party & more

It's time for our favourite music festival of the year – Kelburn Garden Party kicks off today (!!), running from 2-6 July at the beautiful Kelburn Estate. Tickets for the festival sold out in record time this year so if you don't have yours yet, it might be a case of begging, borrowing, stealing, or keeping an eye on their authorised resale.

For those who were organised enough, may we point you in the direction of our Pyramid Stage, curated by our Music Editor Tallah. There's an incredible lineup waiting for you there, including Athens of the North, Gaïa, Indoor Foxes, Miwa Nagato-Apthorp, Dara Dubh and Tina Sandwich. Also appearing at the rest of the festival are the likes of Acolyte, Joshua Idehen, Nikki Kent and more. See you there!!

Empress - Opening Ritual
People’s Leisure Club, Edinburgh. 2 Jul, 11pm
The trans techno soirée you’ve been waiting for takes over People’s Leisure Club. Their inaugural night features sets from L( )CIDXXX, 3SBAT and NEONVITA and a live ritual from KOPI ROMANTIKO showcasing outfits from the upcoming ABYSS WITCH COUTURE collection.

No Strings On Me
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow. 4-26 Jul
This eclectic programme of films celebrates the alternately comic, uncanny and fantastic history of puppetry in cinema. There’s a great mix of well-loved classics and little known gems, including 40th anniversary screenings of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. Image: TriStar Pictures.

Martha May & The Mondays
Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh. 2 Jul, 7pm
Having come up from relatively more whimsical folk roots, Martha May & The Mondays have pivoted to a more playfully cathartic punk sound in the year since. They released their debut single in 2023 and the very fun and very angry EP Zeroes and Villains last year. Image: Hope Summers.

This Is Rambert
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, 2-4 Jul, various times
Acclaimed dance company Rambert celebrate their centenary by bringing together three urgent, contemporary works: Hop(e)storm, Gallery of Consequence and In Crimson exploring ideas of resilience, liminality and the possibilities of movement. Image: Hugo Glendinning.

↪ Jericho Mars: My heart is drenched in blood! My heart is drenched in blood!
Tramway, Glasgow. Until 9 Aug
Developed over seven months in a former schoolhouse, this exhibition explores practices of repetition and absence, and how objects and words removed from their context can construct ideas of image, language and meaning.

→ Leila Bordreuil
The Glad Cafe, Glasgow. 7 Jul, 7:30pm
French-American cellist, composer and improvisational artist Leila Bordreuil creates music driven by ideas of texture, amplification and space. She is supported by Matt Robin, Princessa Mangione II and Classifieds.

→ Noise Complaint! 1st Birthday Party
SWG3, Glasgow. 4 Jul, 11pm
Google noise complaint Glasgow and amidst all the very boring narcing lies this party dedicated to trance and techno: they're turning one this month and celebrating with sets from Babyjaii, Danyo, NORTH STAR and more.