What's On Scotland 23-30 Aug: Light on the Shore

Edinburgh International Festival's Light on the Shore series really reaches its peak this weekend, with a truly astounding line-up of events – round of applause for them please; they've only gone and sorted out your whole weekend for you, so you owe them that much.

As they prepare to release the soundtrack to KIN this month, the mighty Mogwai return to Edinburgh for two nights of foundation-shaking post-rock to please your body and soul; catch them at Leith Theatre tonight in the second of those two shows. Tomorrow, Carla J. Easton and friends celebrate the unsung women pioneers of Scottish pop in Since Yesterday – a live gig celebration, which coincides with Easton and filmmaker Blair Young's documentary of the same name.

Make a day of it on Saturday, with a B2B at Leith Theatre. Berlin-based classical collective s t a r g a z e give a special performance of Boards of Canada's 1996 EP Hi Scores; conducted by André de Ridder, this will be a rare opportunity to hear Boards of Canada's music in a live setting. Go for some food and few drinks down Leith then head back to dance the night away at Alan Cumming presents Club Cumming.

St. Vincent
The Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh. 26 Aug, 8pm
With five solo records, a collaborative album with Talking Heads’ David Byrne, her own signature guitar design and several other amazing things we don’t have room to list here, Annie Clark is one lady we can’t wait to see this August. She brings her revamped and newly-titled I Am a Lot Like You! Tour to the capital, in support of her brilliant 2017 album Masseduction. Image: Derek Bremner

Kendrick Lamar
Bellahouston Park, Glasgow. 29 Aug, 6pm
Twice in one year? You’re spoiling us Kenny! Hot on the heels of his five-star performance at the Hydro back in February, Glasgow Summer Sessions bring Kendrick Lamar back to Scotland, and he’s bringing some pretty cool pals along with him. K.Dot will be joined by Bugzy Malone and none other than hip-hop heroes N.E.R.D. Excited? Us too. Image: Top Dawg Entertainment

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Beyond Borders International Festival
Traquair House, Innerleithen. 25-26 Aug
Beyond Borders International Festival returns for its ninth year, taking place over two days in the Scottish Borders. Don't miss Razia Iqbal in conversation with New York Times Associate Managing Editor Jodi Rudoren, and Director of Equate Scotland Talat Yaqoob, along with other guests on Saturday to explore the ongoing fight for women’s voices to be heard. Image: David Packard / Beyond Borders

Akala: The Ruins of Empire
Baillie Gifford Main Theatre, Charlotte Sq, Edinburgh. 24 Aug, 8.30pm
UK hip-hop and Fire in the Booth royalty, poet, activist and now author, Akala brings Natives, his first book, to this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival in another Skinny-sponsored event. In the book, he explores his experiences of racism and classism in the UK from his childhood and adulthood and connects them to the social, political and historical context. Image: Paul Husband

Welcome to Night Vale
Summerhall, Edinburgh. 23-26 Aug, times vary
In case you didn’t know, podcasts are totally in right now. Everyone’s sick of binge-watching shows on Netflix so they’ve taken to the ‘casts instead. Welcome to Night Vale is one of the most successful; developed in 2012 by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, the twice-monthly podcast offers news updates from the fictional town of Night Vale, from weather forecasts to supernatural events.

ADVERTISEMENT | NEoN Digital Arts Festival
Various venues, Dundee, 6-11 Nov
What is fleeting and what will last forever? Join us at this year’s NEoN to seek the answers to the big questions. In Scotland’s Year of Young People, we will envision the future paths of ‘digital natives’, those born into an internet and digitally-enabled world. How will this technologically enhanced future alter our perceptions of lifespans – both physical and digital?

Vegan Connections
The Briggait, Glasgow. 25-26 Aug, 10am
Vegan Connections festival returns this weekend with a two-day veggie-powered market celebrating the best that vegan food has to offer. Expect great stallholders bringing a whole host of exciting stuff, with all profits going to Tribe Animal Sanctuary and Veganuary. Who could say no to a day of good food for a good cause? Not us anyway, that's for sure.

Sub Club SoundSystem
BAaD, Glasgow. 25-26 Aug, 2pm
Subby SoundSystem returns for its annual two-day takeover of Barras Art & Design, bringing an assortment of predictably high-profile names. On Saturday, the line-up includes Motor City Drum Ensemble, KiNK, DJ Heather and Harri & Domenic, while The Black Madonna (pictured), Midland, Fort Romeau and Sensu tie things up on Sunday.

Pieute Birthday Party
Fireside, Edinburgh. 25-26 Aug, 12pm
Ethical Edinburgh-based skatewear and streetwear brand Pieute celebrate the brand's sixth birthday and the shop's third this weekend, with two days of fun at Fireside. The party will include free Pieute tattoos, stunts for prizes at Chambers Street, a 500-capacity vault party with NikNak, tasty pizza from Civerinos and product giveaways all day. Image: Robbie Walker

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