Gigs & Live Music

Gigs & Live Music

There are a multitude of venues playing host to live music and gigs across Edinburgh, despite the perennial cries that nothing ever happens here. Ignore that – unless it’s the Summerhall gig series Nothing Ever Happens Here, which has brought many internationally renowned bands and soloists from Wild Beasts to East India Youth to the south side arts hub.

The Cowgate in the Old Town is peppered with venues catering to diverse musical tastes. There’s Bannermans, an underground lair that offers nightly gigs in its grungy vaults. Then there’s Banshee Labyrinth, claiming the hotly contested title of ‘Scotland’s Most Haunted Pub’ and staging live music including open mic nights, karaoke and battle of the bands. 

Sneaky Pete’s is arguably the city's best club despite being one of its smallest, and provides Edinburgh’s music fans with the latest cutting edge live acts from electro to indie followed by  club nights later on. Next door’s Opium is for a rock crowd, and they don't really cater to any other tastes. In the New Town, the Voodoo Rooms offer gilt-mirrored salons and a home to long-running local band celebrants Limbo.

Mid-level international acts can still be seen in the Liquid Room, located on Victoria Street. Bigger acts still can be found on the stage of the Corn Exchange, on the outskirts of town while the Ross Bandstand in Princes St Gardens offers a magical setting for summer gig series beneath Edinburgh Castle.

The Castle itself is not averse to the odd gig, and any mention of Edinburgh live music would be incomplete without mention of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, the city’s world-leading New Year’s celebrations which feature live music on Princes St, in the gardens and throughout the city.

This is all only scratching the surface, so we’ve put together the best guide to Edinburgh gig and live music listings, from free events to superstar tours featuring both Scottish bands and international talent. If you’re organising an event or spot any information which needs listing or updating, let us know by contacting listings@theskinny.co.uk with the event and venue details.