Edinburgh Festival Guide

Listings: Music

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Ali McGregor's Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night

Ali McGregor and Assembly. It's late, the bar's open and the scene is set for the Fringe's finest comedy, burlesque and cabaret to collide. Hosted by Fringe favourite and cabaret star Ali McGregor with her smokin' hot trio this is variety at its best. The night is littered with the unique interpretations of songs that…

Assembly Checkpoint, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

£10 / 0131 226 0000

Preview Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Fri 2 Aug

£14 (£13) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Sat 3 Aug

£14 (£13) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 13 more dates

Movements: Brian Eno

Music since recording is a new art form, which bears only as much resemblance to traditional, performed music as cinema does to theatre. What are the special characteristics of this new art? How did it evolve? Where might it be going? Brian Eno shares his thoughts.

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Fri 23 Aug

£6 / 0131 473 2000

Part of Movements.

Andreas Scholl, Tamar Halperin

German singer Andreas Scholl is one of classical music’s superstars, and has introduced countless listeners to the irresistible beauty of his countertenor voice. His acclaimed performances match exquisite grace in his singing with a charismatic stage presence, packed full of passion and an arresting freedom of expression.

The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh

Thu 29 Aug

£8–£29 / 0131 473 2000

Part of The Queen's Hall Series.

Edinburgh: Festival City

Composer Tod Machover, conductor Peter Oundjian and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra take us through the creation of a new piece of music celebrating the City of Edinburgh and its Festival and co-created by members of the public.

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Tue 27 Aug

£6 / 0131 473 2000

Fauré Requiem

A concert of warmth and lyricism that draws on the refined playing for which the Scottish Chamber Orchestra is renowned. Principal conductor Robin Ticciati is joined by the remarkable National Youth Choir of Scotland and two exceptional solo vocal talents. Sir Thomas Allen is one of Britain’s best-loved singers…

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Sat 17 Aug

£12–£42 / 0131 473 2000

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Pure Brass

Bach to Berio, Lutoslawski to Puttin’ on the Ritz performed by Iain Archibald and Andrew Connell-Smith (trumpet), Martin Murphy (horn), Gordon Seith (trombone) and Fraser Russell (tuba).

The Hub, Edinburgh

Mon 12 Aug

£10 / 0131 473 2000

Part of Cafe Concerts.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

This unique event that draws crowds (and performers) from all over the world celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland with massed pipes and drums, massed military bands, display teams, dancers and the haunting lament of the Lone Piper set against the magnificent backcloth of Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh Castle

Fri 2 Aug

Times vary / £24–£58 / 0131 225 1188

Sat 3 Aug

Times vary / £24–£58 / 0131 225 1188

Sun 4 Aug

Times vary / £24–£58 / 0131 225 1188

…and 20 more dates

Virgin Money Fireworks Concert (Ross Theatre)

Join the city of Edinburgh in a celebration of summer festivals, inspirational music and breathtaking pyrotechnics as the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert brings the Edinburgh International Festival to a resplendent conclusion. Set against the magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh’s iconic Castle, the evening brings together…

Ross Theatre Bandstand, Edinburgh

Sun 1 Sep

£27.50 / 0131 473 2000

Festival Folk @ the Oak

The Wee Folk Club. The Royal Oak is one of the most famous hubs of folk music in Edinburgh. The 30-seater downstairs lounge has been dubbed the folk living room of Scotland's capital. During the Fringe, the Wee Folk Club presents 35 nights of acoustic folk and traditional music, featuring a different singer, musician…

The Royal Oak, Edinburgh

Mon 29 Jul

Royal Oak Lounge

£6 / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tue 30 Jul

Royal Oak Lounge

£6 / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Wed 31 Jul

Royal Oak Lounge

£6 / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 32 more dates

In the Pink - Fabulous Female a Cappella!

Oxford's gorgeous singing sensations return for their ninth year at the Fringe! With lush harmonies, quirky choreography, and award-winning soloists, In the Pink guarantee a toe-tapping performance, wrapped up with their signature girl-next-door charm. From 90s classics to modern chart-toppers, the show is perfect for all…

C, Edinburgh

Sun 11 Aug

+1

£11.50 (£9.50; Children £7.50; Seniors £9.50; Students £9.50) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Mon 12 Aug

+1

£9.50 (£7.50; Children £5.50; Seniors £7.50; Students £7.50) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tue 13 Aug

+1

£9.50 (£7.50; Children £5.50; Seniors £7.50; Students £7.50) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 10 more dates back to top

Joe Gordon Ragtime Banjoes

A Festival institution and always a sell out. The veteran White Heather Club singer and banjo player loves traditional jazz, and plays rags, stomps, blues and swing tunes with Mike Daly on trumpet and Beverley Knight (banjo), Ken MacDonald (bass) and Scott Gordon (drums).

Royal Overseas League, Edinburgh

Wed 24 Jul

£10 / 0131 225 1501

Part of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.

  • 13:30 – 15:30

John Hunt Four O'Clock Afternoon Blues and Swing

John Hunt / 21st Century Blues Legends. 'Boogie-woogie. John Hunt is a master of slide-guitar.' 'DIY explosion. '**** (Scotsman). John's third Fringe, after two amazing full-house runs. 'Hunt has mojo, and a funky version of Got You Under my Skin. ★★★★ (Edinburgh Evening News). 'This is a fantastic gig; it's…

The Jazz Bar, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

The Jazz Bar (120)

£9 (£7) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Sun 4 Aug

The Jazz Bar (120)

£9 (£7) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Thu 8 Aug

The Jazz Bar (120)

£9 (£7) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 8 more dates

The Lady Boys of Bangkok: Glamorous Amorous

The Lady Boys present their world-famous show with renditions of J-Lo, Whitney, Kylie et al.

The Meadows, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Sun 4 Aug

0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Mon 5 Aug

0131 226 0000

2 for 1 Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 20 more dates

North Sea Gas: In Concert

Hugely entertaining Scottish folk band who combine guitars, mandolins, bodhrans, banjos, whistles and bouzoukis with fine vocals. Expect a mixture of traditional and original material and great craic.

Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, Edinburgh

Sat 17 Aug

Big Room

£13 (£11) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Olga Jegunova

The Latvian-born pianist plays Schubert, Mozart and Rachmaninov with music by composers from her homeland, Peteris Vasks and Rihards Dubra.

The Hub, Edinburgh

Tue 27 Aug

£10 / 0131 473 2000

Part of Cafe Concerts.

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Oliver Meech: When Magic and Science Collide

Magic boffin Oliver Meech meddles with forces we barely understand, in a comedy magic show for the QI generation. Amazing tricks inspired by astounding science. It's the Natural Selection! 'Could rival Derren Brown' (Theatre-Wales.co.uk). 'Funny, endearing, impressive showmanship' ★★★★ (ThreeWeeks). 'Real gasps of awe…

Just The Tonic at the Caves, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

Just The Wee One

£5 / 0131 226 0000

Preview Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Fri 2 Aug

Just The Wee One

£5 / 0131 226 0000

Preview Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Sat 3 Aug

Just The Wee One

£9 (£8) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 21 more dates

On a Roll … Again

Chilli Dogs. The Chilli Dogs return to AMC with a new show of Americana, blues, country and western swing. They play regular sessions in The Royal Oak, and Broadway Baby said of them last year at AMC: 'The Chilli Dogs experience of playing live weekly seemed to put them at ease with their audience, who appeared…

Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, Edinburgh

Thu 8 Aug

Big Room

£12 (£10) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

On Behalf of Nature

European Premiere: After receiving a 2010 Herald Angel Award for Songs of Ascension, US composer, singer, filmmaker and theatre artist Meredith Monk returns to the Festival with her latest music-theatre work, On Behalf of Nature. A poetic meditation on the environment, On Behalf of Nature evokes the Buddhist notion of…

Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

Fri 16 Aug

£10–£30 / 0131 473 2000

Sat 17 Aug

£10–£30 / 0131 473 2000

Sun 18 Aug

£10–£30 / 0131 473 2000

The Opening Concert - Alexander Nevsky

The 2013 Festival opens in thrilling fashion as three great Russian musicians join the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in a pair of seminal masterpieces by Prokofiev. Conductor Valery Gergiev is world-renowned for his searing, powerful interpretations, and young, multi-award-winning pianist Daniil Trifonov astonished…

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Fri 9 Aug

£12–£46 / 0131 473 2000

An Organ Discovery Event for All the Family

Come and join Pete the Puppet, who will be assisted by Brigitte Harris on the organ, and learn all about the organ in the stunning church of St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George Street.   

St Andrew's and St George's West Church, Edinburgh

Sun 11 Aug

£7 (Children free) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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Organ Recital

International concert recitalist Dr Jane Gamble, Memphis, USA will play the following programme on the magnificent Walker organ in the atmospheric surroundings of St Cuthbert's Parish Church: Prelude and Fugue in G minor – Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). Sonata No. 6 in D minor (Vater unser im Himmelreich) – Felix…

St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

Main Auditorium

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Organ Recitals @ St Cuthbert's

Various Recitalists. Come along to enjoy a series of six lunchtime recitals as part of the St Cuthbert's Summer Organ Festival on the renowned Walker Organ in the wonderful setting of St Cuthbert's Parish Church. Featuring Andrew Cantrill, Morley Whitehead, Simon Nieminski, Dr Jeremy Cull, Kevin Bowyer and Simon…

St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh

Mon 12 Aug

Main Auditorium

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Wed 14 Aug

Main Auditorium

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Fri 16 Aug

Main Auditorium

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 3 more dates

Origin: Music's Creation from Page to Stage

Andrew T. Miller Music Studios. This world-premiere performance features soaring original music by American Sony/BMG Masterworks and Steinway composer Andrew T. Miller, performed by professional and pre-professional artists from Mr. Miller's vocal studio. Follow the composition process through all its ups and downs…

Spotlites @ The Merchant's Hall, Edinburgh

Sat 10 Aug

Main Theatre

£8 (£6) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Sun 11 Aug

Main Theatre

£8 (£6) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Original Silent Disco

Assembly. Back by phenomenal demand… The original Silent Disco stands out as the number one Headphone Disco in the world! Not only the format of the show that is eclectic, but the personalities of the DJs and, last but not least, the quality of our headphones, make our show an experience that has no comparison to any…

Assembly Checkpoint, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

£5 / 0131 226 0000

Preview Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Fri 2 Aug

£12 (£10) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Sat 3 Aug

£12 (£10) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 16 more dates

Orkestra Del Sol

Edinburgh's local favourites continue their explosive reinvention of global brass music with a brand new selection of scorching dance floor honk steppers alongside the usual brand of anarchic humour and roguish sense of theatre. Don't miss it! 'Magnificent' (Independent). 'Brilliant musicians' (Time Out). 'Riotously…

The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh

Thu 8 Aug

0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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