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for a DJ Shadow gig?
doing the man a disservice to be so narrow-minded as Josh Davis paints from a broad musical palette. With that in mind, if you expect anything at his Edinburgh debut better make it hip hop beats, jazz bleats, psychedelic wobbles, soul shimmers, funk struts and rock chunks. Open you mind, open your ears and enjoy the beatific wonder.
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Singer/songwriter Virginia MacNaughton sorts the festival wheat from the chaff.
‘As soon as we get a fighting chance we could lose ourselves amongst the crowd my love. And all these country miles are nothing, compared to taking a chance.’ Enough said.
On a slightly sillier note there's We don’t Talk Anymore (C302. 1—25 Aug). It’s hilarious: a woman's journey of ‘inner self’ punctuated by Cliff Richard songs — the humorous edge
Let's kick off some real unsung talent. James Yorkston (Queen‘s Hall, 8 Aug). He may be a support act [to the Divine Comedy] this evening but he deserves to be playing the place himself soon. Here's how he puts it:
. , J 53.9”, . ‘ ‘ w... .. ' .’ mu: ‘5- . .. '- 1'" .’ 3' ~-\.-.'n'~1~. - t. .. ‘. The fare up to Edinburgh proved too costly for Girls Cross Country 36 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 1—8 Aug 2002
of obsession and beyond, starring Ali Adolph.
They may be familiar TV faces but The Mel and Sue Thing (Pleasance. 20 Aug) is sure to be great: they're so funny. It's amazing to think that peOple can make adverts for well- known bread manufacturers and still send a festival crowd into fits.
My next recommendation is Sarah Kane's Crave (Venue 13. 2-17 Aug) partly because I haven't yet dared. and because she was, in shon, a genius.
And finally, it would be a crying shame to miss out on some mindless self-promotion, so my final choice has to be Girls Cross Country (Gilded Balloon, 2-8 Aug). This is a unique opponunity for me to get my kit on with Amy Duncan. Kim Edgar, Allie Fox, Sophie Bancroft, Helen Reeves. Andi Neate. Astrid Williamson, Sharon King. Lorna Brooks and Polly Phillips among others. Rosie Wilby and l co-headline this, the best of Scottish female singer/songwriters.
I Girls Cross Country Gilded Balloon. 2-8 Aug, 72.30am. £6 (£5).
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music@list.co.uk
The musical maelstrom kicks off right here
Jerry Springer: the Opera Take the trashiest of talk shows filled with poo fetishists, transsexuals bewildered rednecks and do the most natural thing in the world with it: make it into an opera. For those who can appreciate the subtle beauty in the work of Wagner and Vanessa equally, and everyone in between. See preview. Assembly Rooms, 226 2428, 2—26 Aug, 2.35pm, £5—E7 4.50.
We Believe In Planet Pop Indie rock veterans like bis. the Silver Pill and Astrid are but the tip of the sonic iceberg here and the idea is simple, each band covers a song by an act who have previously played at the festival. Should be a hoot. See preview. La Belle Ange/e, 226 707 0, 4 Aug, 7.30pm, £4.
DJ Shadow He may look like a surly big lad at the best of times but Josh Davis comes out of his shell at the turntables. Here, witness him deconstruct and reconstruct his own mesmeric hip hop landscapes live, as he throws everything in from the ethereal to the downright funky. See left. Corn Exchange, 0870 7690100, 7 Aug, 7.30pm. £15.
iii; The Royal Bank £5 Nights lt’s late, you've just survived five hours of back-to- back sketch comedy and amateur theatre. the natural instinct is to call it a day but no! stay out and broaden your festival horizons. Acting as an introduction to the multi- faceted world of classical music. there's a raft of concerts with works by the likes of Bartok. Schubert, Bach and more. And all for a deep-sea diver! See preview. Usher Hall, 473 2000, 5-30 Aug, 70. 30pm. £5.
a The Divine Comedy and James Yoraton The Irish crown prince of sardonic wit Neil Hannon is more than a just a Wildean joker, he's a songwriter of depth and skill just like they use to make ‘em, and a damn fine live act too. See previewOueen’s Hall, 668 2019, 8Aug, 7.30pm, £75.