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AMANDA PALMER A singular talent who refuses to play the predictable game whether it’s on record, in print or on stage, Amanda Palmer has been turning heads since forever as one half of the Dresden Dolls, where she throws together Weimar cabaret and punk scree in inglorious harmony. Her recent solo adventures are no less of a visceral thrill, combining Palmer’s theatrical roots with her own dark, twisted humour. ■ HMV Picture House, 08444 999 990, 22 Aug, 7.30pm, £12.50.
5QUESTIONS
Fresh from the Big Apple, Kenny Young and the Eggplants wax lyrical about punk, flyerers and chips and sauce 5 words you’d use to describe your show Really fun weird pop songs. 4 shows you’re looking forward to during August The Eggplants have been in a recording studio in New York City all Summer, and I have not seen the Fringe Programme yet! But there are always excellent musicians to see at the Acoustic Music Centre. 3 things you love about Edinburgh in August Chip shop brown sauce; finding someone who knows how to play ‘Sheena is a Punk Rocker’ on the bagpipes; Festival fireworks on a cool night with someone special. 2 things you hate about Edinburgh in August There are not nearly enough people handing out leaflets. And there is a terrible scarcity of jongleurs! 1 word that sums up how you feel about performing Eggplantastic! ■ Kenny Young and the Eggplants, Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s, 0131 346 1402, 24–30 Aug, 8pm, £10 (£8)
Hitlist FESTIVAL MUSIC *
✽✽ Amanda Palmer The ex- Dresden Doll has never been dull or predictable, and she’s as riveting as ever in her new solo guise. See preview, left. HMV Picture House, 08444 999 990, 22 Aug, 7.30pm, £12.50. ✽✽ Trembling Bells If you’re a fan of the likes of Fairport Convention and the Incredible String Band then go watch these Glaswegian folk-rockers before they disappear into the recording studio. See preview, page 52. Electric Circus, 226 4224, 25 Aug, 8pm, £4; Stereo, Glasgow, 26 Aug. ✽✽ Il Ritorno d’Ulisse Come to Scotland to see South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company put on a Monteverdi opera about an ancient Greek. Odysseus: surely the most universal hero of them all. See preview, page 52. King’s Theatre, 529 6000, 23, 25 & 26 Aug, 8pm, £10–£30. ✽✽ Benbecula Records: The Final Vinyl It’s the end of an era as Scotland’s own trailblazing electronica label calls it a day. This is their final live event. See preview, page 50. Wee Red Bar, 229 1442, 21 Aug, 7pm, £8. ✽✽ The Caledonia Sessions Pick up the beat of the Scottish Enlightenment through this series of informal concerts from Concerto Caledonia and guests. The Hub, 473 2000, 20, 22, 24 & 26 Aug, 9.30pm, £17. ✽✽ Biffy Clyro The hirsute Ayrshire prog rock loons unveil songs from their new album due out this autumn for the Edge Festival. ‘Mon the Biffy! Corn Exchange, 443 0404, 21 Aug, 7pm, £18.50. ✽✽ Orchestra in the Age of Enlightenment One of the world’s best period ensembles plays Haydn. With outstanding mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato. Usher Hall, 228 1155, 22 Aug, 8pm, £10–£39. For venue addresses see index page 80.
20–27 Aug 2009 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 47