list.co.uk/festival EIF Highlights | FESTIVAL MUSIC
AND THE BEAT GOES ON
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M A R A M O C H N A C Z
Since Fergus Linehan took over curating duties of the Edinburgh International Festival, its programme has become fresher and more innovative than ever before. While the Festival’s reputation for putting on
the very best in classical performances remains intact, a push towards giving contemporary music acts more prominence has a different audience reaching for tickets and the EIF is all the better for mixing genres in such an accessible and diverse way. There’s a lot to choose from, so here’s Kirstyn Smith’s pick of EIF
2017’s must-sees
PJ HARVEY During Harvey’s two-night stint at the Playhouse, her latest album, The Hope Six Demolition Project, should hopefully take centre stage. That’s not to underestimate PJ’s back catalogue and vast contribution to music – we’ll never stop shouting about how she’s the only artist to have won the Mercury Prize twice – but this record, released last year, is an immersive documentary piece, inspired by three years spent exploring and absorbing Kosovo, Afghanistan and Washington, alongside photographer and i lmmaker Seamus Murphy. The social commentary is mixed up with music rel ecting what she saw: at times it’s funereal, other times cacophonous, sometimes wistful. Bolstered by her nine-piece band, these are guaranteed to be wholly enguli ng evenings. ■ Playhouse, 7 & 8 Aug, 8pm, £15–£48.
3–10 Aug 2017 THE LIST FESTIVAL 95