list.co.uk/festival Top Tips | F E S T I VA L M U S I C
T O P T I P S | W E E K 1
Music highlights from the first week of the Fringe, arranged in a handy chronological guide
9AM
BACH FOR BREAKFAST The Royal Scots Club, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16 Aug, 9.30am, £15 (£12). Talented young classical musicians perform Bach’s greatest compositions over breakfast for Fringe early risers. Tea, coffee and biscuits are included.
11AM
FIRST PIANO ON THE MOON: WILL PICKVANCE
Summerhall, 2–18 Aug (not 12), 11.30am, £8–£12. Previews 31 Jul & 1 Aug, £8. A unique children’s show that follows a pianist as he attempts to adapt compositions by Mozart, Chopin and Scott Joplin for outer space. Join Will Pickvance as he tells stories through song and uncovers how music is affected by space, distance and gravity.
NOON
CAMINO DE SANGJARU Assembly George Square Studios, 2–26 Aug (not 12, 19), noon, £12 (£10). Previews 31 Jul & 1 Aug, £8. Inspired by Paulo Coelho’s novel The Pilgrimage, Korean Gipsy Sangjaru create indigenous world music based on Korean traditional culture. Follow three young men as they travel to Santiago and create original music throughout the journey.
NOSFERATU WITH LIVE SCORE One of the most important films in the development of horror cinema, this 1922 silent expressionistic tale of vampires – directed by FW Murnau and starring Max Schreck as the titular blood sucker – still has the power to shock. The movie is accompanied by a live score from renowned Scottish guitarist and composer Graeme Stephen, blending jazz, folk, classical and improvisation. Leith Depot, 4 & 5 Aug, 8pm, £10 (£8).
1PM
BONNIE BAYOU The Jazz Bar, 2 & 3, 5, 10, 14, 16, 19, 22, 26 Aug, 1pm, £10 (£8). Up- and-coming Scottish pop songwriter Jennifer Ewan performs her sincere original songs, as well as some Louisiana creole and cajun dance classics in this delectable musical feast. Expect to hear accordion, bass and more from Ewan’s talented bayou band.
5PM
AN AUDIENCE WITH KYLE FALCONER
The Old Dr Bells Baths, 2–4 Aug, 5pm, £17 (£12). A special evening with Kyle Falconer, singer-songwriter and lead vocalist of the Scottish indie rock band the View. Hosted by podcast host James English, Kyle will tell stories, play some acoustic songs, and answer questions from keen fans.
ESTHER SWIFT Pianodrome at the Pitt, 3 Aug, 5pm, 13 Aug, 7pm, £8–£14. Scottish harpist, composer, singer and songwriter Esther Swift performs beautiful songs that effortlessly fuse her folk, jazz and classical influences. A perfect opportunity to retreat from the Fringe madness.
6PM
FLORENCE + THE MACHINE Big lung-busting ethereal indie comes from Miss Florence Welch and her henchmen, with their mix of mesmerising art rock and the leader’s theatrical approach to live shows. Support comes from Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s experimental pop project Self Esteem. This is the opening gig at this year’s Summer Sessions series that also features Primal Scream, Chvrches, Lewis Capaldi and more. Princes Street Gardens, 7 & 8 Aug, 6pm, £55 (VIP £80).
MY LEONARD COHEN BRIGHDE CHAIMBEUL & AIDAN
Assembly Rooms, 3–25 Aug, 6.30pm, £16.50 (£15.50). Previews 1 & 2 Aug, £11. A moving musical celebration of the late Leonard Cohen by Stewart D’Arrietta and his band. The Fringe hit of 2016 and 2017 includes arrangements of Cohen classics, as well as poetic anecdotes that uncover the musician’s fascinating life.
O’ROURKE Summerhall, 3 Aug, 7pm, £14. Skye musician and piper Brighde Chaimbeul’s music is inspired by her Gaelic language and indigenous culture, as well as piping styles from Cape Breton, Eastern Europe and Ireland. The up-and-coming talent is joined by Aidan O’Rourke for this one- night-only performance.
8PM
WEST SIDE STORY Usher Hall, 5 & 6 Aug, 8pm, £20–£60. As two rival gangs fight for control of New York City’s Upper West Side in the 1950s, a pair of teenagers fall in love in this special production of the classic musical for the Edinburgh International Festival.
SARAH JANE MORRIS: SWEET
LITTLE MYSTERY BACK TO BLACK
9PM
Assembly George Square Studios, 2–11 Aug, 6.45pm, £14 (£13). Previews 31 Jul & 1 Aug, £10. Sarah Jane Morris celebrates the music of British songwriter and guitarist John Martyn in this special show which also includes unreleased footage of Martyn. Morris herself is best known for her work with pop group the Communards in the 80s. 7PM
theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall, 2–24 Aug, 7.20pm, £14 (£12.50). This highly anticipated new ‘show- umentary’ premiering at the Fringe dives deep into six-time Grammy winner Amy Winehouse’s career, musical talent and legacy. Winehouse’s hit songs including ‘Back to Black’, ‘Valerie’ and ‘Rehab’ are performed by the soulful Reine Beau Anderson Dudley in this stirring tribute.
CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN SINGS CAVE
Pleasance Courtyard, 2–25 Aug (not 7, 12, 19), 9pm, £22 (£20). Previews 31 Jul & 1 Aug, £13. Theatrical songstress Camille O’Sullivan sings haunting, powerful songs by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in this highly anticipated new tribute show.
10PM TWEAK FESTIVAL OPENING
CHOIR OF MAN
KIEFER SUTHERLAND PARTY
Assembly Hall, 3–25 Aug, 7pm, £14–£17.50. Previews 1 & 2 Aug, £12–£13. Creators Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay entertain audiences with pub tunes, folk, rock and Broadway numbers in this fun show for all ages featuring talented tappers, singers and multi-instrumentalists.
The Liquid Room, 7 Aug, 7.30pm, £30. The UK-born Canadian actor and singer performs country music songs from his recently released sophomore studio album, Reckless & Me. Jack Bauer of 24 trades in his gun for a guitar and cowboy boots in this rare, intimate performance. The Liquid Room, 2 Aug, 10pm, £10–£25. This late-night festival opening party returns after a three year hiatus. Carl Craig, Simon Bays and Kieran Apter will be accompanied by live audiovisual displays in Room One, while Jamie 3:26, Athens of the North and a special guest are in Room Two.
31 Jul–7 Aug 2019 THE LIST FESTIVAL 101