h From June to September, there’s plenty more festival fun to be had. Here’s just a few of our top picks from the (hopefully) sunny months ahead
SPRING FESTIVALS
SOLAS FESTIVAL SUMMER NIGHTS
Blackruthven, Fri 23–Sun 25 Jun, solasfestival.co.uk A midsummer music and arts festival with performances and workshops in world music, theatre, dance, literature and visual arts, as well as talks and debates. 2017’s music lineup features Lau, WHITE, C Duncan, the Van T’s and Pronto Mama. Talks, lectures and performances come from Claire Cunningham, James Kelman, David Greig and Professor Alison Phipps.
Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow, Mon 31 Jul–Sun 13 Aug This blockbusting festival features a series of open air gigs with an undeniably brilliant set of acts. Among 2017’s lineup are Texas (Mon 31 Jul–Wed 2 Aug), Brian Wilson (Thu 3), Tom Jones (Sat 5), Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Sun 6), the Pixies (Mon 7 & Tue 8), Seasick Steve (Wed 9) and Arab Strap (Sun 13). AUGUST
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL MAGIC
FESTIVAL EDINBURGH FESTIVALS
SEPTEMBER
Various venues, Edinburgh, Thu 30 Jun–Sat 8 Jul, magicfest.co.uk MagicFest presents another programme of close-up conundrums, mindboggling illusions, comic cabaret and other feats of the impossible. JULY
GLASGOW COMIC CON Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 1 Jul, glasgowcomiccon.com A comic convention with the focus very much on comics and their creators, writers, illustrators and readers. There are traders and exhibitors, a cosplay competition and a stacked guest list leading panels, talks and workshops.
TRNSMT FESTIVAL Glasgow Green, Fri 7–Sun 9 Jul, trnsmtfest. com Taking over where T in the Park has left off, TRNSMT has big boots to fill. Headlining the Glasgow Green festival are Radiohead (Fri), Kasabian (Sat) and Biffy Clyro (Sun). Also playing are Belle & Sebastian, Stormzy, London Grammar, Catfish and the Bottlemen, the 1975, and George Ezra, plus more to be announced.
EDINBURGH JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL Various venues, Edinburgh, Fri 14–Sun 23 Jul, edinburghjazzfestival.com Scotland’s biggest jazz festival presents concerts over ten days all over the capital, in parks, churches, clubs and concert halls. With a programme featuring styles from early jazz to the avant garde, the EJ&BF usually manages to secure some world premieres, new bands and exciting collaborations.
MUGSTOCK Mugdock Country Park, Milngavie, Fri 28–Mon 31 Jul, mugstock.org Boutique festival organised on a not-for-profit basis, featuring music, food, drink, theatre, art, cabaret and ‘sciencey stuff.’ The lineup for 2016 included Emma Pollock, Stanley Odd and Colonel Mustard & the Dijon 5.
It’s a very big year for the Edinburgh festivals in 2017, with the International Festival and the Festival Fringe both celebrating their 70th birthday (alongside June’s Film Festival – see page 42). Check out all of our coverage on those festivals plus the Book Festival, the Art Festival, Fringe by the Sea, Foodies and more this summer, in our July Festival Guide, weekly August issues and at list.co.uk/festival. Plus, pick up a copy of the Pleasance, Underbelly, Assembly and Gilded Balloon’s Fringe brochure in our next issue, out Thu 1 Jun.
BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL ELECTRIC FIELDS
Inverness, Thu 3–Sun 5 Aug, tartanheartfestival.co.uk This favourite of the Scottish music festival scene is back with, as well as the music, a family-friendly atmosphere, theatre performances as well as spoken word events, energy-sapping ceilidhs, arts and crafts workshops and fancy dress shenanigans. Sister Sledge, Franz Ferdinand and KT Tunstall have been announced so far for 2017.
CARNIVAL FIFTY SIX Camperdown Country Park, Dundee, Sat 12 & Sun 13 Aug, carnivalfiftysix.co.uk New two-day music festival for Dundee. Inaugural lineup includes Mark Ronson, Rudimental, Clean Bandit, Prides, Sasha, Basement Jaxx (DJ set), James Zabiela, Hot Chip (DJ set), the Cuban Brothers, Be Charlotte, Dave Seaman, Jonnie Common and more.
Dumfries, Fri 1 & Sat 2 Sep, electricfieldsfestival.com Electric Fields is back after a game-changing year in 2016. The lineup this time around includes (deep breath) Frightened Rabbit, Dizzee Rascal, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Arab Strap, Band of Horses, Glass Animals, Peter Hook & the Light, Kate Tempest, Jackmaster, Artwork, Car Seat Headrest, British Sea Power, Anna Meredith, And Yet It Moves, Crash Club and Brat & the Bonemen.
BLOODY SCOTLAND Stirling, Fri 8–Sun 10 Sep, bloodyscotland. com An innovative festival drawing on Scotland’s love of the literary macabre and celebrating crime writing by bringing together leading Scottish and international writers, showcasing debut voices and encouraging new writers.
BEST OF THE WEST
DOUNE THE RABBIT HOLE Cardross Estate, Fri 18–Sun 20 Aug, dounetherabbithole.co.uk A boutique music festival that concocts a lovely lineup. 2017 names confirmed so far include Liars and Songhoy Blues.
Inverary, Sat 9 & Sun 10 Sep, bowfest.co.uk Set in the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle, this family-friendly festival highlights the best in food, drink, craft, music and entertainments from the west of Scotland.
LAMMERMUIR FESTIVAL East Lothian, Fri 15–Sun 24 Sep, lammermuirfestival.co.uk The 2017 festival features performances from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Steven Osborne, Quatuor Mosaïque, Orlando Consort (providing the live score to a classic silent film), Red Note Ensemble, Tenebrae and several others.
WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL Wigtown, Fri 22 Sep–Sun 1 Oct, wigtownbookfestival.com For ten days Scotland’s National Book Town buzzes with all things book-related as well as theatre, music and visual arts, site-specific events in quirky venues and a ceilidh. A dedicated Children’s Garden hosts events for younger readers.
1 Apr–31 May 2017 THE LIST 43