The REALIST
P H O T O :
S T E F F A N H L L
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P H O T O
: J O N G R E E N
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MUSIC May West Festival
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FILM Mindhorn
Nothing to do with the actress whose lips were turned into a surrealist sofa, and everything to do with getting Glasgow Green back in the music festival diary, the city’s newest event features the Stranglers, Ward Thomas (pictured), Dreadzone and Roddy Hart. Glasgow Green, Sat 27 & Sun 28 May. A washed-up 80s actor reprises the detective role that made his name, when an actual serial killer is on the loose. Stars Julian Barratt and Simon Farnaby also co-wrote the movie, which aims to do for the Isle of Man what Bergerac did for Jersey. See feature, page 47, and review, page 76. General release from Fri 5 May.
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KIDS Edinburgh International Children’s Festival
The festival previously known as Imaginate delivers another barnstorming programme with a firm emphasis on thinking way outside of the box: some shows are performed underwater, on a grassy stage and in a tiny house. See feature, page 36. Various venues, Edinburgh, Sat 27 May–Sun 4 Jun.
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FILM The Other Side of Hope
The first movie in six years from Finland’s legendary director Aki Kaurismäki is a wonderful distillation of everything that’s brilliant about his work. This melancholic yet boisterous dual tale features a Syrian refugee arriving in Helsinki and a travelling salesman seeking a fresh start. See review, page 77. Selected release from Fri 26 May.
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FOOD & DRINK Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival
Scotland’s first global craft beer gathering features over 30 internationally renowned brewers alongside local producers. Plus there’s an abundance of food and DJ sets. See Highlights, page 39. Biscuit Factory, Edinburgh, Fri 26–Sun 28 May.
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THEATRE Mayfesto
Gigging and theatre come seamlessly together as a central core of this year’s Mayfesto with Horse McDonald (pictured) and A Band Called Quinn both involved, while there’s a tribute to BBC Radiophonic Workshop pioneer Daphne Oram. See preview, page 103. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 3–Tue 30 May.
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CHOSEN BY COMEDIAN CHRIS FORBES Professor Brian Cox Live
What is the meaning of life? Are we alone in the universe? Is it true that, in space, no one can hear you scream? Some of the biggest questions we have about our own existence are interconnected with a fascination about what lies beyond our own tiny sphere. I’ve always been captivated by space. At Glasgow University, I took an extra credit course entitled, ‘Exploring the Cosmos’. As educational as that was, not one of the lecturers were able to convey the same sense of enthusiasm and clarity about the inner workings of our solar system as the floppy-haired, ex-D:Ream keyboard player Brian Cox. I like to think that astrophysicists and comedians are pretty similar. Me and Brian Cox are both, after all, dedicated to observation. Just in different ways. That’s what I tell my mum anyway. Speaking of comedians, this show also features the brilliant Robin Ince. Professor Brian Cox Live, Edinburgh Playhouse, Sun 7 May; SSE Hydro, Fri 19 May. Chris Forbes is at The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 2, Thu 13–Sun 16 Apr, Mon 1 May; Byre Theatre, St Andrews, Sun 22 Apr; The Stand, Glasgow, Tue 2 May.
1 Apr–31 May 2017 THE LIST 7