I S P R N G F E S T I V A L S
the best of the best of the rest(cid:31). . . the rest(cid:31). . .
2018’s got a bumper edition of spring and summer festivals in Scotland. Here are some more of our highlights for the months ahead
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL MAGIC FESTIVAL MagicFest presents another programme of close-up conundrums, mindboggling illusions, comic cabaret and other feats of the impossible. The festival features workshops as well as shows and ends with the illustrious Closing Gala, a fast-paced performance of illusion, sleight of hand, circus and mind reading. Various venues, Edinburgh, Fri 11–Sat 19 May.
GIG IN THE GOIL Three days of family-friendly activities, with music, food & drink, outdoor activities and more entertainment for all ages. Various venues, Lochgoilhead, Fri 11–Sun 13 May.
FESTIVAL OF MUSEUMS An annual three-day exhibition of culture, heritage and history, with more than 70 museums across the country opening their doors to visitors for a range of special events. Various venues, Scotland-wide, Fri 18–Sun 20 May.
EDINBURGH CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL The festival of beer and music returns, this time with DJ sets from Mogwai, Two Door Cinema Club, Metronomy’s Olugbenga and Don Letts. The Biscuit Factory, Edinburgh, Fri 25–Sun 27 May.
THE BIGGEST WEEKEND – PERTH The BBC land in Perth with a mix of classical, folk and jazz from Radio 3 on Fri 25 May with Nigel Kennedy, Danielle de Niese, Evelyn Glennie, Jamie Cullum, Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Eddi Reader, Karine Polwart Trio and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Radio 2 takes over on Sat 26 May with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Simple Minds, Amy Macdonald, Emeli Sandé, Julie Fowlis, Squeeze, the Beat starring Dave Wakeling and the Shires. Scone Palace, Perth, Fri 25 & Sat 26 May.
Beltane Fire Festival
TERMINAL V OUTSKIRTS FESTIVAL
Dance and electronic music festival from Nightvision. Lineup features Kolsch, Bicep, Pan-Pot, Rodhad, Amelie Lens, Artwork, Mall Grab and Peggy Gou. Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, Sun 1 Apr.
TRADFEST EDINBURGH
This annual extravaganza of folk arts includes music, dance, storytelling, crafts and talks. Most events are based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile, but look out for sessions at the Edinburgh Folk Club, discussions at the National Library of Scotland and the fourth edition of the Folk Film Gathering, presented by Transgressive North. Various venues, Edinburgh, Thu 26 Apr–Sun 6 May. SCOTLAND CALLING Essential one-day punk festival, featuring Buzzcocks, Cockney Rejects, Subhumans, Fire Exit and more. O2 ABC, Glasgow, Sat 28 Apr.
All-day festival featuring performance, music, art and i lm. 2018’s lineup includes Turntable by Michael John McCarthy and Red Bridge Arts readings from James Kelman and Tom Leonard; and Easterhouse Conversation, a collaborative composition by Golden Teacher’s Oliver Pitt and Radiophrenia’s Barry Burns, and more. Platform, Glasgow, Sat 28 Apr.
BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL Edinburgh’s annual i ery extravaganza heads to the top of Calton Hill once again to celebrate the birth of summer. Let’s hope it actually gets here this year. Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Mon 30 Apr.
TECTONICS Curated by the BBC SSO’s Ilan Volkov, Tectonics is one of the highlights of Glasgow’s music calendar. This year’s programme includes Mats Gustafson, Sue McKenzie, Nathalie Forget, Danielle Price, Miya Masaoka and many others. Various venues, Glasgow, Sat 5 & Sun 6 May.
42 THE LIST 1 Apr–31 May 2018