SPRING festivals
Clockwise from top right: Beltane, Manran, Cocktails in the City
THE BEST OF THE REST The spring festival calendar is packed with a ridiculous number of events that are well worth checking out. Here are some more highlights across April and May
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PAISLEY COMIC CON COCKTAILS IN THE CITY
10–Sun 26 May.
Celebration of comic art and culture with stalls, traders, games, cosplay, artists and writer talks, and demonstrations. Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley, Sat 13 Apr.
DOC’N ROLL SCOTLAND
The UK’s music documentary festival funded by the BFI. The festival returns to Scotland in 2019 to showcase compelling music films from all genres. Cameo Cinema, Edinburgh, Thu 25–Sun 28 Apr.
This features DJs, cocktail- matching food, live demos and bespoke combinations of unusual liqueurs, bitters, homemade syrups and infusions. The Hub, Edinburgh, Fri 3 & Sat 4 May.
TECTONICS Glittering festival of experimental new music, curated by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s redoubtable principal guest conductor, Ilan Volkov. Various venues, Glasgow, Sat 4 & Sun 5 May.
GLASGOW COFFEE
PAISLEY FOOD AND FESTIVAL
DRINK A celebration of the best that Scotland’s larder has to offer with plenty of food-related fun. Abbey Close, Paisley, Fri 26 & Sat 27 Apr.
BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL
Beltane Fire Society performs the story of the death of winter and the birth of summer via dance, drumming, debauched acrobatics, giant puppetry and, of course, fire. Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Tue 30 Apr.
This festival celebrates the mighty coffee bean, showcasing Scotland’s speciality coffee scene. There are roasters, bars, brews and baristas hosting tastings and presentations. The Briggait, Glasgow, Sat 4 & Sun 5 May.
SOUTHSIDE FRINGE Independent fringe festival that aims to broaden the scope of music, comedy, burlesque, cabaret, art and theatre events which are happening deep in Glasgow’s Southside. Various venues, Glasgow, Fri
GIG IN THE GOIL Boutique music festival in the heart of Argyll with an eclectic range of musicians performing over three stages, including headliners Donnie Munro, Manran and Trail West. Drimsynie House Hotel, Cairndow, Fri 17–Sun 19 May.
KNOCKENGORROCH WORLD CEILIDH
An outdoor festival with the emphasis on roots music, the line-up is a melting pot of world, folk, fusion and dub reggae music with electronica, hip hop and drum & bass thrown in for good measure. Benjamin Zephaniah and the Revolutionary Minds headline in 2019. Knockengorroch Farm, Castle Douglas, Thu 23–Sun 26 May.
EDINBURGH CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
Scotland’s global craft beer gathering returns with breweries from around the world, street food and live music courtesy of Belle & Sebastian, DJ Yoda and more. Biscuit Factory, Edinburgh, Fri 24 & Sat 25 May.
1 Apr–31 May 2019 THE LIST 43