Thanks to a grant from Creative Scotland’s Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund, Leith Theatre is able to secure a small staff team that will enable the production of a mini-series of digital gigs called Live in Leith. The programme will provide vital incomes for industry professionals and production crew as well as for the musicians and artists themselves.
Hosted by broadcaster and musician Vic Galloway, Live in Leith will be streamed over three consecutive Saturdays starting in March 2021 via the online platform DICE and will help to showcase and establish up-and-coming young Scottish artists at a crucial time in their careers.
All of the artists will be captured playing a 25 minute set in real time, to create a live concert feel. The broadcasts will include introductions and on-stage interviews with host Vic Galloway who says “I’m delighted to be involved in presenting the ‘Live in Leith’ series for Leith Theatre. As a long-time resident of Leith, it’s so satisfying and inspiring to see this legendary theatre come to life once again. Its history is rich and varied, but ‘Live in Leith’ is also a great opportunity to bring the space into 2021 with 3 exciting music programmes. We’re not only showcasing some brilliant local talent here, but also shining a spotlight on the building itself as one of Scotland’s best Music and Arts Venues. I hope you enjoy the shows and see the potential of the wonderful Leith Theatre!”
Shining a light on new music in Scotland has been key to the conception of Live in Leith that aims to nurture fresh talent by providing a space for those who are sacrificing their incomes to pursue careers in music at what is always a challenging time.
Though Leith Theatre’s doors have been closed to the public for almost a full year, in 2020 it was home to the virtual edition of Scotland’s annual Wide Days music convention, EIF’s My Light ShinesOn recordings and Posable Action Figures’ latest music video for a single in their debut album. Leith Theatre was once a hub for legendary gigs of the seventies and eighties, these new gigs could prove to reignite that role for the future.
Live in Leith aims to bring together various elements to bring entertainment home in 2021 and beyond. The theatre, where community has always been at the heart of its role as a civic centre, wants to help raise the next generation of musicians, industry professionals and crew locally in Leith, investing in what is new and inspiring and in the interest of all.
Tickets on sale Friday 12th February at 10am at the DICE website and will cost £11.50 with dates as follows:
March 20th: Connor Fyfe and Retro Video Club
March 27th: Ransom FA and Nova Scotia the Truth
April 3rd: The Ninth Wave and Lucia & The Best Boys
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 