(in association with Scary Biscuits Promotions) Showcase season of some of the very best music talent in Scotland
The Famous Spiegeltent and Scary Biscuits Promotions are delighted to announce some wonderful new additions to its music programme for its beautiful St Andrew Square Gardens hub for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Sounds Of Scotland is a handpicked programme, showcasing a wide range of some of the best music being created in Scotland including African dancebeats, Americana, Folk, Roots, Funk, Blues, Rock and Indie, with a spotlight on top quality singers and original songwriters. It’s a stunning selection which will have “The Grand Old Dame” rocking, swaying and vibrating her jewelled mirrors in this her 105th year, and her first time back in Edinburgh for 9 years.
The strong female representation also includes two talented women with famous surnames who are making their own waves in the Country/Americana scene with their outstanding voices and songwriting talents. Roseanne Reid is the daughter of Proclaimer Craig Reid and has worked alongside early mentor Steve Earle and Teddy Thompson amongst others. She is supported by none other than Fay Fife (Rezillos) who is performing with her alt country Countess of Fife band member, guitarist Brian McFie (ahead of her full band run at The Voodoo Rooms later in the month).
Award winning Kirsten Adamson (daughter of rock legend Stuart Adamson (Big Country/Skids)) is performing double duties on 18th Aug. She headlines with her band The Tanagers (who have just finished recording the highly anticipated follow up to her widely acclaimed Landing Place album). She’ll also play a short opening set with her duo band The Marriage (with Dave Burn).
Another award winner, troubadour (and proud Leither) Dean Owens has had a busy year so far, kicking off at Celtic Connections to launch his new album Spirit Ridge (recorded in a 400 year old farmhouse in north Italy (the land of his lion tamer ancestor)) – the follow up to his recent collaborations with Calexico. He and The Sinners then headed to Australia (including the prestigious Port Fairy Folk Festival) and the Netherlands for a series of sold out shows and standing ovations. He is delighted to be bringing his unique brand of rocky, rootsy, desert-infused Americana back to his hometown.
On the more folky side of Americana is BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee and 2 time SAY Award nominee Adam Holmes, acclaimed by many to be the best voice of his generation (with a recent album called “The Voice of Scotland”). Described as an old soul on young shoulders, Adam’s songs are “musical medicine” according to The Scotsman.
One non-Scot who is appearing is Steve Ray Ladson, who caused a sensation on America’s Got Talent this month, getting the audience (and judges) on their feet with Simon Cowell proclaiming: “I love it! It’s a hit!”. His video from the show racked up over 1 million views in 24 hours. Multi-instrumentalist and singer, Ladson will be performing solo with his self-described Blackgrass Brothercana music, as the special guest of Liz Jones & Broken Windows – soulful blues rock featuring some of Scotland’s finest players, fronted by the formidable vocal talents of Liz Jones.
Leaning into the dark side are the mighty indie rockers The Filthy Tongues, formed by original members of Goodbye Mr Mackenzie with the formidable Martin Metcalfe on lead vocals and electric guitar. Their lyrics explore the dark underbelly of the Festival City with a performance that is theatrical and compelling and promises to bring some spooky neo-gothic vibes to the atmospheric Famous Spiegeltent.
Edinburgh’s Main Street Blues bring their much lauded, popular show The Kings of The Blues – celebrating the music of Blues legends BB King, Albert King and Freddie King – with a 6-piece band including horns and Derek Smith on lead vocals and electric guitar.
Black Cat Bone, part of the new generation of musicians (and whose show at Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is already sold out) will inject a loud electrifying blast of high energy original electric blues rock to the final week.
Last but not least, the programme finishes (on 27th Aug), with a dose of “full fat funk” from Edinburgh funksters James Brown is Annie, who have worked with the likes of Average White Band, The Family Stone and Brand New Heavies. A night of fearless funk, creative jazzy fire, and groove-soaked energy to close out the Sounds of Scotland season.
Sounds of Scotland is curated by Morag Neil of Scary Biscuits Promotions, Edinburgh based independent music promoter, producer, artist manager and friend of the Famous Spiegeltent for many years. Sounds of Scotland is a very special addition to The Famous Spiegeltent’s outstanding programme which includes the legendary La Clique (celebrating its 21st year), theatre and cabaret.
Jim Welsh
Radio Summerhall Arts 