Issue 631

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Having an otherworldly, ethereal hum and echo to their sound like fellow Americans Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear sound simultaneously baroque, distant, warm, sunny, introverted and emotive. This is a brave, beautiful record that takes a long…

Placebo - Battle For the Sun

Yet another nail is plunged into Placebo’s coffin as this sixth studio album finds Brian Molko taking his lyrics to a whole new levels of cringe. ‘I tore the muscle from your chest, used it to stub out cigarettes’, he sneers ridiculously on ‘Ashtray…

The Mars Volta - Octahedron

For five albums now Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Savala (for they are the heart of The Mars Volta) have been relentlessly pounding us with their dizzying musical overload — music of such frenzy it read like the musical manifestation of a fly…

Edinburgh Enlightenment

Edinburghers get rather used to their city being turned into a vessel for internationally-reaching performances and concerns/a gentleman’s club for members of the stand-up comedy fraternity every August. It’s kinda nice, then, to see one of the…

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

Don’t be misled by their boffin-esque rock tag: Brooklyn’s Dirty Projectors may meld and dissect musical genres from hardcore and gospel to afro-beat and R&B, but their analytical riffage and bookish poly-rhythms are amplified by a pure pop…

Film Festival Under the Stars among Grassmarket highlights

The Grassmarket’s summer programme is shaping up to show off the area to its best advantage, following the launch of its new market. As part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the area plays host to Film Festival Under the Stars, an outdoor…

Roberto Fonseca - Akokan

Thrillingly lyrical Afro-Cuban jazz set from the supremely talented Fonseca who came first to fame as the young pianist who replaced veteran Ruben González in the Buena Vista Social Club. Recorded in the sacred Egrem studios, Fonseca’s second album with…

Ultimate Guitar Hero Fundraiser

We bet you do, baby. Why not do it in public? Over the last year the Guitar Hero phenomenon has escaped from living rooms and grown into something of a social phenomenon. With their live rock tournaments, the good people at the Voodoo Rooms are simply…

Balkanarama

It’s a full on fest of Balkan beats and gypsy jazz as Balkanarama hosts a big midsummer party in both cities. With live music (from Erdogan Orkestra, Kuchke and Black Cat); DJs for a fusion of electro, gypsy punk and reggae; belly dancing, pipers, jam…

Would Be Kings

Dispelling the typical indie/rock band image, Would be Kings have no gimmicks, fads, straightened hair or skinny jeans. Instead, the five-piece focus firmly on their music, bringing with them a whole host of experiences and influences. Sounding more…

Absent Elk

Frontman Kjetil’s Norwegian roots have greatly influenced the band, from the unusual name, Absent Elk, to much of their lyrical content. With the infectiously catchy single ‘Cannibals’ under their belts and the successful release of their newest ‘Sun…

Zoo MuZik

B*Licious and GK Machine (pictured) stir up the wildlife with their new night of hot sweaty dance beats. Taking in acid, electro funk, tribal disco, ‘hippie freakout beats’ and more besides, this second date has a guest set from Chris G of Soft Rocks, a…

General Fiasco

Northern Irish alt.rockers, General Fiasco have been touring the wilds of Scotland (from Ullapool to Stornoway) before a final assault on Glasgow. So far the indie boys have supported The Pigeon Detectives, The Wombats and The Enemy and are now ready to…

Get the Blessing

Phenomenally versatile jazz act known for wearing suits with fluorescent orange plastic bags on their heads, Get The Blessing are a fusion of experimental nu-electric jazz and ska. Taking inspiration from diverse influences, going from 60s spy films to…

Red Cross Refugee Week Comedy Night

As part of Refugee Week, Susan Calman hosts a night to raise funds for the British Red Cross. One of the tallest and certainly smoothest men in comedy, Mr Reginald D Hunter headlines with more of his socially-aware, often highly contentious stand-up…

Gary Go

Handpicked by Gary Barlow to support pop superstars Take That on their stadium tour, Gary Go is not simply another heart-broken hack, but has compelling, honest, storyteller lyrics teamed with intriguing melodies and dulcet tones that gives him…