Music, free events

Edinburgh's festival season kicks off with the Meadows Festival, which offers the best local bands, dance groups, quirky performers and workshops amidst lots of family-friendly activities.

Exhibition, organised by the Victoria & Albert Museum, of personal effects, music, film, costume, awards and photographs from the career of the Aberdonian musical superstar.

The Yorkshire-based band plays rock and pop covers songs.

Long-running weekly showcase for local songwriters performing original material, hosted by Gerry Lyons.

• Directed by: Jeffrey Vaughan Martin (cond)

Jeffrey Vaughan Martin conducts Kent Concert Orchestra led by John Perkins with the Maidstone Singers for an evening of classical favourites building to a fireworks-laden finale.

Live acoustic blues from John Hunt, his remarkable homemade guitars, and friends.

The four-piece band based in London plays indie-punk.

Contemporary jazz from the guitarist and his accompanying musicians.

A host of local and international blues artists play, and watching is completely free of charge.

Final year music students show what they've learned.

The epitome of chilled festivals, the Lossiemouth Folk Club Fest encourages performers to come and play 'for the craic' in the spirit of celebrating traditional music and tales. The entertainment's free, with performers rewarded with a great atmosphere at this small festival by the sea.

Local Brighton Record Label showcase the best 'post rock' bands in the UK and Europe at this free music festival all weekend from May 24 - 27. A celebration of local, national and international upcoming and emerging talent in this leftfield genre. Suitable for ages 16+.

Jane White hosts the acoustic open stage for musicians.

The band based in South Lincolnshire plays world and folk fusion with a heavy leaning towards Eastern Europe music.

The band plays pop, rock, soul and ska covers.

The band plays rock covers.

Folky swirlings and lo-fi electronica from Edinburgh-based musician and 'occasional children's entertainer' Drew Wright.

The seven-piece band performs ska, punk and reggae covers.

Rootsy local singer-songwriter hosting this songwriters session.