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• 
  Black Grape
  Of course I had to go – the recent death of the inimitable Stone Roses bass – player, Mani, reminded me with stark vision of how finite the times of my favorite musicians will be.
• 
  Beyond Monet
  Having concocted what, I feel is the greatest period of art and painting to date (just an opinion), the life size model bridge was almost like you could talk to the guy. It felt somehow sad and melancholy but that was for the heights he made as an artist and a great human being looking at life itself through paint.
• 
  The Horrors
  As the large, illustrious sound billowed into the crowd it enthralled at atmosphere to rival a lot of rock music’s many faceted barrels. The red, blue light effects stirred the occasion into an enjoyment and celebration worthy of an unmissable attitude brought to live music.
• 
  Nouvelle Vague In Edinburgh & Glasgow
  The cats on stage had that presence of ultimate music, total showmanship and fiery delivery. Setting soft and great traits of creating a personality standing on a wealthy podium. Refreshed we poured ourselves into a worthy stage of sultry vocals, cunning music of the covers they have made their own.
• 
  The Fae, Bedtime and West
  As I said earlier, I was excited to see the new Pianodrome headquaters and I couldnae have been more delighted with this wonderful ornate Gothic splendour of a Church. The Church had no heating so was really glad that I had too many layers on, coz I was roasty toasty, with a blankie and cushion for my bum. It was the 2nd performance of the evening.
• 
  An Evening with Tess and Will
  This was my first introduction to the young delights of this theatre 118, who have fought hard but to their great credit have procured this massive space, an inclusively welcome and generous hub where the delights of theatre may stay well alive.   
• 
  Hard Life
  The overflowing sound of only 4 had bits of great ambience to it directing it and making it to dance to, become free and express yourself. Of the 1000 in the room, which has its own atmosphere, it seems easy to entertain and cajole listening to their intensity, compositional mood striking, laying down in blue light a more than genuine exchange.
• 
  Gogol Bordillo
  Musically, the instruments that were on stage had surprising variety, offering violin, Corg keys, next to bass, electric guitar, sharing vocals in the right swing of things. Swinging has been mastered by this group, easy extensions into the crowd that you don’t find at every gig. They (particularly singer) drew you out, into a wonderfully well-rounded emotional stage, almost going through some kind of evolution of itself.
• 
  An Emergency Fundraiser To Raise Funds For The War-Torn Victims of Gaza.
  All in all The Emergency Fundraiser was an excellent showcase of some mighty fine talent that raised awareness and some much needed money indeed it was a fantastic night. Free Free Palestine.
• 
  Wendy James
  When Wendy James was at the peak of her powers, I was so in love with her charms. Wendy is still a gorgeous vixen and she still has a massive stage presence. Her supporting musicians which in all intents and purposes, although not Wendy’s Transvision Vamp band, but a supergroup of sorts, were all seasoned professionals,
• 
  Reef
  Their most genuine noise, well crafted in its turns, pitches and group work left me with the feeling of something actually quite rare, as I revelled the sight of the Reef band on stage. The guitarist with a spectacular beard, they just played their music with the passion they have always had, very care free as to their image or style, putting music first, with the most chivalrous rock.
• 
  Spear of Destiny
  A strong audience of die-hard fans eagerly awaited Kirk’s entrance, and he was received with great enthusiasm. Completing the bands line-up was, Craig Adams The Mission & The Cult) on bass, Adrian Portas ( New Model Army) on guitar and Phil Martini on drums. Not wasting a minute, they struck a chord and bang!
• 
  ORIENTAL AUTUMN (OA5): To Gökçeada
  I walk’d a few k to the ferry port, overtaken at the last by a big red coach full of old uns. The ticket was 180, about £3.50, & once on board I proceed to charge my two electronic devices – the chromebook & mi phone. I don’t have internet in Turkey, so the phone is now just a camera & MP3 player, but my chromebook is a marvel. I can watch films, write epic, DJ tunes, film myself, connect to the internet – its a real took, & Ive got a nice light one – Lenovo N23. I’m a big fan.
• 
  Jim Jones All Stars
  It was a loud night, lifting the mood, taking us on quite a journey, as the audience swayed and rocked and steadily livened. The music took some sophisticated turns, unleashing a kind of happy music, and holding a pressing honesty in the lyrics and band accompaniments – ‘Born to Ride’ indeed.
• 
  ORIENTAL AUTUMN (OA4): To Canakkale
  A few doorways up was a gift shop, & I this guy dropped a fancy key ring, which pick’d up & was just handing it to him when he said, keep it, it’s a gift. Its blue, there’s a metal hand on it, & there’s little eyes on strings, & it feels like it could be some kind of lucky charm, given to me by the gods.
• 
  ORIENTAL AUTUMN (OA3): To Istanbul (via Krefeld)
  Yesterday was my first full day in Istanbul, which I spent on the Shakespeare-in-Istanbul mission. It meant hacking my way through the metro system, topping up my ‘Instanbul card’ as I did so – its about 35 lira per ride, 70p. I eventually found the Ottoman Archives, & went through an induction system that gave me a shiny card with my photo on it – a great souvenir.
• 
  ORIENTAL AUTUMN (OA2): To Jura
  I could go on & on about Jura Festival, but let me say the following – it was splendid; a wonderful mix of wonderful people, with opporunities to dance & join in.
• 
  ORIENTAL AUTUMN (OA1): To Campbeltown
  I set off with clearly too much baggage, including a guitar. Next weekend is the Jura music festival, which I intend to attend after visiting the island in the summer – it really is a joyous place. The idea is to first circumnavigate the Kintyre peninsula en route, which leads me to today, Tuesday morning, typing up this first blog of the tour in Campbeltown library.
• 
  Wolfgang Flur / Peter Duggal
  I knew it was going to be good but wasnae expecting to be blown away in the way in which I was. That was a brilliant boogie, sure four to the floor but in a refreshing and tantalizing way and I had plenty of room to give it some groove. Oh yes baby, I was having it (Getting my Money’s worth) Electronic magik. Fantastic stuff.
• 
  1612
  Rebecca Vines has captured this monumental time in English history with intrigue and desire. Leaving no stone unturned, the costumes and cast are true to the original happenings during the dark time they lived through.
• 
  Vessel Born To Float
  A Vessel Born To Float is an adaption from her recently released, and much acclaimed book of the same name. A beautifully compiled compendium of deep and meaningful poetic gems to stir the humane feelings that all of us will all hold. Black ‘Girl Power’ should be a right, and not something to have to be fought for
• 
  Kate Dolan: The Critic
  Kate possess this nervous tick-like, tho’ probably acutely polish’d way, of accompanying her catchphrases with set physical exertions, doubling or tripling their effect. As the show progress’d, Kate got a proper strut on, chucking in the odd slinky twirl.
• 
  Thorn & Petal Stick
  I think the key to this show is one’s love of the work of the Bard. Shakesperean English is oftentimes impenetrable, with Thorn & a Petalstick presenting a diluted version, of sorts, but without the magnaminous omniscience of Shakespeare pulling the mannequin strings.
• 
  Vacuum Girl
  Erica Bitton is currently in Edinburgh, a flamboyant American performer-woman, bubbling with an easy-going yet copiously sassy style. Her one-woman show, Vacuum Girl, is an effervescent carousel of life in her life, resplendent with phosphorescent light.
• 
  The Marriage of Alice B Toklas by Gertrude Stein
  On an unusually hot Edinburgh summer’s day, it was a relief to be indoors and cool off, although the heat still remained via a serving of hot and spicy comedy theatre. The show began… Bang! Alice and Gertrude were sitting calmly on their throne-like chairs.
• 
  The Lost Priest
  I chatted briefly to Gabe after the play, asking him about the genesis of ‘The Lost Priest.’ His response was something along the lines of the piece beginning being about a fictional character, but in no time at all he had realis’d there was more & more of his personal anima immersing itself in the tale
• 
  Sikisa: Serving Justice
  When your room is on the laughter train from minute one to minute 60, you know, as a performer, you’ve totally nailed it, and Sikisa did just that. her show, “Serving Justice”, is a a rollercoaster ride of jury citations, airport security, WWE wrestling, spiders living rent-free, immigration, colour, sex and air fryers – and so much more.
• 
  Liz Guterbock: Nice
  To ameliorate this internal tension, Gutenbock regularly breaks out into a series of impersonations and mini sketches, allowing her ‘characters’ to project some of the unresolved rage simmering beneath the surface. Donald Trump as played by Jennifer Coolidge is particularly memorable and wouldn’t be out of place in an episode of South Park.
• 
  Tamar Broadbent: Plus One
  amar Broadbent is no chit-chat comedian; straight and direct, she is at you like a Lion in hunting mode. Parenthood! Babies! Childbirth and the effects of change feature highly in this rollercoaster show of do’s and don’ts. No man will truly know the labours of childbirth, but Tamar will make damned sure you do.
• 
  Burt Williamson: 104kg of Pure Banter
  The audience is on the edge of it’s seat throughout, wondering whether each new section will be bizarre, insightful, or deprecating. It’s a shame then that, at times, the punchlines are slightly rushed or delivered with a lack of clarity.
• 
  Holly Spillar: Tall Child
  Holly’s complex, deadpan and tirading take on the universe gives her a real edge as she grasps the situation clearly and cleanly, opening up hapy channels between her and the audience. We in the room liked her a lot – her human warmth, & enrapturing thought-waves smitting our attention, & inviting us back in again, and again, and again…
• 
  Bing!
  Jason is a walking sculpture of art that is plain to see in is conviction and delivery. His quality of showing that one is firmly convinced of what one believes or does can be identified fully in his performances. So Bing, bop ting, let the show begin!
• 
  Aaron Wood: ‘More to Life?’
  he show itself is loosely focussed around Aaron’s reflections on himself, his ambitions, his relationships, and on more than one occasion self-deprecating analysis of his own foibles. He begins by riffing on the challenges of leaving behind your social upbringing, likening the experience of breaking through socioeconomic barriers to Stockholm syndrome.
• 
  Back Doune the Rabbit Hole
  That had been a beautiful and brilliant festival, that really healed my heart and rejuvinated my spirit. with Rock n Roll Grace and brilliant friends. Back Doune The Rabbit Hole and the Cardross Estate is certainly a contender for most beautiful festival site in the world.
• 
  Stuart McPherson: Crisps and a Lie Down
  Among the many highlights, Stuart’s strongest material, for me, was his splapsticky rendition of how both the Mental Health system, & Human Resources teams, were render’d essentially unnecessary, albeit briefly, in the 80s & 90s, by the cure-all squidgy ball.
• 
  Alfie Packham: My Apologies to the Chef
  The show was carefully plotted & reinforced with a bitter, yet formidable humour, resulting in a laughter-giving audience. His clear comedic edge comes from working hard in the industry, not to mention the creative osmosis injected via his journalistic activities.
• 
  Anatomy of Pain
  The experience of suffering a mysterious disease is look’d at from numerous angles, & brought to life with a really poetical cutting edge. So many cracking lines immersing us in the experience. Words create universes, create theological systems, create history
• 
  A Mad, Mad Wonderland
  Then emerged his killer impressions. To the sound of oboe music he began to go through the Wonderland characters – out came Jim Carrey, to a T, for example, and an unbelievable performance ensued.
• 
  Ben Pope: The Cut
  It’s no surprise, given the themes of identity, that Ben’s penis emerges, so to speak, as a character in and of itself. We are introduced to an endless list of aesthetic metaphors for the before and after descriptions of ‘the star of the show’, each of these raising the stakes in terms of hilarity, absurdness, and disturbing mental imagery.
• 
  Candace Bryan: MILF – Mom I’d Like To Find
  For a full hour Candace screws us into our seats, she’s got a really nice vibe, like, with a kinda catchphrasey tone to the delivery of each of her punchlines, which keep on coming all hour in an effortless & unceasing series of quality gags.
• 
  Midnight In Nashville
  Biz Lyon gives a guttural & naked performance as Marcy, whose activities take place mainly in the recording studio; Shania Twaining here, Hank Williamsing there
• 
  Carl Donnelly: Another Round
  This is a show for anyone who likes comedy, anyone who wants to laugh out loud, non-stop, for an hour, anyone who needs a bit of cheer and wants to leave a show with a smile on their face, or simply anyone who wants to see a comedian using their 20+ years of experience to show the punters a good time.
• 
  Amelia Hamlton: Forget Me Not
  For a full hour Hamilton’s energy never lets up, & that’s a good thing, because her energy is a wonderful thing to tap into, as she tosses uproarious regiments of frolics at us, smashing thro’ the frail veneer of our all mundane existences.
• 
  Olivia Raine Atwood: Oops
  Olivia then cleverly segways us into her role as a romantic matchmaker, via her highschool obsessions with boys, all play’d out in a series of pages from her teenage notebooks beam’d to us in an enlarg’d form above her. Stars for friendship, hearts for love, & an early analytical rendition of those confusions of an adolescent heart
• 
  An Interview with Loz Dodd
  A boundary-pushing experimental comedy show is about to hit the Fringe. The Mumble got the inside track…
• 
  Jonny Pelham: Is It Me?
  As he points out, we currently exist in a society in which ‘every political crisis is re-framed by politicians, and the media, as some kind of personal failure on our own parts’. All of this is leavened fantastically by neatly interweaving observations, and genuinely dark and hilarious asides, about the morality of bestiality etiquette, modern anthropomorphism of pets & emotions as a consequence of the death of The Social Contract, the Iraqi Paralympic team, and the only funny (hilarious actually) joke I’ve ever heard made about ‘straight pride’. FOUR STARS
• 
  An Interview with Tatienne Hendricks-Tellefsen
  A sharp-witted, high-energy, apocalyptic, anti-romcom solo-play is coming to Edinburgh. The Mumble got the inside track…
• 
  An Interview with Desmond Devenish
  This Fringe, a lone actor is on a mission to help us reclaim our emotional truth – read the big Mumble interview
• 
  What’s Love Got To Do With It: A Tribute to Tina Turner
  ts Tina Time… House lights down, stage lights on and in a flash, Tina Turner’s tribute act thunders onto the stage to rapturous roar from the audience. The Hair, the dress, the legs, the high heels and wow, that voice, you nailed it girl.
• 
  Eden Festival
  I split my day up well between Music and Flame, working through The Leftfield DJ set, I returned to my tent at midnight just as the Heavens opened and the heavy rain started, falling for the best part of the next 12 hours.
• 
  Betty Boo
  Being half-Scottish, as she explain’d to an adulating crowd, she really connected with us all last night in Edinburgh’s Voodoo Rooms, whose staff were ‘totally psych’d’ to being able to host her ‘homecoming’ of sorts. 
• 
  What’s Love Got To Do With It? A Tribute to Tina Turner hits Scotland’s Capital
  Forget the Edinburgh Fringe, the most important cultural event to hit Edinburgh this summer is ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It? A Tribute to Tina Turner’, playing at the Usher Hall this Saturday.
• 
  Nick Mulvey
  That special atmosphere was of a performer who gave a rock concert with only vocals and guitar. His choices of writing involve a great sense of reflection which he is credible for.
• 
  Billianne
  We could easily take it to heart with a flow, and earnestness ready to bring it to the world. Her vocal attention’s, in a big way were let out there, with sensational timely changes and fresh writing. Enjoying close communion between her and her fans, her accomplished sound was from depth, beauty and serenity as she approached her entertaining, set list.
• 
  Pistol Daisys
  They were beaming liberty with their slick deliveries, bravado, stances and anthemic vocals, and we all rose with gusto to the journey they are on. Pistol Daisys took me off guard I am now a fan!
• 
  Looking For Me Friend
  It’s also the story of Paulus coming to terms with his sexuality in 1970s/80s Britain, thro’ which the comedy of Victoria Wood seem’d to be the shiny, guiding light of “its gonna be alright, mate, just be yourself & laugh as much as you can along the way!”
• 
  Peter Hook & the Light
  I’ve been listening to Technique recently, New Order’s Ibiza-soak’d album of 1988, but have never really listene’d to Get Ready, which was tonight’s ‘full album’, New Order’s 7th. The opening track, Crystal, is bangin’, & fully show’d off the profiency of the Light, with Hookey swaggering about with his bass guitar being reyt cool.
• 
  Baxter Dury / Primal Scream
  It was nice to have a seat until I couldn’t contain myself and just had to Dance. The people sitting around me were nae impressed, so I limited my moves for the classics. Loaded Swaztika Eyes and Rocks Off.
• 
  Aiko
  As I stood in wider-eye’d meditation to her music, the overall sound felt to me a mixture of the primal roar of the forest, juggernaut grooves, neurotic lyrical narratives, sonic thunderclaps, dramaqueeniness & superpower balladry.
• 
  Cleopatrick
  It’s good to see so much going on in this musically vibrant city; enjoying life with live music has that special quality, I felt I could take a back seat there and just enjoy the room, taste the new styles and head home feeling the buzz. Cleopatrick rocked the night, told their stories and blasted through the venue.
• 
  David Gray
  Under the space age roof of the Armadillo I arriv’d a couple of songs into the set. To accompany his poetical phraseology, David Gray has an excellent band behind him, including a completely gonzo drummer, & chops & changes moods & instruments with a song-by-song frequency.
• 
  Barry Adamson
  Would have been annoying had the audience given a fuck. Super glue the locks DMT in the dry ice and on stage hamster eating lizards this was not.
• 
  The Darkness
  Good Things always come out of Yorkshire, I would know being a Bradford Lad. So it always warms the cockles of my heart when Northern English bands do well. And although originally from down south, Justin Hawkins and his brother Dan formed the band while studying at college in the Yorkshire town called Huddersfield. So that in Divine’s eyes makes The Darkness a Yorkshire band.
• 
  Beans On Toast
  The Voodoo Rooms was packed like sardines in a tin, but with some slight breathing space left for those urban festival dancers. As the clock struck 9pm, the man himself, accompanied by his loyal piano player took to the stage amid a huge roar of appreciation. I
• 
  Michael Kiwanuka
  Funky, slick, uplifting and with a twist of psychodelia influence the sound Michael has created is unique. Soulfulness in music creates a deep profound meaningful warmth within you which is ultimately projected from the dedication of the artist’s creative talent.
• 
  Zaho de Sagazan
  This mesmerising gig, filled with admirers, was simply something great. The strange instruments, smoke and lighting all went into the kind of performance that makes you feel very lucky to be there.
• 
  Biig Piig
  Touring said album, then, has brought her to Glasgow, & on she bounds onto the stage shouting ‘Glasgow, what’s going on!?” in a bikini top & pigtails – quite the star!
• 
  Ode: To the Duplicitous Verbosity of Peter Kitson
  A Poetical response to Damo’s Chispology
• 
  Kawala
  The SWG3 venue is situated in an interesting almost cul-de-sac with an in use railway line literally going over it. So there is a vibe of that plus river that helps create a special atmosphere for all these devoted music lovers. A place where this evening had a straightforward example of fantastic songs played with ease and free of negativity in regards to their attitudes on stage.
• 
  Lady Blackbird
  We saw a lady and her band making music of the highest production, with rounded effects, variants put into single streams, using all and every influence. They had a way of jamming very naturally spiralling around very complex, individualistic, musically sheer influence, creating a sound on its own and capable of bursting with themes.
• 
  Port Sulphur, The Cords, Mackenzies, James Kirk & Davy Henderson
  And as the night unified under the great swings of this punk rock sound, carefully thought out and intensely entertaining, the stage was alive and buzzing to the full and for the duration on an international stage of the festival. Smoothly crooned, a dynamic jive shaped by the rock of 2 electric guitars, bass, drum, Sax and jovial front men and eclectic taste.
• 
  Iona: In the Footsteps of Columba
  Then came the main piece, telling the story of how Christianity first came to Scotland, out on its obscure western fringes. The culturally responsive medium was an amazing blend of John Bett’s oratorials; magical paintings of Iona, bath’d in it’s natural clean & clear light, by John Lowrie Morrison; the effortlessly breathtaking violin of Paul Anderson (MBE); & invocative wordsmithery from the Irish poet, Francey Devine.
• 
  PARADISO TROVATO: Days One & Two
  A Poetical Quest to Discover the Italian Source of Paradise Lost. Days One & Two, from Reggio Calabria to a beach north of Pizzo
• Big Interview: INTERSTELLAR BLUES CRUISE
  Why do INTERSTELLAR BLUES CRUISE think they are “THE MOST IMPORTANT BAND IN THE WORLD!” The Mumble caught the inside track…
• 
  Tom Meighan
  Whatever genre is attached to this prolific writer he has come out with something fresh for his listeners, music that covers the nuances of feel good, yet gritty rocking rhythms to be danced to and lyrics of connections and heartfelt honesty.
• 
  Midge Ure
  I have always believed that music is the medicine for the soul. It heals, it talks to us, it warms us, it comforts us, it enlightens us, but most of all it makes us feel whole, complete and gives a sense of belonging. That goes without saying its a two way thing. Thus the giver and the receiver are equal, both feeding from the same bowl and therefore achieving the bond that music creates. I maybe sentimental or nostalgic, or maybe just human but music sets a time scale and memories begin to attach themselves to these periods in your life and Midge Ure tonight did just that.
• 
  The Chameleons
  I was a big fan of the drummer too, driving the songs along with effortless assurity, while the spider-jangly guitar riffs claw’d at our psyches. It was all a bit like experiencing a long drawn out labour pain while gregorian chanting, & was also being rather numbing in a weird way, like being on poppas constantly! But musically wonderful!
• 
  Twenty Minutes @ The Kitchen
  The 47th scene from Damo Bullen’s ‘Madchester’ takes us to the famous ‘Kitchen’ nightclub at the infamous Crescents in Hulme
• 
  Jamie Cullum
  As his music came together his skeleton t-shirt started to make more sense, the backing vocals professed with a jive like dancing to rhythms of great speed, a male and female shaking it down. This truly magical night held sway in its times of music, and as the wheels kept being greased the more lively it became. Showcasing skills in constructing his concert that were placed deep and had an intrinsic knowledge of music and how to fabulously entertain.
• 
  Hugh Cornwell
  I was totally loving watching him perform songs I’d heard live in the past, from his revered albums Hooverdam and Moments of Madness amongst others. Then, adding some re-booted versions of the songs ‘Nuclear Device,’ ‘Nice and Sleazy,’ ‘Golden Brown’ and ‘Tank’ just showed how diverse Hugh Cornwell can still be.
• 
  The Thistle & the Thorn
  The legend of the thistle becoming the national emblem of Scotland begins on a beach in North Ayshire, just before the Battle of Largs
• 
  Robert Finley
  I particular remember him singing his new album’s singles, What Goes Around, & also this beautiful love ballad, I Want be your Man, dedicated to his wife or woman. Just bob on beautiful, as was Nobody Wants to be Lonely, written after visiting his friend in hospital after he’d suffer’d a stroke. S
• 
  Everyone Says Hi
  The sense of musical communing came from its passionate place in the City’s fine and varied venues. And as with ‘Everyone Says Hi’ a character perplexing a room through music and vocal concentration in honesty, existentialism and the powers of life. There was a sense of something big from musicians who already made it far in the music world, but who have come out with this fresh take. Perhaps freeing themselves from the fetters of commercialism, to again write from a freer hand, putting great song writing to the fore.
• 
  An Interview with Mike Edwards
  After a storming gig at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, the Mumble caught with the Jesus Jones frontman
• 
  Fly High Angel, Forever 31 (a letter to Liam Payne)
  A poem composed on the passing of One Direction’s Liam Payne
• 
  Afro Celt Sound System
  Pieces of music that honour and comfort those in peril, those in suffering, and those whom have ascended, are a huge part of Afro Celt Sound System’s beliefs, with their stage presence and communications proving the point.
• 
  An Interview with Issy Sutcliffe
  The tsunami that is Issy Sutcliffe & her music is mustering on the ocean horizon right now, but it will come crashing into shore before you know it – The Mumble got the inside track
• 
  Shed Seven – Change Giver Live
  He wasn’t alone, as the latest T-shirts were being snapped up & worn left right & centre – Glasgow was up for this, like! It didn’t hurt that the band have only just releas’d one of their best albums ever, A Matter of Time, updating Britpop for Generation X, etc.
• 
  Sambroso All Stars “Buena Vista”
  Sambroso’s near 2-hour “Buena Vista” set delivered a mesmerizing and memorable uplifting collective of well known Cuban greats like Night in Havana, Sandunga, and Dulce Habanera; all turning the dance floor into a fusion of salsa and rumba shakers.
• 
  An Interview with Duncan Hodgkinson
  Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, an exceptional new solo show is coming to London
• 
  Kara Grainger and Band
  The room was full, not just of fans, but of wonderful energy. The blues seem to generate this connective togetherness that was very clear and visible with tonight’s audience. Like a calm sea on a still day, Kara took to the stage with a beaming smile. The blues need no introduction, well for me that is. At every point in one’s life there was always an element of blues music filtering through and Kara was about to show us how its done. Sliding guitar, deep bass and a finger flicking Hammond playing genius, complimented by drum licks like no others, we were all soon catapulted into a swirling cocktail of soulful blues and rock songs.
• 
  Ocean Alley
  ‘Ocean’ streamed onto the stage as the final act coming with a booming presence as we savoured their praise worthy energy. To my ears there were traces of music from acts like 80’s Prince, Jeff Buckley and Santana, they are known to be performing a fusion of Psych, Rock and the great rhythms of Reggae.
• 
  The LaFontaines
  While the song-writing was folky, the guitar’s amp was up with overdrive, and the drums played that great rock, the vibe also had these cool disco tempos and rhythms to really drive home the sound and the good vibes therein. A fantastic band in a fantastic venue = a fantastic night.
• 
  An Interview with Nicole Palomba
  The Lambeth Fringe is approaching, & the voices of storytellers such as Nicole Palomba shall be heard
• 
  Gossip
  The epic-sized venue is just made for cool gigs, and the Gossip five-piece took the night by storm, and it with kick-ass energy they brought good music to the forefront, music to entertain us in its most joyful state. Beth’s vocals drawing you in, as she touched on an application of a great many genres of historical music, her strident personality clearly tuned to a high operational level.
• 
  Aude Lener: Love Reboot
  With all the physicality’s being brought through her she didn’t miss a thing, playing her characters with willingness rare, sometimes contorted as she seemed to become beside herself but maintained throughout a great sense of humour (I mean that to the greatest sense) with that care that made things so much a pleasure.
• 
  Side Quest
  Overall, Sidequest was a thoroughly enjoyable show outwith the standard Fringe fare. Using all the tools in the box, the performers innovate and ease us all into an hour of fun. FOUR STARS
• 
  The Arran International Festival of Chamber Music and Song
  There were seven pieces in the program; the majority of which were play’d by Lucy & Chris together, with the chemistry of firm friendship gluing together their epic talents.
• 
  After Shakespeare: Richard III
  Lexi Wolfe wrote the piece, and performed it with all the sturdy intricacies contained in that handful of royal characters, providing a fresh look at the History Cycle of plays. Interjecting her own prowess of styles, Lexi played the lead, with great levels of conviction, whether the part was male or female. FOUR STARS
• 
  An Interview with Ege Öztokat
  The world has flooded to Edinburgh this August, including a very cool comedian from Turkey