In a gesture of solidarity with the victims of the war in Ukraine, Edinburgh International Festival is partnering with the Scottish Government to welcome the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra for a historic free concert at the Usher Hall on Saturday 6 August 2022 at 2pm.
Marking the orchestra’s only performance in Scotland, this concert is part of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra’s European and USA tour in artistic defence of its country.
Edinburgh is twinned with the city of Kyiv, and this special collaboration between the International Festival and the Scottish Government is in support of the city’s Ukrainian community and those directly affected by the war.
The special concert will see invitations extended to the Ukrainian community in Scotland and organisations leading efforts in the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees, as well as those supporting people impacted by the conflict.
Assembled by New York’s Metropolitan Opera and the Polish National Opera, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra includes recent refugees, Ukrainian members of European orchestras and leading Ukrainian musicians and performers.
The Ukraine Ministry of Culture is granting a special exemption to military-age, male members of orchestras inside the country to participate, allowing them to put down weapons and take up their instruments in a demonstration of the power of art over adversity.
Under the leadership of Canadian-Ukrainian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson, the orchestra’s repertoire includes Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov’s Seventh Symphony; Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Ukrainian virtuoso Anna Fedorova; and leading Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska performing an aria from Verdi’s Aida.
Seventy-five years after Rudolf Bing, himself a refugee, co-founded the Edinburgh International Festival, the 2022 programme reflects the organisation’s rich history of promoting unity and healing through cultural collaboration.
The 2022 International Festival also features Refuge, a season of contemporary theatre, dance, visual art, film and conversation created to explore themes of refugeehood, migration, identity and inclusion.
Free tickets for the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra’s concert at the Usher Hall will be available to book online from late June 2022, with further information to follow.
Fergus Linehan, Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Festival said, “The staff and board of the Festival are honoured to be given the opportunity to welcome our colleagues from Ukraine and offer them our support and solidarity at this time.”
Neil Gray, Minister for Culture and Refugees from Ukraine said: “The Scottish Government is delighted to provide the support to enable the Ukraine Freedom Orchestra of more than 70 displaced Ukrainian professional musicians to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival in August.
“The Edinburgh International Festival was first created to bring together Europeans suffering in the shadow of war, and as the festival celebrates its 75th anniversary it has never been more appropriate to underline its founding principles of peace, collaboration and solidarity.
“Scotland has responded to the present crisis by offering a warm welcome to those Ukrainians fleeing the brutal invasion of their country – and we offer the same warm welcome to these wonderful musicians. I am sure this historic free concert will be one of the highlights of this year’s cultural celebrations in Edinburgh.”
Oleksandr Tkachenko, Ukrainian Minister of Culture said: “Today, culture is showing a completely new side. It can also be the ‘soft power’ that helps heal wounds.
“Ukrainian culture is original and deserves to be at the centre of attention abroad. We thank our international colleagues for producing the tour.”
Are you a fan of 80s music? Child Bereavement UK needs you! The charity is looking for music fans to give 4 hours of their time to volunteer at Let’s Rock Scotland selling wristbands and raffle tickets to raise funds to support its work.
In return volunteers get to enjoy the rest of the event free of charge!
Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. The charity supports children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.
The line-up for Let’s Rock Scotland, which takes place on Saturday 18 June 2022 at Dalkeith Country Park, Edinburgh, includes Squeeze, OMD, Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins), Level 42 and Nick Heyward.
Lorna Murchie, Community Projects Manager for Child Bereavement UK said: ‘This year Child Bereavement UK is delighted to be the beneficiary charity of some of the UK’s most anticipated festivals and gigs.
“Our volunteers tell us they have a great time soaking up the festival atmosphere and seeing their favourite acts, in return for just a few hours of their time helping us raise much-needed funds. If you’re tempted to join in, please visit our website to find out how you can get involved .’
For more information on volunteering or to see a full list of events please visit:
Over 790 shows now available to browse online, with more to be announced monthly in the lead up to the Fringe’s 75th anniversary this August
Today, Thursday 07 April, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is delighted to announce that tickets for a further 513 Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows are now available to browse and book atedfringe.com.
This is the second set of tickets to be released for 2022, with the first 283 shows revealed in March.
In total, there are 796 shows now available, with more set to be announced on Thursday 05 May and Thursday 09 June. The official programme launch will take place on Thursday 07 July.
The 75th anniversary of the Fringe takes place from 5th – 29th August 2022 and will feature an exciting range of shows, with theatre, comedy, music, dance, circus, musicals, variety, cabaret, events and more all featured in the programme so far.
Below is a small representative sample of shows available to book from today. The full list of shows released so far can be found at edfringe.com.
Theatre
At Pleasance, Today I Killed My Very First Bird follows a South-East London gangster who starts to lose his grip on reality when he’s forced to look back on his traumatic childhood. Theatre Royal Plymouth co-produce this “unflinching new play based on lived experience”.
In a world first, Irvine Welsh’s Porno has been adapted for the stage. 15 years after Trainspotting, what has become of Renton, Sickboy, Spud and Begbie?
Fills Monkey: We Will Drum You “blends pure joy and comedy with extraordinary musicianship, as two drummers fuse musical styles from rock to heavy metal, and Latin to jazz”.
And in Charlie Russell Aims to Please, Charlie wants to do a show in Edinburgh, and so attempts to “please absolutely everyone by trying to hit as many solo Fringe show tropes and styles as possible within an hour”.
At Gilded Balloon,Swallowed follows a young couple who are separated by an outbreak they cannot speak of. “Desire to connect meets fear of touch”. From emerging Scottish company, Frizz Theatre.
Eve: All About Her sees award-winning actor and cabaret artist Keith Ramsay “fuse spoken word and live music to deconstruct the concept of camp and queer mythology for a post-Stonewall generation”.
After a run in 2021, 1902 returns to Leith Arches. The multi award-winning work from Saltire Sky “takes an access-all-areas approach to working-class life in Scotland as we follow four young wannabe football hooligans in their quest to see Hibs win the Scottish Cup Final”.
At theSpaceUK, Beneath is “a dark and absurd commentary on the effects of climate change”. Four people are trapped under 100 metres of water after an environmental catastrophe. After months of just surviving, each character is forced to examine what their options are and what their futures hold.
And Hiya Dolly! is “the true story of how a cute, attention-seeking lamb became the most famous sheep in history – the world’s first cloned mammal.”
Les Dawson: Flying High is at Assembly. Jon Culshaw stars in in this new play from BAFTA and Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Whitnall and director Bob Golding. “Join Les as he summons forth a wealth of characters and incidents from his eventful life and career.”
Marrow follows a queer artist, who when “forced within the confines of his fabulous mind, takes a euphoric journey to heal”.
She Wolf is a winner of the 2022 Assembly ART Award and the Alpine Fellowship Theatre Prize. It’s a fierce, ferocious monologue “about getting f*cked over and fighting your way back”. Spoken by a woman hiding out at the zoo, this show “tears open questions of gender and class in a capitalist world”.
Sandcastles by Steve McMahon “depicts the tumultuous lifelong friendship of millennials Hannah and Beth”. An Assembly ART Award-winning piece from Brite Theater.
Destiny is at Underbelly. “Destiny dreams big… If J-Lo can make it out of the Bronx, then Destiny can make it off the Hill Rise estate.” A recipient of the Pleasance 2021 National Partnerships Award with Bristol Old Vic Ferment, this work follows a teenage girl growing up on a Chippenham council estate.
The Sian Clarke Experience is “an ode to every man who has belittled her, made her feel unsafe, objectified her, told her she can’t be funny, called her a slut, told her to smile more… a dark, twisted comedic piece full of aggression and discomfort, examining the constraints of a woman biting back.”
Lightweight is “the true story of a complicated young woman’s attempts to survive anorexia and maintain a debilitatingly positive attitude in post-9/11 New York City”. Winner of Best Festival Debut at United Solo Festival 2021, New York City.
The B Collective returns with their high-octane show, Murder Ballads, adapted from the album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. “Explosive gig-theatre meets dark comedy cabaret as four actor-musicians invite you to O’Malley’s Bar in the town of Millhaven, 1882, in the wildest part of the old Wild West”.
At Greenside, Almost 13 is a solo drama about a young girl “surviving a hot, violent summer in Brooklyn”. Can she endure being caught between a disintegrating working-class family at home and racial violence on the streets? Award-winning theatre artist Joan Kane plays all 10 colourful Brooklynites.
And the one-woman show Caitlin is based on Dylan Thomas’s wife Caitlin Macnamara, as she tells the story of her “unfulfilled ambitions”, and her “booze-fuelled, infidelity-riddled marriage to poet”.
Comedy
Monkey Barrel have a roster of stand-up this year, including Catherine Bohart’s “blisteringly funny new stand-up show filled with horrendous life advice, cheery nihilism and reluctant self-discovery.”
Taskmaster winner and co-host of Dave’s Unforgivable Lou Sanders is “tour fresh and still yakking away… is this show the real vaccine?”
Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Sofie Hagen presents Fat Jokes: a show bursting with big jokes and fat punchlines.
And Liam Withnail returns with a new show, on the back of winning Amused Moose’s Outstanding Show Award in 2019.
Plus, Glasgow comedian Christopher Macarthur- Boyd is back, exploring “the end of the world and Italian food”.
The Stand is home to Omid Djalili. “After experimental Zoom gigs where he got muted by 639 people… the multi award-winning comedian and actor is now where he belongs, on a stage.”
Paul Sinha is back on tour and appearing at the Fringe. Audiences can “expect jokes and surprises” from the quizzer, comedian and broadcaster.
Meanwhile, Flat and the Curves sees “hilarious divas perform original songs exploring sex, scandal and sisterhood”.
Frankie Boyle is at Assembly with “ashow largely about politics, satirising whichever new leaders emerge from the irradiated rubble.”
For Nish Kumar, who returns with a new show, “it has been a period of upheaval and uncertainty with COVID and the political situation.” He promises we’ll be “amazed by his capacity to somehow take all these things personally.”
Julia Masil is appearing with “a debut solo comedy hour from the legs behind the sell-out hit show Legs. In this absurd homage to migration, a hungry clown from an Eastern European village voyages to America for a hot dog.”
And after his last Fringe appearance, Rich Hall “had to step away from Edinburgh and consider how to be less devastatingly funny.” In this return, he promises “to dial it back just a little”.
At Gilded Balloon, Best Newcomer nominee Maisie Adam has a brand-new show for 2022, Buzzed, “rammed with witty observations, high-octane energy and some right good jokes.”
Comedy magician Pete Firman returns to the Fringe with a new show. “Expect Pete’s trademark blend of laugh-out-loud comedy and jaw-dropping magic”.
And legendary fox Basil Brush has a brand-new show for the adults, following his sold-out 2019 Fringe debut. “The national treasure will bring more anarchy to the festival, featuring different guests daily.”
At Pleasance, Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle is “a new solo spectacular predicted to spiral into chaos as Mind Mangler attempts to read your mind.”
And in Mischief Movie Night, audiences are promised “an improvised movie live on stage”. Every show is different.
Daniel Sloss is at Just the Tonic and is doing a run of shows to work up some new material for his next tour.
Tom Stade is “trying to remember what was important before responsibility and fear got in the way” in his show.
Underbelly is home to Paul Foot, in which “Paul opens his beak and explores topics including Nanna on the rack, murdering Santas and interfering ambulance drivers.”
Jason Byrne recently lost his father, Paddy Byrne. In this one-man play, Jason brings his dad’s life to the stage, “keeping him alive in stories full of laughter and tears”.
In A Problem Shared, Myra DuBois “steps away from the songs and dedicates her attention to the dying art of conversation”.
Drunk Women Solving Crime returns to the Fringe. “This is a true crime podcast with a twist… of lime. Each episode sees the boozed-up panel of writer / comedian hosts Hannah George, Catie Wilkins and Taylor Glenn welcome a top guest to test out their drunk detective skills and solve true crime cases.”
The Scottish Comedy Festival has a host of Scottish stand-up, including five-time Scottish Comedian of the Year finalist Ross Leslie and a set from Gary Little on “life, relationships, the world!”
Laughing Horse is home to Nathan Cassidy, who presents “stand-up comedy on the death of the planet, the neglect of our leaders and the shield of blame from ourselves.”
PBH’s Free Fringe features Palindrome Fight!, which comprises five panelists, three audience suggestions, and thirty minutes of lurid palindrome history and standup comedy.
Music
Catch The Tiger Lillies at Underbelly. After years away touring the world, the “Olivier Award-winning godfathers of alternative cabaret celebrate their 30th anniversary with a triumphant return to the Fringe”.
Scottish/Danish folk duo The Quiggs are back at Acoustic Music Centre for an hour of folksong and fine singing.
Dougie Mackenzie and Brian Miller are performing together. Dougie is a traditional singer, drawn to Scots ballad language. Brian is a Scottish singer and guitarist.
Massaoke is back at Assembly. Join the house band, Rockstar Weekend, on “a euphoric, spandex-clad journey through the greatest smash hits of all time, accompanied by giant video lyrics and the whole crowd singing together”.
At Pleasance, Shona the Musical Choir is an African/Scottish group presenting original songs from African composer/playwright Neo Vilakazi. “Inspired by historical events around the Shona tribe in Africa and [the] socio-political turmoil of Robert Mugabe’s rule of Zimbabwe.”
Cabaret and Variety
Fascinating Aida are at Assembly. Their latest show is “jam-packed with hilarious songs (old and new), outrageous humour and an elegant charm that belies the biting satire and their potty mouths.”
In Soulful Magic, Britain’s Got Talent finalist Magical Bones returns to the Fringe, with a “brand-new hour of the most awe-inspiring and high-energy magic you’ll see this year.”
Following its sold-out 2019 Fringe premiere, the award-winning An Evening Without Kate Bush returns.Sarah-Louise Young and Russell Lucas “pay glorious homage to the music, fans and mythology of one of the most influential voices in music”.
La Clique are returning to the Fringe, with shows at Underbelly. A decade on from winning the Best Entertainment Olivier Award, this show “promises to be a night of laughs, gasps, naughtiness and the best in international cabaret”.
In More Jewish Chronicles (and Other Musical Stories), multi award-winning musical storyteller Daniel Cainer performs another collection of story-songs, following six off-Broadway runs and 15 Edinburgh Fringes.
PBH’s Free Fringe is home to Caspar Thomas: Sleight of Handkerchief. Having had plenty of time to practice, Caspar returns to the Fringe with a brand-new magic show.
Plus, Ash Pryce’s latest show features paranormal illusions, spooky magic and ghostly goings in the underground vaults of Edinburgh.
Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus
Railed is at Assembly. From the creators of Elixir (winner of Best Circus and Physical Theatre award at Adelaide Fringe 2018), “Railed is a western-themed circus spectacular, combining trademark physical talents, finely chiselled bodies and hilarious comic timing.”
International theatre-makers Same Same Collective are bringing drop dead gorgeous, which “combines movement, clowning and a whole lot of fruit.” Expect “intersectional, irreverent theatre, loosely based on Yukio Mishima’s Book of Anti-Chaste Wisdom”.
Circus Abyssinia: Tulu is at Underbelly Circus Hub. “Celebrating the first African woman to win Olympic gold, this showcase is inspired by the true tale of an Ethiopian icon, Derartu Tulu”. It promises “awe-inspiring acrobatics and mesmerising fire juggling with a rocking, exuberant soundtrack.”
At theSpaceUK, SMACK & Spektakel offers “an adventurous double bill of dance, refreshing the commentary on the empowered female body, while questioning the relationship between performance and identity”.
Children’s shows
At Pleasance, catch Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids. World record-breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo has performed around the world with the likes of Bjork, Ed Sheeran and Rudimental. Here, Shlomo is “back on his mission to empower the next generation of superstar beatboxers to find their true voice, no matter who they are”.
Clowntown In Space @theSpace is at theSpaceUK. Canada’s award-winning clown band sparks the imagination in this space-themed show. “Full of live music, catchy singalongs, fun adventures and interactive comedy”.
Prehysterical is at Assembly. “A hilarious circus show for children and parents of all ages, following three foolish Neanderthals as they struggle to survive the harsh natural world.”
Meanwhile, Brotipo is “crazy Canadian circus for the young, premiering in Edinburgh after visiting 16 countries”. Watch as “two clowns touch the hearts of the audience and make them laugh through their quarrels, their acrobatics and their lonely moments.”
At Gilded Balloon, catch The Dark Room For Kids. You and your family are stuck inside a live-action video game! How will you escape? “An interactive adventure featuring terrible prizes and total mayhem.”
Fruit Flies Like a Banana: Kids! sees “music, theatre, dance and circus collide in this variety show where you choose the show order”.
In There’s Nothing Quite Like Spaghetti Bolognese!, join Penny “for an unforgettable dinner in this show that is fun for all the family. A piping-hot piece of brand-new children’s theatre that asks the question: Should you play with your food?”
Musicals
At theSpaceUK, Flesh is a “fast, furious and funny rock musical that takes a wry take on the story of Burke and Hare – Irish navvies induced by the Edinburgh medical elite to turn their hands to murdering for profit.”
And in About New Year’s Eve, “minutes before the clock strikes 12, a group of friends rediscover themselves and their goals for the new year.” This show “offers audiences a joyful and dramatic exploration of life through the eyes of young adults.”
Dua Lipa has more than double the monthly listeners of Beyoncé
New research has revealed that Dua Lipa is currently the most popular female artist on Spotify.
The study, commissioned by shopping experts Coupon Ninja, compared Spotify data for 70 of the world’s biggest female music artists, using the number of monthly listeners to reveal the most popular artists.
Dua Lipa is the most popular female artist on Spotify. The London-born pop singer has 67.9 million monthly listeners – more than twice that of the Queen Bee, Beyoncé herself. Dua Lipa is also the fourth most popular artist in the world on Spotify, surpassed only by Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, and The Weekend.
With more than 56 million monthly listeners, Doja Cat comes in second place, making her the most popular female rapper on Spotify. The Californian ‘Say So’ singer also sits in the seventh position worldwide.
In third place is Taylor Swift, America’s pop and country music star. Swift has more than 55.4 million listeners every month, which also puts her in the eighth worldwide position on Spotify.
Although she started her career on screen as a teen actor, Ariana Grande is now the fourth most popular female artist on Spotify, with more than 54 million fans listening to her music every month, and currently sitting in the tenth worldwide position.
Adele has 53.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, making her the fifth most popular female artist on Spotify. The British Soul artist’s most recent album ‘30’ was the best-selling album of 2021 despite only being released in November.
As well as playing a huge part in the beauty and fashion industries, Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna is also included in the top 10 most popular female music artists on Spotify. RiRi currently sits in the sixth position with more than 48.6 million monthly listeners.
Top 10 Female Artists on Spotify
Rank
Artist
Spotify Monthly Listeners
Worldwide Position
1
Dua Lipa
67,908,917
4
2
Doja Cat
56,010,550
7
3
Taylor Swift
55,456,584
8
4
Ariana Grande
54,019,195
10
5
Adele
53,241,958
12
6
Rihanna
48,603,273
18
7
Billie Eilish
47,792,885
21
8
Katy Perry
44,113,004
26
9
Olivia Rodrigo
42,211,010
28
10
Karol G
40,972,252
31
Billie Eilish is in seventh place with 47.7 million monthly listeners, followed by Katy Perry with 44.1 million and Olivia Rodrigo with 42.2 million, in the eighth and ninth positions. Finally in tenth place is the Colombian reggaeton singer Karol G with more than 40.9 million monthly listeners.
A spokesperson for Coupon Ninja commented on the study: “The music industry is known to be heavily male-dominated, with women making up just 21.6% of music artists and only 12.6% of songwriters*, making the achievements of these artists even more incredible.
“It is great to celebrate their popularity on a streaming service like Spotify, which reflects the taste of more than 365 million users.
“It is fascinating to see the wide variety of artists who make up the top ten most popular on Spotify, with varying ages, genres, and nationalities. Some of the artists are not surprising to see, but the results also gave some unexpected results, with artists such as Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and Cardi B sitting much lower in the list than some might have thought.”
The analysis was conducted by Coupon Ninja, which aims to provide exclusive coupons on major brands for online shoppers.
Children’s TV legend Andy Day, and his band the Odd Socks,are due to take the UK by storm this summer, with the release of their third album, ‘Odd Socks Calling’ out on April 1st on Cooking Vinyl, and a 15 date UK wide tour, which opens on 3rd April.
Andy and the Odd Socks famously played their very first gig at Glastonbury and can completely ‘rock out’ until all their hair stands on end. But the Odd Socks are also, well, odd. And that’s exactly how Andy, Moxy, Rio, Blu and Cousin Mac like it because being an Odd Sock means digging your differences, bigging-up your bizarre bits, taking on the world AND helping everyone else be whatever kind of Odd Sock they want to be too.
The first single ‘Planet Rock’ is out now and features Queen legend Brian May, who also stars as the Godfather of Rock in the band’s CBBC/CBeebies series, Andy and the Band. He makes his acting debut in the series where he joins the Odd Socks for the ‘best jam ever’ after helping them overcome a global ‘rocktastrophe’!
The 18 track album, which features 12 songs from series 2 of the show and their new BBC Sounds Podcast, and 6 exclusive tracks, is out from April 1st.
The tour kicks off in Edinburgh on 3rd April, and takes in Glasgow (4th), Newcastle (10th), Manchester (11th), London (12th), Colchester (13th), Dublin (16th), Bournemouth (18th) and Worthing (24th).
Andy and the Odd Socks will then appear atBrighton Festival on 22nd May, Bristol Good Times Festival on 29th May, Cambridge Club Festival on 11th June, Gloworm Festival on 14th August, Big Feastival on 26th August and Gone Wild on 29th August.
BAFTA nominated presenter and actor Andy Day (Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures, Andy’s Safari Adventures) comments: “We are so excited to release our new album, and let our fans have the songs they so love from our new TV show.
“It may be released on the 1st April but it’s no April Fool, this really is the dream solution to family road trips in the car! And we are equally excited about being able to play live shows again. We got to play a few festivals last year but this tour is our first for 3 years because of the pandemic and we cannot wait to see everyone again! We have missed the thrill of performing live and meeting the Odd Sockers around the country.”
Brian May comments: “I have loved working with the Oddsocks! Playing the role of their Godfather of Rock was actually a very emotional experience. The episode is a wonderful message of hope to kids who lose their self-confidence.
“The symbolic use of Air Guitar is beautifully apt. And on a broader scale I absolutely align with Andy and the Odd Socks in their quest for every kid to feel proud of their individual qualities.
“I’m backing their anti-buIlying campaign to the hilt – watch out for the magic of Planet Rock!!!”
More shows to be announced monthly, as the world’s greatest celebration of arts and culture returns for its 75th anniversary this August
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has announced that the first set of shows for the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe are available to book atedfringe.com.
The 75th anniversary of the Fringe takes place from 5th – 29th August 2022 and will feature an exciting range of shows, with theatre, comedy, music, dance, circus, musicals, variety, cabaret, events and more all represented in the programme.
Tickets for 283 shows have now been released, with more shows set to be announced on Thursday 07 April, Thursday 05 May and Thursday 09 June.
The official launch of the festival, including the reveal of the iconic printed programme, will take place in early July.
Below is a small representative sample of shows available to book now. The full list of shows released this month can be found atedfringe.com.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “It’s always a hugely exciting moment when the first set of Fringe shows are announced, and this year, it feels more important than ever to celebrate the breadth of creativity and freedom of expression that these shows represent.
“We know that so many artists are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic, and getting your tickets early is a brilliant way to support them at this vital time. It’s also an important investment in the value of culture and creativity, and with some shows offering free and Pay What You Can options, the Fringe remains an essential access point to culture for many.
“I can’t wait to see the programme continue to unfold as we get closer to August, and to see Edinburgh filled with live performance once again as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of this magnificent festival.”
Theatre
At theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, acclaimed mystery maestros Highly Suspect return to the Fringe “with a new duo of hilarious and interactive murder mysteries, which you – the audience – must solve”. At the same venue, UK Underdog is a solo show based on true events in a London, Jewish boy’s life. “Bullied and humiliated at school, Steve Spiro realises his strength to move forward, but that ultimately comes at a price”.
BAFTA award-winner Jack Docherty is at Gilded Balloon with Nothing But: a darkly comic tale which grapples with lost youth, love, fatherhood, sex, secrets and truth.
At Underbelly, My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) is the “joyous, chaotic, autobiographical story of actor, writer and social-media sensation Rob Madge”.
Assembly has a range of theatre to book from today, including Watson: The Final Problem, in which Sherlock Holmes’ pal tells his tale of long-buried secrets; and Myra’s Story, in which a middle-aged, homeless Dublin street drinker relives her back story.
Comoedia at Greenside is a celebration of traditional Italian masked theatre, as the most famous characters of Commedia dell’arte come together in a one-man show. At the same venue, two women use nothing but their imaginations, a skull and some fancy scarves to bring together A Two WomanHamlet.
At theSpace on North Bridge, GirlPlay is “an exploration of love and sex spun out in slam”. On a night of firsts, Lucy opens the door to a world of relationships and sex that she had only ever dreamt about. But is the reality all she had hoped it would be?
Online, Transatlantic is a true story of the French immigrant experience. “Cookie is taking care of the last of her uncle’s estate in New Mexico. As she goes through her family’s belongings, she goes on an emotional journey that echoes the many trips back and forth that she and her family have taken between France and the US.”
Plus, from award-winning writer Lita Doolan comes Audrey’s Art Club. “Audrey wants to know what doodling’s got to do with love and goes back to her lover’s childhood home to find answers.”
Comedy
The Stand has a wide roster of shows on sale today, including Seann Walsh: Is Dead, Happy Now? and Stewart Lee: Basic Lee – a work-in-progress show in which “Lee enters the post-pandemic era in streamlined stand-up mode”. Also catch rising Scottish star Gareth Waugh with Doozy and Jo Caulfield with Bad Attitude.
At Assembly, Fern Brady will be tackling big issues such as “death, shagging, marriage and ageing” in her show, Autistic Bikini Queen.
David O’Doherty is back with his show whoa is me and “all of the misplaced confidence of a waiter with no pad”, while Susie McCabe returns with a brand-new show. In Born Believer, the comedian has decided to leave cynicism behind to be an “all-new positive Susie (optimistic at best, positive is pushing it)”.
Jason Byrne is at Underbelly with Unblocked, as “the constipation of Covid has been cleared, live entertainment has been colonically irrigated and readied up for us all”. At the same venue, Foil, Arms and Hogg return to the Fringe with a mix of sketch comedy, audience participation and improvisation. Plus, Richard Stott: Afterparty sees the stand-up contemplate whether he’s missed the boat. “His friends have families, six-figure salaries and houses. He has a level-two food hygiene certificate and acid reflux.”
Gilded Balloon is home to double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Andrew Maxwell’s Krakatoa, as well as Justin Moorhouse’s brand-new show Stretch & Think, which “may contain yoga, getting older, Madonna, shoplifters, labradoodles, middle-aged cyclists, The Menopause, running, hating football fans but loving football, not drinking, funerals” and a lot more. Plus, catch Sian Davies,winner of Best Debut Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2020 and Funny Women runner-up. Her show is all about time, growing up and finding your place in the world.
There’s a range of Laughing Horse shows available to book from today. Shows including Annie and Angela’s Disco Divorce Party: “a drag-infused comedy of musical mirth celebrating friendship and new beginnings”, and Comedy Queers: “a spicy late-night mix of outrageous queer comedians, cabaret and drag acts”. Plus, there’s stand up from the likes of Nathan Cassidy and Dave Chawner.
Fringe stalwart Nina Conti returns to Pleasance with The Dating Show, in which “finding true love can’t be promised, but big laughs are guaranteed”. And after a UK and Australia tour and an Amazon special, Taskmaster runner-up and accidental YouTube cult leader Mark Watson brings his show This Can’t Be It back to where it began (at last year’s “mini Fringe”).
Also on Pleasance’s bill is Angela Barnes: Hot Mess (“trying to live your best life, as it turns out, is really bloody hard”); Ivo Graham: My Future, My Clutter (“bumbling wordsmith and tripe factory returns to discuss three years of heavy-duty pranking / parenting / procrastinating since Dave’s 2019 nominations for Best Comedy Show and Joke of the Fringe”); and NewsRevue, which will return to the EICC to “parody politics in a post-pandemic world”.
At Just the Tonic, Daniel Sloss and Kai Humphries bring their hit podcast, Sloss and Humphries On The Road, to the festival. Plus, Fringe veteran Craig Hill returns with I Always Knew I Had It In Me, and rising Scottish star Connor Burns isat the festival with his show, Live, Laugh, Loathe.
At Queen’s Hall, Henning Wehn returns with It’ll All Come Out in the Wash: a show that promises to “give everything a good rinse and witness him wring sense out of the nonsensical”.
Music
At theSpaceTriplex, California-based Hip-Hop Orchestra, Ensemble Mik Nawooj (EMN), presents music from their new album, Death Become Life, which fuses hip-hop and classical (think full strings, woodwind, French horn and soprano).
There’s also a range of Night Owl Shows to choose from, including 007 Voices Of Bond (featuring hits such as Goldfinger, Skyfall, Diamonds are Forever, Live and Let Die and many more); Back to Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse (which promises to take you on a moving journey through a modern legend’s career); and California Dreams (featuring an immersive trip through California in the late 60s and 70s, with hits by The Mamas & The Papas, The Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, The Byrds and more). All are happening at theSpace UK.
Acoustic Music Centre has a range of shows on sale from today. Acts include The Willow Trio: a band of three clarsach players – Sophie Rocks, Sam MacAdam, Romy Wymer – who will be presenting a mix of Gaelic music and original new work.
The Strange Valentines are a Nova Scotian folk duo, blending acoustic instrumentation and their signature stunning two-part harmonies to tell provocative stories.
Plus, up-and-coming harpist Romy Wymer presents traditional tunes from Scotland and Netherlands in her Fringe / AMC debut. Romy recently earned second place at the World Harp Competition (2021) and was a semi-finalist in the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year (2022).
Cabaret and Variety
Pleasance is home to West End star and multi award-winning magician Ben Hart, as he returns to Edinburgh with his show Wonder. Using only the simplest of props and the minds of the audience, Hart conjures a show that is “always amazing, sometimes shocking and shines a light into the darkest corners of your imaginations”.
Mat Ricardo is at Gilded Balloon with The Extraordinary Gentleman: “a unique, hilarious and unmissable one-man show” from the acclaimed variety artist.
Best of Burlesque is back at Assembly, with award-winning striptease, cabaret and variety from the 2022 Fringe, plus international special guests.
Dirty Tricks – How the Illusionati Rule the World is at Greenside. In this show, The Great Baldini demonstrates “how the illusionati rig elections, launder money and orchestrate assassinations: a wholly (im)plausible conspiracy theory”.
At theSpace @ Symposium Hall,Sue Kelvin stars in Bette Midler and Me: a tribute show to Midler, covering her life and songs from the perspective of a lifelong fan. Expect musical hits, plus highlights from Midler comedy routines and a puppet version of Beaches.
Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus
Underbelly Circus Hub returns to the Meadows this year, and with it comes Circa: Humans 2.0:“asymphony of acrobatics, sound and light”, described as “a tightly woven choreography of bodies, pulsing with music”.
Also on the Meadows, Hotel Paradiso is “an irresistibly colourful, loud and fun show for all the family” from contemporary circus company, Lost in Translation. Featuring circus skills, physical comedy, theatrical storytelling and slapstick, this show “sees the staff family tackle the scheming banker as he tries to possess the Hotel Paradiso”.
Cirque Berserk! is at Pleasance. Showcasing “traditional circus thrills and skills”, Cirque Berserk! combines “contemporary cirque-style artistry with adrenaline-fuelled stunt action”, as “this astoundingly talented international troupe includes over 30 fearless acrobats, aerialists and daredevil stuntmen”.
At Assembly, Muse is a circus piece which attempts to answer the question, “what does it mean to be a woman?” Plus, The Black Blues Brothers sees “five extraordinary acrobats perform their comedy tribute to the cult movie The Blues Brothers”. Expect breathtaking jumps, fire, somersault routines, human pyramids and more.
Intambo is at Greenside. This show features Ruciteme Karyenda Culture de Buyenzi: a group of Burundian drummers, founded in 1987. Starting with 27 members, the members range in age from 8 to 50, and they will be performing an old, traditional Burundi dance that used to be played for the Kings.
Also at Greenside is Éowyn Emerald & Dancers. Éowyn presents Your Tomorrow: “an entertaining and deeply intimate jazz dance for two performers”.
Children’s shows
Peppa Pig – My First Concert is at Assembly. This interactive introduction to a live orchestra is “an accessible, exciting concert designed for the youngest audience members, with Aurora Orchestra.”
Also at Assembly, Yellow Bird Chase follows “a clownish maintenance crew” who find a magical bird and a mad chase begins. Appropriate for the whole family and accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.
Plus, from the creative team behind the Hairy Maclary show, young audiences can now see all three of Nick Sharratt’sShark in the Park books live on stage.
At Pleasance,The Smeds and the Smoos is an exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back?
At Underbelly, the Amazing Bubble ManLouis Pearl is back. Louis “explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerised”.
Fox Tales: The Pied Piper is at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall. In this family puppet show, Hans the Storyteller, Reynard the Fox and Gripp the Raven give “a hilarious new telling of the classic fairy tale, The Pied Piper of Hamelin”. Expect “jokes, ridiculous rhymes, mischief and nonsense”.
At the same venue, Den of Enquiry “is a fun, light-hearted show that gets kids talking about democracy”.
Musicals
In Soho Boy at theSpace @ Symposium Hall, “young, trendy Spencer leaves home and hits Soho like a whirlwind in a journey of love, laughter, heartbreak and happiness”. This work is a “modern tale of the gay scene, which can be harsh and lonely, surrounded by glamour, sex and songs”.
At theSpace @ Niddry St,Julie: The Musical is an original, new musical telling the life and adventures of historical LGBTQ+ icon Julie D’Aubigny. “One of the first public figures to live as an openly bisexual woman, she seduced nuns, dueled multiple men at once, burnt down convents, was bribed by princes, innovated opera – all before she turned 30.”
Now in its 10th year, The Improv Musical is at Gilded Balloon. Each show is a completely improvised, never-before-seen musical on its opening, and closing, night.
At Greenside, Raft follows four women, seemingly trapped on a raft in the middle of the ocean, hunted by a mystical sea monster. “An original one-act musical around abuse, bravery and friendship.”
2001 was the best year for music, with releases including Daft Punk’s album ‘Discovery’, Bjork’s ‘Vespertine’ and Jay-Z’s ‘The Blueprint’
1998 and 1999 were the second and third best years respectively
2012, 2000 and 1971 also feature in the list
2001 was the best year for music, new research has revealed.
The study by Convertr.org analysed the top 250 albums on AlbumOfTheYear.org and found that 2001 produced the highest number of albums appearing in the top 250, according to the public.
Ten top 250 entries were produced in 2001, including hits like Daft Punk’s second studio album ‘Discovery’, Jay-Z’s ‘The Blueprint’, Bjork’s ‘Vespertine’, The Strokes’ ‘Is This It’ and System of a Down’s ‘Toxicity’.
The albums released that year averaged out a score of 87.9 out of 100 on AlbumOfTheYear.org.
Daft Punk’s ‘Discovery’ is regarded as one of the most influential albums of all time, with the futuristic and fresh sounds still being enjoyed and even sampled to this day.
1998 was the second-best year for music according to the rankings, with nine top 250 titles produced.
Notable albums include Lauryn Hill’s debut entry ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’, Madonna’s ‘Ray of Light’, Massive Attack’s ‘Mezzanine’ and Tori Amos’ ‘From The Choirgirl Hotel’ with all of the 1998 releases averaging a score of 87.2.
‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ was Lauryn Hill’s only studio album and debuted at number one in Billboard’s Top 200 in its release week, where it then went on to sell more than 20 million copies.
The third-best year for music was 1999, with eight titles featuring in the top 250.
These entries include Fiona Apple’s ‘When the Pawn…’, Mos Def’s ‘Black on Both Sides’, Pharoahe Monch’s ‘Internal Affairs’, and The Roots’ ‘Things Fall Apart’. Mos Def’s ‘Black on Both Sides’ was the American rapper’s debut album and featured the likes of Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes and Talib Kweli. Five months after its release, the album was certified Gold after selling more than 500,000 copies.
The best year for music, by Convertr.org
RANK
YEAR
1
2001
2
1998
3
1999
4
1997
5
2012
6
2000
7
1995
8
1994
9
1971
10
1969
2012 comes in fifth place in the list, with notable releases including Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’, Frank Ocean’s ‘Channel ORANGE’, Swans’ ‘The Seer’ and Beach House’s ‘Bloom’.
In sixth place is 2000, with albums such as Radiohead’s ‘Kid A’, Outkast’s ‘Stankonia’ and The Avalanches’ ‘Since I Left You’.
1971 sits in ninth place with releases including Led Zeppelin’s ‘Led Zeppelin IV’, David Bowie’s ‘Hunky Dory’ and Leonard Cohen’s ‘Songs of Love and Hate’. (Don’t forget Jethro Tull’s Aqualung – Ed!)
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from Convertr.org said: “With the sound of music constantly evolving, it’s interesting to see how timeless many albums are, with listeners today still enjoying tracks from decades past.
“From this list, hip-hop seems to be a standout genre, with many hip-hop albums featuring in the top 250. While this data shows the early 2000s and late 90s was a great time for music lovers, the quality of the 60s and 70s should not be doubted in the modern-day either.”
Convertr.org offers free online file conversion for audio, video and image files, with many formats supported.
It’s got to be an age thing – after much deliberation 1970 comes out is tops for me (Black Sabbath’s Paranoid, Led Zeppelin III, Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water … I could go on and on and on …! – Ed.
Following the announcement of our 2022 venue – the wonderful old Royal High School – we are now inviting submissions for our THEATRE and SPOKEN WORD programmes.
The old Royal High is a large, stunning complex in the city centre which we plan to transform into live music venues and performance spaces for theatre, dance and spoken word, alongside pop-up bars and a multitude of art exhibition and installation spaces.
We are running open calls to invite proposals for ambitious, innovative and experimental pieces, existing performances and works in development.
Alongside our call for theatre and spoken word artists, we are still inviting dance submissions. Also stay tuned for a local bands call coming soon.
Following the announcement of our 2022 venue – the wonderful old Royal High School – we are now inviting submissions for our THEATRE and SPOKEN WORD programmes. The old Royal High is a large, stunning complex in the city centre which we plan to transform into live music venues and performance spaces for theatre, dance and spoken word, alongside pop-up bars and a multitude of art exhibition and installation spaces.
We are running open calls to invite proposals for ambitious, innovative and experimental pieces, existing performances and works in development.
Alongside our call for theatre and spoken word artists, we are still inviting dance submissions. Also stay tuned for a local bands call coming soon.
SPIRITS at a Cramond care home have been lifted thanks to a local school pipe band treating residents to a fine performance.
Pupils from Cargilfield School, an independent preparatory school for boys and girls aged three to 13, visited Cramond Residence for an afternoon of traditional Scottish music for pipes and drums.
The performance is just one way the home is helping residents filter back into the local community following months of lockdown, while encouraging intergenerational conversations.
Angela Skilky, Lifestyle Co-ordinator at the 74-bedroom home, said: “Our main aim is always to provide fun, interactive and stimulating activities for residents to take part in, so we’re delighted to be able to resume in-person visits from members of the community.
“Residents thoroughly enjoyed the performance and the music has helped many reminisce fondly on previous moments in their life.
“We’re really thankful for the pupils coming along and taking time to entertain our residents. Creating intergenerational relationships are extremely important as they can help residents boost confidence, increase communication and improve memory.”
Cramond Residence holds a vast range of tailored activities that are open to all residents. Recent get-togethers have included arts and crafts, armchair aerobics and sensory sessions.
CargilfieldHeadteacher Rob Taylor said: “It was lovely to see the residents smiling and tapping their feet along to the music.
“Some of the favourite songs included Highland Cathedral and of course ‘A Man’s a Man’ in honour of our Burns Night celebrations.”
The event kickstarted a week of Burns night activities, with residents enjoying a traditional Scottish menu including cock-a-leekie soup for starter, followed by a main of haggis, neeps and tatties with cranachan and a “wee dram” for dessert.
Jan Henderson, resident at the home, said: “Thanks to both Cramond Residence staff and Cargilfield School for organising such a wonderful afternoon. There were smiles all round and the performance was enjoyed by everyone.”
Cramond Residence offers high quality care for up to 74 residents offering a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from a highly-trained team.
