We are so excited to welcome you to our Gala Day next Sunday 7 September, 11am–5pm! Join us for a free day of art, music, tours, makers market and children’s creative play, and scroll down to view the schedule for the day.
Musical performance by Steph Legg and ensemble at St Giles’ Cathedral
TONIGHT, audiences are invited to experience the life and work of one of Scotland’s most important painters through an entirely new medium: music.
On Thursday 28 August, which marks the anniversary of John Bellany’s death, saxophonist and composer Steph Legg will perform her debut album, Bellany, in the stunning surrounds of St Giles’ Cathedral.
A deeply personal and imaginative project, Bellany transforms the painter’s bold, autobiographical vision into a rich, genre-blending soundscape.
Steph was first captivated by Bellany’s work as a child after encountering his 1995 painting The Skate and the Kate. That moment sparked a lifelong fascination with his vivid imagery, religious symbolism, and deep reflections on Scottish identity, all of which find voice in this moving musical tribute.
Performed by a dynamic ensemble featuring:
Steph Legg (saxophone and voice)
Julia Hart (violin)
Cameron Smith (cello)
Erin Sawicka (piano)
The performance leads audiences through a folk inspired chasm into the centre of Bellany’s world, exploring the social and religious themes of his work and visiting key people, places and events which shaped him.
The ensemble paint their own portraits of this complex character and as the final chords fade out, the fragments of Bellany interfuse to reveal his extraordinary life.
The exhibition features over 80 works spanning Bellany’s remarkable career. The performance is accompanied by the installation of Bellany’s 1965 work Box Meeting which is on show in St. Giles’ until end of September.
Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Margaret Graham said: “Steph Legg’s Bellany is a powerful and deeply original response to the life and legacy of one of Scotland’s most celebrated artists.
“Her music captures the same emotional intensity and storytelling spirit that define Bellany’s works. We’re thrilled to see this performance complement our current exhibition, John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture and offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience his work in both sight and sound.
With just two weeks until one of Scotland’s most spectacular cultural celebrations, families from across the country are preparing to descend on Perth for 125 Live! – an extraordinary street party that promises world-class entertainment at pocket-friendly prices.
Taking place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September, 125 Live! will transform Perth’s Mill Street into Scotland’s biggest family-friendly street party, celebrating 125 years of entertainment in the historic city.
With adult tickets for the evening performances capped at just £20 and a comprehensive programme of free daytime activities for all the family, the event offers exceptional value at a time when household budgets are under pressure.
In 2025, families are increasingly seeking “celebreaktions” – celebratory experiences where adults can relax while children are entertained, and 125 Live! delivers exactly this combination.
The event’s accessibility extends beyond pricing, with Perth’s unique location placing it within 90 minutes’ travel time of 90% of Scotland’s population – making it easier than ever for families to create lasting memories without the expense of overnight stays.
“We’ve deliberately kept ticket prices low with a maximum adult price of £20, plus a family ticket offer so that the event is accessible to as many people as possible,” explains Christopher Glasgow, Director of Perth Theatre and Concert Hall.
“Our Ticket Bank with Perth Citizens Advice Bureau also gives audiences the option to buy tickets for those whose financial circumstances may not otherwise allow them to attend.”
Leading the stellar evening line-up is Walt Disco, the Glasgow glam-pop sensation whose debut album earned Scottish Album of the Year nominations. Fresh from their biggest US tour yet – over 30 dates supporting Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – the six-piece band includes three Perth-raised members, making their hometown debut extra special.
The carefully curated programme showcases Scotland’s diverse musical landscape, featuring:
Valtos – Skye’s innovative trad and electronic duo making their Perth debut;
Parliamo – Perth’s own indie darlings praised by BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music;
Ross Ainslie & The Sanctuary Band – the dynamic Perthshire piper who performed at Perth Concert Hall’s opening 20 years ago;
Jack David – Scottish DJ and songwriter with over 200 million streams;
Musical theatre stars Hannah Howie & Matthew Tomlinson alongside local students.
Understanding the needs of modern families, 125 Live! offers a full day of FREE activities before the evening ticketed performances:
Drop-in workshops and activities for all ages;
Beatles for Babies* interactive shows (perfect for 0-3 year olds);
Gig On A Truck performances sponsored by St Johnstone FC;
Family-friendly performances throughout the day;
Food stalls and festival atmosphere in the heart of Perth.
*Beatles for Babies tickets £8 (1 adult + 1 baby)
Unlike traditional festivals, the 125 Live! evening event presents a unique sequential performance across four live stages stretching from Perth Concert Hall Plaza to Perth Theatre Courtyard repeated over two nights. The evening will be enhanced by:
Dramatic projections from Catalonian visual artist Alba Corral (her first UK outdoor work);
Spectacular light show by award-winning designer Will Potts (whose credits include Disclosure and Sam Smith);
Live projections bringing Mill Street’s buildings to life;
Pyrotechnic finale to cap off each evening.
With affordable travel becoming increasingly important for Scottish families, Perth’s central location makes 125 Live! uniquely accessible. Major transport links connect the city to (travel time is an average):
Glasgow (1 hour by train)
Edinburgh (1 hour 15 minutes by train)
Stirling (45 minutes by train)
Dundee (30 minutes by train)
Aberdeen (1 hour 45 minutes by train)
Inverness (2 hours 15 minutes by train)
Free parking is available at nearby locations, with clear signage directing visitors to the Mill Street venue entrance via Perth Concert Hall Plaza.
More than just entertainment, 125 Live! represents a genuine community celebration. Local groups, schools, and organisations are participating alongside international stars, creating an authentic Scottish festival atmosphere that reflects the venues’ 125-year history of bringing people together.
Hannah Howie, musical theatre headliner, said:“What a privilege to celebrate this iconic space here in the heart of Scotland with the very best of all things musical, theatrical and joyful; roll on the next 125.”
Tickets and Information
Evening Performance Tickets: From £15 (under 18s) to £20 (adults); Family ticket £40 (max two adults) Daytime Activities: Completely FREE* Doors: 18:00 for evening shows Venue: Mill Street, Perth (entering via Perth Concert Hall Plaza).
*Excluding Beatles for Babies priced at £8 for 1 adult + 1 baby.
Tickets are available now at perththeatreandconcerthall.com or by calling the Perth Theatre Box Office on 01738 621031 (10:00 – 18:00, Tuesday – Saturday).
For families requiring financial assistance, the Ticket Bank scheme provides opportunities to obtain tickets through Perth Citizens Advice Bureau.
The Forget Me Notes project, an established Edinburgh based charity which offers a wide range of musical entertainment, therapy and support to those who are living with, or who are affected by dementia, will be hosting its annual showcase event on Tuesday 2nd September at St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace.
The showcase will feature a number of drop-in events between 1045am and 2pm, enabling those in attendance to learn more about the activities of the charity, including an introduction to its volunteer project and an opportunity to meet the chief executive of Forget Me Notes along with one of the charity’s trustees.
Music is at the core of Forget Me Notes’ activities and this will be provided throughout the event by both Kenny Vass and his band along with a series of musical interludes from the various musicians and singers who perform for the charity on a regular basis at care homes, day centres, community centres and other venues, including a fortnightly concert at the Saughton Park bandstand.
Admission to the showcase is free and lunch will be provided.
Later in the day, starting at 6.30pm, there will be a live performance from Kenny’s band featuring music from the1950s and 1960s. Dressing up to reflect the fashions of that period is encouraged (although not essential).
The evening event is ticketed, with tickets available from eventbrite.com at a cost of £10 for adults and £5 for children.
Further details regarding the activities of the Forget Me Notes project and be found at www.forgetmenotes.org.uk
The Battle of Brass Heats Up Ahead of Upcoming UK National Finals
Around 500 bands from across the UK have been taking part in regional heats, all leading up to two final events this autumn with the National Champion Band of Great Britain to be crowned at the Royal Albert Hall
Sections 1-4 National Finals, Saturday 13 – Sunday 14th, Cheltenham RacecourseChampionship Section National Final, Saturday 11th October, Royal Albert Hall, 10am
The culmination of the brass band season is fast approaching as the UK’s top ensembles prepare to compete in two prestigious finals this September and October. Bands from across the country will go head-to-head in a thrilling contest for divisional titles, promotion and the coveted Challenge Trophy – awarded to the band crowned National Champion Band of Great Britain.
Often described as the brass banding equivalent of the Football League, the competition began earlier this year with regional qualifiers involving around 500 bands across eight UK regions: London & the Southern Counties, Midlands, North of England, North West, Scotland, Wales, West of England, and Yorkshire.
Each region is divided into five competitive sections — the Championship Section and Sections 1 – 4. From these regional “heats,” 94 bands have earned a place in one of two national finals; the Sections 1–4 Finals which will take place in Cheltenham this September, where bands will vie for divisional titles and promotion within the structure and the Championship Section Final at the Royal Albert Hall, where the top 19 Championship bands will compete for the prestigious National Challenge Trophy and the title of National Champion Band of Great Britain 2025.
At October’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall final, each band will perform this year’s chosen work Edward Gregson’s Symphony in two movements.
The winner will be decided by three adjudicators who are sealed in a box in the auditorium where they can hear the music but can’t see the bands on stage.
The competition is judged this way to preserve its integrity and to put less pressure on the adjudicators. There is also a prize for the Most Outstanding Player.
Edward Gregson said: “I’m honoured that the National Brass Band Championships have selected my Symphony in two movements as the set work for this year’s prestigious competition at the Royal Albert Hall.
“Although I’ve previously received commissions for this event, this time the panel chose a piece I originally composed in 2012 for two of the UK’s National Youth Bands—music that carries youthful energy, rhythmic vitality, and lyrical expressiveness.
“It’s a bold and contemporary choice, drawing on symphonic traditions from Beethoven to Stravinsky and Prokofiev, while also nodding to the English pastoral style of Vaughan Williams.
“Unlike more programmatic works previously featured, this score demands precision, detail, and stylistic versatility from both conductors and players—combining symphonic brass with the warmth of traditional brass band sound.
“Having 19 of the UK’s finest bands prepare this piece is a great privilege, and I look forward to hearing the results on the day.’’
The National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain is one of the highlights of the UK’s banding calendar.
Beginning in 1900, the event in its current format started in 1945 at the Royal Albert Hall, making this year the eightieth anniversary of the competition being held at the venue.
The event blends fierce competition with camaraderie as many long-lasting friendships and relationships have been formed over the years and many musicians have gone on to perform at the highest levels in the wider musical world.
The most successful band in the competition’s history is West Yorkshire’s the Black Dyke Band with 24 titles, and this year’s defending champions is the Flowers Band from the West of England.
The Results Ceremony will be preceded by a Gala Concert where the current National Youth Brass Band champions Northamptonshire’s Youth Brass 2000 will be the featured artist.
They will be joined by an array of former members who have gone on to perform at the very top level including Jordan Ashman (BBC Young Musician of the Year 2022), Siobhan Edwards (Principal Tenor Horn, Black Dyke Band) and Mathew Gee (Principal Trombone, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) as well as current players from top British bands including Cory, Black Dyke – who were featured in the Sky Arts documentary Battle of the Bands in 2019 — and Grimethorpe Colliery, made famous by the film Brassed Off and students from the UK’s top conservatoires, including Royal Academy of Music (RAM), Royal College of Music (RCM), Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC), and Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).
The Gala Concert has in the past featured incredible musicians such as international euphoniumist David Childs Official, LSO Brass (London Symphony Orchestra), The Bands of HM Royal Marines, The Royal Air Force Squadronaires (RAF Music) Black Dyke Band, Cory Band, Mnozil Brass, Mike Lovatt accompanied by the Whitburn Band and many more.
There is a 25% discount for students and a special offer on gala concert only tickets.
Philip Morris, Managing Director, Kapitol Promotions said: “We are thrilled to return once again to London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall for our flagship event – a true celebration of brass banding at its finest.
“This year is of special significance as we mark the 80th anniversary of the first National Final held at the RAH in its current format. Audiences can look forward to outstanding performances of Edward Gregson’s Symphony in two movements – the composer’s own favourite work for brass band.
“Adding to the occasion, the Gala Concert will feature the current National Youth Champions of Great Britain, Youth Brass 2000, together with a host of exciting alumni as their special guests’’
Kapitol Promotions Ltd is a live music events company based in Penarth (South Wales) and is the current owner and promoter of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
Kapitol Festivals is the other arm of the company and upcoming events include The Armed Man at Brangwyn Hall on 19 Oct 2025 with Sir Karl Jenkins, and RWCMD Festive Brass on 12 Dec 2025 featuring the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama’s Brass Band at the Wales Millennium Centre.
Renowned director/designer team Renaud Doucet and André Barbe return to Scottish Opera this autumn with their acclaimed production of Giacomo Puccini’s ravishing classic, La bohème.
Opening on 11 October at Theatre Royal Glasgow, the production tours to Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh and features an innovative dual-time concept that moves between the flea markets of 1920s Paris and the modern-day French capital.
It takes inspiration from the Jazz Age of Josephine Baker, the American dancer, singer, actress, spy and civil rights activist.
This Barbe & Doucet show is full of their trademark colour, character and style, andtells the story of four struggling bohemians, reimagined as part of the ‘Lost Generation’, the collection of writers and artists drawn to Paris after World War I, whose lives are changed when they meet a seamstress called Mimì.
A blossoming romance becomes short-lived when they discover that Mimì is ill. Struggling to survive in the lavish yet unforgiving city, these charismatic characters are met with the harsh realities of poverty and fortune.
The design emphasises the contrast between the colourful carnival atmosphere and the starving artists’ lives, creating a production that balances sentimentality with the bustling energy of Paris across different eras.
Scottish Opera Music Director, Stuart Stratford, who is celebrating ten years with the Company, conducts Hye-Youn Lee (pictured) (La traviata 2024)as Mimì, a role she originated in the 2017 production of La bohème.
Also in the cast are Mario Chang as Rodolfo in his Scottish Opera debut, Roland Wood (The Strauss Collection 2025) as Marcello, Rhian Lois (The Merry Widow 2025) as Musetta, Callum Thorpe (Oedipus Rex 2024) as Colline, Emerging Artist Edward Jowle (Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct! 2025) as Schaunard and Jamie MacDougall (Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct! 2025) as Alcindoro / Benoît.
Barbe & Doucet,who last worked with Scottish Opera on the 2024 production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale said: ‘The story of La bohème is one we can all relate to.
“It seemed important to us to explore the theme of illness since, as a society, we are all under the weather at the moment and in need of healing. The flea market setting represents a little bit of what we are up against today – we seem to live life too fast, and, through antiques, people get a sense of going back to a less hectic time.
“This opera is not about nostalgia –La bohème is not a museum piece – the story is timeless. Along with meeting new artists, we look forward very much to revisiting the production with Hye-Youn Lee with whom we had so much pleasure collaborating on the original staging.”
With tickets starting from just £23 – £26.50, and 40% of all seats priced under £50, Scottish Opera ensures world-class opera remains accessible to everyone across Scotland.
In addition, £15 tickets are available for under-26s and students at every performance. Over 800 free tickets have been provided to schools since 2022, often introducing pupils to live opera for the first time, and over 1,600 free tickets have been distributed to New Scots communities across Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh.
Free tickets are also available for schools, colleges, and community groups, with travel subsidies where needed.
To bring even more opera to Scottish audiences, La bohème is presented alongside the double bill of Maurice Ravel’s L’heure espagnole and William Walton’s The Bear. These concert stagings of two caustic comedies of infidelity are performed on the La bohème set and conducted by French opera expert Alexandra Cravero (Thérèse 2022). The director is Jacopo Spirei, and designs are by Kenneth MacLeod.
Opening on 18 October in Glasgow before touring to Edinburgh, these shows feature a cast that includes current and former Emerging Artists.
Specially created Access performances of La bohème run alongside the mainstage productions in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
With Dementia Friendly values at their core, Afternoon Access performances are for those who enjoy a more relaxed opera experience. Tickets are priced at just £12.50 (free for carers), and these performances are open to all, including those who may be living with dementia or Long COVID, more comfortable at a shorter show, struggling to get to evening performances, or would simply benefit from the more relaxed atmosphere.
Those who wish to discover more about how La bohème was created can attendPre-show Talks in all four cities on the tour, which delve into the detail of the opera. Tickets are free but should be booked in advance.
Audience members with a visual impairment can enjoy the full opera experience at Audio-described performances, which have a live commentary describing the action on stage without compromising the music.
At these performances, there are also free Touch Tours of the set, and a live audio introduction before the start of the performance.
La bohème is supported by The Scottish Opera Syndicate.
Oasis fans flocked to Fort Kinnaird last weekend to enjoy a free live performance by popular tribute band ‘Oasus’.
The event allowed fans who missed out on tickets to the Murrayfield shows to still join in the fun and the gig saw the group perform classics such as Wonderwall, Live Forever, and Don’t Look Back in Anger
Oasis fans of all ages turned up for the tribute, including families and little ones proudly sporting iconic bucket hats
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“There’s so much excitement around the Oasis reunion gigs at Murrayfield, so it was only right that we brought a bit of that buzz to Fort Kinnaird too.
“Oasus are a brilliant tribute act, and their free show was the perfect chance for Oasis fans of all ages to get involved in the action. It was a great way to spend a Sunday – with attendees grabbing a bite, enjoying the music, and making a proper day of it with friends and family.”
The event was just one of the free events that took place at Fort Kinnaird this summer, designed to offer visitors of all ages memorable, free experiences. The centre also hosted character visits inspired by popular blockbuster films including Wicked and Lilo & Stich.
One of the most-watched films on Netflix is heading to Vue next weekend for a special sing-along event – with tickets on sale now.
Racking up an incredible 158 million views on the streaming platform, with its leading single reaching number one in charts on both sides of the pond, K-Pop Demon Hunters has taken the world by storm this summer.
Now, for one weekend only, the global phenomenon hits the big screen in full high-definition glory for a sing-along event, taking place 23 – 24 August.
The sing-along event follows a world-renowned K-Pop girl group who find themselves balancing a life in the spotlight with their secret identities as ‘bad-ass demon hunters’. Set against a colourful backdrop of fashion, food, style – and the most popular music movement of the current generation – this special sing-along screening promises to be a summer highlight.
Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh Ocean, said: “As the Korean Wave continues to capture hearts worldwide, this special event offers fans of K-Pop the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the beautiful animation and chart-topping score with our breathtaking screens and immersive surround sound.
“For younger audiences in particular, we know that visiting the cinema is a way to disconnect from the digital world and nurture real-life connections in a communal setting. With the added energy of a sing-along event, we’re confident this latest K-Pop celebration will attract dedicated fans as well as wider family audiences looking for exactly that.”
We meet every week in person. Term starts on Tuesday 9 September at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
