Tag: Queen’s Hall

Eddi Reader set for ‘perfect’ performance in Edinburgh

One of Scotland’s most treasured cultural icons, Eddi Reader, is taking her unmatched musical magic to stages across the country for a ‘perfect’ spring tour this April.

Eddi will be hitting the road once again to play venues across her much-loved home nation, visiting Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh on Sunday 19 April 2026.

For well over four decades, Eddi Reader has had the ability to silence a room with a single note, harnessing insightful storytelling and raw emotion.

Edinburgh audiences can expect to hear show-stopping material from her vast back catalogue, from soul-stirring pop to traditional Scottish ballads, and experience Eddi’s unique charm and on-stage chatter.

Glasgow-born Eddi first captivated the world as the frontwoman of Fairground Attraction in the late 80s, storming the charts with the debut album First of a Million Kisses, and the iconic single Perfect, which topped charts in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The track, which earned Eddi a Brit Award, remains a timeless pop anthem.

The years that followed brought 10 critically acclaimed solo albums, including a stunning interpretation of the songs of Robert Burns. Her four-decade long career has seen her hone an effortless musicianship that moves effortlessly between pop, folk, jazz and traditional works and influences.

Her contribution to Scottish culture has been recognised through the award of an MBE and five honorary degrees. In 2022 Eddi celebrated 40 years in music and this latest run of Scottish appearances will follow on from a huge Irish tour.

Eddi Reader said: “Each time I return to perform on stages at home, it feels like an important moment of connection – that sparkle from being in front of Scottish audiences never dulls!

“Queen’s Hall has a little piece of my heart and I can’t wait to be back in Edinburgh sharing songs and stories with you all this April.”

Eddi will be joined on the road by Hawick-based artist and folk musician Miwa Nagato-Apthorp.

Eddi Reader plays Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh on Sunday 19 April 2026 as part of her spring Scottish tour. For tickets visit https://eddireader.co.uk/gigs.

Scottish Ensemble spotlights future string stars with Musical Encounters

Scottish Ensemble begins an exciting 2026 with the return of our Young Artist programme, helping to develop the next generation of Scotland’s young string players.

Delivered in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, each year a group of RCS string students are selected to take part in a week-long side-by-side project with Scottish Ensemble musicians.

The week sees mentorship meet music-making in its most dynamic form, with the group working on a broad range of string repertoire, extended playing techniques, programme curation and how to communicate with audiences.

This year the development week will culminate in Musical Encounters, an electrifying collaborative performance that sees the young RCS players bring fresh energy to the stage alongside Scottish Ensemble, for afternoon concerts in Glasgow (RCS, 16 January) and Edinburgh’s Queens Hall (17 January). 

Following the project two young musicians will be selected to be Scottish Ensemble’s Young Artists for 2026. They will benefit from a year-long programme of paid opportunities and development experiences designed to broaden their skills as professional musicians.

This will include joining the Ensemble for tours and performances as well as Music for Wellbeing workshops in schools and at Scotland’s Maggie’s Centres, alongside office days with the management team to gain insights into programming, fundraising, and marketing.

James Hardie, Chief Executive at Scottish Ensemble, said: “At Scottish Ensemble, we are always looking to the future of our artform, and nurturing the next generation of musicians is central to that mission.

“Our annual Young Artists week at the RCS is a highlight of the year, giving us the chance to work with a new cohort of passionate, energetic young string players.”

Listings Information

Friday 16 January, 1pm

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow

Tickets £5 – £13

Booking: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/whats-on/fridays-at-one-scottish-ensemble-side-by-side-with-rcs-strings/book/598806/

Saturday 17 January, 3pm

The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh

Tickets £13, Free for Under-16s

Booking: https://www.thequeenshall.net/book/266801

Musical Encounters programme

Jessie Montgomery Starburst

Henryk Górecki  Three Pieces in Old Style

Witold Lutosławski  Five Folk Melodies (No.2 and No.3)

Elizabeth Maconchy  Music for Strings (Mvmt II: Scherzo)

Tōru Takemitsu  Music of Training and Rest, from José Torres

Caroline Shaw Plan & Elevation (Mvmt V: The Beech Tree)

Hans Abrahamson 10 Preludes (No.2)

Thomas Ades Arcadiana (O Albion)

Philip Glass 1957. Award Montage from String Quartet no3 ‘Mishima’

Olli Mustonen Nonet II 

Christmas Songbook to bring festive cheer to Edinburgh

Scotland’s iconic Christmas Songbook is back for 2025, promising to sprinkle even more festive magic in Edinburgh this December. 

With a legendary line up fronted by beloved accordion player Phil Cunningham, dazzling new arrangements, and the same heartwarming charm that has made it a seasonal staple for nearly two decades, this year’s tour is set to be one of the most enchanting yet.

Edinburgh audiences will be treated to three unforgettable performances at The Queen’s Hall on Friday 19th, Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd December.

For 19 years, Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook has been a cherished tradition, blending exquisite musicianship, captivating storytelling and a joyful mix of contemporary and traditional Christmas tunes.

Joining Phil on stage is a stellar lineup of some of Scotland’s most celebrated musicians, including the incomparable Eddi Reader, the soulful Karen Matheson, multi-instrumental maestro John McCusker, Orcadian roots sensation Kris Drever, guitar virtuoso Ian Carr, and the ever-versatile double bassist Kevin McGuire. 

Phil Cunningham said: “The Christmas Songbook is my favourite time of year. It’s a chance to bring people together, share music, laughter and a little festive magic.

“From contemporary carols and tunes to a mix of classics, we’ll be bringing the Christmas cheer in spades to Edinburgh and can’t wait to see the smiles on faces and hear people singing along.

“It’s a privilege to share the stage with such incredible musicians and to celebrate the season with audiences at The Queen’s Hall.”

Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook takes place across Scotland, 13 – 22 December 2025.Tickets available now at: philcunningham.com/live-shows

John Cooper Clarke comes to Edinburgh for 2024 National Tour

  • John Cooper Clarke celebrates 50 years in showbiz with the Get Him While He’s Alive Tour 
  • Tour coming to Queens Hall in Edinburgh on 12th & 13th April 2024
  • John Cooper Clarke released brand new poetry collection -”What” published by Picador on 8th Feb 2024

Literary phenomenon John Cooper Clarke is back and better than ever, returning with a brand new tour and poetry collection this 2024. John will be performing at Queens Hall in Edinburgh on 12th & 13th April 2024. 

John’s new show will take fans on a completely one-of-a-kind journey through poetry and comedy. John’s live touring career has gone from strength to strength, with John recently returning from an epic North America tour in September 2023.

This year he’s back on home turf, as he continues to sell out theatres and halls across the UK, with a stretch of shows in Ireland also recently added. 

It’s a chance to see one of the world’s most important and entertaining spoken word artists at his bold and brilliant best. 

‘WHAT’ is the new collection from Britain’s “Poet Laureate of Punk” and will be published on 8th February to coincide with John’s 2024 national theatre tour celebrating 50 years of showbiz.

Venues for the “Get Him While He’s Alive” tour include the Edinburgh Queens Hall, a reunion show with very special guest Linton Kwesi Johnson at the London Palladium and three nights at Salford’s Lowry Theatre.

John’s new collection “What”, which will be published by Picador, is full of John’s much-loved sardonic wit and hilarious ponderings on modern life and follows on from John’s bestselling  The Luckiest Guy Alive. 

The original people’s poet, John’s cultural influence spans literature, music, and fashion, and his unique poetry and delivery style transcends generations. 

From creating some of the most iconic poetry of the modern era, including  “I Wanna Be Yours” (recently celebrating over a billion streams in its incarnation as a hit record by the Arctic Monkeys) to sharing his life story through his 120k selling memoir of the same name, John is still as relevant as he was when he shot to prominence in the 1970s.” 

Tickets for the Get Him Whilst He’s Alive Tour are available from https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/events/detail/dr-john-cooper-clarke or
www.johncooperclarke.com.

Picador will publish What on 8th February 2024 priced £16.99