Edinburgh music scene

I’m beginning to feel christmassy

bruceonthefringe 2025, Christmas, Cinema, Edinburgh music scene, Films, Live bands Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

It’s late on a Tuesday evening, not one of those Tuesdays, last Tuesday was meant to be, but it didn’t happen as Mr Rough was unwell, the next of those Tuesdays isn’t ’til the 30th, boo; but the Scat Rats are playing Stramash at the more reasonable time of 9.30pm on Tuesday 23rd, yay. The night before, Marah and Rough will be in Glasgow with the rest of Logan’s Close at the Hug and Pint for the band’s annual Christmas bash; I’ll be there too, of course. Just one downer (apart it being in Glasgow), sadly it’s the same night as Blue Christmas 2025, a wonderful evening of blues, r’n’b and rock’n’roll festive tunes performed by Jed Potts (curator of the event) and a bunch of his friends (honestly, the amount of talent in that one room, wow, only for LC will I miss it). It’s like a warm fuzzy hug of Christmas cheer (and it’s happening at La Belle Angele off the Cowgate, Monday 22nd).

Aw sweet, the night before again (so that’s Sunday 21st), the Louis Crosland Trio are on the midnight slot at Whistlebinkies, well, that’s what the poster says. Oh, but that would be a great three night run of great music, please Binkies, don’t screw it up! At least I know they’re definitely playing Stramash on the 18th, but not as a trio, no, there’s gonna be keyboards too! I’m looking forward to it, I’m intrigued. Up until then things are a tad quieter, no bad thing, I’m recovering from a bad cold and there’s a number of films I want to see. Oh, I may wander into Binkies on Saturday afternoon for Louis Crosland solo; I wonder if there’ll be any Bob Dylan covers. Instagram says the Moanin’ Bones are playing there this Sunday midnight, go on, I’ll believe them.

There’s four films that I want to catch before they disappear from the big screen, The Running Man is a definite, being Edgar Wright’s latest, well, I’ve loved everything else he’s done. It could be good, it could be awful, but I’m willing to give Fackham Hall a shot. The cast looks fun, but will it be funny or a tad cringey? Would I go see it if I didn’t have an Unlimited card? Probably not. Another that I’ll see just because I can is Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, I enjoyed the previous films, how will this one measure up? Annoyingly, Benoit Blanc’s latest investigation, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is not on at Cineworld (I’m so not impressed), but it’s still a definite for me. There’s a second Five Nights at Freddy’s coming out on Friday, the first was okay, I thought about it but then I looked it up on Rotten Tomatoes, hmmm, don’t think I’ll bother. Fitting the four in will be interesting enough.

In other pre-christmas news, I’ve finally made jam from this year’s harvest of park brambles, my fridge freezer needed defrosting so it made sense. There’s also new batch of bramble wine just started fermenting! That made sense too. I’m a tad nervous about the jam but my previous attempts have always been well received, so hopefully this lot will be just as delicious. It’s the frozen plate test bit that never works for me, but afterwards the jam sets perfectly well anyway!?

I’m doing another Advent Calendar of music from the last year on Instagram, it’s fun going back over stuff, picking out what to include has been fine so far but I know it’s gonna get harder, too many to choose from, too few days! Haha, I just can’t help going in deep with my silly notions. They’re all still available to view in my highlights, including a clip of Carl Marah singing his new Christmas tune at the Auld Hundred last week! I’m looking forward to hearing it in all it’s full glory!

Anyhoo, it’s very late, I must away to my bed. I’ll leave you with a pic….

My box of jars is now somewhat depleted

Yeah, I like me some live music

bruceonthefringe 2025, Bands, Edinburgh music scene, Live music venues Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Saturday evening, six o’clock and it’s already almost dark, bah. I’ll be heading out soon, the Louis Crosland Trio are on at Stramash at seven, but there’s just enough time to catch you up, well, it’s been such a great week music wise.

Wednesday evening I was in need of a pick-me-up, a quick scroll found one in the form of Jed Potts at The Jazz Bar early evening. One leisurely half and a set of Potts and I was restored! There were plenty of people in, well, all the tables had folk at them, oh, I was fine standing (swaying along) at the back, but I was also ready to swoop in when a couple left.

Thursday evening I trundled down to Leith Arches where Messrs Marah and Rough, in LC mode, were supporting Native Sun over from New York on tour. There were two more bands playing but I missed the first and just caught part of the second, they were quite psychedelic, not bad, music for an indie movie soundtrack. Hey, I was there to see Logan’s Close and the boys did not disappoint!

Babe Station started the set in style, so lush; for me, one of their best, the intertwining vocals towards the end send me every time. The newish Costume Changes was next up, a moody tune, with flits of foreboding and melancholy. After Hot Blondes we were treated to a brand new tune, they didn’t mention it’s name, so I’m calling it Giddy Up until I hear otherwise. Half and Half had a notch more echo on Scott’s vocals, oh wow, and combined with Carl’s Gretsch, chillingly atmospheric (I’m thinking an Edgar Wright film soundtrack).

Gouching On The 33 had the crowd singing and swaying along, and on into Heart-Shaped Jacuzzi too; that was meant to be the final song but of course, the crowd called out for more and from the way the guys were debating, they hadn’t planned for another, they asked for suggestions, oh my heartses, we got Merry-Go-Round!! I’ve not heard a duo version before, I’ve wondered how they’d do the long instrumental part, I think they were still wondering about that too, haha. I reckon the acoustic version should just wander off on its own track there, do it’s own thing, it’s such a different creature to the studio showpiece. Whatever, I do hope it’ll start appearing on Scat Rats set lists.

After that, the headliners Native Sun were good, but honestly, the evening had already peaked for me, I did enjoy them, the lead singer sure has it. I would see them again, if they’re ever back in Edinburgh.

That’s how far I got writing (and rewriting) bits of this on Friday and Saturday early evenings; the hour between six and seven is much shorter than any other hour of the day! Hence, on Friday evening the Scat Rats first set was nearing it’s end by the time I strolled into Stramash. So I was a little freaked to realise that yes, once again, it was that spell of summoning, Babe Station being played! Scotty clocked me and looked equally bemused. As Stu from Logan’s Close was in, Hot Blondes had extra harmonies, yay (like they’d have let the opportunity go to waste!).

It was back to Stramash, the back of seven, on Saturday for the Louis Crosland Trio, yes, this time they were playing! But only as mentioned on Instagram at the start of the week, the poster and website both showed Safehouse, who, incidentally, were the band that played instead of LC3 the previous Saturday (hmmm). Sorry, but it is a bugbear of mine, the poster, okay, but why not correct the website, huh?

And that’s been my week for music so far. So far – I’m tapping this out on a megabus heading to Newcastle. Turns out that pub that Carl Marah is playing in at four this afternoon has a fine selection of real ales and decent ciders! It’s Station East just over the bridge in Gateshead. Well, why not? It’s actually my first time on a megabus, not only is it cheap, the views from the top deck, travelling down the coast have been excellent!

Next week is not nearly as good as this has been. On the other hand, the week after does have Mr Marah doing his thing in the Voodoo Rooms, with a full band too! You really should go if you’re in Edinburgh, really.

Toodle pip!

Shut up you tiny fool!

bruceonthefringe 2025, Aussie comedians, Comedy, Edinburgh music scene Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

Is something I should say way more often to my monkey mind; it’s also something I was singing last night at The Stand (along with the rest of the audience, it wasn’t just me doing a musical heckle, that would be weird). Yes, John Robertson was back in Edinburgh for one evening as part of his UK tour. It was a toss-up between him and some band playing at The Hive (it popped up on my Instagram and looked intriguing), I didn’t decide til early evening. Hey, one hundred minutes of manic glee? It had to be.

The Stand was packed but it’s not too difficult to find a single seat close to showtime. Being British I felt bad plonking myself on a stool that would ruin the view of the person behind me, on the otherhand, the stool was clearly visible, if not me then someone else would have most likely sat on it as the room was very full. Being me, seeing a Fringe show outside of the Fringe initially feels slightly wrong, a shake of the head and I’m rejigged.

Fringe shows are generally an hour long, so two hours with a twenty minute break is a real treat, and that long with John Robertson was almost overload. I have to mention his hair, it looked amazing last night, so fine, so silky, sorry, but it was. The show is called John Robertson Plays With The Audience, and yeah, that’s basically it, anyone, anywhere in the room is fair game, he scans the room for anything that tickles him and then pulls it into the narrative, weaving it in amongst the other threads. There was plenty for him last night, we were all howling with laughter (and a pinch of relief), no idea where he’ll go next (I’m not sure he did either); and of course, there was the raucous, fuzzed up ukulele tunes (not sure George Formby would make of them!)

If you’ve not heard of John Robertson before, are reading this thinking, oo, I’ll pop along to one of his shows, Brucie likes him, a few points for the uninitiated …. it’s adult content, I do mean, adult content, and not a show to take your parents or maiden aunt to, unless you intend to disappoint them (on the otherhand, a disgusted walkout always delights Robertson) or are prepared to be shocked when they roar with laughter. One thing though, he maybe shouty and manic and out there, but he’s also a lovely human being who knows when to back off and does so (there was a real bunny in the headlights moment last night but a skilful swerve and the show revved away from it).

I’ll leave you now, but just one thing, totally unrelated to the above. You know how I regularly check social media so that I don’t miss any music I like …. hmmm, this Saturday evening, who to see? There’s the Louis Crosland Trio at Stramash at seven o’clock or The Moanin’ Bones at Whistlebinkies at seven o’clock. I know these details to be correct at time of writing this, maybe I’ll catch a set of each? I am very intrigued to see who’ll playing guitar with The Moanin’ Bones!! Hahaha.

See! the Old Town Pub Co calendar