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Possibilities for my Fringe26 ptII

bruceonthefringe 2026, Cabaret and Variety, Edinburgh Fringe 2026, Edinburgh Fringe Programme, Free Fringe, Magic at the Fringe, Music, Musicals and opera, Spoken Word, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The Edinburgh Fringe programme has a section Spoken Word, it makes me smile, I mean, duh, yeah, unless it’s mime (probably in Dance, Physical theatre and Circus) or sung (covered in Music and Musicals and Opera). It seems to be a grey area, when are words just spoken?… monologues just seem to be placed wherever the performer best thinks the title will catch the eye, does Spoken Word sound a trifle too dry to them? Comedy and Theatre take in performances alluding to being more, even Cabaret (I would expect a certain pazzazz there), but those are big categories to compete for attention. A good title may actually stand out better in this smaller category filled with interview shows and talks/lectures; the lists of these go on a fair bit – there’s just short of a hundred, nope, not for me. Only three shows piqued my interest…

Call me old-fashioned, I like large paper maps, I still have all the Official Tourist Maps that I bought for various holidays back over the years. X marks the spots of various campsites and pubs, well, you never know, I might still make it back that way some day! So when I saw Mistakes on Maps I immediately reached for the scissors, a show about historical maps each with a fascinating flaw? I could go for that. Let People Like You had me at “expect saucy ostriches”, Free Fringe too, a definite possibility. The third I’ll admit is just a vague possibility but I think worth cutting out so that I’ll remember it’s on. Adorable Comedians Performing Funny Poetry and Telling Lovely Stories has the potential to be a warm fuzzy hug of a show or somewhat cringey, depending on the line-up, a foremention on who’s on each day might entice me (or not).

I don’t really expect to see anything much in Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus but I’ll always check through it (well, my fomo makes me). The blurb for Final Queen mentions “blood-soaked hula hooping”, horror and it’s antipodean (always a bonus point); it’s a full run so I can watch out for reviews before deciding. There’s only three performances of The Masquerade, I have no idea what the picture is about, a masquerade deity lives in someone’s stomach?! Hmmm, but I found myself cutting it out, okay.

Now was the time to go to the beginning, Cabaret and Variety. I just got curious there, when did this section appear? I was sure it didn’t use to be there, hmm. A quick dive into the shelves behind me and indeed, Cabaret first got it’s own section in the programme in 2011, Variety was added to it in 2015 (were there meetings debating whether such nuances should be recognised? handbags and hissy fits thrown?!) I wonder, will Magic and Burlesque be next? There’s an awful lot of magic in C&V, plenty of which appears under PBH’s Free Fringe, yay (please remember while these shows are free entry, only a real schmuck would leave without giving anything, don’t be that person). The busiest magician on the Fringe is back with two shows, full runs not a single day off, David Alnwick always puts on a great show. The blurb shows that one goes for humour, while the other, as Alnwick likes to do, is more theatrical, that one’s in the Speakeasy at the Voodoo Rooms (a great setting for a spooky show).

Another magician who’s played the Fringe plenty is Charlie Caper, I’ve never gotten round to seeing him before; his key words are magic and variety, maybe this year? The Cult of Astaroth promises magic and horror at the Banshee Labyrinth, a fitting venue! A title that immediately held my gaze was Dan Bastianelli: The Boy Who Drew Doors, magic with storytelling, I get an impression of whimsiness, no bad thing, as is the venue theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall (a place that I’ve seen plenty of great shows). One more magic show cut-out, this one illustrates my earlier point as The Man With the Golden Hands – Stuart Lightbody was listed under Theatre in 2024; it tells a true story of a magician recruited by the CIA, yeah, a possibility.

There’s plenty and allsorts of musical choices in C&V, of course. Fingers Piano Bar is the place for ABBA singalongs, and for two nights only Alice Cooper – Welcome To My Cabaret Nightmare, that could be excellent fun (or really naff). I do quite fancy the tribute to Tom Waits in the Voodoo Rooms, will it be a dip into everything, or the more accessible? (some of his stuff I really can’t get). Last but definitely not least, that grande dame of fruit is back, the incomparable Dame Granny Smith is once again in The Wee Coo in George Square Gardens. No doubt there’ll be a song or two from her, let’s hope her voice holds out as she’s on from the first preview day right through until the (real) final day, Monday 31st, with only one day off.

So far so good, my pile of possibilities isn’t ridiculously large, yet. Just the big two, Theatre and Comedy are left; the Theatre section alone is thicker than the whole of the 2001 Fringe programme, yikes. How’s anyone supposed to choose these days?

Toodle pips!

A moose and a Dame

One Night in Finsbury

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I do quite like London, only ever stayed for a few days at a time but I’ve always had good experiences, nice wee cafes, there’s some cracking pubs (living in Edinburgh, the prices don’t make me clutch at my heart in mock horror) and I generally find Londoners to be a pleasant bunch. The Camden Road Hotel was a perfectly fine place to sleep, no breakfast, but from past experience that’s where the nice wee cafes come in, they’re everywhere! It was also a reasonable walk from King’s Cross and St Pancras stations, and an easy bus ride to The Finsbury.

Ah yes, I returned from the continent by Eurostar on the Monday so I could get a decent night’s kip and enjoy a wander round Camden before seeing Carl Marah at The Finsbury (good plan, after two nights in a hostel dorm with exuberant marathon runners in Liege, it was heaven). I also took the opportunity to check out a couple of real ale pubs on the way, as you do, but in time to see both supports.

It was meant to be some guy supporting, I gather something happened fairly last minute but no worries, the ladies stepped up and some. First up was Eve Simpson, a northern lass with an awesome voice and great folk/pop songs, including one inspired by The Hive on Niddry Street in Edinburgh! Probably the first and last time that’ll happen (I know the place, I’ve seen Fringe shows in there, as a night haunt, nah). Speaking about the Fringe, Eve will be up at the Pianodrome in August for two nights, hmm, a distinct possibility. Second up, Kiki Annette over from Germany, indie with a delicious dry humour, wow! Later Carl made a light comment of feeling a tad apprehensive coming on after two such talented singer-songwriters, yeah, methinks he was only half joking!

Eve Simpson
Kiki Annette

Then it was time, Carl and his trusted compadres, Gavin Lamont and Simon Toner, opened with the latest single You’re Always Right, oh yay. Lost and Found next, one of my favourites and sooo delicious with the extra depth of flavours the band sound brings to it. I say that’s one of my favourites, they’re all wonderful but a few sneak ahead, like World Keeps Turning, why? I don’t know, is it in his delivery of his lyrics, the timbre of his voice with an occasional slight plaintive edge? The rhythm changes?

What a wonderful evening, there was almost no need for Carl to ask for us to singalong with It’s a long way to Oban, I could hear there was already a strong murmur augmenting the chorus. Carl’s first single Siren Song was in there (I was very in the moment, some of which refused to be retained later). Stags and Hens with it’s world-weary wry charm will always have a place in my heart, and it’s own little burrow in my ear.

Naturally Me, Myself and I, the title track of the new EP was there, one where for me, the solo version has sweet echoes of Gilbert O’Sullivan, not as much with the band. Oh, and from just watching a couple of videos, I must mention that the sound and lighting were excellent all evening. Cat’s Eyes was a total sublime dream, without doubt my top favourite of all Carl’s songs (so far!) The drum and bass motor along so beautifully, while Carl’s voice and guitar take the twists and turns with confident ease. Oh, my heartses!

Carl did cut one song from the set just before Cat’s Eyes as he wanted enough time to do it justice, at just over eight minutes, yeah he did that; but I do wonder what was cut? On the other hand, I might disappointed if I knew. I wouldn’t have wanted any of the songs I heard cut from the set. Final song of the evening was ol’ 5/4 timer Roll the Dice (the Paul Simon one), the guys went for it! All brilliant musicians, it’s a class way to end things.

It wasn’t quite the end of my evening, oh no. Now, at this point I’ll mention that it wasn’t particularly busy in The Finsbury, a real shame the turn out wasn’t better, mind, the folk who did turn up were obviously enjoying themselves and showed their appreciation loud and warmly; but it was the evening of Tuesday 19th May when most of North London were glued to tv sets watching a football match with bated breath. The outcome of that match would determine whether Arsenal would win the Premier League.

When I left the pub to catch the bus, a few cars were passing by blaring their horns, bit exuberant for a Tuesday night, I thought. Then, on the bus, the traffic was really slow, horns tooting rhythms, was this about football?! The bus got diverted, watching its movements on Google maps I realised I was best getting off. By now it was after eleven, the streets were thronged with people in red and white scarves and tops, car horns going off everywhere, folks jubilantly calling out. I have to say, the exhilaration in the air was infectious, so joyous; I had no idea what the reason was, but I realised it was something pretty monumental. What a night to be in North London! Overall, it was pretty damn fine ❤️

Toodle pip!

Some new things this week

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I bought a new fridge freezer this week; after being extra cranky for a while, the old one chilled it’s last sometime at the weekend. I hadn’t realised quite how old it was, fifteen years! So not a bad run at all. I was filled with dread on the Saturday evening, knowing I had to get my act together very quickly, no procrastinating, no ignoring it, or no milk in my tea! Luckily, I had some herbal teabags in the cupboard (though I wouldn’t want to check their best before dates) and putting all my freezer blocks and frozen food into one compartment gave me some breathing space. Enough time to look around on the Sunday, have a good mull overnight, then buy on the Monday, arranged delivery for Thursday. Okay, some food did get chucked but I ate the best bits first, like the lamb cutlets (very very tasty, from Annanwater, oh yeah), and I’ve been pretty well-behaved regarding takeaways, so I was due a couple. Mind, I didn’t figure on having to allow the fridge freezer to stand a few hours before switching it on, then letting it get to temperature for going on a day; so, the Mosque Kitchen it was for tea on Friday!

What goes up….

Friday was a particularly sunny day, about bloody time, it deserved to be marked, so I finally got round to trying out the Alpine Coaster at the Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend just outside Edinburgh. It’s not “the ride of your life” as the website says, but it is fun! A short blast of fun, a teensy bit longer if you apply the brakes on some of the corners (and you probably will at least the first time, my brain was not convinced that the cart could not go flying off the track). Tickets are generally booked (online) for three rides and many folk just went straight through to queue to go again; me, I took some minutes to just savour each time. Tickets are booked for within half hour slots through the day, so there’s time to pause (some were immediately on their phones afterwards, to book another three). And on phones, there’s big signs all around, no phones on the ride, haha, yeah; meaning, well, we did tell you not to (some people just won’t be told).

The views from Hillend back over to Edinburgh are stunning. I was reminded that I really should go walking around the Pentland Hills more (I do have a map somewhere).

Holyrood Park from a distance

Another first for me on Friday was seeing the Jon Mackenzie Band in Stramash. I’ve seen him playing with Jed Potts a number of times, so when I saw the listing in the Edinburgh Gig Guide, definitely worth a look. And how! A lively trio, all three taking turns on lead vocals (and some great acapella harmonies on Country Roads); rockabilly, americana, blues, a bit of Beatles, and the segue from Cocaine Blues to the Enter Sandman riff and back again (with some fun lighting courtesy of John Mackie), loved it!! Oh, and I could be wrong here, but I think I recognised the bass player as previously in Babyface and the Beltin’ Boys, another cracking band.

It’s very late now, the early hours of Sunday morning, I shall away to my bed. Next time will be movies and music, soon, promise. G’night!

A moose’s eye view of Malta

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The warmth of the sunshine streaming in my windows the last three mornings has been so lovely, then I opened my windows and discovered the somewhat cooler reality, to say fresh is being kind. The sun was every bit as bright as the previous three mornings in Malta, ah well, ho hum. Yes, I went to Malta, didn’t you get the postcard?! How nice to stroll around in warm, balmy temperatures; mind, plenty were layered up like it was cold, but at 18° it suited me. Even the evenings only dropped to around 13°, I was okay with that, it was warmer than the daytime here. Hey, I’m British, of course I’m going to mention the weather! It was the continously miserable weather we had through February and a pic on Instagram taken in Malta (I recognised the style of window), that had me looking at Skyscanner, hmmm, such very reasonable prices; oh, I umm-ed and ahh-ed for a few days before making a very late night decision to bloody well just book it!!

So six very early mornings later, I trotted up to Waverley Bridge to catch the airport bus. The sun was just rising as the plane took off, sweet, I was glad that I’d last minute booked a window seat, I do so enjoy the views (and the poster of the Malta pic had mentioned his flight went over the Alps, indeed, they were spectacular). No, I didn’t catch up on any sleep.

I had visited Malta ten years ago with a small group tour, it was a good holiday but pretty full-on. visiting tourist sights all around Malta and Gozo; none of that this time, apart from a lot of walking, as is my wont. I recognised some bits but there have been plenty of changes around Valletta since I was last there. Luckily, Ta’Kolina was still there, right where I remembered it (on the front in Sliema), a traditional Maltese restaurant still serving amazing rabbit dishes (when in Malta, you have to try at least one rabbit dish!). I had the rabbit spaghetti for my main, omg, the flavours in the sauce, divine, and with a very nice Maltese red to wash it down.

Rabbit ravioli, very tasty

A couple of days later I had a plate of exceptionally tasty rabbit ravioli with a Maltese white at a back street restaurant in Valletta (annoyingly, I don’t remember the name but I know my feet will be able to guide me back next time). A traditional lamb stew saw me nicely full for my journey home on Sunday. Why go to a place without trying anything local?

And, oh joys, I discovered a local IPA to try, well, it would be rude not to. Stretta Session IPA went down very nicely, not cheap, but I was drinking in moderation so my wallet didn’t suffer much (and I could trust myself to find my way to back to my bed). I knew from my old guide book to check the Strait Street area (I never throw away old guide books, you never know when they might come in again, it won’t all be out of date).

Hmmm, not my scene some of it, but I had fun meandering round the little streets and stepped alleyways. I went in 97 Notes promising to buy a drink once I’d made room for it (it’s an awkward thing, walking into a bar alone and heading straight for the toilets, well it is for me). Oh wow, the main room had a stage at the far end, it was like something from a David Lynch film, being midafternoon it was empty and kinda eerie with a promise of night-time debauchery. I also thought it would be an cool place for Logan’s Close to play, hell yeah, I’d make the trip!

I noticed a large old billboard showing the local bars, handy!

I had a long peek into the Oyster Grotto as I passed by, promising myself I’d go in sometime later, it did look a fascinating, quirky place. I also meant to pop in the Offbeat Music Bar, I’ll go next time I’m in town. My moosedar was telling me to find Babel Bistro, I do like the sound of the word Babel and yes, I know the biblical story of the tower. To Babel, it was. Ha, I’d stopped awhile to listen to a band who were playing at an open-fronted bar before I realised it was the very place I was looking for, nice. Memphis Mac was the band, playing mainly covers with a some originals thrown in, but honestly, if they hadn’t mentioned them, I would have assumed they were other seventies blues/rock tunes that I hadn’t heard before! There were a couple of Free covers in there, not surprising as the influence was very clear, no bad thing. The singer introduced one of their songs as off their album, oo, an album (self-titled, available on Spotify), well, I had to check it out. Wowzah! Soooo good!

Memphis Mac at Babel Bistro

Babel Bistro is a fine establishment, friendly staff, a tasty IPA (other drinks are available) and great live music (great as in my type of music, ha), just what my Friday evening needed. Needless to say, I was back there the following evening, a different band but still plenty to love. One of the barmen mentioned to me that his favourite band were playing on the Sunday evening, dang, I’d be away home; but on the plus side, I’d be back in Edinburgh in time for the Louis Crosland Trio at midnight in Whistlebinkies. Sweet, huh!

Time to toddle off to my bed. G’night!

A pint and a hug, please

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Happy New Year! Oh, the ninth day of 2026 has just begun as I finally get round to writing something. So, circling back round to 22nd December 2025 as promised last post, I went over west to see Logan’s Close at The Hug and Pint in Glasgow for their usual Christmas gig. There were plenty of familiar faces in the bar by the time I arrived, grabbed a pint, a few hugs and headed downstairs to the venue where the crowd were enjoying the Raeburn Brothers, also over from Edinburgh (yes, I quite enjoyed them too). It turned out that one of them was on a double shift, as keyboard player (and occasional percussion!) for Logan’s Close. I wonder, did the guys get the gig then LC went oo, actually, while you’re there, could you, or did they get the gig with that already in mind? Anyhoo, a fine choice, the Raeburn Brothers had the crowd nicely warmed up for LC taking to the stage; I say stage, it wasn’t much higher, more a performance area.

The lads opened with a brand new song Crystal Ball, Scott and Stu looking sharp in suits, Carl had already lost his jacket (it was definitely going to get hot), Gavin was way back in the gloom (shame), while the keyboard guy took the prize for coolest shirt (sadly I didn’t get a pic of it). From there, straight into Babestation, the first of seven songs from Heart-Shaped Jacuzzi; newish songs Chillz and Costume Changes were there, both of which occasionally pop up in Scat Rats setlists, so well-known to some.

The brand new song I presumed to be called Giddy Up, Baby at Leith Arches was there and it is; a stark, sparse song, Scott put down his guitar, picked up his drink and donned a cowboy hat, plenty keyboards in the mix on this one (I have to say it was the LC sound is better with keyboards rather than Carl juggling between instruments). After some outstanding singing from the gathered, along to more Heart-Shaped Jacuzzi numbers (a grand sound!), we were treated to another brand new bouncing baby of a song, Not Love (the prospect of another album is starting to get exciting).

Carl, Scott and Stu in harmony

The guys didn’t bother to leave the stage between the “last” number and the first encore, which was, yay, Lonely This Christmas by Mud. This is one of my favourite christmas songs and have previously loved the Rats doing it, but the full LC treatment, and the crowd all singing, oh, my heartses! Only something big with grandiose could follow it, so that would be Mock Marble Linoleum then. Love that bass riff and Carl gets to have fun with his theremin to emblemish Scott’s tale of a sad loser. A class ending to the evening, well, mine. I know there were plans for where folk would continue drinking after the gig but I headed back to the subway into the centre, happily fuzzed up.

I had hoped to hear Lonely This Christmas once more by the Scat Rats the following evening in Stramash but, well, it was a solo Carl Marah instead! I’m saying nothing. Except that the crowd loved him, Carl was in fine voice (the overall sound was excellent, beautifully rich, well done, whoever was on the buttons). From where I was sitting, I could see a number of folk going over to check the poster of the month’s listing to see who he was. His penultimate song for the evening was the full version of American Pie, well, it’s been so long since I’ve heard it, I had to make that my final advent calendar clip.

It’s now very late, or early?! Time I toddled off to bed. I’ll share this on Instagram tomorrow along with videos of LC in action. I did put one up shortly after the gig but it seems the sound has gone, if it was ever there, I’m sure it was!

Goodnight, sweet dreams!

And the crowd went wild

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Oh boy, that was a great evening last night! I knew the early part would be good but expected to be home by ten-ish, ha. First port of call, Whistlebinkies to catch the first set from Jed Potts and Nicole Smit, mighty fine as usual. Just a shame that once again there were a couple of very loud folk spoiling the music, so good on Jed for his public service announcement that there were other areas of the bar for people who just wanted to natter. They didn’t bother to move but at least they quietened down. They did leave after the first set, but so did I, I had a ticket for Sneaky Pete’s.

The headline was Callum Ford but my ticket was primarily to see Carl Marah on second support. My timing was just nice to get down there, grab a pint and manoeuvre into a good spot (Sneaky’s was heaving, if it wasn’t sold out it was very close to it!) Marah and moustache took to the stage (I mention his moustache because, it’s there, a double-taker on first meeting, I think it might be staying around awhile), no fancy looping this time, just straight forward man with a guitar.

What a cracking set! Opened with the wonderful Roll the Dice and ended with the awesome Cats Eyes. In-between, Carl gave Cold Cold Christmas one more play, the crowd joined in the dah-dah-dahs to Oban, while Stags and Hens somehow sounded better than ever (how is that even possible?). There was more, but I wasn’t taking notes, didn’t video much either, I just blissed out on the sound, especially Cats Eyes at the end, oh, my heartses.

To be honest I wasn’t sure earlier if I’d hang around for the headline band but being there, yeah, plus it was a fairly quick changeover. Callum Ford and his band were worth staying for, engaging and witty songs; with a fiddle-player and one song set in Captains Bar, definitely a folky leaning. The crowd had been lovely and enthusiastic with Mr Marah, now they were turned up to ten and buzzing. Oh my, when the band started the final song the place went wild, Fairytale of New York no better to end a gig at Christmas, the band and audience gave it everything.

Back out on the Cowgate just going home didn’t seem right, so I decided I’d pop back to Whistlebinkies for one more pint. The second band should have been on at that point, nope, huh? Ah, they’d double booked themselves or something and Binkies took second place, who could they call on? Oh yay, the Louis Crosland Trio, how sweet could one evening get?! It may have been because Max, who occasionally plays drums with LC3 was working behind the bar so only two more bodies were needed.

The man himself, Louis Crosland turned up first, the room started to fill more as folk expecting some live music rolled in. A cheer like a mexican wave heralded the arrival of bassist Rob Henderson to the stage, no time to waste, the band cracked on and the crowd, yes, indeed, did go wild. Wow, I’ve seen LC3 plenty of times, that was one of the best, kind of like a giddy joie de vivre from unexpectedly playing; it definitely put Max in top spot of my favourite of the band’s various drummers. The evening really could not have ended any better, well, unless the final band had cancelled too and the Scat Rats were called in, oh yeah (hey, I can dream!)

I’ll be seeing the Rats tomorrow midnight, yes, it’s one of those Tuesdays, I can survive til then. It’ll be a very late night, so maybe having no definite plans for Hogmanay is a blessing, after all, I’ll want to be doing my usual scamper up to Arthur’s Seat bright and early New Year’s Day. I was up there on Christmas Day, I did mean to put something on here about it, just like I’ve been meaning to say how totally epic Logan’s Close were in Glasgow. I’ll circle back round to that next.

Toodle pip!

A wee catch-up … and more

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It’s the Sunday evening before Christmas, thought I’d tap out a quick update before I head off to see Fackham Hall, and joys, the Louis Crosland Trio are playing Whistlebinkies at midnight (one can never too sure too soon). My Christmas week starts tonight!

A bit of a departure on my advent calendar today, I reposted a montage of ice creams from Thistle & Churn, well, the track with it was Ice Cream Man by Tom Waits, a classic in my book, and so are their ice creams. Oh, and I have three precious tubs from T&C in my freezer! Two of Caledonia Cream and one of Clootie Dumpling, they should see me into the new year, yeah, should.

It was my first time back in the reopened Filmhouse to see Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Mind, I’m still a little confused about the scene that was meant to explain what happened in the wood, nah, kept running it through my head. Help, someone. Even better for me was The Running Man, and I went in not sure about it, but yay, Edgar Wright wove his magic again. Had a wee inward cheer to myself, when I spotted Rich Hall in a brief scene, nice one.

On a much smaller screen, Carl Marah has a video on his YouTube channel to go with his latest song Cold Cold Christmas, do give it a watch. Mind, if you want to just listen to it, I wouldn’t bother asking your smart speaker! Certainly Alexa refuses to understand the name Carl Marah, stupid, stupid !!#*?!! I was round at a friend’s, it just confirmed to me why I’ll never bother getting one.

Tonight will be the second time this week seeing Louis Crosland as I caught the band in Stramash on Thursday evening, but it wasn’t a trio, oh no, added keyboards. I did wonder beforehand, but any doubts were quickly dispelled, a part of the puzzle that we hadn’t even realised was missing. A perfect fit for Louis’ sound, especially his own songs; sadly, it was only for the one evening so far, but hopefully, he’ll be back, that’s Guilhem Forey.

With more originals on the setlist some of the usual had to go, so not much Dylan except, of course, Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Louis’s all time favourite song. I’ve heard the band play Louis’s My Kind of Heaven a few times, but it was a first outing for Losing Game, apparently voted into the set by the rest of the band, they all really like playing it. Yeah, I could tell you the names of the other two new originals, but I wasn’t taking notes, just enjoying being in the zone. Like I’ve already said, the keyboards slotted in so sweetly, the bass vibe was brilliant as ever, thanks to Rob Henderson; I’ll leave that there, just add a few pics for you.

Blimey Charlie, time I shifted! More very soon. Toodle pip!

Mr Marah Plus Two

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Wednesday evening in the Voodoo Rooms was awesome. There may have been fireworks going off outside for Bonfire Night, but inside the atmosphere was sparkling and crackling with fine vibes. Local musician Jack Hinks was support for the evening, some rather lovely tunes there, and a gorgeous voice, rich but not too much (I know what I mean). Tone for the evening nicely set, drink in hand from the bar, good position to see, ready!

Of course, this was the first gig where Carl Marah has played his solo music with a band, which added to the anticipation, not just one man and an acoustic guitar anymore. On drums was Gavin Lamont, like who else was it gonna be? As lovely as he is talented, no 5/4 timings could throw this chap. On bass and occasional backing vocals was one Simon Toner; he and Gavin are in a band Sekoya with Luke Cunningham, who played keyboards with The Buccaneers (oo, how good to have the three of them with Carl some time? make that happen!). A very promising line-up, and how!

It was a gentle start with You’re Always Right and how right was the sound – just perfect. On to Lost and Found, gorgeous but I did find myself contemplating whether, lovely as the band version was, the acoustic solo version had something extra for being less for me. World Keeps Turning next is a tune that’s already one of my accidental hums (oh, I can hum unaware that I’m humming for ages), a cracking song, definitely up a notch with the extra punctuation from the drums.

The setlist was thirteen songs in total, all known to the faithful to some degree. James Gilhooly, the go-to cameraman, was around filming the proceedings. At the start of Long Way To Oban I noticed the array of drumsticks Gavin had to hand, but then I guess that’s how he always gets just the right sound; Holidays with the brush sticks was luscious. The poignant 39 was sooo beautiful, a moment to reflect.

Song of the night for me has to be Cat’s Eyes, oh my heartses. I’d just popped to the loo and came back out into the little hidden area to the side of the stage, it seemed a perfectly good spot to watch the band as the music drove along, taking corners, foot down on the straights. Oh, I’m already there, Cat’s Eyes on the stereo driving along the A702 in the dark, can’t wait! Only Don’t Wanna Love You No More could have followed that, yay, Carl getting down and bluesy, always fine with me!

As it’s the latest single Roll the Dice finished the evening. Yeah, right. Encore! One more song! Hmmm, something that really would really show the whole band off, something by one of Carl’s favourite artists? Paul Simon? 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, yay, what a way to end, excellent choice. What an evening, I’m looking forward to next time already, hopefully it won’t be too long. Meanwhile, Mr Marah can be seen in the pubs of Edinburgh singing to the stags and hens and mooses.

Such a great gig really deserved better pics for my blog than I could manage with my mobile – many thanks to @hateinacageonfilm for letting me use some of his photos, what a guy!

Carl Marah looking suave with his Movember tache
Gavin Lamont
Simon Toner

From the sublime to the ridiculous

bruceonthefringe 2025, Edinburgh Fringe 2025, Fringe Awards, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

I’ve been under the weather somewhat since the end of Fringe. First my throat, then after what seemed like a full recovery, bam, my sinuses mutinied, usually the two run alongside a wee while before passing the baton. Not this time, just far enough apart for some false hope, but also a chance to the Scat Rats on Wednesday midnight at Whistlebinkies; by seven the following evening I was in no fit state to see the Rats again in Stramash, boo. At least I had the immense pleasure of a spur of the moment rendition of Fantastic Man (a song by William Onyeabor that Logan’s Close made a cover video of during one of the lockdowns), I do hope they play it again sometime.

The last couple of days Facebook memories have reminded me that it’s the time when I’ve previously announced the Brucies. What’s the Brucies? They’re the Bruce on the Fringe Fringe Awards, I was inspired after attending the ACMS Awards in 2022 (a silly, nonsensical, absurd event hosted by the Tuck); so just a light-hearted look back at my Fringe (it didn’t happen last year, those reading my blog at the time know why). And so without further ado…

Mesdames et monsieurs, ceux entre et ceux au-delà, bienvenue! The awards that nobody asked for, and mean absolutely nothing to anyone (except the little mooselets in my head), I give you the Bruce on the Fringe Fringe Awards 2025. Ta-dar!!

The Sublime: The Other Mozart

Most August: Thom Tuck

Best Veg-Rom-Dram: Tale of a Potato

Best Supporting Sidekick: Swimothy

Best Evening in an Afternoon: An Evening with Dame Granny Smith

Best Badge: Will & Noah: Too Much Time on Their Phones

Most Suave and he knows it: Troy Hawke

Best Musical Moments (all the nominations and the winner): Rob Kemp (Beatlesjuice and The Elvis Dead)

Best Use of a Building Since it was Public Swimming Baths: Finlay and Joe: Pretend It’s Fine

The Inevitable Award: Bad Clowns: Long Live the King

The Gromit Trophy: Iago in Iago Speaks up until Iago spoke

Oddest thing on the Cowgate: The Mothman Cometh-ing towards me

The Stuff of Nightmares: Aidan Pittman dressed as The Childcatcher

The Ridiculous: God’s Longest

And there you go, from the sublime, through to the ridiculous.

Toodle pip!