North Berwick’s Fringe By The Sea just got a little busier, adding seven more acts to its varied line-up and bringing the number of performances happening at the festival to more than 200. Running from Friday 1–Sunday 10 August, tickets for all announced performances are on sale now. 

Perhaps the most prominent speaker at the festival will be Sir Chris Hoy, Scotland’s most successful Olympian who was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in 2023. He’ll be in conversation with audiences to recount the many highlights of his career and to raise awareness of this all-too common disease. 

Music was where the broadest range of announcements were made, starting with Hamish Hawk, who scored his biggest success to date last year with the critically acclaimed album A Firmer Hand. He'll be joined by post-punk political proselytiser turned dynamic indie songwriter Billy Nomates, and SAY-award nominated duo Cloth. 

Swelling the ranks of the music line-up is Sandi Thom, who’s enjoyed a high profile since her hit single ‘I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker’, and veteran Gaelic act Mànran. Also appearing are British street dance group Flawless; kid’s favourites Artie’s Singing Kettle; RSNO presenting the music of James Bond; Lost Map's Pictish Trail and many more acts from his label; and a nostalgic afternoon of standards from Philip Contini. 

The clutch of new announcements joins an already impressive roster, which includes Air (playing their influential album Moon Safari), George Clarke, The Boomtown Rats, Rory Stewart, The Bluebells and Brainiac Live!. 

Festival Director Rory Steel said: 'Our second line-up announcement has a brilliant mix of amazing artists. The party will be well and truly ignited by the epic Hot Dub Time Machine taking us on a trip through the ages on opening night. The very best of our homegrown talent also features heavily, with Edinburgh-based indie sensation Hamish Hawk headlining our second Friday, and Scottish, high-energy trad music powerhouses Mànran featuring on the same day as well as Sandi Thom, who is back touring again.  

‘The RSNO return and will be a fantastic way to end the ten days with a showcase of the best James Bond themes. With dance act Flawless and Artie’s Singing Kettle, our family programme is also taking shape nicely. We are so honoured that Sir Chris Hoy will be with us to tell about his incredible career and latest work in raising awareness of prostate cancer. As you can see, the Fringe By The Sea team really is pulling out all the stops for an awesome August ahead!'

Fringe By The Sea, The Lodge, North Berwick, Friday 1– Sunday 10 August.