Ezra Collective have announced a performance at Fringe By The Sea, their only show in Scotland this year. Tickets for the North Berwick festival, taking place from Friday 1–Sunday 10 August, are on sale now. 

The Brit and Mercury award-winning Ezra Collective will visit North Berwick after a year of career highs following the release of their third studio album Dance, No One's Watching, which saw their eclectic fusion of afrobeat, calypso, reggae, hip-hop, soul and jazz cement itself into the mainstream. This year, they've already performed a headline show at BBC 6 Music Festival and been entered into BBC Radio 1's Sound Of 2025 shortlist. 

Alongside the Ezra Collective announcement, a host of comedy, speakers and music acts was added to the line-up. Leading the pack is Alan Davies, the onetime star of Jonathan Creek who’s become a mainstay on QI while maintaining his strong presence on the stand-up scene. In a similar vein, US comic Ruby Wax will appear with her usual brand of acerbic wit and celebrity anecdotes. 

One of the few rays of light during lockdown, Joe Wicks, will also make an appearance to discuss his varied career (which includes a successful YouTube channel, fitness app, cookery books and podcasts) alongside a PE session. Also speaking is Graeme Hall, the master dog trainer who hosts Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly and The Dog Hospital, who’ll be chatting all things canine related. 

In the world of podcasting, Off Air With Fi And Jane’s Fi Glover and Jane Garvey will show up at the Big Top for a live recording of their show, where they’ll be be joined by tennis super-mum and former Strictly contestant Judy Murray.

Topping off the announcement is Eddi Reader, the former singer of Fairground Attraction who'll perform some of her best-loved songs to celebrate four decades in show business. 

Festival director Rory Steel said: 'I have no hesitation in saying that securing the Ezra Collective for their only Scottish show this year is an absolute coup for Fringe By The Sea. Their sound is sensational, and we can't wait to give them all a huge East Lothian welcome. Both Alan Davies and Ruby Wax are brilliant live performers as is Eddi Reader, who was utterly spellbinding when she last appeared here in 2021. And I’m sure that Fi and Jane have many fans and regular listeners who will be lining up to see them. 

‘Joe Wicks was responsible for keeping many, including my family, healthy during lockdown and I know that trainers will be at the ready for his appearance. Nearly every dog has at least one bad habit so I imagine there will be many owners wanting suggestions from The Dogfather when he hits town. We're really taking Fringe By The Sea to another level.’

This is the third wave of announcements from the Fringe By The Sea parish, who’ve already unveiled a packed line-up of music, comedy, speaking and kids events for North Berwick. Highlights include Hamish Hawk, who’ll be joined by Billy Nomates and Cloth; Air, who’ll play their celebrated album Moon Safari in full; Bob Geldof’s veteran punk act The Boomtown Rats; arch-Conservative turned author and podcaster Rory Stewart; a showcase of Lost Map records led by ringleader Pictish Trail; and the anarchic kids science show Brainiac! Live. 

Founded in 2008, Fringe By The Sea has slowly grown from a small, community-driven venture into a welcome companion to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This year’s edition may well be the festival’s most confident entry yet, balancing a host of grassroots and nationally renowned acts. 

Fringe By The Sea, The Lodge Grounds, North Berwick, Friday 1 – Sunday 10 August; main picture: Aliyah Otchere.