Still strung out by Fringe-time? If you’re an arts journo, the answer to that is a resounding yes. But that hasn’t stopped our intrepid team from doling out recommendations, including a packed Psych Fest, a ton of community cinema screenings, a socially pertinent theatre-piece and more. We’re also delighted to have the very funny Amelia Bayler pop in for our Hot Seat, where she recommends the equally funny Phil Ellis, a delicious pizza place, and some phenomenal club nights. Anyway, stay safe and enjoy your weekend.  

AROUND TOWN 

Author: Evie Glen 

In an early diary entry, Robert Louis Stevenson described Edinburgh as ‘what Paris ought to be’. It might be hard to see where Stevenson was coming from along the post-Fringe cobbles, but not for Edinburgh Makar, Michael Pedersen. On Wednesday 9 September, join him alongside fellow writers Janet Ayachi, Majorie Lotfi and Dr Harriet McMillan to celebrate the launch of Ten Poems About Edinburgh, a mini-anthology published by Candlestick Press.

In Glasgow, you can spend your whole night in Stereo on Saturday 5 September. Start upstairs with ‘Bum Notes’ drag karaoke with your glamorous host, Gloria, before heading downstairs for a charity club night in aid of Alarmphone Calais, a hotline support for refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea to the EU. Expect some very danceable sets from local DJs including Junglehussi and Mellowdramatics.

MUSIC

Author: Danny Munro 

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the arrival of September would mark the end of festival season, but the organisers at Psych Fest have other ideas. The annual psych celebration is descending on the Southside of Edinburgh this Sunday 6 September, with a litany of exciting artists in tow. Included in its impressive line-up are Billy Nomates, Model/Actriz, headliners Stereolab and in-demand experimental rockers Angine de Poitrine. One to look out for this weekend is Isabella Strange, an emerging post-punk four piece anchored by Edinburgh local Kira Wolfe-Murray.

My pick of the bunch in Glasgow this weekend is Frost Children (Saturday 5 September), a glitch-pop duo who have upgraded their original slot at King Tut’s to SWG3’s TV Studio. Based in New York, Frost Children consists of siblings Angel and Lulu Prost, who are attracting mounting attention Stateside thanks to their abrasive brand of high octane pop. Frost Children are certainly a band on the up, so it's no surprise to see that tickets appear to be selling fast.

STAGE 

Author: Rachel Morrell

As the final Fringe flyers leave town on the winds of Cowgate, I’m leafing through some eco-friendly offerings. Despite A History Of Paper being sold out, there’s another fibrous feature Alan Cumming himself recommends at Pitlochry Festival Theatre: Wiping My Mother's Arse (until Saturday 5 September), a black comedy about a complicated family and a care home resident with secrets.

On Saturday, Note Of Concern (Saturday 5 September) will unfold in Dunfermline as curious characters at a high school reunion get locked in their former teacher’s office, before The Truth About Trees (Sunday 6 September), a Sunday special in which one boy discovers the cost behind every piece of paper. And there will be workshops on cutting and creating all weekend as part of the Outwith Festival.

Then, from pages to planks, a new adaptation of George Orwell’s famous novel 1984 (until Saturday 26 September) celebrates its first weekend at Citizens Theatre, ready to speculate on some very current truths about surveillance and information through an imagined future.

SCREEN 

Author: Kevin Fullerton

In a corporate hellscape of Hollywood goliaths block-booking cinema space, the quirky mid-budget comedy, once the reigning champ of the box office, often feels like a vanishingly rare thing. That’s why it’s a delight to see The Incomer make a big splash. The dark comedy set on a small Scottish island is an oddball hoot, filled with quippy one-liners and moving themes of acceptance and openness. I was at its EIFF premiere and found the viewing was enhanced by the sound of Michelle Gomez guffawing at her own performance. It’s probably a difficult experience to emulate, but perhaps she’ll join you if you ask her nicely.

In more obscure (but no less entertaining) territory is Buffet Infinity (Sunday 6 September), a spoof cut-up of locally produced TV ads which slowly reveals a larger story. The screening comes from Leith Kino, the community cinema project which starts its new season at Leith Depot and Argonaut Books this month.

On the classics route, there’s yet another chance to catch David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me on the big screen at Glasgow’s Grosvenor Cinema (Friday 4 September). Telling Laura Palmer’s story from her perspective, it’s a deepening of the Twin Peaks world that stubbornly refuses to answer any questions about its lore. For me, it’s Lynch’s finest work.  

EAT & DRINK 

Author: Suzy Pope

Scottish seafood and chilli heat from South America? Yes please. Chef Kevin McPadden has returned from a trip around the kitchens of Peru and Mexico with a new, full-time roster of his supper clubs and workshops in Edinburgh’s West End. Gringo Supper Club used to be a rarity, but Kevin will be hosting groups in his home kitchen multiple times a week, including a seafood tasting experience on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September. 

In Glasgow, there are a couple of new openings to try out this weekend. Maybe pop to Matteo’s Club on High Street for big, proper subway sandwiches. It was supposed to be a soft launch but the operation seems to be in full swing already. Bringing back weekends at the social club, Langside Social has opened on Pollokshaws Road. Pool, darts and karaoke fuelled by Antojitos 100% plant-based Mexican street food. I’ll be belting out Natalie Imbruglia’s ‘Torn’ with a smoky chipotle wing in one hand. 

VISUAL ART 

Author: Greg Thomas

I’m in the mood to honour some 20th-century icons today. Elizabeth Blackadder (1931-2021) is famous as a painter of flowers and cats, but this description belies the daring abstraction of her work, with its rich colour palettes and flattened perspectives. Elizabeth Blackadder: A Life In Colour is at Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studios until Saturday 14 November. The art festival officially closed last week but longer-running shows include the first Scottish solo exhibition of Gwen John’s (1876-1939) muted, emotive portraiture at the Modern Two until Monday 4 January.

If you’re headed out of town be sure to check out the screening of writer Alistair Peebles’s film The Boat In The Writing Room at Dalkeith Country Park on Sunday 6 September. It’s a fascinating portrait of the time when poet, artist and gardener Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) spent at Gledfield Farmhouse in Ross-shire during 1965-66, before settling his famous poet’s garden in the Pentland Hills (later dubbed Little Sparta). This is part of a double bill with a sound poetry performance by the acclaimed ‘Dada interpreter’ and musician Florian Kaplick.

THE HOT SEAT - Amelia Bayler

Fresh off a WIP run at the Fringe, local funny-person and musical talent Amelia Bayler has entered our cultural Hot Seat to share a few of her top local picks. So, what’s Amelia up to this weekend? 

We are very lucky to have The Stand Comedy Club with iconic programming of local legends and fabulous acts from all around the world. This weekend, you can go and see the hilarious Phil Ellis’s show Bath Mat on Saturday 5 September. One not to miss! 

The Glasgow club scene is thriving and I always check out Resident Advisor to see what’s on. One of the many fun events this weekend is SMART // CASUAL at La Cheetah on Friday 4 September, featuring a brilliant line-up including gau7t, Orla Halligan and Et AI. La Cheetah is a place you gotta go to if you love dance music with its great sound system and unique lighting/DJ booth set-up. 

For food, head to Errol’s Pizza on Victoria Road. It’s the best pizza in the world in my opinion. The tunes are also great and the décor is sikkkk. They even have a pic of Carmela Soprano on the wall. 

If you’d like to listen to some great radio shows and you’re not in Glasgow then listen to community radio station Clyde Built Radio. I have a bi-monthly show on it.

I’ll be announcing dates for my new comedy show very soon so keep an eye on my socials. You can also listen to my recent DJ mix for iconic Scottish label Belters 4 U on their Soundcloud. 

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