Scotland’s summer festival scene is a treasure trove of musical discovery, whether you’re searching for a long weekend of contemporary jazz or a majestic blowout of chart-pop. 

We’ve compiled a list of exceptional acts playing across the country this summer, all taken from this year’s edition of The Guide To Scotland’s Festivals. We’ll catch you in the front row.

Kai Reesu 

After scooping the SAY Award last year, the Glasgow nu-jazz roustabouts are riding a rising wave of notoriety for their lithe mixture of LA rap and smooth jazz. Following the lead of their album KOMPROMAT VOL I,  frontman Jurnalist and his band have grown in stature for their ability to stir crowds into a frenzy. 
Kelburn Garden Party, Kelburn Castle, Thursday 2–Monday 6 July. 

Daniel Avery 

One of the great innovators of modern dance music, the English music producer has been a club night staple since 2013. His latest LP, Tremor, was released in 2025 on Domino. 
Days Festival, The Pitt, Edinburgh, Saturday 30 May. 

Azamiah 

Led by vocalist India Blue, this jazz-funk fusion revels in slinky grooves. Their latest single, ‘New Moon’, was a showcase for their ability to slickly meld genre, combining Blue’s lounge-soul vocals with a seductively lurid bassline. 
Kelburn Jazz Weekend, Kelburn Castle, Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 May. 

Kefaya

Welcoming a revolving door of the world’s top musicians, Kefaya create a world where bhangra collides with rock, and where folk is leavened by a chaotic jazz. In an era defined by division, there’s something gratifying about their warm embrace of the multicultural project. 
Knockengorroch Festival, Galloway, Thursday 21–Sunday 24 May. 

Katie Spencer

Citing Joni Mitchel and Julie Byrne as influences, a delicate americana flows through Spencer’s work, beautiful in its panoramic intensity. Despite growing on the outskirts of Hull, this songwriter’s north star lands somewhere between Arkansas and the Mississippi River. 
Orkney Folk Festival, Orkney, Thursday 21–Sunday 24 May. 

Idlewild 

Still conjuring an excitable spectacle in their live shows, the latest self-titled album from Edinburgh’s favourite sons proved that growing up doesn’t mean growing stale. Though still on a victory lap after Idlewild’s success, expect to hear plenty of the band’s classics, from ‘El Capitan’ to ‘Roseability’. 
Arbroath Food And Music Festival, Inchcape Park, Arbroath, Friday 31 July & Saturday 1 August. 

Mall Grab 

Australian house producer Mall Grab has become a chameleon of his craft, subsuming elements of electronica, drum ‘n’ bass, punk and techno into his repetitive beats. The more hyperactive end of his output will presumably win over at Terminal V. 
Terminal V, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 April. 

Katie Gregson-MacLeod 

Developing a confessional style that foregrounds her soulful vocals, Gregson-MacLeod’s poetic dissections of relationships has won her a dedicated fanbase. One for those who enjoy Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. 
TRNSMT, Glasgow Green, Glasgow, Friday 19–Sunday 21 June. 

Lorde

Still celebrating the success of 2025’s Virgin, Lorde’s gambit of mixing low-intensity dance with open-hearted lyricism proved a winning combination for her fans. She’ll be joined by Zara Larsson and Audrey Hobert, with many more acts to be announced. 
Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, Tuesday 25 August. 

The Guide To Scotland’s Festivals is our comprehensive guide to help you plan your cultural year. Find print editions of The Guide To Scotland’s Festivals at all good stockists across Scotland, or read it in full online; main picture: Recompose. 

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