How much longer can the Edinburgh Festival sustain itself? Amidst noise complaints from locals who live near the Pleasance, warnings about funding from the Fringe Society, and an increasing number of acts pushed out by the city's accommodation crisis, that question mark grows larger every year. We dip our toes in those waters every now and again in Road, but we’d recommend Brian Ferguson’s regular correspondences in The Herald or Michael MacLeod’s daily newsletter, The Edinburgh Minute, for a more granular overview of the Festival’s various crises. 

But none of these issues diminish the role of festival season in enriching the city’s cultural life. And as this week’s Road shows, plenty of niches are finding funding, including Welcome To The Fringe Palestine, Be United and Sufrecs. Long may they continue to thrive. 

Palestinian mini-festival revived at Portobello Town Hall…

… following a ten-year hiatus. As reported in The Stage, the four-day mini-festival, titled Welcome To The Fringe, Palestine, will take place between Tuesday 12–Friday 15 August and will host Palestinian theatre, dance, music and poetry, as well as food events, panel discussions and talks from artists. One of the organisers of the festival, David Greig, said: ‘At a time when Palestinians are facing extreme violence, it feels like a small, good thing for us to share the human spirit together: art, comedy, music, theatre, food and more, all in the convivial and welcoming atmosphere of Porty Town Hall.

‘Edinburgh in August is all about connection. Art changes hearts. This project is a chance for us all to go beyond statistics, despair and political soundbites and, instead, to meet Palestinians where they are – with heart and soul.’

Sufrecs bring Live Music And Chats to the Fringe…

…providing, well, music and chats in Leith Depot, from some of the most exciting names in Scottish art. The music (or, at least, what’s been announced so far) includes Cloth, Haiver, Malka, Rick Redbeard and more, while the chats will be hosted by BBC Radio Scotland DJ (and regular List columnist) Vic Galloway. 

Get more information on Sufrecs' Instagram. 

EIFF to screen Sean Connery Talent Lab films…

… in a showcase of six short films from the inaugural Talent Lab season. If you haven’t heard about the Sean Connery Talent Labs, they were set up last year to help develop young filmmakers and establish a grassroots Scottish Film Industry. It’s a much-needed asset for the country, and the involvement of EIFF will hopefully get a few more eyes on the project. 

The short films being screened are Gowk (dir. Ryan Pollock), Nora Can’t Score (dir. Josefa Celestin), Lady Maclean (dir. Catriona Macleod), Twenty Twenty (dir. Alex Salam), Static (dir. Miranda Stern) and Checkout (dir. Mairead Hamilton).  

Be United announces One Love Nation…

… featuring two nights of live music featuring some of the most exciting Black artists emerging in Scotland. Taking place on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 August at Leith Arches, One Love Nation will celebrate exceptional Scotland-based African and Caribbean talent and give them a much-needed platform at the Fringe. 

Check out the full-line-up here. 

EIF announce Scottish legend Dougie MacLean for Big Singalong…

… who’ll perform ‘Caledonia’, joined by a range of community choirs led by choir director Stephen Deazley. This’ll be a free but ticketed event taking place on Sunday 3 August at Princes Street Gardens. 

Nicola Benedetti, festival director of Edinburgh International Festival said: ‘At the heart of our Festival is a commitment to connection – providing a closer communion between artist and audience. From our mass ceilidh dancing, to singing Dougie MacLean’s iconic anthem ‘Caledonia’ at the top of our lungs in the Princes Street Gardens, to spontaneous jam sessions for jazz lovers and classical enthusiasts alike, these events invite everyone to take part in the magic of live performance. We are all about celebrating artistry in its most human, communal form, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it with us in August.’ 

Ian Rankin becomes major backer of book festival…

… after a 20-year partnership with Baillie Gifford ended in a wave of controversy last year. The Rebus writer, who’s been a constant supporter of EIBF ever since his rise to prominence in the 1980s, provided funding through his company John Rebus Ltd, which his wife Miranda is also a director of. Other sponsors were revealed to be the Scottish Government, People’s Postcode Lottery and Jenny Colgan. 

Last year, the festival was placed under intense scrutiny for its involvement with Baillie Gifford and its links to the fossil fuel industry, with campaigners threatening to disrupt events. While Jenny Niven, EIBF’s director, confirmed that the company hasn’t made up for the shortfall in its funding since the split, fans of the festival will be heartened to see it’s finding a more ethical route forward. Read Brian Ferguson’s original report for The Herald here. 

Four stars or more 

The multi-award winning Jordan Gray is returning to Edinburgh this year with her phenomenally titled show Is That A Cock In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me?, which promises to be her ‘rootin-est, tootin-est, shootin-est hour of musical comedy yet.’ Our reviewer Becca Inglis was enamoured with Gray’s Is It A Bird? In 2022. She gave it five stars, writing, ‘She performs each song with every inch of her body, squirming, grinning and snarling with a hyperactive exuberance, while her limber vocals vault impossible ranges, from the theatrical baritone of David Bowie to Cher’s diva-cry and cartoonish giggles.’ Read the full review here. 

Catch Jordan Gray: Is That A Cock In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me? at Assembly George Square Gardens from Wednesday 30 July – Sunday 24 August.