Summer’s festival season has already kicked off with the pop and chart-rock blowout of TRNSMT. As you drink in the sunshine, it can be easy to forget that small venues are still offering some of the most vibrant experiences in music that the season has to offer. From King Tut’s epic Sumer Nights festival to the Cowgate Block Party, there are still plenty of reasons to head to your local small music venue in July. Take a look at what’s on offer below and start ticking off dates in your calendar. 

Edinburgh 

Walt Disco

The brash art-rock of Walt Disco has placed them forever on the cusp of mainstream popularity, and their new work looks like it might just tip them into chart-topper territory (or, at the very least, into the hearts of every 6 Music Dad). 

Sneaky Pete’s, Wednesday 1 July. 

SheBeat, Frankie Morrow, Shears and New Routines

A stellar line-up of dance and electronica from women across Edinburgh as part of Afternoon Delight, which starts at 3pm (as an increasingly tired 36-year-old, this one couldn’t sound more appealing). 

Leith Depot, Sunday 5 July. 

Gurry Wurry 

Three albums deep, Gurry Wurry (the art-pop alias of Edinburgh’s own Dave King) has amassed a back catalogue of likeable, skewiff tunes with an experimental flair. This gig will mark the launch of his third full-length release, Glue, which is out now on physical release. 

Sneaky Pete’s, Friday 10 July. 

Lydia Lunch & Marc Hurtado play Suicide and Alan Vega songs

Two legends (and life-long friends) doing what they do best; worshipping at the scrappy altar of punk. This one’s described as ‘a visual shamanic ceremony, where both artists will burn their souls in the volcanic heart of the music of Suicide and Alan Vega.’ 

Voodoo Rooms. Saturday 11 July; also at Stereo, Glasgow, Sunday 12 July. 

Cowgate Block Party 

Showcasing emerging talent at Sneaky Pete’s and The Mash House, the past two editions of Cowgate Block Party have been a bit of a treat for those who want to quickly find the best in grassroots music. This time, the musical melange will welcome Ask Alice, Body Horror, Both Hands, Faex Optim, Hospital Corner, Hot Face, Monks, Native James, Nick Dow, Oral Habit, PVC, Picture The Scene, The Heart Shaped Aces and ugly ozo. Haven’t heard of them? Well, that’s part of the point. Pop along and find out. 

Sneaky Pete’s and The Mash House, Saturday 18 July. 

Puppet Midnight, Michael Steele and Màiri Na Grèine

Sketchy Beats continues its reputation for platforming interesting songwriters from the local area with this triple threat; indie punk (and local promoter Fuzz Bat) Puppet Midnight, Electrofolkster Michael Steele, and classical guitarist Màiri Na Grèine.

Sketchy Beats Cafe, Sunday 19 July. 

Glasgow 

King Tut's Summer Nights 

One of the best showcases of new music, this begins on Thursday 9 July with a performance from Marigold and continues until Saturday 29 August with a show from Sean Choon And The Prawn Monsoon. Other acts include Close Control, Paperhouse, Flair, Limerence, Bistango, Lint Bin and Val Mavis. As is King Tut’s wont, most of the bands listed above fall into the indie rock or singer-songwriter genres. If that’s your bag, this is the festival for you. 

King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Thursday 9 July–Saturday 29 August. 

Craftybrownkid with aminabonthebeat, Maxosa and ACE V!S!ON

Crafty Brown and randombrownkid will provide a glimpse of their upcoming self-titled debut album, which they’ve described as ‘weird, warm, tape deck beats’. They’ll be joined by a king’s ransom of local hip hop artists, which will hit on trap, spoken word and distinct DJing. 

The Old Hairdresser’s, Saturday 11 July.

Plebfest 

A garage rock all-dayer that revels in chaos, this year’s Plebfest will feature Fiendz YT, The Kidney Flowers, The C33s, Casual Drag, Q.U.A.L.M.S, The Bucky Rage, Grogg and Duncecap. It’s organised by Mud Flood, a not-for-profit gig promoter in Glasgow, so pop along if you want to support the good guys of the music industry. 

Stereo, Saturday 11 July. 

Étáin

If you’re looking for a burst of joy in your gig-going experience, then this Irish-born, Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter might just be what you’re after. Her buoyant debut album, The Well, highlighted her knack for immediately recognisable choruses and optimistic lyricism. 

The Hug & Pint, Saturday 25 July. 

Bill Wells, Norman Blake & Aby Vulliamy perform Dreams ’24 / ’25 

Dreams ’24 / ’25, the new project by celebrated composer Bill Wells, will receive a full album performance, with Norman Blake providing vocals for the Dreams 2024 side and Aby Vulliamy for Dreams 2025. According to a press release, the songs aren’t intended to be fully formed, but are ‘rather a series of fleeting emotional snapshots’. They’ll be supported by multi-instrumentalist David Swan 

The Glad Café, Friday 31 July.

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• 40 top gigs and music festivals taking place across Scotland this summer
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