The Wee Gig Lowdown: May 2026
The Flying Duck might be no more, but there are still plenty of opportunities to support yer indies (and a final chance to wave goodbye to the great Duck in the sky) with gigs across Glasgow and Edinburgh
While we were cobbling together this round-up of the best gigs happening in small venues this month, news came to us that The Flying Duck, one of Glasgow’s truly great gig spaces, is set to close. The venue wasn’t quite ready to release an official statement on the matter, but this blows a crater in the city’s music scene no matter the circumstances.
Since opening in 2007, The Flying Duck made a name for itself championing emerging acts and experimental music, alongside venues like The Old Hairdresser’s, Stereo, Mono and The 78. Plenty of music fans have made memories there (including this writer) and will be shattered by the news. We’ll report more on the venue’s closure when further details emerge.
It’s a reminder of why going out and supporting small music venues remains vital to the gigging ecosystem. These institutions deserve your custom, and they’ll give you a good night out for your troubles. With that in mind, here’s a rundown of a few great gigs in small venues across Glasgow and Edinburgh throughout May.
Glasgow
Creatives Of Colour Festival Gig
If you’re looking for a medley of interesting acts, this is the top pick this month. The biggest name is Ray Aggs (pictured above), who’s perhaps best known as one half of Sacred Paws, but has had a fruitful solo career. Also on the bill is Miwa Nagato-Apthorp, a singer-songwriter from the borders; Simone Seales, who made our Hot 100 last year; and experimental electronica act Salam Kitty.
The Glad Café, Friday 8 May.
Ewy
Ploughing the curious furrow of folk-punk, this solo project from Leeds will bring DIY spirit that earned them a popular following on TikTok. Exploring their queer, trans identity has formed a core part of their sound.
The Hug And Pint, Wednesday 13 May.
Dovetailed
Fronted by Kim Grant (who some might know as Raveloe) and the guitarist Simon Liddell (formerly of Frightened Rabbit), emotive lift and ethereal murk is the name of the day here. The night will mark the release of their first EP, which will be available on limited edition cassette via Lost Map. Support comes from Fern Veh.
The Doublet, Sunday 17 May.
The Flying Duck closing parties
Going out with a bang, the feted Flying Duck will close its doors with a three-day selection of local acts, including Chizu Nnamdi, Akumu, Danse Macabre, Life Cry, Shaun Vitamins, Unmaking and tens more. If you’re feeling as dewy eyed about The Flying Duck soaring no more, we’d recommend it.
The Flying Duck, Friday 29, Saturday 30, and Sunday 31 May.
Edinburgh
Anatole Muster
Have you ever thought, ‘Why can’t accordion music be a little sexier’? Us neither, but thankfully Anatole Muster has. His jazz-fusion compositions draw from modern R’N’B and chillwave for slinky and sultry sounds. This is part of his Hopecore tour and comes as he promotes his well-received album, released last year.
The Jazz Bar, Friday 8 May.
SGO
Your folk fix for the month comes from this Isle Of Skye-born duo, sisters Steaph and Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul, who take inspiration from their Gaelic identity and combine harp, accordion and vocals to create lilting atmospheric sounds.
Pianodrome Bruntsfield, Thursday 14 May.
Broken Chanter
David MacGregor’s long-running indie rock project has slowly morphed from a jangling indie comparable to his former act Kid Canaveral into a lither, angrier form of agit-pop. As his latest album, This Could Be Us, You Or Anybody Else, shows, he’s unafraid to give his anger a sense of fun.
Leith FAB Cricket Club, Saturday 16 May.
Orla Noble
When we interviewed Noble for our Future Sounds column, she said: ‘Normally when people come to releasing their album, they’ve spent years gigging and building an audience. But I’m still getting used to the idea of being an artist. I don’t take it for granted that I would be able to make another album. I’ve been an audience for so long and I know it’s really special to find music that you can connect with.’ Intrigued? Catch her this month as she launches her album, Unfurl.
The Caves, Sunday 17 May.
The Yummy Fur
Lo-fi noise is the order of the day from The Yummy Fur, the classic act who lit up Scotland’s indie scene in the 1990s. If you miss the good old days of art punk, these guys are its exemplars. They’ll be joined by Buffet Lunch.
Leith FAB Cricket Club, Saturday 23 May.
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