Brian Bilston and Henry Normal appear together for the first time in a show which one critic has described as “two people reading some poems”. Along the way, they will be drawing on their vast catalogue of crowd favourites – and throwing in new poems, to prevent becoming their own tribute bands. Not ones to overpromise, Brian and Henry are prepared to commit to delivering the greatest poetry show in the history of the world or their names aren’t Brian Bilston and Henry Normal. An evening of poems to be enjoyed not endured.

Adriana Brownlee is a leading British mountaineer, certified paragliding pilot and adventure athlete. She is the youngest woman to have climbed the world’s second-highest and arguably most-notorious peak, K2, and the youngest woman to climb all 14 of the 8000m peaks. Adriana will take you on a journey through one of the most hostile environments in the world, where no life can survive, and share stories of near death experiences, highs and lows of her mountaineering journey and everything in between.

Three voices, two guitars and bass performing classic Beatles songs completely live.

Join Gary Faulds, the Glaswegian comedian who’s survived every type of life crisis imaginable, in Panic At The Midlife Disco. With his kids getting older and the looming reality of mortality getting closer, Gary’s having a hilarious meltdown – and you’re invited to the party. From desperate attempts to stay “cool” with his kids to grappling with his rapidly growing waistline and crumbling youth, Gary’s journey through midlife is anything but graceful. Expect gut busting stories, sharp wit and a brutally honest look at the chaos of growing up, getting old and trying to keep it together while everything falls apart. It’s a comedy show that proves the only thing more awkward than a midlife crisis is trying to laugh about it. Age restriction 18+

With over 500,000 followers on social media and a host of sell out shows across the country, Brian Bilston is one of the UK’s most popular poets. He has published several bestselling collections of poetry, including "You Took the Last Bus Home, Alexa, what is there to know about love?" and "Days Like These". His novel "Diary of a Somebody" was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, and he has also written collections of poetry for younger readers. In 2025 he released an album of his poetry set to music, "Sounds Made by Humans", in collaboration with The Catenary Wires. This autumn sees Brian return to the stage with his latest book, "How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside". Get ready for an evening of comedy and laughter, as he takes us through the hows, whys and whats of reading, writing and enjoying poetry every day.

Fred Macaulay – “Good Evening!” For reasons outwith his control, Fred had to cancel his 2025 Edinburgh Fringe shows and his Autumn Tour - “Fred MacAulay: No podcast - LIVE”. Now, thankfully, due to reasons completely within his control, he is now preparing to hit the road in 2026 with the 2025 show repackaged and updated and simply called “GOOD EVENING!”. So what happened? Simply put: Fred suffered a freak accident and then an unrelated prostate cancer diagnosis. Is there humour in either of these? In the words of a famous Scotland footballer “Maybes Aye, Maybes Naw”. Now in the fourth decade of his comedy career, Fred MacAulay still loves being on stage doing what he does best ...... quite simply it's STAND-UP and his appetite for performing is as strong as it was all those years ago when he took a massive side-ways step from a career as an Accountant and Company Secretary into the world of entertainment. A career which has taken him all over the world (apart from South America) (and some other continents) where he has worked in television and radio. But it’s always been and always will be as a stand-up that Fred wants to be remembered. It's because of stand-up that he’s been asked to do all the 'celebrity' things that he’s done. He might talk about some of them, but he's more likely to talk about what is current - having been a guest on the famous Radio 4 News Quiz show for almost 18 years he has some previous in this respect. And as a family man he'll no doubt be talking about the latest stage of that aspect of life ..... grandchildren. "I can remember the joy of having our kids just after I'd embarked on my career in comedy ..... what a great source of material they were! I mean, that wasn't the main reason for having kids ...... but I hope the same applies to the grandkids!" Fred hates the word ‘celebrity’ yet he’s done Celebrity Mastermind (twice) and Celebrity Masterchef (once) and who can forget his Celebrity Fame Academy for Comic Relief (Answer: hopefully everyone). 14+, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult

An exhibition of paintings, drawings and constructions by Alastair Strachan, Carolyn Mason, Paul Eames and Nicola Carberry Paintings, drawings, collages and constructions by Alastair Strachan, Carolyn Mason, Paul Eames and Nicola Carberry, exploring their visual understanding of the spaces, objects and experiences of the everyday. The artists are connected by commonalities in approach; each preoccupied with the making of the painted or sculpted image; each reconstructing their visual experience to create works that speak about their own making alongside their subject. Working directly from the motif, sketches and his visual memory - the buildings and liminal spaces of his surroundings; the life room model; and portraiture populate Alastair Strachan’s drawings, painted collages and constructions. Carolyn Mason creates new forms using found materials which are intrinsic to their making. The themes that inhabit her constructions are drawn from myths and stories. They challenge us to re-think the what and why of the stereotypes that inform so much of the everyday. Paul Eames’ work explores the objects or ‘things’ and spaces that we make and the stories they tell about our actions, relations and interactions, intended or otherwise. His current focus is the things that are perhaps least functional - ornaments, souvenirs, decorations, found images, class cuttings. Working from the life model online during Covid opened new explorations of the spaces we inhabit as ‘stage sets’ for Nicola Carberry; a theme she has continued as she expands small studies of interiors, made whilst travelling, into scenes of connectivity – a shared meal or living space, a view from a window. Tolbooth Gallery - Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm Exhibition runs 4 April - 30 May 2026

Celebrated for her “velvet-voiced authority” (The Scotsman), Carnie blends traditional Gaelic roots with cinematic, contemporary soundscapes. One of Scotland’s most compelling musical voices, performing with her own band, as well as the lead singer of the multi-award-winning band Mànran and a founding member of the experimental folk ensemble Staran. Kim’s voice has captivated audiences worldwide — on stage and screen alike. Her vocals feature in major film and television soundtracks, including Netflix’s Outlaw King and Black Mirror. Renowned for her passion for cultural collaboration, Kim has worked with a diverse range of celebrated artists across the globe. These include Malian griot supergroup Trio Da Kali, GRAMMY-nominated kora players Seckou Keita and Kadialy Kouyate, Basque trio Kalakan, Creole musician Cedric Watson, and the Indonesian National Orchestra, TRUST. She has also shared the stage with folk icons such as Carlene Carter, Lindsay Lou, Joshua Burnside, while touring with the prestigious Transatlantic Sessions, led by sixteen-time GRAMMY winner Jerry Douglas. Named Gaelic Singer of the Year in 2021, Kim is also a sought-after composer. Her original compositions have been commissioned by the Edinburgh Storytelling Centre, the Blas Festival, Piping Live, multiple gaming companies, and the 35-time award-winning documentary Kim Carnie: Out Loud, including ‘Best Song in a Film’ at the Milan Independent Awards. Following the critical success of her debut solo album And So We Gather, produced by Donald Shaw, Kim returns with A' Chailleach — a bold new chapter in her artistic evolution.  

At the forefront of the UK’s world and roots music scene matching fiery intensity with exquisite finesse.

Hailing from Scotland and the Lake District, 3-piece Moving Pictures play classic rush using a serious amount of gear. They've played in front of Rush producer Terry Brown, headlined RUSHfest Scotland and appeared on the tribute albums Songs For Neil Vol.1 & 2.

James Grant is one of the most renowned and respected performers Scotland has ever produced. Drawing from a broad palette of pop, folk, soul, country and blues influences, and interweaving his solo compositions with Love and Money favourites, James twins darkly literate, melodically lush songcraft with his richly potent vocals and virtuoso guitar work, leavening his performances with dashes of wickedly acerbic humour. Music to stir the heart and soothe the soul. ‘A ballsier Gram Parsons but with whiskytinged Scottish poetry for lyrics’ The Word ‘One of Scotland’s most gifted songwriters... and what a marvellous singer he is, too, spanning darkly burnished baritone depths and searing soulful intensity’ Scotsman “Music from another place.” MOJO “Panoramic.” THE SCOTSMAN “Lyrics good enough to be read as poetry.” UNCUT “Elegant and seductive.” Q MAGAZINE

Bafta award winner Karen Dunbar is one of Scotland's best-known comedy actors and DJs.  Starting off in the sketch show Chewin' the Fat, she then went on to star in her own show, The Karen Dunbar Show, which received 4 nominations for the Golden Rose European TV Awards. Karen has trod the boards in everything from Glasgow Panto to West End Classics, performed Burns, Shakespeare, done stand up and DJ-ed in New York and Ibiza, and in 2014 she opened the Commonwealth Games in front of one billion viewers. From Oran Mor to the National Theatre, Karen has captivated audiences with mix of comedy, music and acting talents and last year she toured Scotland playing 80 dates around the whole country and filmed this for BBC. Please note this is a brand new show.  If you've seen Karen before, come back and see her again whilst enjoying some of her old classics!  The Queen of Scottish Comedy will have you laughing all night long.

Trauma Industrial Complex: The Live Show Orwell Prize-winning author and BAFTA-winning documentary maker Darren McGarvey presents an entertaining multi-media exploration of trauma, class, and the modern culture of oversharing. Blending comedy, spoken word, and social commentary, McGarvey offers a bold, compassionate and unflinching look at how personal pain becomes public performance and what it really costs. Praised as brilliant and thought-provoking (Nicola Sturgeon) and truly courageous, sincere, and difficult (The Herald), the show will resonate with audiences interested in storytelling, wellbeing, and social change.

Ashley Campbell, daughter of country legend Glen Campbell began her career playing banjo and keyboard in her father’s band on several world tours and has found success as a solo artist in the country/Americana music scene; most notably with her debut single “Remembering” which she wrote for her father and is featured on the Grammy award winning and Oscar nominated album for the documentary Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me. Her original music has taken her all over the world, from China to Japan, to the main-stage at London’s O2 Arena to opening for Kris Kristofferson, the Bellamy Brothers as well as playing at Carnegie Hall with songwriting legend Jimmy Webb.

Following on from the critical and commercial success of the previous record, "In My Mind There's A Room" album, Colin MacIntyre AKA Mull Historical Society will return this year with another literary inspired marvel. This brand new collection of songs (his 10th) will feature lyrical contributions from a panoply of world-leading authors, all of whom were asked to reflect on a single significant photo to them. Amongst the collaborators on "In My Mind There's A Photograph" are best-sellers, Pulitzer, Booker, Costa, Women's Prize & Saltire Award-winners, including: Irvine Welsh, Ali Smith, Len Pennie, Jehan Bseiso, Louise Welsh, Irenosen Okojie, Paul Lynch, Colum McCann, Yiyun Lee, Alan Johnson, Dan Richards and Sir Alexander McCall Smith.

For 3 decades The Wildhearts have remained at the forefront of the British rock scene. From their classic debut album ‘Earth Vs’ (voted number one album of the year in Kerrang! back in 1993, and number 20 in the best rock albums of all time in a Kerrang! Special in 2006), through to now with the release of ‘Renaissance Men’, their first full-length studio album in 10 years, their creative output and legendary live shows have been second to none. Although the 90’s saw the band covered like a living soap opera in the press with tales of sex, drugs, bust ups, fights (both with labels and themselves), splits, more drugs and a lot more controversy (one such incident including entering and then proceeding to trash the Kerrang! Offices!), the recent years have seen the band more focused than ever before and firing on all cylinders. The Wildhearts and their incendiary shows have cemented their reputation and legacy as one of the best bands the UK has ever produced. Welcoming back their long-time bandmate and brother Danny McCormack on bass; Ginger and CJ on guitars and vocals, with Ritch Battersby on drums released their new album ‘Renaissance Men’ on May 3rd to critical acclaim.

In 2012 Michael Head launched a new project Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band. He's among the most gifted British songwriters of his generation. The Liverpool-born singer/songwriter first came to notice as a member of the Pale Fountains. Formed in 1981 in opposition to the glitz of new wave and the dourness of post-punk...

A nomad, both geographically and musically, songwriter Ross Wilson aka Blue Rose Code writes straight from – and to – the heart. His songs address universal themes of love, loss, travel, home, accepting the past and embracing the future in a deeply personal way. They are variously painted with the vibrant colours of folk, Americana, jazz, country, soul, pop and, increasingly, celtic traditions; an eclecticism that has seen him compared to John Martyn, Van Morrison and Tom Waits amongst

Amy Matthews (ITVx, Comedy Central) is scratching about in the dirt for new jokes and new ideas; come and help find them with her. This will be brand new stuff! The show is shaping up to be about what it means to support - or not support - someone dealing with alcoholism; queer joy; a stand off with a pigeon; learning to be angry; why Amy’s mum keeps milk in the car; learning about how a processing lag is affecting her life; why modern Shakespeare is so often very shite.

Jordan’s expeditions have taken him across all seven continents and to over 150 countries, from running the coldest marathons on Earth, to rowing across the world’s most dangerous waters, summiting unclimbed peaks, and attempting to be the first person to paddleboard around Britain to name just a few of his intrepid adventures. His journey is one of resilience and purpose. Through these extreme challenges and his life changing experiences, he explores how the great outdoors can inspire better mental and physical well-being while empowering people across the world to dream bigger, push their limits, and create their own path whilst having a positive impact on the world. Prepare to be inspired!

Hannah Rarity is a leading figure in the Scottish folk scene, celebrated for her exceptional voice and dynamic musical presence. Since winning the prestigious BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year award in 2018, she has consistently impressed audiences and critics alike. Hannah's talent has led her to collaborate with some of the most respected names in folk music, including Blazin’ Fiddles, Rura, Niteworks and Cherish the Ladies. Her albums, Neath the Gloaming Star (2018) and To Have You Near (2022), were both widely praised and shortlisted for Album of the Year at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. In 2022, she was invited to serve as co-musical director for the Opening Concert of Celtic Connections: 'Neath The Gloaming Star'. Known for her hauntingly beautiful voice and, increasingly, her poignant self-penned songs, Hannah effortlessly blends folk, contemporary, and original material, drawing comparisons to vocal legends like Eva Cassidy and Joan Baez. A versatile performer, she is in high demand as a collaborator, session vocalist, tutor, and MC, hosting Celtic Connections’ renowned Late Night Sessions & Brew and A Blether. Her career highlights include featured performances in 'A Celtic Christmas Sojourn' alongside The Fretless, with Brian O'Donovan & WGBH in Boston (2018), collaborations with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at Proms in the Park, and numerous UK television appearances, including BBC Hogmanay (2015, 2017, and 2020). With performances across Europe, Australia, and the UK, Hannah continues to captivate audiences worldwide. “Not only has she a wonderful voice, she has gravitas. When she sings, we are compelled to listen.” - Irish Music Magazine

Hailing from the Isle of Skye, the legendary Scottish trailblazers have created a glorious mixture of traditional sounds and dance-floor grooves that have been embraced worldwide. Drawing upon a dazzling myriad of influences from jigs and reels through Dance Music, Jazz, African, and more, they bring the sound of Scotland fresh-faced and breathless to the new audiences around the world. From the moment they take to the stage, the mood is set for a no-nonsense feel-good atmosphere, each number sounding like an encore itself. The traditional styles that influence the musicians are still to be heard and when an unexpected drop-down to those glorious core melodies sneaks in the result is spine-chilling! In short, it rocks, and the audience becomes part of the experience. 2025 sees the Peatbog Faeries 34th year as a band.. with new materiel and a new enthusiasm, ‘I see a world’ is the first new studio album from the Peatbog Faeries since 2015’s critically acclaimed ‘Blackhouse’. Since 1996, the Peatbog Faeries have pushed the boundaries of Scottish music.. combining traditional tunes with everything from Drum and Bass to Malian guitar, creating a sound that’s uniquely their own. Guest artists include the truly beautiful voices of Heather Macleod and Gina Rae, the incredible horns of Helena Kay, the Uilleann Pipes from Ireland’s finest, Ryan Murphy, and the talents of master percussionist Krishna Kishor all the way from Chennai in India. The band is made up of Peter Morrison on pipes and whistles, Ross Couper on fiddle, Innes Watson on fiddle, vocals and acoustic guitar, Tom Salter on guitar, Norman Willmore on keyboards and sax, Innes Hutton on bass and Stuart Brown on drums. Invariably the band travel with their own sound engineer, as well as a lighting engineer to ensure their famous shows become a truly memorable experience on every level for their audiences. Peatbog Faeries have become firm favourites at festivals and venues across the UK and have toured the world with their inventive and unique brand of music never failing to fill the floor and delight crowds. Age – 14+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

Originally from the Scottish Highlands, Grace Stewart-Skinner has been steeped in traditional music and its adjoining Gaelic culture her whole life. She started playing the clàrsach when she was 8 years old and she counts herself very lucky to now be a professional musician. Grace is no stranger to hard work and at 14 she decided to busk her way to buying her own clàrsach. This involved taking her borrowed harp to a local cafe every weekend for about two years and raising every penny herself. Grace was absolutely thrilled and honoured to be presented with a prestigious Hands Up for Trad 'Inspiration' award in 2017 in acknowledgement of her determination. At the University of Edinburgh, Grace received a MA Hons in Celtic Studies, specialising in Gaelic song. Her time at university deepened her appreciation and understanding of Scottish Gaelic. Grace holds a deep connection to the culture with her knowledge of the wider folk traditions of Scotland and Gaelic feeding into her performances and help inspire her new compositions. Grace is primarily a solo performer but she loves collaborating with musicians and artists of all genres and is in a duo with Gaelic singer, Christina Stewart. She enjoys being experimental with the clàrsach, pushing her own capabilities and those of the instrument, including using electronic effects pedals to add to her overall sound. Evie Waddell is a Gaelic and Scots singer and fiddler from Stirlingshire. She graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a BMus in Traditional Music. Her proficiency in Gaelic stems from her education within the Gaelic-medium school system. During her younger years, she actively participated in the intergenerational community group Riverside Music Project. While her passion for Scottish music is deeply rooted in the influence of Jo Miller, she also draws inspiration from Ivor Cutler, Martyn Bennett, Lisa O’Neill, and Rhiannon Giddens. In 2020, Evie had the opportunity to showcase her talents in British Sign Language (BSL), acting, music, and dance when she performed with WHYTE in the play MAIM by Theatre Gu Leòr. She went on to direct and tour her own show, Fàilte Gu BSL, between 2022 and 2023. In 2023, she was a winner of the Danny Kyle Open Stage, and in 2024 she was a semi-finalist in the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition. She released her visual EP Cluich! in February 2024. She is currently under the management of The Bothy Society. On the door - £14

Jenny Sturgeon and M G Boulter have been pen pals since 2021, maintaining the ebb and flow of a musical conversation between their respective homes on Shetland and Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Both established songwriters in their own right they cemented their collaboration through the Shetland Songwriting Festival, where they were both tutors in 2022, as well as sharing mutual musical friends and becoming label mates on the indie folk label, Hudson Records. Those catch-ups, held online across months and years, led to the quiet creation of a collection of songs which will be released in 2026. The songs reflect the topics that naturally came up in their conversations, from meditations on travel ('Holding Patterns') and family ('Jason') to idle talk about trips taken and wonders seen ('Flint Knapped'). In between touring, recording and their daily lives, the songs were pieced together from melodies rushed onto voice memos or fragments of lyrics emailed to each other for revision and tinkering. The songs are the culmination of all this work in the moments between the busyness, when two songwriters had time to sit and see what they could make of the world. On the door - £17 general admission / £15 concession

Discover the unparalleled charm and comedy of Bruce Fummey, where humour meets Scottish history and insightful storytelling. Bruce, the comedian behind the 230k subscriber YouTube channel Scotland History Tours, returns home to Perth with a new show packed with laughs as he explains how Scotland Made the World in his own inimitable style. His unique approach showcases and celebrates Scottish culture and history in a way that will not only keep you fully engaged, but have you roaring with laughter. Every Saturday morning UK-time, Bruce posts a story from Scotland’s history on his hugely successful YouTube channel. This live show will deliver more jokes than you get from the videos, and some might even make you blush, but you’ll leave having learned about Scotland’s role in the world while laughing along the way. Nominated for comedy awards in Australia, at home in Scotland and even named Scottish Comedian Of The Year, Bruce has appeared on ABC series Stuff The British Stole and many UK TV and radio shows.

THEY'RE BACK!! Don't miss the hilarious all-star Sneak Peek Edinburgh Fringe previews back at the Tolbooth (attic space) - featuring some of the UK’s best headlining comedians - off notes and off adrenaline! We are absolutely delighted to welcome the brilliant comedy stars Connor Burns, Craig Hill, Kai Humphries and Daniel Petrie this year, and we can guarantee you an uproarious and fun night of laugh-out-loud standup. Please note these shows are still a work in progress, there will be some strong language and although they might not be slick, they sure will be funny! Book now! CRAIG HILL – Renowned for his high-octane, irreverent live comedy, Craig’s razor-sharp wit and outrageous audience rapport have seen Scotland's favourite kilted comedian also become a superstar in Australia. He tours non stop across Europe, Australia (including the Sydney Opera House) and recently blew the roof off New York in his own solo season off-Broadway ! “Flat-out hilarious... I’ve not heard a room laugh so long and hard... There isn’t anyone better at working a crowd... the audience was in absolute paroxysms of laughter... Genuinely funny” ★★★★★ (The Mirror) KAI HUMPHRIES– Blyths’ very own comedy star who has toured across 55 countries opening for his best friend Daniel Sloss, is the co-host of hit podcast "Sloss and Humphries on the Road" , and has toured 8 of his own solo shows around Australia as well as a run off-Broadway and a massive 25 date tour around Europe! “Absolutely brilliant… Pure stand-up… honest, relatable and upbeat, you can’t help but like him… Fabulous” ★★★★★ (Voice Mag) “Phenomenally funny… A fantastic comic who is smart, funny, and crude all at once… perpetually upbeat charisma, pushing and pulling us between laughter and empathy… Not to be missed!” (Broadway Baby) CONNOR BURNS - Brilliant stand-up from one of the fastest rising new stars of Scottish comedy, who has performed at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, opened for Daniel Sloss in New York and has just finished his first-ever solo UK tour, adding loads of extra shows and selling over 10,000 tickets in Edinburgh alone... ‘‘There is a great comedy talent at work here. The material is packed in like chips in a poke and Burns himself is genuinely likeable… There is nothing he sets his comedic sights on that he misses… he is fearless and it is wonderful… hilarious!" ★★★★★ The Scotsman Glasgow born and bred DANIEL PETRIE is an hilarious deadpan persona and baked potato super-fan. Winner (2023) Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award; (2023) BBC New Comedy Award finalist (2025); Pleasance Reserve, Edinburgh Fringe; Doctor, 2023-present, NHS.. ‘Scarily good’ Daniel Sloss Artists subject to availability Age limit is 16+ and tickets are strictly limited (these are in-studio performances)

Having grown up in the West Coast Coigach peninsula of the Scottish Highlands – an area steeped in culture and local traditions – Mairearad was introduced to folk music at an early age. Renowned for her deft and lyrical accordion style, as well as her dextrous piping, and haunting vocals, Mairearad is in great demand as a performer and composer. To celebrate the launch of her new album, Tìm, Mairearad will be joined by multi-instrumentalist, Mike Vass for a special live performance at The Tolbooth on Saturday 1st August.

British singer-songwriter Tom Mcrae, along with his regular touring musicians ‘The Standing Band’, has been quietly moving up the ranks of the most respected songwriters in the world today after releasing 7 critically acclaimed studio albums over the last 15 years and writing for a variety of artists and singers. Mcrae’s eponymous debut album in 2000 was nominated for a The Mercury Prize, a Q Magazine Award, and a Brit, and the subsequent two years of touring cemented his reputation as one the most entertaining and powerful artists touring today. Mcrae’s second album, Just Like Blood, released to wide acclaim, with every track being licensed for TV and film use, his style of music fitting perfectly the darker output of LA’s film studios. Since then, Essex-born Mcrae has released five more albums, relocated internationally three times and set up his own label Buzztree Studios in Cornwall- and there’s no sign that he’s going to be slowing down anytime soon. Mcrae and his tour mates, The Standing Band, a collection of incredible musicians and loyal friends, released their latest record ‘Did I Sleep and Miss The Boarder’ this Autumn. The album and its accompanying tour have further added to the cult that is rapidly springing up around this talented and dedicated artist and his ragtag band. For an artist working in a genre often considered by the music press to be ‘sensitive and self-indulgent’, Mcrae possesses the talent to blow the roof off a venue with his passionate performances, as well as the innate ability forge a strong humorous bond with his audience.

As the singer in I Am Kloot from 1999 to 2014, John Bramwell achieved a Mercury Prize nomination for 2010’s The Sky At Night, a Top 10 chart position for 2013’s Let It All In, numerous UK and European tours and a triumphant farewell at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with an orchestra in 2014. Now, as a solo artist, Bramwell travels a very different path, a path that criss-crosses the length and breadth of the UK with a humble agenda of taking his heart-warming songs to the stage and enjoying another moment in time with his devoted fans.

Paul McKenna is one of Scotland’s leading folk voices, praised for his emotive singing and contemporary songwriting. Since forming The Paul McKenna Band in 2006, he has earned accolades including Scots Singer of the Year and performed worldwide. His music blends traditional roots with modern influences, seen in collaborations with artists like Tim O’Brien, Dave Gunning, and Ímar. The band’s latest release, Setting Sun, pays tribute to traditional folk with fresh arrangements of timeless songs. Paul has also featured at major festivals like Celtic Connections and shared stages with Dick Gaughan, Cara Dillon, and Billy Bragg, among many others. Tickets in Advance £15 Standard and £13 Concession plus £2 booking fee Tickets on the Door: £18 Standard and £16 Concession

Pushing boundaries in Scottish Trad Music with a captivating modern twist. Catch Cala now as they perform their must see live show.

GOSSIP Collective presents ‘Golden Repair’ our annual group exhibition. With a starting point of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold, artists have drawn on themes of community, belonging and balance to respond creatively. A multidisciplinary exhibition, featuring textiles, painting, film and printmaking, ‘Golden Repair’ seeks to explore and create a dialogue with the audience about how we move forwards when things happen in our lives, both personally, and collectively-as a community. Celebrating imperfection, bringing fragments back together and bringing a harmony and balance to objects and artworks in a way that celebrates their stories.

A ray of light for a long winter night, Shooglenifty will get you on your feet with their electric new tunes and a full-on set of old favourites. The band celebrates 30 years together, and for this anniversary tour they have a brand new fiddler in the shape of Eilidh Shaw.

The Gaelic cross-over voice of his generation. Norrie is a singer of range, clarity and melody, and although firmly rooted in Gaelic tradition, he has a voice completely at ease with a backbeat, effortlessly exploring rhythm and modern idioms.” – Calum MacDonald, Runrig Norrie “Tago” MacIver is a singer/songwriter from Carloway in the Isle of Lewis and is currently living in Fife after many years away from home. Norrie moved down to Glasgow to attend the RSAMD where he graduated with Honours in 2009. During his time in Glasgow, Norrie was the lead singer of the award winning band Bodega, who in 2006 won the BBC radio 2 Young Folk Awards. This allowed the band to play at some of the biggest festivals in the UK including Cambridge Folk Festival. Bodega also went on to win Folk band of the Year at the MG Alba Scot Trad Music awards in 2008. Since arriving in Glasgow, Norrie has played and toured all over the world including America, Canada, Australia and South Korea, as well as throughout Europe. In 2010 Norrie became the lead singer of Manran who made a name for themselves by releasing the single Latha Math, which was written by Norrie himself, and the band went on to sell over 5000 copies of the single in the first week on iTunes. In December 2011 Norrie was voted Gaelic singer of the Year at the MG Alba Scot Trad Music awards. Manran were also successful that year winning Album of the year at the same awards. As part of Manran, Norrie toured extensively through Europe and America as well as the UK. 2014 saw Norrie record and release his first solo album ‘Danns an Rathaid’ which he released on his own record label, Tago Records. He was joined on the album by some of Scotland’s finest musicians including Brian McAlpine, who co-produced the album alongside Norrie. The album features some of Norrie’s own songs, as well as songs he has put his own stamp on. In December 2015, Norrie decided to leave Manran to focus on other projects and to have time for his solo career. In February 2016, Norrie joined Skipinnish as their new lead singer. Skipinnish have since appeared at festivals and venues all over the UK, selling out venues such as the Barrowlands and Usher Hall. Norrie has also released tow albums with Skipinnish since joining, “The Seventh Wave” and “Steer By The Stars” In 2018 Norrie was approached by Paul MacAlindin and the Glasgow Barons to write four new songs based on the history of Govan. This was a great opportunity for Norrie who had always wanted to perform with an orchestra. After the success of the first concert, Norrie went on to write a total of 13 new songs that he performed over 3 concerts with the orchestra.Together, Norrie and the Glasgow Barons recorded an album of all the songs during lockdown which was released in December 2020. In 2021 Norrie won “Online Performance” at the MG Alba Trad Music awards!

Iain Morrison is a musician and songwriter originally from the Isle of Lewis, making his debut performance at the Stirling Tolbooth. He will be joined on stage by Joe Smillie (drums, Modern Studies) and Gordon Maclean (bass, King Creosote).

Mesmerising folk duo Ordinary Elephant have spent the better part of the last decade on a Never-ending tour that's earned married couple Crystal and Pete Damore widespread critical acclaim and made fans of luminaries like Tom Paxton and Mary Gauthier. In 2017, the pair took home the International Folk Music Award for Artist of the Year on the strength of their breakout album, Before I Go, and two years later, they returned with the similarly lauded Honest, which the Associated Press hailed as "one of the best Americana albums of the year." The band's new stripped-down, self-titled collection is the purest distillation of their sound yet, showcasing the arresting power of the couple's gorgeous harmonies and intricate fretwork. The songs are timeless, rooted in rich, character-driven storytelling, and the performances are similarly transportive, fuelled by delicately intertwined banjo, guitar, and octave mandolin. Though the songs were born out of a period of deep uncertainty, the record itself is a work of profound self-assurance, one delivered by a duo whose personal and professional lives embody the limitless possibility of honest, organic collaboration. Press play on Ordinary Elephant and you'll hear more than just a husband and wife; you'll hear the sound of sincerity and commitment, of patience and gratitude, of learning to let go of expectation and revel in the simple beauty of the moment. Advance Tickets: £15 standard and £13 concession plus £2.00 booking fee. Tickets on the door: £18 standard and £16 concession

The Poozies are a Scottish (originally) all-female trad band formed in 1990. They were at the forefront of a wave that revolutionised traditional Scots and Gaelic music in the 1990s. Throughout the years they have toured worldwide, attracting recognition and appreciation for their eclectic choice of material, unusual and exciting arrangements, and notable vocal harmonies. The Poozies have been mistresses of cosmic shape-shifting for a miraculous 35 years…. Pioneers from the beginning, with a healthy dose of sass and irreverence, they paved the way for sparkly women folkies in a beardy man’s world. The band continue to be anchored by the glorious bass of founding member Mary Macmaster’s electro-harp, while the irrepressible riotousness of Eilidh Shaw & Sarah McFadyen’s twin fiddles and the shimmering joyfulness of Mike Bryan’s guitars burst off to happily explore other musical dimensions. The band are ever-evolving, and 2026 will see them further embrace their unique brand of Trad-Punk with defiantly idiosyncratic new music featuring top notch guest drummers Donald Hay and / or Kenny Knowles. The blissful result is an unrivalled mix of songs that make you sing and tunes that make you dance. Energy, Seduction, Rascality and Invention. …Alive with dynamic gear changes, tempos, moods and winsome catchiness, often hypnotic in its lure. Sue Wilson, Celtic Connections Advance Tickets: £21 standard and £19 concession plus £2.00 booking fee Tickets on the door: £24 standard and £22 concession

Liv Dawn is a folk-pop singer-songwriter from Loch Lomond who crafts compelling tales of love, hope and ambition. Drawing inspiration from the stunning landscapes of her homeland, Liv creates songs that bring a sense of peace and connection to nature. Her lyrics, much like storytelling, captures the everyday experiences and emotions of life and relationships. Liv is a BBC Radio Scotland Singer-Songwriter Award finalist and has performed at iconic Scottish venues including the Barrowland Ballroom and King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. Showcasing her music at festivals such as Celtic Connections, Edinburgh Fringe, Skye Live, Belladrum and Eden Festival, Liv has also supported artists including Del Amitri, Tom Walker, Tide Lines, and Skerryvore. Following her debut EP ‘Beautiful Daydream’ (released 2023), which explored themes of growing up, relationships, and chasing dreams, Liv released her new six-track EP ‘Hopeful Wandering’ on 17th October 2025. With full band production, the EP continues to explore navigating life, love and adventure, blending folk, pop, and soft rock textures with her core singer-songwriter sound. Liv’s music has received media coverage from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio Scotland, Amazing Radio, Northern Exposure Magazine, CLOUT, Lefuturewave, Daily Record, HMV, The Scotsman, SNACK Mag, Tenement TV, and The Skinny. Advance tickets: £13/ £11 (plus £2 booking fee) Tickets on the door: £16/ £14

With a timeless yet fresh voice, Alice creates intricate musical tapestries, infusing every note with her evocative approach to storytelling. Recognised as the Best Acoustic Act at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards in 2023 and nominated for Sound Of Scotland 2024, Alice recently supported Rufus Wainwright and counts the likes of Nick Lowe, Belle & Sebastien and Nadine Shah as fans, further solidifying her status as one of Scotland's most promising new musical talents. Presented by Akira Live. This is a 16+ event.

Calum MacPhail - Live in Concert Scottish singer, songwriter, and accordionist Calum MacPhail is making waves with his vibrant fusion of traditional Scottish folk and Irish music. An exciting new presence on the Celtic live music scene, Calum first made his mark at just 16 when he founded the award-winning folk band Hò-rò, touring internationally and captivating audiences with his high-energy performances. Now, he brings his latest theatre show to the stage alongside his talented band, fresh from the release of his acclaimed album Highlands to Heartlands, featuring the fan-favourite single Bonnie Wee Jeannie. In the past two years, Calum has built a loyal fanbase through sold-out performances, including standout shows at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness and appearances at the prestigious Royal Highland Show. His growing reputation has also led to support slots for some of Ireland’s biggest stars, including The Tumbling Paddies, Nathan Carter, and Derek Ryan. His success has extended across the Irish Sea, with numerous highly successful media and promotional tours of Ireland. Presented by Rising PR

MEURSAULT- From scratchy, electronic beginnings to string laden torch songs and pounding alt rock, Meursault has defied categorisation from the moment the project was conceived in 2008. Despite this, the distinct voice of Neil Pennycook and the unique playing of his collaborators never seem to stray too far from what is always immediately recognisable as the ‘Meursault sound’. Critically acclaimed and a regular fixture on many an ‘end of year list’, Meursault is a live act not to be missed or soon forgotten. Age: 14+ under 18s must be accompanied by an adult On Door Prices: £18 standard/ £16 concession

From joining David Byrne on stage at the Carnegie Hall when his Welcome To Dreamland show brought the progenitors of alt-folk movement to the US’s most famous concert hall, to being a key part of the house band for the magical collaborative Zero Degrees of Separation tour, playing alongside Vashti Bunyan, Devendra Banhart, Vetiver, and Adem in some iconic venues. Now she emerges into her own limelight with her soon to be released solo record The Lightswitch produced by composer/performer/producer Adem (The Ballad of Wallis Island, Philip Selway, Hot Chip), featuring the Elysian Collective on strings (Pulp, Fontaines DC) and Chris Vatalaro on drums (Brian Eno, Anohni, Sam Amidon). Jo’s debut solo album Paperclips and Sand (2006) saw her perform live on taste-making KCRW radio show Morning Becomes Eclectic, with shows at SXSW (USA), NXNE (Canada), live sessions on BBC Radio and Single of the Week on Radio 2. Across the following years, Mango toured extensively in North America and Japan, including appearances on countless legendary stages across the world, including: The Carnegie Hall; The Roundhouse at the Electric Proms; The Sage and the Barbican as part of the Zero Degrees of Separation tour; The Getty Museum; and international festivals such as Bumbershoot, Accelerator, Greenman , Mosaic, and Perth International Arts Festival (Perth, Australia). She has collaborated on performances with musicians such as Devendra Banhart, Coco Rosie, Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Roddy Woomble (Idlewild), William Tyler (Lambchop), Richmond Fontaine, and played on bills alongside artists as diverse as Bert Jansch, Donovan, Belle and Sebastian, Hot Chip, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Silver Jews and Jenny Lewis. During this time of touring and collaborating, she met Adem Ilhan, with whom she forged a lifelong friendship and musical synergy and this led to their co-creation of her critically acclaimed second album Murmuration (2012) featuring the voices of Scottish (alt)folk luminaries such as James Yorkston, Kris Drever and Pictish Trail. More recently, Jo has been involved in the award-winning gig-theatre piece A Giant on the Bridge, which she co-devised with director Liam Hurley and the Distant Voices Community to highlight issues in the UK criminal justice system and which premiered with a full run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, winning much acclaim. Mango is also a Doctor of Musicology, and along with David Scott (of the BMX Bandits and the Pearlfishers), she co-founded Scotland’s first degree in songwriting. The release of her 3rd solo album, after a long hiatus, is sure to herald a new era for the songwriter. One where her formidable talents – honed over decades of international cross-genre creative collaboration and study of the craft of songwriting – are finally brought to a deserved wider audience. On the door tickets – £16-£17 (incl. £2 BF)

Multi-award-winning guitarist and composer Martin Taylor MBE has been described by Jeff Beck as “the best guitarist in the world” and by Pat Metheny as “one of the most awesome solo guitar players in history.”, and his inimitable style has seen him recognized as the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing. Renowned internationally for his warm stage presence, dazzling fingerstyle technique, and unforgettable interpretations, Martin has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning six decades, including collaborations with Stéphane Grappelli, Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins, and many of the world’s greatest jazz musicians. In 2007 he received the prestigious BBC Radio 2 “Heart of Jazz” Award in recognition of his career in music, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Wales Jazz Guitar Festival for his “Contribution to Jazz Guitar Worldwide”. He has also received a record 14 British Jazz Awards as a guitarist, and as a composer he was nominated for “Best Contemporary Song” in the BBC Folk Awards in 2009. The prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama made him an Honorary Doctor of Music in 2010. In 2026, Martin Taylor returns to the stage with his brand-new solo show “Standards”, celebrating the golden age of jazz through fresh and evocative arrangements of classic tunes from the Great American Songbook. Audiences can expect an evening of breathtaking musicianship, rich harmonies, and stories that transport you behind the music—from smoky jazz clubs to concert halls around the world. Whether you’re a long-time jazz lover or discovering Martin’s music for the first time, Standards promises an intimate, uplifting concert experience from one of the true greats of our time. Martin Taylor’s new album ‘Standards’ will be released on The Guitar Label in Spring 2026. “Taylor is the finest British guitarist of his generation.” The Times

Get ready for a brilliant night of stand-up comedy in the heart of Stirling. The Tolbooth plays host to a hand-picked lineup featuring some of the finest comedians on the UK and international circuit - from cult festival favourites to rising stars making their mark. Whether you're a comedy regular or looking for a brilliant night out, this is one not to miss. Headlining the night is Glenn Wool, the Canadian-born, Edinburgh-based cult hero whose sharp, philosophical storytelling has earned him a devoted following across the UK, US and beyond. A veteran of the Edinburgh Fringe and a genuinely unique voice in modern stand-up, Glenn is the perfect closer to a big night. Stepping into the middle spot is Kyle Samuel, bringing his dead pan style and self deprecating comedy that's been turning heads on the Scottish circuit. Opening the show with full force is Gareth Waugh, whose punchy, no-nonsense style is guaranteed to get the night off to a flying start. Keeping the whole evening on track with wit and warmth is MC Billy Kirkwood, one of Scotland's most accomplished comedy hosts and a crowd favourite wherever he goes. Tickets in Advance: £17 (incl. £2 booking fee) Tickets on Door: £18 (incl. £2 booking fee) Ages: 16+

All the Music Bugs Stirling elements we know and love... coming to you from the stage! Free sing-along prop bag with each child ticket.

Evie Waddell I am Evie Waddell, a Gaelic and Scots singer, and fiddler hailing from Stirlingshire. I graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a BMus Traditional Music. My proficiency in Gaelic comes from my education within the Gaelic-medium school system. During my younger years, I actively participated in the intergenerational community group Riverside Music Project. While my passion for Scottish Music is deeply rooted in the influence of Jo Miller, I also draw inspiration from Ivor Cutler, Martyn Bennet, Lisa O Neill, and Rhiannon Giddens. In 2020, I had the opportunity to showcase my talents in British Sign Language (BSL), acting, music, and dance as I performed with WHYTE in the play MAIM by Theatre Gu Leòr. I have directed and toured my own show called ‘Fàilte Gu BSL’ in 2022-2023. I was a winner of the Danny Kyle Open Stage 2023 and I am a BBC Young Traditional Musician Semi-Finalist 2024. I released my visual EP ‘Cluich!’ in February 2024. I am under the management of The Bothy Society. In 2020, I had the opportunity to showcase my talents in British Sign Language (BSL), acting, music, and dance as I performed with WHYTE in the play MAIM by Theatre Gu Leòr. The year 2022 marked a significant achievement for me, as I was named a winner of the Danny Kyle Open Stage. I released my debut EP, titled ‘Leviathan,’ on December 23rd, 2022. Moving forward from 2023, I am now under the management of The Bothy Society. Susannah Stark Susannah Stark is a visual artist, singer and composer from Fife. She has presented sound installation work, print and sculptural assemblages around Scotland and internationally, often working in collaboration with other people. In 2020 a collection of her songs ‘Time Together (Hues And Intensities)’ came out on music label STROOM.tv. Niamh Maclennan Niamh Maclennan is a singer-songwriter from the picturesque Applecross peninsula, now based in Glasgow. Her music blends contemporary sounds with hints of Scottish tradition, combining soulful vocals and infectious guitar riffs. Known for her emotive and captivating performances, Niamh's songs invite listeners into a space where vulnerability meets empowerment. £10 incl booking fee - general admission (advance) £6 incl booking fee - under 25s, students (advance) £12 incl booking fee general admission (on the door) £7 incl booking fee under 25s, students (on the door)

Join us for a vibrant and inspiring daytime Refugee Week celebration at the Tolbooth in Stirling on Saturday 13th June. This special event brings together an extraordinary lineup of artists and performers from across the world. First, published Ukrainian poet Anna Yanenko will perform a selection of her moving and beautifully crafted poetry. Yemeni artist Shatha Altowai will showcase her powerful and captivating artwork, offering a unique visual journey through her experiences and creativity. Accompanying the talk will be the rich and soulful sounds of talented pianist Saber Bamatraf. We are also delighted to welcome the Glasgow-based collective Musicians in Exile, who will present an uplifting performance featuring music from a diverse range of cultures and countries. Join us during the day to celebrate culture, creativity, and community, and be part of an event that highlights the voices and talents of artists with refugee backgrounds. Tolbooth Café Bar will be open and serving some specials inspired by some of the countries presenting at the event. Together We Thrive: FVW Refugee Week Event – Fill in form Supported by Scottish Refugee Council through the Refugee Festival Scotland’s Small Grants Programme, and Stirling Council via Tolbooth

Bafta award winner Karen Dunbar is one of Scotland’s best-known comedy actors and DJs. Starting off in the sketch show Chewin’ the Fat, she then went on to star in her own show, The Karen Dunbar Show, which received 4 nominations for the Golden Rose European TV Awards. This is a brand new show. If you’ve seen Karen before, come back and see her again whilst enjoying some of her old classics! The Queen of Scottish Comedy will have you laughing all night long.

Following the overwhelming response to last year's celebrated Two Wheels Good tour, Martin McAloon is hitting the road again this autumn — this time bringing Prefab Sprout's landmark album Steve McQueen to towns, cities and venues that the tour didn't reach first time around. Steve McQueen – Slight Return is a joyful acknowledgement of the demand that never quite went away. "Following the national and international success of the Two Wheels Good tour," says Martin, "it seemed right to acknowledge just how many people were asking for more — in places we hadn't yet reached. I'm buoyed by the reception these songs received, and I'm thrilled to be taking the album out on the road one last time." One of the most beloved British records of the 1980s, Steve McQueen will be performed in full — and that's just the beginning. As with last year's shows, Martin will also be drawing from the wider Prefab Sprout catalogue, bringing to life as many of his brother Paddy's songs as the evening will hold. Last year's repertoire stretched to over thirty songs beyond the album itself. These are evenings for fans old and new: intimate, warm, and overflowing with some of the most beautifully crafted pop songs this country has ever produced.

The Slingers are a Melbourne-based Australian alt-country band known for blending rock, electronic, and folk influences with heartfelt, witty lyrics about modern life. Formed around 2017 by childhood friends, they signed to Flightless Records in 2020 and released their debut album, Sentimentalism, in 2023, which reached #4 on the ARIA Top Australian Albums chart. AGE: 14+ STANDING ADVANCE TICKET: £12 PLUS £2 BOOKING FEE ON DOOR TICKET: £13 PLUS £2 BOOKING FEE

If It Bleeds, Nihilanth, Frayed Ends BC, Microtonal and Stitch play the biggest local metal show of the summer!