There are few musicians who have as significant place in the hearts of the Acoustic Edinburgh regulars as this month’s headline act. Donna Maciocia is a ludicrously talented songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and singer who rose to prominence as the leading light behind cult-legends Amplifico (and has been known to lend her vocal magic to the work of our very own KT Tunstall). Donna caused widespread dismay north of the border when she decided a few years back to relocate to London, so we are extremely happy that she’s made the trek north to grace our wee stage once again. Even better – there’s a rumour going round that Donna’s backing band this month will be none other than the wonderful Banana Sessions. Prepare yourselves…

As if that double-whammy of musical genius isn’t enough for you, we’ve got a string of support acts, any of whom could be headliners. Think: Kristian Labak (aka K-Lab), Clare Kennedy, The Lotus Project, and Chris Rodger. Quite a night!

See you at Medina, Lothian St, 8.30 this Tuesday. By the way, did I mention it’s still FREE!

Si

P.S. We’ll be aiming to open the doors at promptly and get the music going quickly, we’ve got so much talent to get through.

After the delicious insanity of our Comedy Covers night last month, we mustn’t forget that Acoustic Edinburgh isn’t normally about who can make the most amusing use of a wind instrument (I’m looking at you Paul, Kate and Tom…). Most of the year, our aim is to provide an intimate stage for the very best in original music.

So, it’s with some excitement that we’re welcoming back and old friend who I don’t think has played Acoustic Edinburgh since the days of the late lamented Dead Beat Club. Andy Tucker will be headlining with his ridiculously talented musical collective, the Scattered Family. It’s entirely proper that last year, Andy joined such luminaries as Norman Blake, Roddy Woomble and King Creosote by winning the prestigious Burnsong writing residency. Expect to hear lots of excellent material from his recently completed second album!

Other highlights of the night will be an unplugged set from the eclectic Miasma, returns to Medina from two of our favourite charismatic performers: Rob Sproul-Cran and Hamish Campbell, and an opening set from my ever popular co-organiser and master compere, Paul Gilbody.

As ever, doors open sometime between 8.30 and 9.00 and entry is completely, utterly and ludicrously FREE!

See you there,

Si

Happy New Year everyone!

There’s at least a chance that some of you may be feeling a little bit fragile right now. Perhaps you’re wondering what will cure your hangover/back-to-work blues after the festive season?

Well… if you’re an acoustic edinburgh regular, you may know that our January event is a little different from our usual, and it is carefully engineered by Paul and myself to be precisely the tonic that you need to kick start the new year. That’s right – it’s the Acoustic Edinburgh Hogmanay Hangover Comedy Covers night!

There’s no official line-up, but you can expect a vast array of extraordinary musical genius to be paraded in front of your eyes and ears, ending up with the ludicrously talented BANANA SESSIONS. The only rule is that everyone must perform a cover version in a surprising way. Previous years have witnessed extraordinary feats of musical silliness (such as Rage Against the Machine in gospel singalong style, banjo Aerosmith, and what Leonard Cohen might be thinking of Simon Cowell). Who knows what treats will be in store for us all this year?

Come along and find out this Tuesday, at Medina from 8.30 ish.

Cheers,
Simon

Wow – December already and what a year of music we’ve given you! From our now (in)famous Hogmanay hangover comedy covers night, through an incredible Edinburgh Fringe line-up to last month’s unforgettable “Ladies Night” we’ve had an amazing mix of some of the most sublime local, national and international acoustic artists.

What better way to end the year than with one of our favourite and most regular performers (Douglas Kay) who after a 6 year wait, finally released his 2nd album “Into your head” earlier this month at The Voodoo Rooms. The album launch was completely sold out so if you couldn’t get a ticket, here’s your chance to find out what all the fuss was about.

He’ll be headlining with The Douglas Kay Band and no doubt inspiring you with some Christmas gift ideas!
Also on the bill is John Sloan’s brand new outfit United Wire, a debut from incredible Fife-based trio Bob Hillary and the Massive Mellow, the return of the inimitable Graeme Mearns and some loop pedal voodoo from our own Paul Gilbody.

This is our final event of 2009 and it’s promising to be a cracker! (pun intended…)

See you there!
Paul & Si.

Of Douglas Kay:

“delightful… beautiful acoustic melodies” Karen Dorrat, T-Break Reviews

Headline: KAT HEALY
with: CARRIE MACDONALD, HANNAH NICHOLSON, NICKY CARDER, and INGE. Plus DJ sets from SUSANNA MACDONALD

Entry: Free!

Every year, Paul and I wish we could somehow experience Acoustic Edinburgh just like you all do… crashed out on the cushions with a nice relaxing beer (or three) listening to glorious live music and unusual tunes from the laptop without a care in the world. It was out of this desire that the somewhat anachronistically named “Ladies Night” was born. The idea is that some of our very best female musical friends get to take-over Acoustic Edinburgh entirely for the night and run the show. Bliss.

This year, it is the turn of the supremely talented KAT HEALY to take over Acoustic Edinburgh. The Evening News had this to say of Kat: “her musicality is nothing less than exceptional. Shifting effortlessly between joyful, playful, sorrowful and impassioned within a few songs, she held the audience spellbound”. I think that’s pretty accurate, so we were really happy when she agreed to both headline and MC for the night. Kat will be ably assisted by the wonderful SUSANNA MACDONALD on DJ duty, and joined by an incredible selection of musical talent from the best women in the business.

Come join us for what promises to be a very special night indeed! (We’ll be at the bar…)

Si

Listen to tracks from our artists by following the links above.

Headline: TOWNHOUSE
with: SAMBA SENE, ROB HOWELL, KEITH PATON, and PAUL GILBODY

Entry: Free!

Did you miss us? We decided to take a break for one month after what ended up being our most musically exciting festival yet, get over our hangovers, and look around for some great new acts for the next few months. And now we’re back! If you’re one of the new members of our email list, you should know that the first Tuesday of every month we bring you 5 of the very best live sets of music all playing “unplugged” on Medina’s diminutive stage for the incredible sum of: *completely free*.

This month, we have a mix of exciting new faces and favoured friends, with a headline from rising stars, TOWNHOUSE. Built on the songwriting of Lisa Paton (on vocals, guitar and mandolin) and Stuart Clark (vocals, cajon and guitar) and joined recently by John Farrell on bass, Townhouse are a three-piece producing rhythm-led blues, folk and acoustic soul. With a lyrical approach and a contemporary, seductive sound, we’re likely to be hearing a lot more from this band in the coming years!

See you there!
Si

Listen to tracks from our artists by following the links above.

Headline: ANDI NEATE BAND
with: FREEMOORE, LEE PATTERSON, BEX MARSHALL, and DONNA MACIOCIA

Entry: £7 (tickets from Fringe Box Office, with a limited number on the door)

It’s time for a final reminder about our weekly events throughout this month… it’s hard to believe we’re nearly at the end of Festival already. This month, there’s no doubt we’ve had the best music ever in 7 years of running Acoustic Edinburgh, and it’s sad our festival specials are coming to an end.

We always knew that the final event had to be a particular celebration, and we’ve got a couple of old friends back, as well as some excellent debut sets. Our headline act is none other than the hugely popular and talented ANDI NEATE BAND, now promoting Andi’s fifth and award winning album, Crows, Rooks and Ravens. Check out what the press have been saying about her:

“An upbeat, sophisticated air that is easily on a par with Beth Orton, Suzanne Vega and Tori Amos…” Get Rhythm

“gobsmackingly good voice… and talent coming out of her ears…” 3 Weeks

“the best female voice we’ve heard in years…” Lothian Life

“Street-tough acoustic artist looks set to go far…” MU Magazine

“Uplifting and elegant …” FATEA Magazine

As ever, you can check Andi and all our other artists out by following links above.

See you there!
Si

Headline: ROSIE BROWN
with: EMILY SCOTT, ELEMENTS, DULCINEA, and SUSANNA MACDONALD

Entry: £7 (tickets from Fringe Box Office, with a limited number on the door)

Another brief reminder that we’re running every Tuesday through the festival this month, with probably the best ever line-up we’ve had.

This week’s headline act is probably the most hotly anticipated we’ve had for a long while. Paul and I have been working behind the scenes over the last few years to get ROSIE BROWN back north to play again on our bijou stage, and we’ve finally succeeded! She and her band have a cult following down south, and are no stranger to standing ovations at venues like the famed Ronnie Scott’s. A long time ago they played a month-long run at the Edinburgh Festival, garnering 5-star reviews. Rosie’s voice has been compared to Cat Power and Billie Holiday and her songwriting to Joni Mitchell and John Martyn (comparisons to the latter become all the more appropriate with Bernd Rest’s incredible guitar playing). Mojo wrote: “As fresh and enveloping as morning mist – and as disquietingly opaque – the music of Rosie Brown weaves a wondrous spell”.

It’s great, on the heels of their third album, to welcome them back to Edinburgh – don’t miss out on this rare chance to see them!

As ever, you can check Rosie and all our other artists out by following links above.

See you there!
Si

Tuesday 11th Aug 9.00 -12.00 @ Medina, Lothian St

Headline: POLLY PAULUSMA
with: KIM EDGAR, SANDRA MACBETH, MAYHEW, PAUL GILBODY

Entry: £7 (tickets from Fringe Box Office, with a limited number on the door)

Another brief reminder that we’re running every Tuesday through the festival this month, with a line-up so good you simply can’t stay away.

This week, the headline comes from someone who provided one of the highlights of our 7-year history. POLLY PAULUSMA cast an extraordinary spell on our audience last time she played a couple of years back (you could hear a pin drop during her set, and at times I wondered if the audience had forgotten to breathe). Polly brings equal measures of darkness and light into her extraordinary songwriting and raises hairs on the back of your neck with her vocal delivery. It is a tremendous pleasure to have her back after a long hiatus from touring. In fact, this is one of only three dates she is playing in 2009!

As ever, you can check out our artists by following the links above.

See you there!

Si

Full listings on our Events Page

It’s Festival time again, and we’ve got a truly stellar line up of acts performing every Tuesday in August. We sold out last year, and with five star reviews from Three Weeks and the Edinburgh Guide, tickets are already being snapped-up for this years events. So get yours early from the Fringe Box Office! We will hold some back for selling on the door each night, so if you find the event you want to go to is sold out, then don’t despair, but do get to the venue early to ensure you get in.

Here’s the line up and running order for each event:

4th Aug (preview show) :: Ziggy Campbell & Nuala Kennedy, Alex Cornish, Sabai, Bosie, and Gecko 3 (£5)

11th Aug :: Paul Gilbody, Mayhew, Sandra MacBeth, Kim Edgar, and Polly Paulusma (£7)

18th Aug :: Susanna MacDonald, Dulcinea, Elements, Emily Scott, and Rosie Brown (£7)

25th Aug :: Donna Maciocia, Bex Marshall, Lee Patterson, Freemoore, and Andi Neate Band (£7)

A breathtaking collection of musical talent, and ludicrously good value for a Festival show. But don’t take my word for it:

“without doubt the best musical event I’ve seen so far on the Fringe. The music was unbelievably good” Three Weeks

See you there!
Simon