Edinburgh's Live Music Scene

Live Music in Edinburgh 

Live Bands in Edinburgh

Good places to catch up-and-coming young indie bands are La Belle Angele, The Liquid Room and The Venue, all of which are listed above under 'Clubs'.

The Liquid Room has extablished itself as good place to see touring acts such as Moby and Mogwai. They also host the T on The Fringe music festival.

The Attic, on the Cowgate (Tel: 2258382) has become the focal point for new talent. During the festival they host their own mini festival called Planet Pop.

The Playhouse Theatre (see below) is a favourite with old codgers like Lou Reed and Van Morrison. And in more recent years, the Ross Open Air Theatre in Princes Street Gardens, Tel: 2204351, has been used for major music gigs at Hogmanay and during the Festival.

Live Jazz

Live jazz can be heard in Henry's Cellar Bar, Morrison St, Tel: 2211228. Also know as the Jazz Joint, this tiny cellar bar shows a vast range of acts. You can also eat upstairs in the Oriental restaurants.

Jazz can also be heard on Fri and Sat nights at Cellar No 1. Occasional jazz concerts, as well as a growing number of top rock and pop gigs, also take place at the Queen's Hall.

One of the best places to hear authentic grassroots folk music is The Royal Oak (see under 'Bars'). Another good bet is the Tron Ceilidh House, 9 Hunter Square, behind the Tron Kirk, Tel: 2201550. Below the ground floor bar are two basement levels, with regular folk sessions and a comedy club. Open Sun-Thu till 2400, Fri/Sat till 0100.

Nighthawks should head down to Whistlebinkies, Niddry St, Tel: 5575114, where you can listen to raucous folk till 0300. Two more popular folk venues are upstairs in the famous Café Royal in West Register Street (see under 'Bars') and the West End Hotel in Palmerston Place (see under 'Sleeping'). The West End Hotel is also a good place to find out where and when ceilidhs are taking place in the city.