The List Issue 755

INSIDE the list

STUDENT GUIDE 2019

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

GLASGOW & EDINBURGH EVENTS GUIDE 1 S E P–31 OCT 20 1 9 | I SSU E 755 LIST.CO.UK

T

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

FREE

t a e r g e h

y b s d a G HANNAH ON LIFE AFTER NANETTE

PLUS SONICA

SQIFF

EDDIE IZZARD

CRYPTIC'S FEAST OF VISUAL ARTS IS BACK

QUEER FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR TAKE FIVE

COMEDY LEGEND'S BRAND NEW SHOW HITS THE ROAD

a modern tradition

anCnoc.com #ModernTradition

CONTENTS 1 SEP–31 OCT 2019 | LIST.CO.UK

S

ummer's coming to a close after another incredible festival season and it's safe to say that we're probably all collectively shattered. But as the dark nights begin to roll around once again, we'll hopefully be able to get a bit of a rest before the official best time of the year – aka Halloween – arrives.

Aside from Halloween, there's some cracking festivals to come over the next few months.

Cryptic's Sonica is back with another brilliant and diverse programme, with highlights including Max Cooper (page 34) and Yuri Suzuki (page 36). Meanwhile, this year's SQIFF (page 31), Bloody Scotland (page 54) and Dance International Glasgow (page 89) all have inspiring events to look forward to.

Elsewhere, we look ahead to some of the great comedy coming up this autumn and winter and speak to Hannah Gadsby (page 20), Eddie Izzard (page 26) and Still Game's Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill (page 22). Plus, we take a peek at the programme for this year's Africa in Motion film festival (page 41) and Electronic Glasgow (page 38), a series of events showcasing the city's finest electronic music.

That's not all though, as we've got our Student Guide (page 102) for you to browse, which features all our tips for eating, drinking, shopping, going out and lots more. Our next issue will be out on 1 Nov and it's guaranteed to be a special one with the announcement of our Hot 100 list. If you're keen on celebrating with us, turn to page 15 to find out how you can join in on the fun at our annual shindig.

FRONT Realist

6

News

13

Bradley Wiggins

17

FEATURES

19

Hannah Gadsby

20

SQIFF

31

Sonica

34

FOOD & DRINK

COVER STORY

There's plenty to look forward to over the next few months as far as comedy goes so we thought we'd give the genre some extra love. First of all, Australian comic and our cover star Hannah Gadsby tells us about her brand new show Douglas, which arrives in the UK in October.

Elsewhere, we chat to Still Game's Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill and catch up with the ever-interesting Eddie Izzard, ahead of his latest blockbuster show.

102

PHOTO:COREY BARTLE-SANDERSON

34

AUTUMN COMEDY SPECIAL

44

David Ramsden

48

AROUND TOWN Take One Action

BOOKS

STUDENT GUIDE 2019

The fifth edition of Cryptic’s award-winning festival of world-class visual sonic arts arrives in Glasgow this October. We speak to Max Cooper and Yuri Suzuki, who make up two major highlights on the programme.

Make it your best year yet with our Student Guide, with top tips about the best gigs, eats and more to be found in Edinburgh and Glasgow. We also chat with industry figures in comedy, theatre and visual art about making the most of your uni years.

GREAT OFFERS

COVER PHOTO: BEN KING

10 Win tickets to Edinburgh Art Fair 2019

10 Win tickets to Dance International Glasgow

10 Win 12 free drop-in classes at Dance Base

50

53 53

Bloody Scotland

54

Kirsty Logan

54

COMEDY

57

Romesh Ranganathan

57

James Acaster

59

Jeannie Jones

59

61

Kung Fu Film Festival

61

The Souvenir

62

The Farewell

63

Judy

64

KIDS

68

Stick Man

68

Atlantis Banal

69

MUSIC

73

Richard Hawley

73

Volbeat

74

Lewsberg

76

Sampa the Great

80

The Night With . . .

84

89

Dance International Glasgow

89

Little Miss Sunshine

90

The Drift

92

Scottish Ballet: The Crucible

93

TELEVISION Louis Theroux

VISUAL ART Nick Cave

10 Win tickets to Museum Late: A Highland Fling

50

Wigtown

THEATRE & DANCE

SONICA

43

Bo & Birdy

FILM

Editor

4

Linda McCartney Retrospective

FIRST & LAST Tape Face

97 98

99 99 100

136 136

GRAPHIC CONTENT

CONTRIBUTORS PUBLISHING Editor Arusa Qureshi Subeditor Paul McLean

What we’ve been talking about Upon hearing the terribly exciting news (for those of a certain vintage) that Worzel Gummidge is being remade with Mackenzie Crook in the tatty lead role made famous by Jon Pertwee (he loved ‘a slice of cake’ did our Worz), we wondered what childhood TV shows should make a dramatic return

There should be an Arthur remake casting John Legend: I’d definitely watch that

Fingerbobs, obviously. With Steve Coogan presenting. Though a live action remake would work too

Remember Willo the Wisp, voiced

by Kenneth Williams? Has to be Joe Lycett for a reboot

Back in Canada, my friends and I would watch Disney’s after-school cartoon show Recess every day. I would love to see a live-action remake starring Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin from Stranger Things) as the main character and group ringleader TJ Detweiler

Super Gran was, I suppose, a bit annoying, but maybe Judi Dench or Helen Mirren might do a job on sassing it up a bit.

Though to keep the Scottish angle going, how about Maggie Smith?

4 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

Senior Designer Lucy Munro Designers Stuart Polson, Seonaid Rafferty

Boo yaka

Head of Development, Publishing Andy Carmichael

sha

!

SuperTed, starring Ted. From the Ted films

Section Editors: Books Lynsey May, Comedy / Front Brian Donaldson, Dance / Kids Kelly Apter, Film Reviews Emma Simmonds, Food & Drink Donald Reid, Music: Gigs / TV Henry Northmore, Music: New Releases Arusa Qureshi, News Katharine Gemmell, Student Guide Deborah Chu, Katharine Gemmell Theatre Gareth K Vile, Visual Art Rachael Cloughton Advertising & Events: Senior Events and Promotions Manager Rachel Cree, Senior Account Managers Ross Foley, Debbie Thomson, Account Manager Jakob Van den Berg, Ad Ops Executive Victoria Parker, Events Development Executive Amy Clark Publishing Director Sheri Friers

I would love a new animated version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with Donald Glover, Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan and Ice Cube as Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo and Raphael. And maybe Queen Latifah could voice Master Splinter

DATA AND CONTENT SERVICES Content Manager Murray Robertson, Senior Content Producer Alex Johnston, Content Producers Deborah Chu, Megan Forsyth, Katharine Gemmell, Julia Kajdi, Sofia Matias, Affiliate Content Executive Becki Crossley, Business Development Manager: Data Claire Hutton, Head of Data Development Andy Bowles Data Developers Alan Miller, Stuart Moir Director Data and Content Brendan Miles

THE LIST Head of Accounting & HR Sarah Reddie

Rentaghost, with a CGI Rik Mayall in the role of the excitable but not very spooky jester Timothy Claypole.

Maybe that’s a bit too sad and bleak

Bagpuss with Boris Johnson in the title role

Director Robin Hodge CEO Simon Dessain

Published by The List Ltd HEAD OFFICE: 14 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TE Tel: 0131 550 3050 editor@list.co.uk GLASGOW OFFICE: at the CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JD Tel: 0141 332 9929, glasgow@list.co.uk; list.co.uk ISSN: 0959 - 1915 © 2019 The List Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without the written permission of the publishers. The List does not accept responsibility for unsolicited material.

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The

REALIST REALIS S

PHOTO: JANE HOBSON

R E B M EPTE

2 TAKE ONE ACTION! AROUND TOWN

Film fans, cultural activists and concerned citizens all come together for this festival featuring movies and shorts on issues such as the housing crisis, gender equality, food production and human rights.

See preview, page 50. Various venues, Glasgow & Edinburgh, Wed 18–Sun 29 Sep.

PHOTO: PAUL CHAPPELLS

1 SCOTTISH BALLET: THE CRUCIBLE DANCE

Turning a classic text into a successful dance work is one of the trickiest choreographic missions. In Helen Pickett’s hands, Arthur Miller’s landmark story comes alive with propaganda, lust and mass panic all part of this very toxic and intoxicating brew. A menacing score and dramatic set also combine to make this an unforgettable highlight of the year, not just in dance but Scottish culture as a whole. See review, page 93.

Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Wed 25–Sat 28 Sep; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 17 & Fri 18 Oct.

6 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

3 STILL GAME COMEDY

It’s nearly time up for Jack, Victor and the Craiglang gang, and this farewell stage show should bring an emotional curtain down on the most popular Scottish sitcom of them all. See feature, page 22. SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Fri 27 Sep–Sun 13 Oct.

So much culture, so little time.

4 LINDA MCCARTNEY RETROSPECTIVE VISUAL ART

5 THE SOUVENIR FILM

A talented photographer in her own right, Linda Eastman proved she was not just a Beatle wife, and this exhibition shows her intimate work such as family scenes in Scotland plus rock pals including Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young. See review, page 100. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow, until Sun 12 Jan.

Joanna Hogg’s superb new film, a romantic drama, is set in the early 1980s and explores the mysterious relationship between a filmmaking student and a worker in the Foreign Office. See feature, page 19, and review, page 62. Out now.

One of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved books is adapted by Freckle Productions as the titular hero finds himself in a dog’s mouth and set on fire. Fear not, he’s sure to find his way back to his family tree. See preview, page 68. King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 6–Sun 8 Sep.

7 BLOODY SCOTLAND BOOKS

Now one of the country’s foremost literary festivals, the Bloody Scotland folk have another top line-up in place, including Yrsa Sigurdardottir and Ian Rankin, as well as wedded double acts Nicci French and Ambrose Parry. See preview, page 54. Various venues, Stirling, Fri 20–Sun 22 Sep.

8 TAPE FACE COMEDY

PHOTO: PIA JOHNSON

KIDS

PHOTO: MATT CROCKETT

PHOTO: LILJA BIRGISDOTTIR

6 STICK MAN

9 SOLARIS THEATRE

Over 50 million people have seen him strut his stuff online, and here the silent comedic artist formerly known as The Boy with Tape on His Face promises ‘new jokes, new props, same tape’. See First & Last, page 136. SEC, Glasgow, Fri 27 Sep; Dundee Rep, Sat 28 Sep.

David Greig’s adaptation of the Stanislaw Lem novel (famously turned into two different movies) features three scientists orbiting a planet and asking the big questions.

See preview, page 90. Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 12 Sep–Sat 5 Oct.

PHOTO: © JIM LAMBIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, DACS 2019

10 CUT AND PASTE: 400 YEARS OF COLLAGE

CHOSEN BY VISUAL ARTIST DAVID BATCHELOR

Collage was the most revolutionary and democratic development in art of the last 100 years. It changed how art could be made, what it could be made from, and what it could look like. Collage made perspective and modelling, and even drawing, unnecessary. It was at the heart of some of the best art of the last century and it continues to inspire artists of all kinds. Many of the sculptures in my exhibition at Ingleby are three-dimensional collages, just scraps of found materials arranged in layers and embedded in blocks of concrete. For me, the revelation of the excellent exhibition at SNGMA is in the way it finds the origins of collage not in modern art at all, but in children’s games, crafts and hobbies.

David Batchelor: My Own Private Bauhaus, Ingleby, Edinburgh, until Sat 28 Sep; Cut and Paste: 400 Years of Collage, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two), Edinburgh, until Sun 27 Oct. 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 7

R E B CTO

PHOTO: MARK COCKSEDGE

O

1 SONICA MUSIC

Cryptic are now on their fifth instalment of Sonica, featuring another programme of top-notch visual sonic arts which plays out across Glasgow over 11 days.

This is a truly international festival, too, with nations such as Argentina, Japan, Slovenia, Canada and Mexico all represented.

Among the highlights are Turner Prize nominee Luke Fowler, Oslo collective Verdensteatret and sound artist Yuri Suzuki (pictured), plus modern composers such as Ela Orleans, Nicolás Varchausky and Klara Lewis. See feature, page 34.

Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 31 Oct–Sun 10 Nov.

2 SQIFF

3 DANCE INTERNATIONAL GLASGOW

The leading Scottish film festival for the LGBTQIA+ community has a series of intriguing shorts, plus movies featuring religion, the Navajo Nation, and lesbian sexploitation. See feature, page 31. CCA, Glasgow, Wed 2–Sun 6 Oct.

This is the third ever DIG, with a programme of groundbreaking commissions mixing rising and established stars of dance including Colette Sadler, Trajal Harrell, Scottish Dance Theatre (pictured), Deborah Hay and James Batchelor.

See preview, page 89. Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 4–Sat 26 Oct.

FILM

8 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

DANCE

The

REALIST

4 HANNAH GADSBY

5 ELECTRONIC GLASGOW

After the comedy game-changer and Netflix sensation that was Nanette, the Australian comic sets aside all those plans to quit the stand-up game to bring us anther gem, this one entitled Douglas (named after one of her dogs). See feature, page 20. Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 30 Oct.

The city’s vibrant electronic music culture gets a hot boost with this celebratory event, running over two weekends, featuring the likes of Dungeon Acid, Bosco, A Love From Outer Space, and Shaka Loves You (pictured). See feature, page 38. Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 11–Sun 20 Oct.

7 EDDIE IZZARD

8 THE DRIFT

9 WATCHMEN

Wunderbar is the semi-surreal genius’ latest blockbuster show in which he aims to bring the world together in these divisive times with the help of talking dogs and animal superheroes. Of course.

See feature, page 26. King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 2–Sat 5 Oct; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 19 & Sun 20 Oct.

Directed by Eve Nicol, poet, writer and performer Hannah Lavery’s theatrical exploration of Scottish history takes in notions of place, family and loss, steeped in the author’s own experiences as a mixed-race woman in Scotland.

See preview, page 92. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 11 & Sat 12 Oct.

Could this be the next Game of Thrones-style hit that HBO have been hotly pursuing? Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s comics classic is given the small-screen treatment in the hands of Damon The Leftovers Lindelof who insists this won’t be a literal adaptation of the original source material. See preview, page 97. Sky Atlantic, date tbc.

COMEDY

6 ATLANTIS BANAL: BENEATH THE SURFACE

MUSIC

KIDS

The queen of Scottish children’s theatre Shona Reppe brings us a new work featuring a character called Atlantis Banal, partly inspired by visual artists who work with found objects. See preview, page 69. Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, Wed 9 & Thu 10 Oct; Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling, Sat 19 Oct. PHOTO: HAZEL MIRSEPASI

COMEDY

THEATRE

TV

10 THE DUALERS

CHOSEN BY SKA BAND BOMBSKARE

We’re very much looking forward to seeing the Dualers when they hit town in September and October. These guys are epic, a ninepiece ska / reggae band from London and something of a role model for us. They have a solid DIY ethic, managing to storm the charts with no label or industry support and selling thousands of albums all on their own. They’ve even managed to get their tunes into Hollywood films which is impressive by any measure. Added to that, they’re a genuinely great live act, although they have been described as the best ska and reggae band in Britain, so naturally we are going to have to fight them. We don’t make the rules.

Bombskare, Summerhall, Edinburgh, Fri 25 Oct; The Dualers, SWG3, Glasgow, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Sep; Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Fri 18 Oct. 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 9

READER OFFERS WIN TICKETS TO MUSEUM LATE: A HIGHLAND FLING

WIN TICKETS TO EDINBURGH ART FAIR 2019

The List are teaming up with the National Museum of Scotland to give readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to their exhilarating evening Museum Late: A Highland Fling.

Experience the museum after hours at the upcoming Museum Late on Fri 1 Nov. There will be a highland flavour to the event – with activity inspired by current major exhibition Wild and Majestic: Romantic Visions of Scotland. Dress up in your tartan finery and join in the foot-stomping ceilidh with a live band in the spectacular surroundings of the Grand Gallery.

The List are teaming up with Edinburgh Art Fair to offer readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to the opening night of this year’s exhibition.

Celebrating 15 years in 2019, Edinburgh Art Fair returns to the Corn Exchange exhibiting over 60 collections from the UK, Ireland and abroad.

Past exhibitors have travelled from as far off as Australia, India, Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, The USA and Canada.

Enjoy from a selection of pop-up bars, make your own wearable tartan accessories at a crafty activity station and dance the night away at a silent disco. Explore the world-class collections and see the Museum in a whole new light.

With a wide variety of art ranging from £100 to £50,000, Edinburgh Art Fair strives to ensure there is something for everyone. Renewing their relationship with headline sponsors, BTO Solicitors, the Edinburgh Art Fair has established itself as a priority date in Edinburgh’s cultural calendar.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the question below:

To be in with a chance of winning, simply log onto list.co.uk/offers and tell us:

What is the name of the National Museum of Scotland’s major exhibition, closing on Sun 10 Nov?

Who are the headline sponsors of Edinburgh Art Fair 2019?

Museum Late: A Highland Fling Fri 1 Nov | 7.30pm National Museum of Scotland Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF

Edinburgh Art Fair Thu 21 – Sun 24 Nov Edinburgh Corn Exchange New Market Road Edinburgh EH14 1RJ

nms.ac.uk TERMS & CONDITIONS: Competition closes Mon 28 Oct 2019. This event is strictly 18+.

The List’s usual rules apply.

WIN TICKETS TO DANCE INTERNATIONAL GLASGOW

The List are teaming up with Dance International Glasgow to offer readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to the Scottish Dance Theatre Double Bill on Fri 25 Oct. DIG, Glasgow’s Festival of International Dance, returns to Tramway from Fri 4 to Sat 26 Oct showcasing a diverse programme of contemporary dance from all over the world.

The Circle is an electrifying ensemble piece by internationally acclaimed choreographer Emanuel Gat, set to a hypnotic score by electronic guru Squarepusher.

artedinburgh.com TERMS & CONDITIONS: Competition closes Sun 3 Nov 2019. The List’s usual rules apply.

WIN 12 FREE DROP-IN CLASSES AT DANCE BASE

The List are teaming up with Dance Base to offer readers the chance to win 12 free drop-in classes that can be used during the 2019/20 autumn– spring term.

Fancy dancing your way through the year at Edinburgh’s home of dance?

Dare to dance and treat yourself to 12 free dance classes that you or your children have always wanted to try or brush up on.

Audiences are then invited to party! Looping: Scotland Overdub, an immersive performance-party with a distinctively Scottish edge, is also presented by Scottish Dance Theatre, and Brazilian company 7Oito.

Whether you fancy ballet, contemporary, celtic or a movement and sensory class with the little ones, Dance Base have got it all. Join the fiesta as we now have 12 world dance classes, like Argentine Tango, Reggaeton and Belly Dance!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply log onto list.co.uk/offers and tell us:

To be in with a chance of winning, simply log onto list.co.uk/offers and tell us:

What are the dates of Dance International Glasgow 2019?

How many world dance classes does Dance Base offer?

DIG – Scottish Dance Theatre Double Bill Fri 25 Oct | 7pm Tramway, 25 Albert Dr, Glasgow G41 2PE

Dance Base 14-16 Grassmarket Edinburgh EH1 2JU

DIGlasgow.com

dancebase.co.uk

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Competition closes 10 October 2019. Offer is for the Double Bill performance on Fri 25 Oct. Photo credit: The Circle by Brian Hartley. The List’s usual rules apply.

10 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Competition closes Tue 1 Oct 2019. Offer is for 12 drop-in classes, to be used for the 2019/20 autumn/spring season. The List’s usual rules apply.

FIRST SHOWS ANNOUNCED 20-26 January 2020

Edwyn collins THURSDAY 23 JANUARY Tickets £25 plus booking fee

FRIDAY 24 JANUARY Tickets £20 plus booking fee

TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER

www.burnsandbeyond.com

NEWS

FOR MORE NEWS GO TO

LIST.CO.UK /NEWS

Announcements, line-ups and opinion CASTLE OF LIGHT This winter, Edinburgh Castle will be turned into the ‘Castle of Light’ for a spectacle of colour and light, showing off the historic building as it has never been seen before. You’ll be able to watch the landmark being lit up both inside and out in a magical experience for all ages. See the website castleoflight.scot for dates, prices and more info.

CINEMATIC SCENES The Scotsman Hotel raises the curtain on its new luxury cinema, the Scotsman Picturehouse. Boasting beautifully restored Edwardian decorative features, leather and velvet seating and ambient lighting, moviegoers will be able to view classics, blockbusters and cult hits in a setting of vintage opulence, right in the centre of the city.

Free Love

OFF THE BEATEN TRAX A brand new Edinburgh city guide app, Hidden Trax, was launched this festival season to provide authentic city experiences curated by locals. The app contains a series of podcasts created and delivered by locals that mixes together insider knowledge, independent businesses and local voices to create truly original travel guides.

BLOODY GOOD CONVERSATION Nicola Sturgeon will take to the stage to interview Ian Rankin in a special event at the Bloody Scotland book festival on Saturday 21 September. As a fan of crime fiction, and one of the most well-read politicians out there, the First Minister promises captivating conversation with the legendary Scottish crime writer.

Sturgeon commented: ‘Ian Rankin is one of Scotland’s most celebrated crime writers, world-renowned for his page-turning thrillers – so it’s a real pleasure for me to interview him at the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival.’

TOP OF THE SCOTS The Scotsman Picturehouse

The Scottish Album of the Year is set to be announced on Friday 6 September at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms. The shortlist, decided by a diverse panel of industry experts, features Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert’s Here Lies The Body, Andrew Wasylyk’s The Paralian, Auntie Flo’s Radio Highlife, C Duncan’s Health and Carla J Easton’s Impossible Stuff, plus the Fergus McCreadie Trio’s Turas, Free Love’s Luxury Hits, Karine Polwart with Steven Polwart & Inge Thomson on Laws of Motion and Kathryn Joseph’s From When I Wake The Want Is. Dance Music by Mastersystem takes up the final spot on the shortlist after winning a public vote.

FROM MUNICH TO LEITH

Oktoberfest

This autumn the smells, sounds and tastes of Bavaria are coming to Leith for three weekends of Oktoberfestthemed fun. Barney’s Beer and Pitt Street Market are teaming up on 21 & 22 September, 28 & 29 September and 5 & 6 October to bring beers from Munich’s breweries to the The Pitt’s beer hall, soundtracked by Scotland’s top brass bands. On top of this, the market will still sell its range of Scottish street food and the entry price remains the same.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 13

NEWS Drink up With the ground barely cold from Edinburgh’s festival season, the next excuse to enjoy a few tipples out on the town is just over the horizon. Katharine Gemmell gets the lowdown on Edinburgh Cocktail Week

COMING UP

EDINBURGH COFFEE FESTIVAL A festival for lovers of all sorts of coffee, from your regular cups of Joe to your skinny-grande mocha-swirl-achino-withextra-cream sorts, featuring workshops, tastings and demonstrations. Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Sat 5 Oct. THE SPREE Paisley’s music and arts festival, featuring international and Scottish artists alongside homegrown talent and a vibrant kids programme.

Various venues, Paisley, Fri 11– Sat 19 Oct.

T

he nights may be getting darker but never fear; Edinburgh Cocktail Week is just the thing to keep you warm this autumn. Returning in October, this annual celebration brings a week of aperitif-themed events to 70 of Edinburgh’s cocktail bars and beyond.

The event works by uniting cocktail bars around the city to collectively provide a special £4 signature cocktail for the whole week. Mixed drinks experts like The Refinery, Harvey Nichols and Tigerlily will all be returning alongside some new additions, such as Cold Town House, The Raging Bull, Smoke & Mirrors and The Barologist, among others. Running alongside this is a programme of events and parties like bartender takeovers, educational masterclasses and tastings, parties and cocktail-making competitions.

Organiser Gary Anderson explains: ‘Throughout the week we have a programme of events and experiences happening including Seedlip Yoga sessions, tours of the newly opened Holyrood Distillery, Cocktails Aboard Fingal, and a Classic Cocktails & Classic Movie Night at the boutique Scotsman Picturehouse.’

Following on from its success last year as the event’s new epicentre, the Cocktail Village, situated in Festival Square, will expand its size and experience for a brand new forest-themed addition. This enchanting extension, dubbed the Cocktail Forest, features a wigwam, fire pit, forest floor and canopy to get festival-goers into a cosy autumn mood. It also promises pop-up bars, giant toadstools, a twinkling 14 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

starry sky and mythical forest creatures so that it feels like you’re camping with your cocktails.

Alongside this, the village will again host 19 popup bars, masterclasses, live music and entertainment, with entry being free with an Edinburgh Cocktail wristband. Tipples will be provided by the likes of Edinburgh Gin with Brewhemia, Belvedere Vodka, Johnnie Walker, William Kerr’s Borders Gin, Poco Prosecco, Highland Park and many more on board.

Another exciting add-on to the week are the Cocktail Domes on the rooftop garden of the Glasshouse Hotel – a second free site for wristband holders. It will provide stunning panoramic views across the city from transparent domes that fit 8–10 people with Instagram-worthy, hygge-inducing fairy lights, blankets and sofas, plus drinks options from Tanqueray No. Ten Gin, Ketel One Vodka, Casamigos Tequila and Belsazar Vermouth.

Since beginning in 2017, the event has grown rapidly and is now the biggest of its kind outside London. Anderson comments: ‘We have continued to grow the festival and visitor experience by adding new and exciting features, pop-up spaces and unique experiences across the city. This approach, along with the support of amazing festival partners, has grown Edinburgh Cocktail Week into the biggest cocktail festival outside of London – something the team and I are very proud of.’

Edinburgh Cocktail Week, various venues, Mon 14–Sun 20 Oct, edinburghcocktailweek.co.uk

SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL A celebration of live storytelling and imagination uniting Scottish and international storytellers and musicians, with a special focus on Scotland and Canada this year. Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Fri 18–Thu 31 Oct. ROYAL NATIONAL MOD Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival, famous for celebrating our Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, heads to the city this year. Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 11–Sat 19 Oct. PAISLEY HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL Paisley’s annual festival of the macabre with a costume parade, performance, scary films, workshops, trick-ortreat booths, pumpkin carving and a dark circus theme. Town Centre, Paisley, Fri 25 & Sat 26 Oct. ILLUMINIGHT WITH LIDL The spectacular illumination experience is back again after welcoming over 80,000 visitors in its first two years. The country park at Dean Castle will be transformed into an intergalactic adventure for a space show with installations and AV effects. Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock, Wed 23 Oct–Sun 17 Nov.

New Season Now On Sale JOHN PARTRIDGE as emcee

KARA LILY HAYWORTH as sally bowles and

ANITA HARRIS

as fraulein schneider

STARRING

LIZA GODDARD ROY HUDD ISLA BLAIR

BILL KENWRIGHT presents

The Crucible 1 to 5 Oct KING’S THEATRE

7 to 12 Oct FESTIVAL THEATRE

17 & 18 Oct FESTIVAL THEATRE

5 to 9 Nov FESTIVAL THEATRE

4 to 9 Feb FESTIVAL THEATRE

12 to 15 Feb KING’S THEATRE

The Snow Queen 26 Nov to 1 Dec FESTIVAL THEATRE

7 to 29 Dec FESTIVAL THEATRE

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST THEATRE-CIRCUS SPECTACULAR!

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18 to 22 Feb KING’S THEATRE

24 to 29 Feb KING’S THEATRE

3 to 7 Mar FESTIVAL THEATRE

SUSAN HILL’S

THE OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING SHOW, DIRECT FROM THE WEST END

BY

1O to 15 Mar FESTIVAL THEATRE

PATRICK NESS

INSPIRED BY AN IDEA FROM SIOBHAN DOWD ADAPTED BY

STEPHEN MALLATRATT

7 to 11 Apr KING’S THEATRE

6 to 9 May FESTIVAL THEATRE

19 to 23 May FESTIVAL THEATRE

14 to 18 Apr FESTIVAL THEATRE

21 to 25 Apr KING’S THEATRE

TM © 1986 RUG Ltd.

31 Mar to 4 Apr KING’S THEATRE

Sep 2O2O FESTIVAL THEATRE

Oct 2O2O KING’S THEATRE

0131 529 6000

capitaltheatres.com

1094897 LIST AD_AUG19 v2.indd 1

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BIG PICTURE

BRADLEY WIGGINS The knighted man we’d like to dub ‘Sir Wiggo’ had a truly remarkable cycling career for the vast majority of this century, being a rare sporting beast to have competed at the highest level in both track and road events. He’s now taking a very different kind of tour as he darts about the country doing An Evening With, in which he will regale audiences with insider tales about a life on two wheels.

■ Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 21 Sep.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 17

ADVERTISING FEATURE

STA RT YO U R I S L AND STO RY yne a r B c a M n a w ith Caledoni Soak up the beauty of the Scottish Isles this autumn

There’s never a bad time to head to the Scottish Isles but with all the vibrant colours of autumn and some of the best opportunities for wildlife-spotting, the post-summer months provide a true treat for visitors. Whether you’re into your food and whisky, or adventuring is your bag, here are some ways to make the most of your island experience in the coming months.

working distilleries on Islay, including the big names like Laphroaig, Bowmore and Ardbeg. Head along to some of the distilleries for tours and tasters, and be sure to make a pitstop in their shops too, where you might just find that rare bottle.

Get the ferry to Islay from Kennacraig on Kintyre, landing at Port Ellen (2 hours 20 minutes) or Port Askaig (from 1 hour 55 minutes).

TAKE A WILDLIFE SAFARI ON MULL

RELAX ON ARRAN

Mull is famed for its incredible wildlife, with 300 miles of dramatic coastline from which you can spot glorious golden eagles and sea eagles, as well as the UK’s largest land mammal, the mighty red deer.

Its stunning beaches and waters are populated by playful otters and seals, alongside porpoises, dolphins and whales.

The most direct route to Mull is by ferry from Oban, which takes 50 minutes.

If you’re after a spot of indulgence on your island experience, Arran is a good place to head, with the wonderful Auchrannie Resort providing the health spa of your dreams thanks to its two swimming pools, variety of treatments and award-winning restaurants. There’s also the Isle of Arran Distillery and the Isle of Arran Brewery for all your whisky and beer needs, plenty of places to eat and gorgeous views all around, giving you the chance to take a real breather.

You can take the ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick, which takes 55 minutes.

ENJOY A DRAM ON ISLAY As the weather changes and the colder months start to arrive, there’s surely no better way to warm yourself up than with a small dram of whisky. As Scotland’s whisky island, Islay is the perfect place to test out your knowledge of the famed drink or even try previously untasted tipples. There are nine 18 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

EAT YOUR HEART OUT ON SKYE If your idea of the perfect short break revolves around food and drink, Skye is the place for you, especially in the cosy surroundings of autumn. Home to the

only Michelin restaurant in the Hebrides, the largest island of the Inner Hebrides is quickly becoming a haven for foodies from near and far. Enjoy a special dining experience at Kinloch Lodge thanks to chef Marcello Tully’s splendid cooking or take a class if you’re keen to learn how to do it yourself. You can also visit The Three Chimneys, which is renowned for its fish and seafood and beautiful location, while Scorrybreac in Portree boasts exquisite fine dining and fresh seasonal Scottish produce. Loch Bay is the only Michelin-starred restaurant on the island and has a fantastic reputation for contemporary Scottish cuisine, with chef Michael Smith preparing food with a French twist.

Get the ferry to Skye from Mallaig on the mainland, from Lochmaddy on North Uist or from Tarbert on Harris.

■ To find out more about Caledonian MacBrayne’s adventures, visit calmac.co.uk. Share your island adventures on social media using #MyCalMacStory

THE SOUVENIR

THIRD-DEGREE BYRNE David Byrne talks to Claire Sawers about life after Talking Heads – collaborations, creativity and How Music Works

the way we were In her latest film The Souvenir, director Joanna Hogg has drawn on the life-changing impact of a pivotal relationship she was involved in almost 40 years ago. She tells Katie Goh how her own personal story morphed into the tale that ended up on screen

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hen British director Joanna Hogg arrived at film school in the early 80s, she entered into a relationship that would change the trajectory of her personal and creative life. So much so that nearly four decades later, Hogg has revisited these formative memories in her latest – and best – film. The Souvenir follows Julie, a fictional version of Hogg, played by Tilda Swinton’s daughter, Honor Swinton Byrne in her first acting role. As a privileged young woman entering film school, Julie meets Anthony (Tom Burke), a mysterious, troubled man. The result is a swooning romance with bite; a self-aware confessional and a brilliant, carefully crafted hard look in the mirror.

‘It came partially from my memory of a relationship I had in the early 1980s but what it has become is something else entirely,’ explains Hogg. ‘It was quite a painful process – facing the young woman who I thought I was at that time. I don’t even know if it accurately portrays the thing that happened to me.

But that was the starting point and then, when other collaborators came on board, it became something entirely new.’

The new direction beyond Hogg’s memories largely came from the casting of first-timer Swinton Byrne as Julie, the film’s lynchpin and perhaps its biggest challenge. ‘Honor came on board quite late in the process,’ she explains. ‘I spent many months interviewing young women to play that part. I met young actresses, I stopped people in the street, I talked to friends about people they knew. It became quite a desperate search. I think what I wasn’t finding was someone who could believably be a young woman at that time – an analogue young woman!’

Putting a Super 8 camera into Swinton Byrne’s hands was as far as Hogg went in preparing her young star for her first role. ‘Really the only thing I didn’t do was tell her the story of The Souvenir because I wanted her to live the story through the shooting of it. I’m not even sure she knew it was about a relationship. She discovered that as we shot the

film. She just knew that she was playing someone who was interested in film but beyond that it was a discovery, including the ending.’

The Souvenir also makes use of film Hogg shot as a young filmmaker.

‘We weren’t able to shoot the entire film on celluloid because of budgetary constraints so I decided to use that to my advantage and tell the story with these different textures. I suppose the idea was that Julie’s creative life is expressed in film and at the start of The Souvenir, before she meets Anthony, she’s in the texture of film and the looseness of shooting on handheld. And then when she meets Anthony, it closes down a little bit and we’re shooting on digital.

But throughout the film, there’s a play between digital and film – very much reflecting Julie’s state of mind. We’re using 60mm and Super 8 that I shot in the 80s. That was very exciting to use some of these materials that have been sitting in a drawer somewhere all those years.’

In The Souvenir, Julie’s arrival at film school forces her to wrestle with her own exposure to privilege and the question of whether artists can tell stories removed from their own lived experiences. Has Hogg herself reached a conclusion on that question? ‘I don’t know if I’ve come to a conclusion,’ says Hogg after a pause.

‘But I don’t believe that you can only tell stories from what you know. It encourages me to think the opposite in a way. As artists, you should be allowed to tell stories you want to tell and not just from your own experience. Otherwise what have you got to say?’

The Souvenir part two has already finished filming and Hogg is gleeful when asked what she can say about it. ‘It’s the same story but jumping forward. It’s something else entirely but also a continuation.’ And have the reactions to part one shaped part two? ‘Well I haven’t read any of them,’ Hogg laughs. ‘I didn’t want to be limited by interpretation. I never want to limit possibilities.’

The Souvenir is out now. See review, page 62.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 19

PHOTO: BEN KING

AUTUMN COMEDY

Special

20 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

HANNAH GADSBY

‘ T HE R E I S L I FE A F TE R T RAUM A’ After years of being an admired comedian, Hannah Gadsby’s profile went through the roof when she gave us the game-changing Nanette. Now back with a new show, the Australian stand-up talks about sharing comedy awards and cancelling early retirement

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efore the Edinburgh Comedy Award judges and Netflix execs came calling, Hannah Gadsby had announced that Nanette would be her stand-up swansong. She was done with an entertainment environment where you were expected to push down your trauma and laugh through the pain. The audience might get a release from a punchline but what if you left the stage feeling worse rather than purged?

Having spent more than a decade sidestepping her own demons (chief among them, being criminalised by Tasmanian law for her sexuality, a brutal assault, and the abortion she had after her rape), enough was enough. The deeply affecting (yet still very funny) Nanette brought all those traumas to the surface without letting anyone off the hook with a gag to ease the discomfort.

‘The fact that a show challenges comedy is not necessarily new,’ notes Gadsby. ‘But my voice in that particular moment with that particular show was something different. To talk about a post-Nanette comedy world is a handy marker and a confluence of situations. I bumped into Bridget Christie the other day, and I absolutely could not have done Nanette without the work that she did. A Bic for Her was a huge moment in Edinburgh Fringe history particularly for a female comic.

Before Bridget Christie, a show like Nanette would just have been lost.’

Having already won the 2017 Barry Award at Melbourne, Gadsby brought Nanette to Edinburgh and was the talk of the Fringe as she garnered a heap of five-star reviews while drained audiences left a show they would never forget. In the end, the Edinburgh Comedy Award panel took an unprecedented decision to share the main prize, with Gadsby and John Robins looking hugely embarrassed as they took to the stage to receive half an award each.

‘Absolutely no disrespect to John Robins at all, but just in that moment with the public discourse around women’s voices and the #MeToo movement, I saw it as quite a conservative decision when an arts festival could really have stepped up,’ states Gadsby. ‘Because I said I was quitting comedy, I knew that they didn’t really want me in the mix which was kind of dumb. There’s a danger in the award culture because they don’t want to be in the moment that the show is happening; they try to have a conversation with what happened the year before and what they think is going to happen the year after. I wasn’t emotional about having to share the award, I just thought it was funny. I was doing that show in a 90-seat venue where it was like someone kicking off at a family reunion. I took massive risks with my show, so how about you take a risk with your decisions?’

Having announced during Nanette that she was quitting comedy, Gadsby later backtracked, but now explains that it was never really

a genuine promise. ‘It’s a complicated little idea that went into the writing of that show. On a basic level it was a trap for the criticisms that I would get for Nanette because they’d say, “oh it doesn’t belong in this genre”, so this was a way to answer that before they got to it. But the other part was finding that lifestyle quite toxic. When I wrote the show I wasn’t talking to a global audience, I was talking to an audience that I had built up over ten years. It was an audience I felt I knew but didn’t know how to talk to anymore. There was a conflict between who I am to people onstage and who I needed to be offstage. I needed to break that rut I was in. I don’t like using the word, but I wanted to mature as a human as opposed to keep being an easily accessible idea of a comedian. Had Nanette finished at the end of Edinburgh like all my other shows, I would have taken a few years off, but it carried on. So I would have been an idiot to say, “well, I said I was going to quit and so I had better just quit”.’

With such a global success as Nanette behind Gadsby, the next challenge was to put a new show together. The resulting work is Douglas, named after one of her dogs, the other being Jasper: ‘if I go for a name trilogy, maybe he could get the next one. Although as a feminist that’s obviously very problematic . . . ’ Gadsby doesn’t believe she could have written this new show previously. ‘Douglas is about me enjoying the success of Nanette which I couldn’t really do while I was in it. Douglas is certainly a lot more playful. And I’m in a privileged position because people are interested in what I have to say now. My hope is that Douglas shows people there is life after trauma. It isn’t at the centre of who you are; it’s a huge part of your flavour but for me that comes in the form of resilience instead of victimhood. Getting there is a long difficult path, but it can be done.’

As well as those victories in Melbourne and Edinburgh, Nanette also scooped the Adelaide Fringe comedy prize while the Netflix special gained a prestigious Peabody Award. But Douglas has already made its own waves with more rave reviews and another award to accompany the Nanette gongs. The Helpmann Awards were first handed over in 2001 and recognise ‘distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia’s vibrant live performance sectors’. Gadsby won the best comedy performer Helpmann in 2017 with Nanette and now Douglas has nabbed that accolade too. ‘That’s really lovely for me at this point because it’s the new show that’s won.

I was going “thank god”, not for winning an award but that my life is not just Nanette.’

Hannah Gadsby: Douglas, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 30 Oct; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Thu 21 Nov. 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 21

STILL GAME GH: We’ve said enough already.

This is the third live show . . .

GH: Return of the Jedi!

AUTUMN COMEDY

Special

Indeed. Is it a challenge satisfying the spectacle demanded by the Hydro while retaining the warmth of the sitcom?

GH: We go about each one in exactly the

same way. There’s a different set of rules for theatre but we were always confident it would work on stage because that’s where it started [at the Edinburgh Fringe] in 1997.

With the splintering of TV audiences, people still want to come together and laugh. We weren’t daunted and thought we could be a bit more adventurous. Still Game had odd little supernatural elements, weird things like guys who could hear through walls. But it was grounded in reality. At the Hydro though, we can do things we can’t on television.

FK: There was scepticism at the start when we decided to take a sitcom onto a stage that size. But the audience know they’re coming for a big night out. We’re doing repeat business because they know they’re in safe hands. Or at least, I hope they are.

FIN A L SCOR E

And do you enjoy writing a longer narrative arc?

GH: Absolutely. The story for the first Hydro

PHOTO: PAUL CHAPPELLS

show was a much more traditional sitcom one, about Jack having an iPad conversation with his daughter, which could easily have sat in a TV episode. We were aware it was a reunion after seven years away and we wanted to really explore that. But when the second live show came along, we were more confident in taking these characters and moving them to wherever we want because the theatre is more of an imaginary space.

FK: I reckon we got it bang on the second time because it wasn’t a reunion, it was an out-and-out big night out. And so’s this one.

And a farewell.

It’s rare nowadays to get a sitcom that’s watched by every generation. Do you worry . . .

FK: That we’ll no’ get it again? We don’t

After 20 years, nine series on TV and two huge arena shows, the cast of Still Game are bidding a final, fond farewell to the rascally pensioners of Craiglang with their third stage extravaganza at Glasgow’s Hydro. Creators and stars Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill sat down to chew the fat with Jay Richardson about going out in style

need it twice. It’s like sex with Sophia Loren.

So the television series ended with most of the characters having passed on. Are we meeting them again in the afterlife?

Greg Hemphill (above right): Well, it picks

up from where the show left off. That’s about as much as we can say without spoiling it.

We wanted to convey that this is the very last outing, so the story has a feel of tying things up. We don’t want anyone thinking they’ll be back in three or four years’ time.

What if you were approached to do, say, a Bobby spin-off?

GH: We probably would actually, that’s a good

idea. Auld, bald Bobby . . .

Ford Kiernan (left): That’s not outside the realms of possibility. But it’s not something we’re looking at just now. With the stage show, we didn’t want to go back in time and rehash or revisit something that happened 20 years ago.

To give it continuity, it’s taking place more-orless around the time of the final episode.

So are the core cast still alive or is someone reminiscing?

FK: You can fuck off with that line of enquiry.

22 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

What response does Still Game get from pensioners?

GH: They’ll tell us they call their pal Jack or

Isa. And it’s lovely that people identify in the same way we do, because Jack and Victor are loosely based on relatives of ours.

FK: We’re not claiming to have changed the way pensioners are viewed. But we’ve always tried to write them with relevance.

And has it prepared you for your own autumn years?

FK: I hope so. I was saying to my wife the

other night that, having been pensioners for 20 years, it’ll be a walk in the park.

GH: The characters were always aspirational, in terms of the way they went about their lives and the fun they had. The message is to enjoy old age and find adventure where you seek it. Don’t grow old gracefully. I would love to have a life as exciting as Jack and Victor’s.

All they have is a pub and a hell of a great set of friends.

Still Game Live: The Final Farewell, SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Fri 27 Sep–Sun 13 Oct.

JAMIE LAWSON ACOUSTIC TOUR

14TH NOVEMBER BIRNAM ARTS, DUNKELD

13TH DECEMBER THE GARAGE GLASGOW

15TH NOVEMBER THE ALBERT HALLS STIRLING

JOHN SMITH 31ST OCTOBER ORAN MOR GLASGOW

6TH OCTOBER MACARTS | GALASHIELS 7TH OCTOBER THE TOLBOOTH | STIRLING 8TH OCTOBER BEAT GENERATOR | DUNDEE 9TH OCTOBER EDEN COURT | INVERNESS 11TH OCTOBER THE SOUND ARCHIVE | KIRKWALL 12TH OCTOBER THE LEMON TREE | ABERDEEN

1ST NOVEMBER FAT SAMS - DUNDEE

12TH OCTOBER THE BLUE ARROW GLASGOW

SUSAN McCABE

19 OCTOBER THE TOLBOOTH, STIRLING

Tickets:beyondpresents.co.uk ticketmaster.co.uk Tel:08444999990 inpersonfromticketsScotland 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 23

ADVERTISING FEATURE

e k i r t S

A POSE Suzy Pope catches up with LOOKLOOK co-founder Frances Spencer-Barton to find out more about the Photo Tech Agency and their bespoke products

They say a picture paints a thousand words, but with the well known ‘instagram-effect’ there’s now more motivation than ever to create photos that have ‘thumb-stopping’ power. The bespoke tech of LOOKLOOK creates magazine-level photo shoots to rival the red carpet, but it’s for everyone and can be shared in an instant. The result is tailor-made, instant memories from events and spaces that you can share with the world.

Starting their journey in 2010, LOOKLOOK’s first ever photo booth was a low-key, DIY affair. ‘Even though we created it ourselves from scratch, our first

24 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

photo booth took amazing images as we used the same technology used on fashion shoots, including a wind machine.’ Says Darran Barton, Tech Director.

Since their humble beginnings, LOOKLOOK have gone on to work with some of the world’s biggest brands, all from their base in Edinburgh.

‘The idea came from a casual photo booth at a friend’s wedding,’ co-founder Frances Spencer-Barton says. ‘Unstaged, natural photos of people all looking good and having a good time’ are what caught her attention. The informality of the photo booth produced carefree, natural photos unlike the staged, traditional photo shoots.

So, what is it? LOOKLOOK rents out bespoke photo ‘booths’ to events and companies. They create instant gifs with filters and video effects designed in-house. Attendees at launch parties, festivals and one-off events can then share jazzed-up photos of themselves across social media.

Each campaign is crafted especially to suit the company or event style. LOOKLOOK have worked across the country – with everyone from distilleries to promotional events to companies like Junkyard Golf – providing something beyond a photo booth; a photo experience. Each product is packed with quirky

twists from treadmills in the floor to smoke machines and baths filled with plastic balls.

With a background in marketing, Frances handles the creative side, adding the innovative ideas that make each photo experience unique. Her husband, Darran, has a background in photography and handles the tech side. ‘All our tech is built in-house,’ Frances says, which is why LOOKLOOK can create such finetuned products; they are in control of every aspect of the product. Filters and video effects are made from scratch and tailored to each event, like a customised Insta-story effect.

The tech is influenced by the latest trends in the film industry. Twelve mounted cameras can capture a 3D photo in seconds, just like the latest Hollywood technology. But it’s not just the tech. LOOKLOOK create entire sets for photo shoots so we can all have a go at posing like an A-lister.

Of course there’s a business element to it as well.

Companies holding events can get their brand content out online, generated naturally by their users. But beyond that it’s a fun way to make a keepsake – LOOKLOOK creates memories of everyone looking good and having a good time and allows you to share them with the world in an instant.

■ Find out more at looklook.co.uk

AUTUMN COMEDY

Special

26 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

EDDIE IZZARD

Consistently appearing in the higher echelons of those polls naming the best stand-ups ever, Eddie Izzard is back on tour with Wunderbar. He tells Brian Donaldson about his love of languages, his contempt for so-called populist politicians and how he can get 15 minutes of comedy from something as simple as a barking dog

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here’s a storm brewing when Eddie Izzard sits down with me in a yurt at Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Charlotte Square Gardens. ‘This is like winter, not summer!’ bemoans the stand-up, actor, marathon runner, master of four languages and prospective Labour MP (or Mayor of London if there’s a vacancy in that job first) as he wonders how the likes of Trump, Johnson and co can deny that the climate has changed.

‘Those politicians are trying to take us back to the 1930s,’ warns Izzard. ‘It’s not going to work, because humanity cannot work if we try that. They’re called populist, but they all have power through a minority vote, so by definition that makes them the “unpopulists”.

The “simplistics” is a better name because all they do is just hate a group of people and build a wall or leave Europe, whatever it is.

I’m going to fight that. We have to have a fair world. Every one of the 7.5 billion people in this world should have the right to have a fair chance in life; that’s the only future worth fighting for. Everything else is just not acceptable.’

Ahead of his Wunderbar tour, Izzard has one eye beyond entertainment as he gets set to throw himself into the often brutal world of politics. ‘It will take up a big chunk of my time: I’ll Glenda Jackson myself in and Glenda Jackson myself out,’ he insists, referencing the actor who had a successful political career from 1992 before returning to play King Lear in 2016. ‘I don’t know how long I’ll be in it, but I’ve said for about nine years that I’ll go in and that time has now come.’

Before that moment arrives, Izzard will be playing to packed-out houses with his first major show since his Force Majeure trotted the globe in 2013. For that show, he played intimate warm-up gigs performing the whole thing three times in a day, in French, German and then English. He says he built up Wunderbar in French with sets in Paris before working it through in German. His continual fascination with learning new languages hasn’t stopped at three, as he’s recently added Spanish to his vocal repertoire.

‘None of them are inherently funny, the language is just the delivery method, that’s all it is. All swear words in each language are pretty bonkers, though. Arabic and Russian are next on the list. Nelson Mandela said that if you talk to a person in your language you

talk to their mind, but if you talk to them in their language, you talk to their heart. That’s a nice thought.’

While Izzard has a strong social conscience and has been active in politics since it was reported in the late 90s that he was a Labour party donor, he has never inserted anything overly political into his stand-up. And despite the divisive nature of our social landscape at home and abroad, and his own future plans, don’t expect to hear anything political in Wunderbar.

‘If you talk about Donald Trump, then next week it’s out of date, so you’re just shooting yourself in the foot. But I will do historical politics and social history, stuff about where we all come from and where we’re driving to as human beings. That’s more important, because that’s about the beginning of time; you go back to the Big Bang and then look at the next Big Bang and that arc. That’s what I’m looking at in this show.’

When I told a couple of people I was set to interview Eddie Izzard, they both texted back with the words ‘le singe est dans l’arbre’, referencing a famous monkey-based routine from his breakthrough work at Montreal’s Just for Laughs festival that was aired on Channel 4 in the early 90s. Izzard has had a particular fondness for animals in his stand-up, lending them human properties which sat well with his surrealist perspective on the world (his one attempt at writing a TV sitcom had a family of humans pretending to be cows: it was called Cows). He even had original material on the difference between cats and dogs (the sound of purring made him think of a cat, goggles on, drilling behind the sofa). A dog will make an appearance in Wunderbar.

‘I’m going to talk about when I was running a marathon and I heard this dog barking. I’ve got a 15-minute piece out of it, just from the angle that I was coming at it from: what was that dog trying to say? I never write things down, I do it on stage and call it “verbal sculpting”. Each night I make the same sculpture but it will be slightly different every time.’

Eddie Izzard is a man who could make the phone book funny. In at least four languages.

Eddie Izzard: Wunderbar, King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 2–Sat 5 Oct; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 19 & Sun 20 Oct.

comedy central The funnies just keep coming across the rest of 2019

TOMMY TIERNAN His work has always stood very much on its own, but this Paddy Crazy Horse might well have gained a new audience for his rabblerousing stand-up after his appearances in Derry Girls as Da Gerry. Rose Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 2 Nov; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Sun 3 Nov. FRANK SKINNER Showbiz is the Midlands man’s first national tour in five years and here he will offer up his thoughts on Mariah Carey, Bruce Forsyth, and his own ageing process while dropping in impersonations of Yoda and Bob Dylan. Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Tue 12 Nov; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Wed 20 Nov. ARDAL O’HANLON Another quirksome Irish fella is returning to the nation’s lovely theatres as the Father Ted and Death in Paradise star performs The Showing Off Must Go On, offering us his particular take on the modern world. Tramway, Glasgow, Wed 13 Nov; Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 15 Nov. AHIR SHAH With Dots, the London stand-up produces yet another powerful and punchline-packed treatise on the past, the present and our uncertain future. The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 17 Nov; The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 18 Nov. TIM MINCHIN With his wild hair and wilder eyeliner, the talented muso is Back with what is being described as a tour of ‘Old Songs. New Songs. Fuck You Songs’. Edinburgh Playhouse, Tue 19 & Wed 20, Sat 23 Nov; Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Fri 22 Nov. JIM JEFFERIES The LA-based Aussie who made his name with a series of highly provocative Fringe shows is no less frank these days. The Night Talker makes a little stop-off in Glasgow during this, his first arena tour. SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Thu 12 Dec. 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 27

STELLAR QUINES

S H O OT ING STARS W

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as a director, I’ve watched the demise of companies producing their own work,’ says Levick.

‘The rise of co-productions has reduced the amount of work being made too – there simply isn’t as much to go round.

Women suffer within that chain of events for numerous reasons: unconscious bias, the decision to become a parent taking them out of the workforce, the role of governors and their understanding of best practice, the theatrical canon being dominated by men as writers and lead characters.’

What can be done to help dismantle these systemic prejudices? ‘We have to keep pushing to make small changes in order to change the bigger picture,’ says Levick. ‘For example, when we co-produce with other companies, we encourage our partners to think in the same way, so if we’re discussing who might do the production shots, we ask them to think beyond their normal pool and to seek out a woman instead.’

Despite the momentous amount of work ahead, Levick is inspired by the audience reaction to their work, particularly their latest project This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing. ‘We performed to hundreds of young people across Scotland, and the way they engaged in the show was amazing,’ she says. ‘They were so open and excited, that it was a good reminder that we need to keep going, keep making and crucially, to keep talking to younger audiences.’ Especially in these politically fraught times, Levick insists that theatre offers something that is becoming rare in our increasingly solitary, digitalised lives. ‘I think we need to make space for discussion, to learn, to laugh, to cry,’ she says.

‘Theatre provides that space in a beautiful way.’

PHOTO: JANE HOBSON

hen Jemima Levick took over the reins of Stellar Quines in 2016, she joined a company with a 26-year legacy of creating theatre by and for women – one which positioned women as creative drivers and central subjects in their own story. But the world had changed a great deal since the company first began. ‘Feminism specifically has moved in new directions, and women of all ages are identifying with the movement far more,’ says Levick. ‘The simple truth is that our branding wasn’t reflecting those changes, and now that we’re becoming clearer about what those are for the organisation, we can start shouting about them.‘ Historically known as a ‘woman’s theatre company’, Stellar Quines now self-identify overtly as a feminist theatre company. In wearing their political ethos on their sleeve, Stellar Quines have refashioned themselves not only as theatremakers but also as agents of radical change, developing activist programmes that knock down doors for women and girls across Scotland.

The company were key contributors to Christine Hamilton’s 2016 report Where Are The Women, which produced damning findings on gender disparity in publicly funded Scottish theatre. When the report revealed that only 11% of composers, musical directors and sound designers in the field were women, Stellar Quines responded with the establishment of their M*****classes series, in which femaleidentifying people of all ages and experience could learn about the industry, gain skills and receive mentorship. Moreover, the company expanded their Creative Learning programme, which creates projects within communities that consider how various aspects of our identity – be it gender, ethnicity or religion – can affect how we experience the arts.

Award-winning theatre company Stellar Quines have long advocated for more involvement of women in the industry. Now they’ve taken the next step in their evolution, defining themselves proudly as a feminist organisation, as Deborah Chu finds out For Levick personally, being an activist also means taking a step back and allowing other women to lead on the majority of their projects.

‘I firmly believe that if we’re Scotland’s theatre company for women and girls, it can’t just be about one person’s work,’ she says. ‘We have a responsibility to give more women opportunities, be that their first professionally produced production, their notoriously difficult “second album” or the support they need to take a risk.’

A Stellar Quines production already creates manifold opportunities for female theatremakers, with 70–90% of their project roles being held by women. But Levick insists that more must be done in order to combat the resource scarcity – whether it be funding or time – that is disproportionately affecting women in the industry. ‘In the 17 years I’ve been working

Find out more at stellarquines.com.

25 October to

3 November

Edinburgh and

Glasgow

THE NEW FIFE EVENTS APP

Find out what’s on in Fife!

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1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 29

St Andrew ’s Fair Saturday Sat 30th of November 2019 A global cultural movement with social impact

What is it?

A festival. A day. A movement.

Every last Saturday of November, the day following Black Friday, thousands of artists and cultural organisations get together in a unique festival supporting social causes through their show. Do you want to be one of them?

How to participate 1. Save the date and include your event as part of the Fair Saturday programme.

This is an open call to everyone: venues, cultural organisations, pubs, artists and more.

2. Identify a Social Project to support and decide how 3. Register at standrews.fairsaturday.org and include all the details of your event 4. Become a leader in the #StAndrewsFairSaturday movement!

If you need any help, contact info@fairsaturday.org for more information.

No matter where you live, no matter what your artistic discipline is – you can be part of the St Andrew’s Fair Saturday movement

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Scotland, let’s continue to make this happen!

SQIFF

As the Scottish Queer International Film Festival returns, Katie Goh speaks to Hidaya, an organisation hosting a programme of films and discussions in an attempt to make the voices of LGBTQ+ Muslim people heard

LISTEN UP

T

his year, the Scottish Queer International Film Festival celebrates its fifth edition with its most impressive line-up to date. The five-day festival features a variety of themed sections including strands focusing on gay men and online dating, disability and queerness, a VR and interactive showcase in partnership with the Glasgow Women’s Libarary and a curated short film programme followed by discussions on queerness and Islam. This latter strand is being co-hosted by Hidaya, a volunteerrun organisation that provides support for hundreds of LGBTQ+ Muslims around the UK and abroad.

‘What we try to do is give a voice to the voiceless,’ explains one of its organisers on the phone, choosing to remain anonymous. ‘Many predominantly Muslim countries around the world don’t accept LGBTQ+ people and in the UK, as well, a lot of LGBTQ+ Muslims struggle with their faith and identity – people like myself; I’m still not out to my family and I’m in my 40s. So the struggle is sometimes invisible within the LGBTQ+ community itself. We’re fighting two battles really. We’re trying to show people that we exist to both Muslim and LGBTQ+ communities.’

Hidaya are hoping that co-hosting a programme of short films with SQIFF will help raise awareness of an often forgotten intersection of the LGBTQ+ community. ‘We’re hoping to show films that highlight the plight and experiences of LGBTQ+ Muslims so this will give a voice to people who don’t always get a voice within the LGBTQ+ community.

People think the LGBTQ+ community is all rainbows and unicorns and everybody is accepting but the reality can be different. When I first came out into the gay community, I was rejected by the community and it was a very racist experience for me. It put me back in the closet which led me to deny my sexuality. I don’t want to be part of that community that didn’t accept me and, as a result, it had a knock-on effect on my mental health.’ >>

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 31

SQIFF

<< The Islam and queerness programme will showcase a mixture of different experiences within the Muslim LGBTQ+ community, such as the trans Muslim community. ‘Within Islam, there’s a recognition of a third gender so countries like Pakistan or Iran actually provide some of the [highest rates of] gender reassignment surgeries in the world,’ explains the Hidaya spokesperson. ‘So that’s quite a big difference compared to the UK where you have to collect evidence and prove that you’re living in the gender you want to transition to which is hugely damaging to many people’s mental health. Countries like Pakistan, that I would consider to be a conservative Muslim country, recognises the trans community. Recently, the government allowed the trans community to sit in parliament and make decisions about its community which is amazing, but if you’re gay or a lesbian then you really have no rights at all.’

As well as screening films about being an LGBTQ+ Muslim in other countries, the strand will show UK-based films in the hope of educating the public. ‘A lot of the time, people think because we’re in the UK we have freedom of speech but the reality is different. Look at the last few months, at what happened in Birmingham with the protests when schools tried to include inclusive education, and even parents going as far as taking students out of school because they weren’t happy about same-sex relationships being taught in primary schools. Many of Hidaya’s members live in Birmingham in predominantly Muslim communities. We had someone getting in touch and saying they had just come out to their family and were going through a difficult time and then someone posted a leaflet about the protest through her family’s door which sparked a row and she was out on the street. So that’s how bad the situation is for LGBTQ+ Muslims and there aren’t any support mechanisms.’

But despite the difficulties many LGBTQ+ Muslims face, Hidaya is hopeful that things are changing, evident in the strand they’re programming with SQIFF. ‘People have been surprised that it hasn’t been too difficult for us to find LGBTQ+ Muslim filmmakers. A lot of the people who have made these films have escaped their home country or have made these films hidden because they’re not allowed to be shown. You have these amazing artists who have made an effort to have their voices heard. Unfortunately, a lot of them end up receiving death threats and have to leave their families and homes behind.

‘Our aim with this strand is to inform and educate all people, so not just Muslim people but also the LGBTQ+ people and all people in society regardless of religion. It’s a difficult process but it’s changing. Hidaya is turning up at Pride and doing events like this one with SQIFF and we’re having conversations with people. We’re feeling hopeful.’

SQIFF, various venues, Glasgow, Wed 2–Sun 6 Oct, sqiff.org

From top: Moroni for President; But I’m a Cheerleader; We Are Here; previous page, from top: Autism-friendly Opening Night Shorts; SQIFF Shorts: Queer Islam with Hidayah; Evil Come, Evil Go; You Gotta Have Faith

32 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

2019/20 Series

Adults Only | £15/£10 Students | 6–10.30PM Into Space | Fri 20 Sept 2019 Fright Night | Sat 26 Oct 2019 Winter Wonderland | Fri 29 Nov 2019 Sound & Screen | Fri 21 Feb 2020 Inside Your Mind | Fri 20 Mar 2020 Our World | Fri 17 Apr 2020

Book your tickets now: 0141 420 5000 www.gsc.org.uk/science-lates

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH GLEE CHRISTMAS COMEDY SPECIALS ON SALE NOW, BOOK AT GLEE.CO.UK/CHRISTMAS SUPERB STAND-UP COMEDIANS, DELICIOUS FESTIVE FOOD AND AN AFTER PARTY TO KEEP CELEBRATIONS GOING INTO THE NIGHT

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 33

PHOTOS: SATYAJIT DAS

34 THE LIST 1 Sepâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;31 Oct 2019

SONICA : MAX COOPER

T HE M A X FACTOR As the Sonica festival returns to Glasgow for another year, Stewart Smith finds out what to expect from Aether, the ambitious interactive opening performance by musician, scientist and producer Max Cooper

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onica, Cryptic’s award-winning festival of visual sonic arts, returns to Glasgow this autumn with a programme that ranges from the domestic environment (Yuri Suzuki’s Furniture Music, see feature overleaf), to the cosmic realm of quantum physics (Michela Pelusio’s Spacetime Helix), via ocean life and ancient forests. Scotlandbased artists presenting include Heather Lander and Alex Smoke, Sue Zuki and Robbie Thompson, Lo Kindre, Kian McEvoy, and Ela Orleans.

The festival also unveils a new venue, The Engine Rooms, which hosts AUSNA’s enveloping sound installation 100 Keyboards.

The festival opens with Aether, a spectacular performance from musician, scientist and producer Max Cooper and design collective Architecture Social Club. Thousands of threads will hang from the ceiling of the Tramway, catching moving points of light to form a diaphanous, constantly shifting matrix that responds in real time to Cooper’s electronic sounds. Audience members can move around the space to view the patterns from every angle, as they morph from interlocking geometric grids into a swirling cosmic vortex.

Cooper trained as a scientist, but he finds it difficult to say how his studies have influenced his composition and production. ‘My music is primarily an emotional expression, and the science-related part usually comes in in the structuring of those feelings. There’s always that human-machine balance when I’m working with science-related ideas and visuals.’

Audio-visual performances help bring these wider interests into Cooper’s creative process and live shows. ‘It’s hard to map data to music.

We have very specific requirements about how sound waves need to be structured to sound musical to us. Whereas visually it’s much more open, we can use real science data and generative models based on abstract ideas to create things which many of us find appealing.’

Aether was created by Satyajit Das, Regan Appleton and David Gardener as a response to Cooper’s question of how to bring the live audio-visual experience out of the distant performer-on-stage model to the audience instead. ‘It’s very different from most AV shows in this respect,’ Cooper explains. ‘You can walk around it and see a hovering threedimensional moving image from all angles.

It’s a beautiful live creation to get to play with.’

Would it be fair to say that his work isn’t about science in itself, but rather about how we as humans relate to it? ‘Yes, that’s one way of putting it,’ he responds. ‘Not all of my work is science-related. I made club music for years

before I started getting a grip on how I could bring my other interests in, and that is an ongoing process. But for what I’m mainly doing at the moment, I’d say it’s about the aesthetics of science, or put another way, how natural aesthetics make us feel. So yeah, I guess that’s about how we relate to science as people, our emotional response to seeing a deep structure of nature that we wouldn’t usually see – like the distribution of the primes, or Rule 110, or cellular morphogenesis.’

Cooper adds that his forthcoming album / installation, Yearning for the Infinite, which features vocal contributions from Alison Moyet and Fife legend James Yorkston, is more ‘human-nature related’ using science-associated visuals set against footage of people going about their day to day lives as a means of linking human nature to underlying structures: ‘setting us in the context of the system in which we exist’.

Cooper insists that there’s nothing pessimistic about it, though. ‘It’s more a matter of seeing the beauty in these natural systems in which we exist, rather than needing to get that from some other external source and denying us being part of the mechanistic world.’

Although they are separate projects, Cooper feels Aether and Yearning for the Infinite have much in common. ‘The aesthetics of simplicity, iteration and emergence are there in both, as in almost all of my visual projects. Aether very much follows the theme of how the simplest boiled down natural structures – a line, a circle, a sine wave – can be extrapolated to create something beautiful and unexpected. In the case of Aether, it’s how these things translate to a moving, stretchedout three-dimensional point cloud, and in the case of Yearning for the Infinite, we visualise the limits of these sorts of extrapolations when they’re allowed to continue indefinitely on multi-flat-screen renders.’

As for his personal Sonica highlights, Cooper mentions cabosanroque’s exploration of Catalan poet Joan Brossa and Robertina Šebjanič’s Aurelia 1+Hz proto viva generator, a sonification of underwater environments.

‘They look amazing, but hopefully I’ll get to see everything and learn something new.

Everything seems linked by the application of existing technologies to unusual mediums – taking what’s there and joining it together in new ways – which is exactly how I define creativity.’

Aether, Tramway, Glasgow, Thu 31 Oct; part of Sonica, various venues, Glasgow, Thu 31 Oct–Mon 11 Nov, sonic-a.co.uk 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 35

SONICA : YURI SUZUKI

PHOTO: COREY BARTLE-SANDERSON

Making the everyday sounds of domestic life more pleasurable is at the heart of sound artist and designer Yuri Suzuki’s latest work. David Pollock caught up with him to find out more about his Sonica exhibition, Furniture Music

‘I

’m not a musician – instead, I work across the border between art, design and music,’ says the Japanese sound artist and designer Yuri Suzuki, whose exhibition Furniture Music is travelling to the Lighthouse in Glasgow for this year’s edition of Cryptic’s Sonica festival, which once again explores music and other sounds from a singular, art-based perspective. ‘I like to explore how sound should be in our daily lives, so this exhibition really started from the area of thinking as a designer.’

Suzuki is on the line from London, where he runs his own Yuri Suzuki Design Studio and is a partner in the agency Pentagram. ‘As a sound artist, I can hear how much other designers will not consider sound as important to our surroundings,’ he says, ‘so this [exhibition] is a vehicle for my opinions on what should be in the soundscape around us; what encourages, perhaps, more comfort or better conversations. This will be a presentation of these objects, all of which are sound-initiated, and which show what I think sound in the domestic environment should be.’

Taking its name from the French composer Eric Satie’s description of his own music as ‘a sound that should not be actively listened to, but present at the periphery of our daily lives’, Furniture Music will feature such items as a dining table with an acoustic chamber in it, which amplifies both the sound of items being moved on the tabletop and the voices speaking over it, and a ‘singing washing machine’, devised in partnership with the musician Matthew Herbert.

‘I wouldn’t say these are 100% functional, truly useful products,’ says Suzuki, ‘but they’re more about the idea, about seeing if some small part [of these creations] can be put into different products in a way which improves our soundscape, that’s the purpose of it. I’ve been obsessed with music and sound since I was very young, my father was a huge music collector, and I was lucky that when I came to study design, sound was an area of that which had not really been investigated enough. So it was nice to find a field through which to explore the world.’

‘Hearing and smell are our strongest senses,’ adds Suzuki, ‘and we’re very strongly emotionally affected by things which we hear. This has an invisible effect on us, we don’t see it happening, but it has a real psychological impact – and this can be used to create very positive effects on us, but also very negative ones. I find that sound is a very interesting field to study.’

Furniture Music, The Lighthouse, Glasgow, Sat 5 Oct 2019–Mon 6 Jan 2020.

36 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS

Timed entry from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Event closes at 10pm We suggest that you allow around 90 minutes to see everything

Tickets £20 in advance.

castleoflight.scot

Concessions, family tickets and discounts for Historic Scotland members are available online.

#CastleOfLight

ELECTRONIC GLASGOW 2019

SO METHIN G FOR T H E WEEKEN D

A

s tastes in electronic music have changed in recent years, the largest clubbing events in cities have tended towards single-location festivals with a number of big-name guests arriving for the weekend. Listed as ten days in duration, but really focused over two weekends in October, Electronic Glasgow isn’t a festival – instead, it’s a banner to lay over and draw attention to some of the existing club nights which already happen in the city.

‘We’re a loose connection of promoters who want to celebrate Glasgow’s history with electronic music,’ says Alan Gray, whose extensive adventures in promoting around Glasgow over the years include the regular Scottish leg of Andrew Weatherall and Sean Johnston’s A Love from Outer Space (ALFOS) night, which will be returning to the Berkeley Suite for Electronic Glasgow. ‘We’re all going to be doing our own nights, but under the same banner, and maybe more promoters might want to come on board next year. We’re not in any hurry to get anywhere or be any size, it’s just a collective of people coming together to promote what they do.’

Confirmed so far is the appearance of Sweden’s Dungeon Acid at Rost, for a Let’s Go Back to Acid special with Let’s Go Back DJ and promoter Bosco, and a Dungeon Acid showcase at Rub A Dub, as well as residents’ nights for Music’s Not for Everyone at Chinaski’s and Shaka Loves You at the Amsterdam. There will also be workshops from hip hop producer Steg G and an as-yet-unannounced closing party in

38 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

Electronic Glasgow aims to celebrate and raise the profile of the city’s electronic music culture. David Pollock gets the lowdown on the music collective and some of the DJs and nights coming up at their two-weekend October event

a secret location, as well as involvement from Made in Glasgow Recordings. At the moment, though, the ALFOS duo are the biggest names involved.

‘We had the idea to do slower music in a club setting, and the sound has evolved over the period we’ve done it,’ says Johnston, who started ALFOS (the night is named after an AR Kane track) with Weatherall in early 2010. ‘It covers a lot of bases – Belgian new beat, disco, early house music, techno, a lot of influences are thrown into the mix. We generally start at about 100bpm and it’s never been faster than 122bpm, but that still absolutely works for people on the dancefloor. We both came from what was known back in the day as the Balearic scene and Andrew was well-known for playing dub music; back in the 80s I’d been a fan of Adrian Sherwood and On-U Soundsystem, so that was the mutual touchpoint for us.’

Johnston and Weatherall had known each other for two decades when ALFOS began, and the former had been DJing around London since the late 1980s; in fact his former band, the Flash Fiction, released a record on Weatherall’s Sabres of Paradise label in 1994. ‘One day he was short of a lift to a gig in Brighton so I offered him one,’ says Johnston of the club’s beginnings. ‘He asked what we had to listen to, and all I had was a CD I’d made for my own amusement – he listened to it, liked it, and we talked about potentially doing something. That ended up being a club in a space for 120 people under a pub (then known as the Drop, now named the Waiting Room) in Stoke Newington.

‘We just asked a few of our friends along, but we were overtaken by the popularity of the thing pretty quickly,’ he continues. ‘I think it was right place, right music, right time.’ By Christmas 2011, through Weatherall’s friendship with Gray, the pair had a regular night in Glasgow which has endured ever since.

‘Andrew’s always been very popular in Glasgow, and when he does something people tend to sit up and take notice,’ says Johnston of the sometime Primal Scream producer. ‘We’ve built up a hardcore following in the city, and the enthusiasm of that core is infectious for anyone else that comes along. It’s really special playing in Glasgow – it’s not like playing anywhere else on Earth, and it’s a privilege to have been taken to the heart of that scene.’

Electronic Glasgow 2019, various venues, Glasgow, Fri 11–Sun 20 Oct, facebook. com/electronicglasgow

Bringing all things botanical to the lives of city dwellers, say hello to the happy haven for house plant lovers. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even locally-roasted coffee, cake and other sweet treats on offer too.

92 Grove Street | Edinburgh | EH3 8AP | 0131 466 4117 growurban.uk

1 Sepâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 39

AFRICA IN MOTION

KEEP ON MOVIN G As the annual film festival of stories from the African continent returns for its 14th year, Arusa Qureshi explores some of this year’s Africa in Motion highlights

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cotland’s major celebration of African cinema is back for its 14th edition, presenting audiences in Glasgow and Edinburgh with a range of stories from the African continent and beyond. From documentaries through to coming-of-age dramas, Africa in Motion has screened over 600 films since its inception in 2006, continuing to highlight the diversity and talent within African cinema.

The 2019 edition of the festival is no exception, with screenings, discussions, Q&As, pop-ups, workshops, exhibitions, live performances and much more taking place over the nine days. As far as the festival’s acclaimed curation goes, Africa in Motion has been working to develop a unique approach in recent years, which has resulted in this year’s programme featuring a team of 14 paid curators, all People of Colour (PoC), coming from Scotland, Morocco, Brazil, Cameroon and Rwanda, each contributing to the programme in various ways. The significance of this lies in its truly collaborative spirit, which means that the programme is able to cater to an array of audiences thanks in part to the varying perspectives and viewpoints of the curators.

Highlights from this year’s programme include brand new features, documentaries and shorts, plus a highly intriguing strand entitled Playful Decolonisation, which includes the UK’s first expansive video games and VR film

exhibition solely dedicated to work developed on the African continent. The video games will focus on three areas: narrative, gameplay and aesthetic, each looking at ways in which the games challenge Western conventions. The VR films that will be exhibited offer immersive modes of African storytelling and experience, via both science fiction and reality.

Elsewhere in the programme, you’ll find screenings of films like Mercy of the Jungle (Joël Karekezi, Rwanda 2019), which was the winner of the top prize at Africa’s biennale FESPACO’s film festival this year; westernstyle feature Sew the Winter to My Skin (Jahmil XT Qubeka, South Africa 2018), which dramatises the true story of a notorious outlaw from apartheid era South Africa; and Desrances (Apolline Traoré, Burkina Faso 2019), starring renowned French-Haitian actor Jimmy Jean-Louis in Traoré’s dramatic thriller.

In the documentary strand, Talking About Trees (Suhaib Gasmelbari, Sudan 2019) wistfully chronicles the demise of cinema in Sudan, while Lost Warrior (Nasib Farah & Søren Steen Jespersen, Denmark/Sweden 2018) follows the story of a young Somali man who grew up in Britain, was radicalised and joined al-Shabab. My Friend Fela (Joel Zito Araújo, Brazil 2019) explores the complex life of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti through

conversations with his friend and official biographer, Carlos Moore.

This year’s programme also places a special focus on Afrofuturism through films like Earth Mother, Sky Father: 2030 (Kordae Jatafa Henry, Democratic Republic of Congo 2019) and Afrofuturist musical EUPhoria (RobertJonathan Koeyers, Curaçao 2018), in which a mysterious forcefield appears around the African continent. Films reflecting the global African diaspora will be well represented too, with movies like Sprinter (Storm Saulter, Jamaica 2019) and Bakoso: Afrobeats of Cuba (Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi, USA 2019) making appearances, alongside Within Our Gates (Oscar Micheaux, US 1920), a silent film with live musical accompaniment, made by the first African American director as a response to DW Griffith’s racist The Birth of a Nation.

There’s no doubt that Africa in Motion will continue to encourage aspiring filmmakers and work to impact underrepresentation and marginalisation in British film, while also introducing Scottish audiences to the brilliance of African cinema. Keep an eye out for the full programme announcement on Mon 23 Sep. Africa in Motion, various venues, Glasgow & Edinburgh, Fri 25 Oct–Sun 3 Nov, africa-in-motion.org.uk

Clockwise from top: Sew the Winter to My Skin; Zombies; Lost Warrior; Earth Mother, Sky Father; Sprinter 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 41

FOOD & DRINK FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /FOOD&DRINK

FORAGING FORTNIGHT Getting back to nature across Scotland As part of Scotland Food & Drink’s twoweek feast of Caledonian cuisine, there’s a new series of events focusing on the art of foraging. Scotland’s first wild food celebration, Foraging Fortnight, will take place across five regions, from the rolling hills of Lanarkshire to the diverse islands of Orkney, taking in Fife, Forth Valley & Lomond, and Moray.

A nationwide programme of edible events celebrate local larders and aim to teach young and old how to have a responsible rummage about in the undergrowth. On Sep 14, the Cardross Estate, close to the Lake of Menteith, will host the inaugural Scottish Wild Food Festival with all manner of hands-on workshops, bread-making courses, folklore walks and freshly prepared wild ingredients.

The event will also include one-table feasts from Buck & Birch’s Rupert Waites and Marysia Paszkowska of Monachyle Mhor.

■ Various venues, Scotland, until Sun 15 Sep, foragingfortnight.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

DRINKS NEWS

NEWS & REVIEWS

Over the gin? Whisky is set to reclaim its crown as Edinburgh’s favourite drink as a range of distillers scramble for space in the city. First off the mark though is the Holyrood Distillery. Now open at the edge of Holyrood Park, at the moment the only way to get a feel for their wares is through a distillery tour.

A BIRD IN HAND One of Glasgow’s grandest hotel buildings has shifted owners, splashed out on a restaurant refurb and refocused the food and drink, as David Kirkwood discovers

W

hen it opened in 2009, the Blythswood quickly became one of the best-known ‘boutique’ hotels in Glasgow – a mustgo place for cocktails, and a market menu of impressive food for a good price in a great setting.

Latterly it was perhaps most associated with spa days, weekend shopping breaks and couples’ getaways. Then, last year, it was acquired by the InterContinental Hotels Group as part of their highend Kimpton brand. With that comes a rebrand and refurb that seeks to (re)maximise the potential of this gorgeous former RAC building looking onto the gardens of Blythswood Square.

Upon entrance, both lavish expense and shift of direction are clear. The grand space still drifts from reception to dining area (in a way that’s curiously rare in Glasgow). But all eyes are now on a centrepiece marble bar that twinkles with glassware and cluster lights, energising the room while reinforcing its mixed drink pedigree. A concise menu of classics is executed with understated knowhow. Think boozy blood orange sidecars garnished with a branded lemon, or Old Fashioneds mixed in gigantic ice-bowls.

It’s the clearest indicator of where the £1 million refurbishment money has gone, but the whole space is looking slick. A palette of cream, bronze and earthy

tones sets things up nicely for a dining experience which is considerably less formal. Heavyweight ingredients sing their Scottish provenance and tough verbs jostle – asparagus is ‘shaved’, scallions ‘burnt’, Jersey royals ‘charred’. Flavour combinations are well worn. Burrata and a pesto-esque drizzle get a salty kick by green olives; while in a ceviche-style dish, tender scallops are sliced thin and offset by strips of grapefruit. Not overly fancy, but fancy enough.

These are not starters, mind, but small plates.

That’s the vibe. There are sharing plates of bone-in sirloin or monkfish. Of the larger dishes, St Bride’s chicken breast – nicely coloured and served with gnocchi, oyster mushrooms and spinach – is a lovely assemblage of savoury touches and quality. The £15 macaroni cheese is the only genuine disappointment, a dish that intrigues with its considerable price, then falls short with a thin sauce and crust that needs more crisp. So the execution isn’t always quite onpoint, but the overall appeal of the place has certainly moved, with the times, in the right direction.

+

Maintains the reputation for a classy pre-dinner cocktail

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The mac and cheese needs some TLC

BO & BIRDY 11 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4AD, 0141 240 1633, boandbirdy.com Breakfast: Tue–Fri 7–10.30am; Sat–Mon 7–11am; Lunch: Mon–Fri 12.30–2.30pm; Sat/Sun 12.30–3pm; Dinner: Sun–Thu 5.30–9.30pm; Fri/Sat 5.30–10pm Average cost of two course lunch/dinner: £28 44 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

If the new recipe Irn-Bru isn’t quite doing it for you the morning after the night before, then try the new revival drink made in Glasgow called Bounce Back. It’s been scientifically formulated by a couple of biotechnology boffins and is designed to boost the liver, mind and immune system to get the walking dead through the next day.

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SIDE DISHES

Ah autumn. A season of mists, mellow fruitfulness and cocktails, with plenty to look forward to if you like your booze in fancy glasses. Edinburgh Cocktail Week runs from 14–20 October, with cocktail HQ returning to Festival Square, featuring wigwams, fire pits, mythical forest creatures and 19 pop-up bars. There’s also a second site on the roof of the Glasshouse Hotel this year, with

cosy cocktail domes which are available for pre-booking. And never one to be left behind on the booze front, Glasgow is also hosting its own bender, the Glasgow Cocktail Weekend.

From 26–29 September, over 40 city bars, including newcomers the Gate and the Amsterdam, will be dishing up a celebration of the cocktail with offers, masterclasses, and other special events for a delve into mixology.

News to nibble on For whisky fans, the National Whisky Festival of Scotland is hosting its inaugural Aberdeen instalment on September 14, following on from successful editions in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Paisley.

The newly regenerated Aberdeen Music Hall will host 30-plus exhibitors including Thurso-based Wolfburn, Campbeltown’s Springbank, Indian single malt Paul John and SPEY

by Speyside Distillers. The spirits will be accompanied by live music, local food and lots of masterclasses from the experts. Other upcoming whisky happenings include the 10th anniversary of Glasgow’s Whisky Festival (November 9) and The Dramathon (October 19), a whiskythemed marathon/half-marathon/10k on part of the Speyside Way from Glenfarclas Distillery to Glenfiddich distillery, and, yes, earning miniatures as you go.

restaurant from the team behind Aizle. The focus is on casual small plates, plus a late opening bar. The Scottish Café and Restaurant has re-opened after a swish makeover (below), as part of the ongoing renovations of the Scottish National Gallery. And St Andrew Square isn’t finished with the new stuff yet.

Franco Manca – that rare beast, a pizza joint where it’s (just) possible to get a drink and a decent pie for a tenner – is moving north. A new branch opened at St Andrew Square in August. It will be joined by the fourth branch of Tattu, offering highend, contemporary Chinese cooking.

Been avoiding central Edinburgh during the festival? You’ve missed a few things. Thistle Street has extended its foodie creds with Noto, a new New York-inspired

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1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 45

FOOD & DRINK

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TACO TIME

RECENT OPENINGS

It’s been a while, but one of Edinburgh’s modern-Mex pioneers has finally re-opened their doors. James Teideman takes a wander down Leith Walk

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ucky Leithers have their Bodega back. Since the cult choice for modern Mex left Leith Walk, those in need of pretty-asan-Insta tacos and marvellously mixed Margaritas have had to trek over town to their sister restaurant, Bodega TollX. But no more. Bodega Leith is back with a bigger, brighter branch and the same taco-focused formula, just a wee bit down the Walk from their former home (now occupied by Lucky Yu, from the same team). In Edinburgh’s cool climate, a jalapeño beer and a Ponche de Leche cocktail add a warm hue to the banana palms plus pastel pink-andmint décor that conjures a (kind of) Miami-esque vibe. But whatever the weather, warm the taste buds with homemade guacamole or black bean dip and chips, or Korean wings with lime and sesame. Then it’s taco time. Take your pick from a tempting suite, like crispy tempura avocado with horseradish mayo, pork carnitas with red onion and feta, or sticky rich beef barbacoa with tomatillo salsa. Round off the Mex fun with their crocodile pie in lovely lurid lime or a palate-polishing blueberry and lemon sorbet. And just maybe another Margarita?

BODEGA 14–15 Albert Place, Leith Walk, Leith, EH7 4AQ 0131 555 1423, ilovebodega.com £20 (dinner)

The best of the new restaurant, café and bar openings in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Prices shown are for an average two-course meal for one.

Glasgow FEIST

BRUNCH CAFE 192 St Vincent Street, City Centre, 0141 221 6228, feist-cafe.business.site, £11.50 (lunch) The minds behind Finnieston’s Roast and Seb & Mili saw a city centre dearth in the breakfast-brunch-lunch scene and opened this semi-basement café in the heart of office land. The roomy space features red leather booths, stone walls and plenty of greenery, giving a homely DIY feel. There are morning rolls and full-on breakfasts, eggs on eggs on eggs, and a sandwich selection including burgers and toasties. A highlight is the croque madame, a hefty dish of in-house sourdough bread, melted gruyère, honey roasted ham and fried egg on top. The baked goods are another wonder to behold and partake. A great spot, whether on lunch breaks, shopping stops or business breakfasts.

EVOO MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 112a Cowcaddens Road, City Centre, 0141 332 4032, evooglasgow.co.uk, £8 (set lunch) / £18 (dinner) Just round the corner from Scottish bistro Ardnamurchan, the same team have opened this delightful Greek–Italian small plates place. It’s EVOO (that’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil) by both name and nature, as warm bread arrives with rosemary and garlic-infused varieties of the

stuff. That’s followed by a stream of popular Med dishes – falafel, keftedes, parmigiana – with all sorts of oily, garlicky, tomatoey interplay and a very high standard of cooking. The ingredients list is mighty for such a wee place. Only langoustines forego olive oil, instead served halved down the middle, and outrageously finished in ’nduja butter – incredible value, and perhaps the best dish of all. EVOO’s great value at lunchtime, too. Great overall, in fact.

SUISSI VEGAN ASIAN KITCHEN EAST ASIA 494 Dumbarton Road, West End, 0141 339 9331, fb.com/suissiveganasiankitchen, £14 (lunch) From the calm, contemporary interior where east meets west to the startling vegan food and charming service, Suissi is a revelation. Sharing and tasting is expected of diners from an extensive menu where dishes inventively criss-cross pan Asian boundaries. A myriad of mushrooms and freshly prepared tofu give heart to mains, which bring new zest and delicacy to familiar favourites, such as rendang and Thai curries.

Carefully handled vegetable broths – be they Japanese, Szechuan or Malay style – ensure there is depth and flavour to the noodle range. Smoothly delicious icecream with pancakes or jackfruit fritters are unmissable.

Edinburgh CAFÉ INK ARTS VENUES Edinburgh Printmakers, 1 Dundee Street, Tollcross, 0131 557 2479, heritageportfolio.co.uk/ cafes, £10 (lunch) Edinburgh Printmaker’s new home in Fountainbridge, is a cool space drawing on the Union Canal’s industrial vibes. Café Ink, on the first floor with a sunny courtyard, merges the edgy artiness of its home base with the friendliness and laid-back quality of a local café. The bacon roll combines a generous heap of salty, smoked bacon, steamed spinach and fresh greens, and a sharp

chilli sauce for the ultimate luxury twist on the breakfast butty, while the everyday avocado toast is similarly transformed by the addition of smashed, savoury edamame beans and succulent, smoky chorizo.

DAMM27 BARS & PUBS 27 Causewayside, Southside, 0131 667 6693, damm27.com, £7.50 (set lunch) / £18 (dinner) It would be downright churlish to mourn the loss of another traditional boozer when the update is as good as Damm27’s, where dark green tiles, leather booths and exposed brick work create a contemporary, luxe atmosphere. The food is unashamedly European: coq au vin, mussels and charcuterie, with small plates featuring squid tempura, cauliflower kale croquettes, and bone marrow mac and cheese. But this is a bar first and foremost. The cocktail list positively encourages daytime drinking, beers are approachable and there’s a weekly pub quiz too.

RAZZO PIZZA NAPOLETANA ITALIAN 59 Great Junction Street, Leith, 0131 554 4748, razzo-pizza-napoletana.business.site, £11 (lunch) / £11 (dinner) Clean and bright, Great Junction Street’s Razzo Pizza Napoletana’s menu offers a modest selection of starters including a delicious trio of arancini, which gently break open to reveal rice, peas and gooey mozzarella. Mains are exclusively pizza and pasta based. The pizza is excellent with a plentiful covering of quality toppings and thin, lightly charred bases. Penne all’arrabbiata calabrese also exceeds expectations, with ’nduja affording a spicy kick. The dessert range is tiny, but generous portion sizes mean the odds aren’t good on you getting that far.

Independent write-ups on all the restaurants worth knowing about in Glasgow and Edinburgh are available on our online Eating & Drinking Guide at list.co.uk/food-and-drink 46 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

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FOOD & DRINK

WALKING THE DOGS With restaurants such as Fitz(Henry), Rogue and The Dogs, David Ramsden has been the most distinctive and driven restaurateur in Edinburgh over the last two decades. Here we feature some passages from an honest and often revealing fourpart series of articles available in full at list.co.uk in which he writes about his time at the frontline of the capital’s dining scene IN 2001, RAMSDEN OPENED ROGUE IN EDINBURGH’S WEST END: The initial idea was to offer a menu similar to Fitz(Henry), but more expansive. This changed completely after a visit to the Ivy in London with an old chum, Matt Hobbs. Elsewhere in the restaurant that night was Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, the impresario whose name cannot be spoken (#MeToo). The whole experience – the food, service and ambience – was an epiphany.

So we returned to Edinburgh and set about designing a restaurant and a menu for Rogue. The menu was, to me, a work of art. It had a range from pizza, pasta and great sandwiches to fine steaks and seafood.

Rogue was reviewed by Charlie Fletcher in Scotland on Sunday: a glowing piece which really kickstarted the restaurant. From that day it was a great run, often full at lunch and dinner.

Just to stand back during service and watch the room work was a trip. To this day, Rogue is the unit I am most proud of.

ROGUE CLOSED IN 2004. FOUR YEARS LATER, HE SET UP THE DOGS ON HANOVER STREET: The vision I had was to offer an honest menu of well-cooked British classics, leaning hard on

David Ramsden’s various ventures have been covered by The List magazine over the years. For a closer look through The List’s entire back catalogue, search list.co.uk/archive

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offal, less common cuts of meat, and more unusual seafood.

The strongest influences came from Mark Hix and Fergus Henderson, both of whom came to The Dogs over the next few years.

The opening was in May 2008, just as the financial climate was becoming stormy. A year or so later, the unit underneath The Dogs fell vacant. I agreed we could take it on, creating an Italian version of The Dogs, Amore Dogs.

I look back at this time with incredulity, to be honest. I agreed to take on another unit in Rose Street: Seadogs. I also decided to make the unused space beneath Amore Dogs into a comfy, table service bar: this was Underdogs.

Looking back, I would say the biggest challenge to any restauranteur is the choosing, and keeping of, good staff, particularly chefs – although these are the hardest to retain. Most successful restaurants are chef-owner operated, because, at the end of the day, people are coming for the food, not the chat.

In most of my ventures, the most successful periods were when the original chef was still there.

THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, FIRSTLY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY BEFORE TURNING TO HOSPITALITY, RAMSDEN WAS CHALLENGED BY MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES: I don’t know any other anorexics. It is, after all, a secretive condition, rife with guilt, anger, and shame; not to mention a crippling lack of self worth. I have seen a few over the years: the condition seems to give one a kind of radar.

Both rock’n’roll and the restaurant worlds are pretty demanding environments, involving pressure, competition and often some conflict.

The two industries aren’t unique – it’s clear that many occupations and professions possess as

many or even more pressures – but these are the ones I have most experience of, and can examine.

Yes, mental health is an issue in our ever-more complicated lives, but it is also a fact of life. Very few people are unaffected completely, if any; therefore it behoves us, where possible, to deal with it as best we can, but NOT to be ashamed, and not to keep it hidden. If the issues are out in the open, there is the chance that the air and light will lessen the impact; and that empathy may well be forthcoming, sometimes from the most unexpected quarter. Being nicer to ourselves, and to those around us, is a great place to start.

David Ramsden’s four-part account of his restaurant career is published at food.list. co.uk/articles. For support, advice and information on issues of mental health, go to hospitalityhealth.org.uk

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Explore the Library’s Extensive Magazine Archives

Scottish magazines interview their biggest stars WATERSTONES, PRINCES STREET

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Magazine Journalism in the 21st Century

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Your New Favourite Band

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Featuring Maranta & Edwin Organ

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How to find, listen to and even make a magazine podcast

A cut and paste masterclass THE DRAWING ROOM @ ST MARGARET’S HOUSE

Featuring Stylist, FourFourTwo, The Atlantic, gal-dem & many more CENTRAL HALL Presented by

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 49

AROUND TOWN FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /AROUNDTOWN

TAKE ONE ACTION FILM FESTIVAL Film festival tackles female empowerment, social inequity and climate action Take One Action, the UK’s leading global change film festival, is returning to venues across Edinburgh and Glasgow this autumn with a programme of 20 feature films and more than 20 shorts. Now in its 12th year, the festival will also make its way to Aberdeen (15–17 Nov) and Inverness (22–24 Nov). Alongside the featured films, attendees can also enjoy a variety of masterclasses, workshops, community meals and more.

The festival strives to champion female talent and that is reflected in the fact that more than 60% of films in its programme are directed or co-directed by women. These include Ruth Reid’s Scheme Birds, which follows a teenage girl growing up on Motherwell’s Jerviston housing estate; Grit, featuring an Indonesian teenager challenging corporate impunity and corruption; and The Prosecutors, which looks at lawyers fighting for victims of conflict-related sexual violence. There is also space in the programme for highlighting intersectional movements (Everything Must Fall, pictured), the issue of human trafficking in the food industry (Ghost Fleet) and youth activism (Inventing Tomorrow).

Take One Action aims to be as accessible as possible, offering a sliding scale of ticket prices and subtitled, captioned and BSL interpreted screenings, bringing these global issues to a global audience. (Sofia Matias).

■ Various venues, Edinburgh & Glasgow, Wed 18–Sun 29 Sep,

50 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

HIGHLIGHTS | AROUND TOWN

AROUND TOWN HIGHLIGHTS Events are listed by city, then date.

Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW THE DOG LOVER SHOW SEC, Sat 7 & Sun 8 Sep, thedoglovershow.co.uk Scotland’s first consumer dog show with performances and displays from some of the most talented dogs in the UK.

TAKE ONE ACTION FILM FESTIVAL Various venues, Wed 18–Sun 29 Sep, takeoneaction.org.uk A film festival with a political slant, founded on the belief that ‘cinematic experiences can inspire lasting change’ and offering a series of talks and programmes showing how films can be used to empower communities on an international stage.

Also in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness. See preview, page 50.

PEDAL FOR SCOTLAND Glasgow Green, Sun 8 Sep, cycling. scot/pedal-for-scotland A cycle ride aimed at people of all ages and abilities.

WORLD OF FILM INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL GLASGOW Various venues, Thu 3–Sun 6 Oct, woffglasgow.com International festival featuring over 40 films from independent directors from all over the world.

GLASGOW YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL Various venues, Fri 13–Sun 15 Sep, glasgowfilm.org/glasgow-youthfilm-festival Innovative festival for young audiences featuring premieres, screenings, events and special guest speakers. GYFF enables 15–19 year olds to co-create a vibrant and diverse festival.

MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! AGE OF HEROES SSE Hydro, Thu 24–Sun 27 Oct, marveluniverselive.com/uk All your favourite superheroes come to life in this action-packed, stunt-filled arena spectacular that sees The Avengers, X-Men and Spider-Man team up to defeat the worst villains in the Marvel Universe.

Also touring, see list.co.uk for details.

The Dog Lover Show

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 51

AROUND TOWN | HIGHLIGHTS

AROUND TOWN HIGHLIGHTS PHOTO: RICHARD WINPENNY

Samhuinn Fire Festival

DOCUMENT HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL CCA, Thu 24–Sun 27 Oct, documentfilmfestival.org This dedicated international human rights documentary film festival uses international film to raise the profile of human rights and social issues that are not exposed in the mainstream media.

EDINBURGH

EDINBURGH COFFEE FESTIVAL Corn Exchange, Sat 5 Oct, edinburghcoffeefestival.co.uk A festival for lovers of all sorts of coffee, from your regular cups of Joe to your skinny-grande mochaswirl-achino-with-extra-cream sorts, featuring workshops, tastings and demonstrations.

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL Festival Theatre, Sat 14 Sep, oceanfilmfestival.co.uk A selection of documentaries celebrating the beauty and power of the world’s oceans. Also touring, see list.co.uk for details.

FESTIVAL OF POLITICS Scottish Parliament, Thu 10–Sat 12 Oct, festivalofpolitics.scot A programme which aims to provoke and inspire people of all ages and from every walk of life to listen, engage and debate, with talks featuring key players in UK politics.

THE RUM FESTIVAL Summerhall, Fri 27 & Sat 28 Sep, therumfestival.co.uk Travelling rum festival returns for a third year. Try over 100 different rums, cocktails and food from around the globe.

SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL Scottish Storytelling Centre, Fri 18–Thu 31 Oct, sisf.org.uk A celebration of live storytelling and imagination uniting Scottish and

HITLIST

OUTWITH FESTIVAL Various venues, Dunfermline, Tue 3–Sun 8 Sep, outwithfestival. co.uk Festival that celebrates comedy, music, literature, theatre and visual art. The line-up for 2018 included ex-Beta Band member and director John Maclean, screenwriter Gregory Burke, James Yorkston and many more.

52 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

SCOTTISH QUEER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Various venues, Glasgow, Mon 30 Sep– Sun 6 Oct, sqiff.org The Scottish Queer International Film Festival is a celebration of queer cinema, including features, short film screenings, workshops, discussions and nights out.

See feature, page 31.

international storytellers and musicians.

Performance, workshops, talks and children’s events radiate out from the capital with guest storytellers from across the globe.

EDINBURGH CRAFT BEER EXPERIENCE Assembly Roxy, Thu 31 Oct, craftbeerexperience.co.uk Over 20 breweries come together for an immersive beer event in Edinburgh across three floors.

OUT OF TOWN CREATIVE PEEBLES FESTIVAL Various venues, Peebles, Sat 24 Aug–Mon 2 Sep, creativepeeblesfestival.co.uk The arts on offer at this Borders multidisciplinary festival include music by local performers, visual art representing the local area, author readings, newly commissioned theatre performances,

EDINBURGH COCKTAIL WEEK Various venues, Edinburgh, Mon 14–Sun 20 Oct, edinburghcocktailweek. co.uk Week-long programme of cocktail drinking and events, with a new themed extension at the Cocktail Village on Festival Square. See preview, page 14.

film, a crafts fair and tours with historical, humorous, musical, landscape and literary themes.

THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL Floors Castle, Kelso, Sat 14 & Sun 15 Sep, greatbritishfoodfestival.com Guided foraging walks, chef demos, cookery classes and numerous food vendors at various locations across the UK. Also touring, see list.co.uk for details.

TWEED VALLEY FOREST FESTIVAL Tweed Valley Forest Park, Sat 19 & Sun 20 Oct, forest-festival.com A celebration of the rich woodland culture of the Borders in a variety of locations around the beautiful Tweed Valley.

The 2019 event will again feature the Peebles wood market, the Scottish conker championships, Carvefest, woodland walks, activities and much more.

PAISLEY HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL Town Centre, Paisley, Fri 25 & Sat 26 Oct, paisley.is/featured_ event/halloween Annual festival of the macabre returns to Paisley. Events include a costume parade, performances, scary films, workshops, trick-or-treat booths, pumpkin carving and much more.

SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Thu 31 Oct, beltane. org Hosted by Beltane Fire Society, this celebration of the Celtic New Year marks the end of summer and the onset of winter. The change of seasons is brought to life through wild drumming, fire-dancing, acrobatics, and vibrant costumes.

BOOKS FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /BOOKS

WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL Books, art, readings and installations across Scotland’s Book Town Scotland’s National Book Town welcomes a roster of authors, illustrators and performers for another brilliant festival this autumn. Now in its 21st year, Wigtown Book Festival remains one of the warmest and most welcoming of Scotland’s excellent book celebrations.

There are more than 275 events for people of all ages, including the exuberant Big Wig strands for children and the newly renamed WigWAM for young people. Now in its eighth year, WigWAM is a collection of free, peer-programmed creative events for 16–25 year-olds with a focus on words, art and media.

The main programme offers plenty to entice too, including special guests like journalist and author Kirsty Wark, rugby legend Doddie Weir

and crime royalty Denise Mina. Mari Kidd offers inspiration from Scotland’s history in new book Warriors & Witches & Damn Rebel Bitches, while Gavin Esler (pictured with festival patron, Sally Magnusson) will be calling for straight talking in the discussion of Brexit without the Bullshit.

Securing a place on the Book Town Tour is recommended for anyone on their first trip to the festival (be sure to pack a tote bag for browsing all the beautiful bookshops), while the opening fireworks and the annual book quiz are musts for Wigtown first-timers and regulars alike. Put your literary knowledge to the test or simply soak it all up at this special festival.

(Lynsey May) ■ Various venues, Wigtown, Fri 27 Sep–Sun 6 Oct.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 53

BOOKS | PREVIEWS & REVIEWS CRIME FESTIVAL

BLOODY SCOTLAND

Various venues, Stirling, Fri 20–Sun 22 Sep First brought to life by a group of Scottish crime writers in 2012, Bloody Scotland has since forged its own path in the world of book festivals. Its penchant for atmospheric historic venues throughout Stirling’s Old Town and the gloriously dark themes explored by its writers ensure it has its own gruesome glow.

Huge names on the crime scene like Ian Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith, Alex Gray and Lin Anderson will all be appearing, plus an exciting roster of non-fiction writers, including forensic scientist Professor Angela Gallop.

Icelandic queen of crime Yrsa Sigurdardottir is visiting for the festival, as are two different writing couples: Nicci French (the pseudonym of Nicci Gerrard and Sean French) and Ambrose Parry (the pairing of Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman).

Lisa Jewell, known for her contemporary fiction, and more recently for her thrillers, will make her Bloody Scotland debut, as will Canadian bestseller Shari Lapena.

At the opening gala, the winners of the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year and the new prize for Scottish crime fiction debut will be announced. They’ll then join a host of other writers and performers as they set off on the festival’s iconic torchlit procession.

Book a seat for a play at the sheriff court and be prepared to vote on the verdict of a real murder trial, get ready for some noise at the procession of Harley Davidson riders or chill out at screenings of classic crime films, introduced by Ian Rankin.

The glorious mixture of blood, guts and creativity is maybe best described by Val McDermid, who said, ‘nobody leaves Bloody Scotland without their head birling like a peerie.' Visitors who’d also like a twirl on the dancefloor can take part in the killer ceilidh. (Lynsey May)

MEMOIR

SHORT STORIES

HISTORICAL FICTION

Notes Made While Falling (Goldsmiths Press) ●●●●●

Things We Say in the Dark (Harvill Secker) ●●●●●

The Nickel Boys (Fleet) ●●●●●

As an author of three novels, Jenn Ashworth finds that for the first time in her life, fiction fails her. The novel she tries to conjure up in the aftermath of trauma and illness refuses to come to life, and she turns to nonfiction. The result is difficult to define; a memoir and essay collection and also an investigation into illness, expression and writing itself.

Ashworth’s research is painstaking in the truest sense of the word. It is exhaustive, scouring and interrogative. She draws deeply from critical theory and examines writers experimenting with genre and form while pushing the boundaries herself.

In a moment of profound distress, Ashworth says ‘the words speak me’. Yet in this collection, the prose is precise and the language experimental in a way that could be called playful, if it wasn’t also so fraught.

‘Ground Zero’ is a series of ruminations severed mid-thought then sewn back together, while ‘Attempts on the Life of King Lear’ reminds us that to relate to a character is not to condone it. Ashworth also shows us the bones of her writing, holding up an x-ray to an essay so we can see which parts grew, which broke, which fused together again.

The essays are preoccupied with the search for pattern and meaning, both personal and between the writer and reader, ‘a risky mutual transfusion, is what literature is for’. And it’s exactly what’s been achieved in this genre-defying collection. (Lynsey May) ■ Out Wed 4 Sep.

Kirsty Logan, author of The Gloaming and A Portable Shelter, is both a novelist and short story writer and Things We Say in the Dark perfectly illustrates her command of the short form. In this contemporary collection, she invites you over the hearth for a storytelling session that goes right to our deepest, most closely guarded fears.

There’s a selection of forms here, including a dash of the supernatural, a good whack of re-imagined fairy tale, squirm-worthy body horror and several sophisticated scares. At the core, there’s a fierce and bloody feminism. Women give birth to fruit, to lovable monsters, to things they were never sure they wanted in ‘My Body Cannot Forget Your Body’ and fight their way to freedom in ‘Stranger Blood is Sweeter’.

The titles are a particular delight, with highlights such as ‘Girls are Always Hungry When all the Men are Bite-Size’ and ‘Sleep, You Black-Eyed Pig, Fall into a Deep Pit of Ghosts’. Light and illumination are a theme throughout, making the dark corners all the blacker, and the stories are framed by short passages that appear autobiographical and which slowly take on the same creeping dread elicited in the stories themselves.

Join Logan on an unsettling journey through the murkiest corners of her imagination, which is as fertile as it is expansive. (Lynsey May) ■ Out Thu 3 Oct.

JENN ASHWORTH

54 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

KIRSTY LOGAN

COLSON WHITEHEAD

Colson Whitehead's follow-up to 2016's Pulitzerwinning The Underground Railroad employs 20thcentury realism to confront racial injustices in America.

The Nickel correctional school of the title is based on Florida's Dozier School for Boys, where multiple graves of abused pupils were recently excavated.

We follow Elwood Curtis through boyhood in 1960s Tallahassee, later life in New York, and the ragged wound of Nickel in between. With its high-school setting and moral clarity, it is surely destined for school reading lists. The narrative voice is clear, stern and wise, although occasionally clunky.

The first half gathers pace and detail. Young Elwood is likeable and bookish, and his prospects seem bright – but the reader knows the tragic arc of black American history; there will be no victory without struggle and setback. Sure enough, Elwood is unjustly incarcerated in Nickel and his time there is a subversion of children’s boarding-school tales. The boys forge friendships and plan pranks, but here, the punishments are pederasty, racism, and beatings so hard they scar the mind and body for life.

All this haunts the emotionally richer second half, where the older, regretful Elwood lives a life never quite free of Nickel's long shadow. The Nickel Boys shows us how hard it is to break the habit of cowering; this is a novel about justified, inescapable, overwhelming fear and how it scars even – perhaps especially – the defiant. (Aran Ward Sell) ■ Out now.

HIGHLIGHTS | BOOKS

BOOKS HIGHLIGHTS Events are listed by city, then date.

Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

CRACKING READING Edinburgh Bookshop, Thu 12 Sep, edinburghbookshop.com Carter’s Yard Phonics visit the Edinburgh Bookshop for an evening of talks about phonics, how to get children interested in reading, accessible texts and more.

OUTWITH FESTIVAL Various venues, Dunfermline, Tue 3–Sun 8 Sep, outwithfestival. co.uk Dunfermline-based festival that celebrates comedy, music, literature, theatre and visual art in and around the city.

AN EVENING WITH JAY KRISTOFF Waterstones, Thu 5 Sep, waterstones.com Join New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff as he discusses the last instalment in his The Nevernight Chronicles.

ART AND POETRY TO DELIGHT THE SENSES City Art Centre, Sat 21 Sep, edinburghmuseums.org.uk Former Edinburgh Makar Christine De Luca reads a selection of her poetry, inspired by Victoria Crowe’s paintings.

ADAM MCNELIS: BRAIN-NATTER Tennent’s Bar, Sat 14 Sep, thetennentsbarglasgow.co.uk Adam McNelis launches his second book Brain-natter / A Short Story Collection with a night of music, poetry, stand-up comedy and short stories.

THE DRIFT Traverse Theatre, Thu 10 Oct, hannahlavery.com Spoken word show by Hannah Lavery, exploring the experience of being ‘mixed’ in Scotland. Also touring, see list. co.uk for details.

NAIRN BOOK AND ARTS FESTIVAL Various venues, Nairn, Mon 9–Sun 15 Sep, nairnfestival.co.uk A range of musical, literary and artistic events with a fringe drawing on the talents of the local creative community. The 2019 programme features a Kids’ Day, workshops, author events, a food fair, poetry readings and competitions in illustration and photography.

IN CONVERSATION WITH JOE ABERCROMBIE AND JAMES OSWALD Waterstones, Thu 19 Sep, waterstones.com Evening of fantasy and crime writing discussion with bestselling authors Joe Abercrombie and James Oswald.

ARMISTEAD MAUPIN The Queen’s Hall, Thu 10 Oct, thequeenshall.net Author Armistead Maupin reads from his memoir Logical Family. Former naval officer and newspaper reporter Maupin launched his groundbreaking Tales of the City serial in the San Francisco Chronicle in the 1970s. His novels include Maybe the Moon, The Night Listener and, most recently, The Days of Anna Madrigal.

GLASGOW

AN EVENING WITH MARY PAULSON-ELLIS Waterstones, Wed 2 Oct, waterstones.com Celebrate the launch of Mary Paulson-Ellis’ second novel, The Inheritance of Solomon Farthing.

EDINBURGH ANTHONY O’NEILL: THE DEVIL UPSTAIRS Waterstones West End, Thu 5 Sep, waterstones.com Launch for Anthony O’Neill’s latest novel, The Devil Upstairs.

AN ILLUSTRATED TREASURY OF SCOTTISH CASTLE LEGENDS Waterstones West End, Fri 6 Sep, waterstones.com Theresa Breslin and Kate Leiper celebrate the release of their newest book, An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Castle Legends.

HITLIST HITLIST

BLOODY XXX SCOTLAND Various Xxxx Xxxx venues, Stirling, Fri 20–Sun 22 Sep, bloodyscotland.com An innovative festival drawing on Scotland’s love of the literary macabre and celebrating crime writing by bringing together leading Scottish and international writers, showcasing debut voices and encouraging

GOLDEN HARE BOOKS FESTIVAL Various venues, Fri 18–Sun 20 Oct, goldenharebooks.com/festival Debut book festival celebrating all the best books and authors published throughout the year.

OUT OF TOWN ISLAY BOOK FESTIVAL Various venues, Islay, Thu 29 Aug–Sun 1 Sep, islaybookfestival. co.uk An intimate and friendly festival on the popular whisky isle that caters to Scotland’s love of crime thrillers as well as introducing quirky and challenging books in a programme with something for all ages.

new writers. As well as interviews and panels there is a torchlight procession, criminal cabaret, a crime writers’ football match, a quiz and much more. See preview, page 54.

TIDELINES BOOK FESTIVAL Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, Thu 26–Sun 29

ST MONANS COMMUNITY ARTS FESTIVAL Various venues, St Monans, Sat 14 & Sun 15 Sep, stmonans.org.uk With a strong local community focus, this festival offers a range of spectator and participatory events, with history walks and a camera museum ranking as two of the most popular attractions among a programme of concerts, workshops, visual arts displays and literary events.

BOOK FESTIVAL: WORDS OF WAR The Black Watch Castle and Museum, Perth, Sat 21 Sep, theblackwatch.co.uk Book festival featuring authors who approach the topic of war, the military, military history and both real and fictional war stories.

AN EVENING WITH PETER ROBINSON Waterstones, Aberdeen, Mon 23 Sep, waterstones.com Evening with the author of the popular DCI Banks book series, now comprising more than 20 novels.

ALISTAIR MOFFAT: TO THE ISLAND OF TIDES Topping & Company Booksellers, St Andrews, Wed 25 Sep, toppingbooks.co.uk The Scottish author and historian launches his

Sep, tidelinesbookfest. com Irvine-based book festival with a great little line-up of events for kids and adults alike.

WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL Various venues, Wigtown, Fri 27 Sep–Sun 6 Oct, wigtownbookfestival. com An established and

Armistead Maupin

newest book, To the Island of Tides: A Journey to Lindisfarne.

NESS BOOK FEST Various venues, Inverness & Fort William, Thu 3–Sat 5 Oct, nessbookfest.wordpress.com Inverness-based book festival that features emerging voices as well as big names in a free programme of events.

BIGGAR LITTLE FESTIVAL Various venues, Biggar, Thu 17– Sun 27 Oct, biggarlittlefestival. com The name is something of a red herring as this small Lanarkshire festival is really punching above its weight with a large programme of varied arts events put on by different community groups and local businesses, plus a couple of big name touring artists booked by the festival committee. Covering comedy, theatre, exhibitions, walks, dance and music of all kinds, the festival offers affordable local access to the arts for all.

celebrated feature in the Scottish literary calendar attracting many big names.

For ten days, Scotland’s National Book Town buzzes with book events as well as theatre, music and site-specific attractions in quirky venues. A dedicated children’s garden hosts events for younger readers. See preview, page 53.

ROYAL NATIONAL MOD Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 11–Sat 19 Oct, ancomunn.co.uk The Royal National Mòd is Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival and is famous for celebrating our Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage. In 2019, the festival takes its celebration toxxxx the city of Glasgow.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 55

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ROMESH RANGANATHAN The loveable comic is back with brutally honest stand-up

PHOTO: RICH HARDCASTLE

The hardest working man in comedy? The nicest man in stand-up? Not the greatest maths teacher in the world? Romesh Ranganathan has been called the first two several times and is open enough to dub himself the third on the occasions when he reflects back on his previous life in the education game. Now, though, he’s teaching new stand-ups a lesson in how to make it in the business: hard work and being nice.

Oh, and being very funny, too, which The Reluctant Landlord sitcom creator and star has been almost effortlessly doing since his emergence in 2013 (it takes hard work to make it look that effortless, remember).

His debut Rom Com was nominated for the Best Newcomer prize at the Edinburgh Fringe, while his equally puntastic follow-up, Rom Wasn’t Built in a Day, made the shortlist for the big award the following year. He’s now back this autumn with The Cynic’s Mixtape, a show that he is insisting will be his ‘most brutally honest yet’.

(Brian Donaldson) ■ Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Sat 26 & Sun 27 Oct; Edinburgh Playhouse, Thu 21 & Fri 22 Nov.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 57

COMEDY | PREVIEWS & REVIEWS STAND-UP

ASHLEY BLAKER & IMRAN YUSUF

The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 27 Oct; The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 28 Oct Though united by their love of a certain Merseyside football club, orthodox Jewish comedian Ashley Blaker and devout Muslim comic Imran Yusuf are different in many ways. ‘We’re kindred spirits, insofar as we are curious about faith and have interacted with our religious traditions in different ways during our lives,’ says Blaker. ‘Neither of us is the kind of person who has always thought the same way and we are both open to ideas and think about this area of our life. I guess that’s the big thing we have in common. That and the one true faith: Liverpool Football Club.’

Citing tricky relationships with their mothers as their area of greatest overlap, Little Britain producer Blaker and Yusuf are currently developing a television adaptation.

‘Often we’ve been interacting on stage and Imran has said something and I’ve thought “wow, that’s just like us!” notes Blaker. ‘It’s incredible how much we are alike.’ Though both comics perform individual sets in Prophet Sharing, they deliver the show’s final 45 minutes together, addressing the audience’s responses to a questionnaire. ‘We cover a lot of ground,’ Blaker explains. ‘Football, cricket, dating, driving, airport security, Jewish and Muslim audiences, kosher and halal food, Jewish and Muslim mothers, our mosque and synagogue. The list is quite long. Thankfully, we never seem to run out of material.’

As the influence of the far-right grows more mainstream, it seems imperative for religious diversity and freedom of speech that people of faith are prepared to stand up. ‘It’s a worrying time and we’ve seen attacks on our houses of worship in San Diego, Pittsburgh and Christchurch,’ Blaker concurs. ‘I don’t think there’s ever been a more important time for Jews and Muslims to come together because we are much stronger together than we are apart.’

(Jay Richardson)

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PREVIEWS & REVIEWS | COMEDY

list.co.uk/comedy

PHOTO: EDWARD MOORE

R E V IE W

STAND-UP

JAMES ACASTER: COLD LASAGNE HATE MYSELF 1999

O2 Academy, Glasgow, Sun 29 Sep; King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Sun 3 Nov. Reviewed at O2 Academy, Glasgow, Sat 20 Jul Sloping onstage with shades on before kicking over his drinks table, James Acaster’s shiny-new tough-guy persona lasts all of about a minute and a half. Announcing throughout that this gig might be the weirdest on his tour to date (bet he says that to all the cities), the Kettering comic delivers a dizzying two halves of typically inventive nonsense.

Except there’s one shift in the Acaster live experience: he’s now giving us an insight into his personal life in a way he’s barely attempted before. Gone are the extended pretences of being an undercover detective or a juror, as we learn about the tricky situations he's had to deal with in recent years such as the time his ex-girlfriend began dating Rowan Atkinson, or when the relationship with his agent fell apart, leaving Acaster genuinely depressed at the way his life was panning out.

Not that the daftness has been entirely abandoned. He discusses his admiration for the various workings of the moon and merges the personal with the fantastical in a sequence about his wholly unethical dealings with a therapist. Jamse Acaster may have been spurned by the Edinburgh Comedy Award judges down the years, but it has done little harm to a career that’s evolving and improving with each new show. (Brian Donaldson) MY COMEDY HERO

SINDHU VEE

Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Mon 30 Sep; Glee Club, Glasgow, Wed 2 Oct; Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, Thu 3 Oct It’s past my bedtime but I don’t care because I’m watching the one thing on television that I’m willing to get into trouble for: a show that has many funny people in it but is, actually, about one extremely funny woman. As an eight-year-old, it’s lost on me what a monumental feat it is that she has her own show, on primetime TV, in the 1970s. And that it’s a comedy show.

All I know is I cannot get enough of her. Of Carol Burnett. She is my comedy hero(ine) because she was a ‘girl’ on TV who was making people laugh by being silly and weird and slightly crazy. Being weird and feeling slightly crazy was the space I pretty much occupied 24/7: I was a stammering, awkward outsider whose family had moved from India to the Philippines, so I was the only non-white kid in my class. My packed lunches smelled ‘gross’ blah blah blah . . . you get the drift.

But I was also a kid who loved telling jokes. Mine weren’t well-received all the time but Carol Burnett gave me hope. To see her on TV, strange and different, sans any glam (like Charlie’s Angels or Wonder Woman) meant that just being funny counted. She showed me that I can create laughter and thus be counted, just like Wonder Woman (minus the looks: my class called me ‘blackie’ and my mother cut my hair herself, so I knew my limits). (As told to Brian Donaldson)

LOCAL LAUGHS JEANNIE JONES

ANOTHER UP-AND-COMER HAS A GO AT OUR Q&A Can you tell us about the moment when you thought: ‘stand-up is for me’? I can tell you the exact moment: I was watching Sandi Toksvig’s Edinburgh Fringe show in 2012.

Sarah Millican was sitting behind me. At the end of the show, Sandi said she is often asked what she thought would be different now from when she started in comedy and she said she thought there would be a lot more female comedians. After that I said I am going to do this! So I started writing jokes and did my first gig six months later.

right in the middle of the punchline.

You learn to think on your feet. I try to be playful and tease people rather than go on an all-out vicious attack.

Where do you draw the line when it comes to ‘offensive comedy’? As a comedian, you have no internal filter so sometimes it can be hard to remember what civilians find offensive. However, I try to stick to the rule about punching up and not punching down. No topic is off limits but I am very aware that sensitive subjects need to be handled carefully.

Do you have any pre-show rituals you can tell us about? I like to always have my bright red lipstick on. I don’t wear make-up offstage so putting my face on gets me gig-ready.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from another comedian so far? Slow down.

Wait til the laughter dies down before your next gag.

How do you handle hecklers?

Most hecklers just want to join in and be part of the show. When you are hosting, it is good when the crowd interacts as long as it’s not

■ Jeannie Jones appears at Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service, The Stand, Glasgow, Sun 22 Sep. See more of this q&a at list.co.uk/comedy 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 59

COMEDY | HIGHLIGHTS

COMEDY HIGHLIGHTS Events are listed by city, then date.

Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW BIANCA DEL RIO SEC, Fri 6 Sep, sec.co.uk Drag superstar Bianca Del Rio brings her razor-tongued wit and fabulous eye make-up on a UK tour. Also Edinburgh Playhouse, Sat 7 Sep, playhousetheatre.com RUSSELL HOWARD: RESPITE SSE Hydro, Sat 21 Sep, thessehydro.com The ever-popular comedian sets off on a new worldwide tour.

JASON BYRNE: WRECKED BUT READY Tramway, Fri 27 Sep, tramway.org The immensely popular Fringe fave takes to the stage for an hour of his raucous stand-up.

THE TAPE FACE SHOW SEC, Fri 27 Sep, sec.co.uk New Zealand prop comic and mime Sam Wills returns with new jokes and new props but the same tape. See First & Last, page 136. Also Dundee Rep Theatre, Sat 28 Sep, dundeerep.co.uk FERN BRADY: POWER AND CHAOS The Stand, Sun 29 Sep, thestand. co.uk/glasgow Incisive comedy from one of Scotland’s best up-and-coming stand-ups. Also touring, see list. co.uk/comedy for details.

JAMES ACASTER: COLD LASAGNE HATE MYSELF 1999 O2 Academy, Sun 29 Sep, academymusicgroup.com/ o2academyglasgow Brand new show from the comedian who named it after a time he tried cold lasagne and enjoyed it. See review, page 59. Also The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, Tue 24, Sat 28 Sep, aberdeenperformingarts.com/thelemon-tree

HITLIST

STILL GAME LIVE: THE FINAL FAREWELL SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Fri 27 Sep–Sun 13 Oct, thessehydro. com One last trip to Craiglang for the stage version of Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill’s hit TV sitcom about ageing disgracefully. See feature, page 22.

60 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

NICK HELM: PHOENIX FROM THE FLAMES The Stand, Sun 6 Oct, thestand.co.uk/ glasgow Two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee sings songs and rights wrongs after some time away from the comedy stage.

ELF LYONS The Stand, Sat 12 Oct, thestand. co.uk/glasgow A surreal tale of love and loneliness from comedian Elf Lyons. Also Gilded Balloon Basement, Edinburgh, Sun 13 Oct, gildedballoon.co.uk ALL KILLA NO FILLA The Stand, Sun 13 Oct, thestand. co.uk/glasgow Hit podcast from comedians Rachel Fairburn and Kiri Pritchard-McLean who share their curious passion for serial killers.

HENNING WEHN: GET ON WITH IT Pavilion Theatre, Fri 18 Oct, paviliontheatre.co.uk Observations from the German comedian. Also Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, Sat 19 Oct, alhambradunfermline.com JOHN ROBINS: HOT SHAME Pavilion Theatre, Sun 20 Oct, paviliontheatre.co.uk The comedian and ‘London’s saddest DJ’ plumbs the hilarity to be found in even our bleakest moments.

FRISKY & MANNISH: POPLAB Òran Mór, Thu 24 Oct, oranmor.co.uk The duo return with their spectacular brand of musical infotainment.

Ben Elton

Week podcast. See My Comedy Hero, page 59. Also touring, see list.co.uk/ comedy for details.

EDINBURGH FRANKIE BOYLE: FULL POWER Edinburgh Playhouse, Thu 12 & Fri 13 Sep, playhousetheatre.com The Scottish comedian tours his latest hour.

Also touring, see list.co.uk/comedy for details.

SINDHU VEE: SANDHOG Royal Lyceum Theatre, Mon 30 Sep, lyceum.org.uk Debut show from the host of BBC Radio 4’s Comedy of the

BEN ELTON Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 1 Oct, paviliontheatre. co.uk The legendary comedian, author and playwright heads out on a stand-up tour for the first time in 15 years.

Also The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 4 & Sat 5 Oct, thequeenshall. net

GLENN MOORE: LOVE DON’T LIVE HERE GLENNY MOORE The Stand, Sun 27 Oct, thestand. co.uk/edinburgh The funnyman presents his debut solo UK tour. Also touring, see list.co.uk/comedy for details.

ASHLEY BLAKER & IMRAN YUSUF: PROPHET SHARING The Stand, Sun 27 Oct, thestand.

EDDIE IZZARD: WUNDERBAR King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 2–Sun 6 Oct, atgtickets.com/ venues/kings-theatre The language-loving comedian is back with a brand new show.

See feature, page 26. Also Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 19 & Sun 20 Oct,

co.uk/edinburgh Religious comedy from this hilarious double-act. See preview, page 58. Also The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 28 Oct, thestand. co.uk/glasgow

OUT OF TOWN TOMMY TIERNAN: ALIVE Macrobert Arts Centre, Fri 18 Oct, macrobertartscentre.org Much-loved comedian Tommy Tiernan does his preacher-like thing on tour. Ages 15+.

Also touring, see list.co.uk/comedy for details.

capitaltheatres.com/ your-visit/festivaltheatre ROMESH RANGANATHAN: THE CYNIC’S MIXTAPE SEC, Glasgow, Sat 26 & Sun 27 Oct, sec.co.uk Brutally honest comedy from the star of The Reluctant Landlord. See preview page 57.

HANNAH GADSBY: DOUGLAS Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 30 Oct, capitaltheatres. com/your-visit/festivaltheatre After the success of Nanette, the groundbreaking Australian comedian returns with a new show named after one of her dogs. See feature, page 20.

FILM FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /FILM

KUNG FU FILM FESTIVAL A week of action-packed martial arts screenings If you’re a fan of kung fu and any and all kinds of Chinese martial arts, Summerhall is the place for you this September as the venue plays host to Scotland’s first ever Kung Fu Film Festival, with screenings of classics like Ang Lee’s multi award-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the 2002 Jet Li favourite Hero, which was the first Chinese-language film to go to number one at the US box office. You can also see Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon, and Jackie Chan’s hilarious Drunken Master, both of which will be accompanied by Q&As on the art and science of kung fu.

Elsewhere on the programme, attendees will be able to take introductory martial arts classes courtesy of White Crane Scotland and Suffrajitsu, who run self defence classes for women in Edinburgh.

It’s not all action and adventure though, as films like the 2001 madcap sports comedy Shaolin Soccer (pictured) will get a screening, alongside Stephen Chow’s special-effects, gangsters and nostalgia-filled Kung Fu Hustle. There will also be a rare chance to see Wolf Warrior II, the most successful Chineselanguage movie of all time.

If you’re after something a bit different after the chaos of August in Edinburgh, the Kung Fu Film Festival promises a week of high-octane action, epic choreography and absurd comic capers, but all on the big screen. (Arusa Qureshi) ■ Summerhall, Edinburgh, Mon 16–Sun 22 Sep.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 61

FILM | REVIEWS

DOCUMENTARY

FOR SAMA

(18) 100min ●●●●●

ROMANTIC DRAMA

THE SOUVENIR (15) 120min ●●●●●

A romance shrouded in mystery and apparently ill-fated is at the heart of Joanna Hogg’s typically brilliant fourth film. The British writer-director of Archipelago takes inspiration from her years as a fledgling filmmaker; we meet a young woman learning her craft while dating a secretive, unsuitable gentleman.

Seeking the discomfort of an inexperienced performer, Hogg casts Honor Swinton Byrne – daughter of Tilda Swinton and John Byrne – in her first major role. Set in the early 80s, the actress plays unworldly filmmaking student Julie, who’s unsuccessfully balancing artistic experimentation with a fraught relationship with Foreign Office worker Anthony (a fascinating, slippery performance from Tom Burke). Swinton Senior (who worked with Hogg on her 1986 short Caprice) appears as Julie’s mother, an upper-class woman who’s fussy and stiff but loving in her own way.

Combining fawn-like fragility with a prissiness that easily betrays her class, Swinton Byrne gives a performance so unaffected as to feel almost out of its depth on the big screen – yet it ultimately works, even against Burke’s more showy, complex turn. Julie is brimming with good intentions and eager to prove herself, but desperately lacking in canny.

Although sensitive and interested in others, she is shown to be someone who looks but doesn’t yet see. As the film charts her growth, it reveals her lover’s weakness.

Hogg delivers the first part of her story (part two has been shot) in tantalising, meticulously crafted snatches that resist overt explanation. She paints a fairly unflattering portrait of her own creative evolution, while offering an unforgettable take on the truism: it’s only once we’ve known heartache that we can turn our hand to art. (Emma Simmonds) ■ Out now.

When, in 2012, Syrian citizen Waad al-Kateab filmed early demonstrations against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime on her mobile phone, it was to prove to the world that such protests were actually happening. Then a university student, al-Kateab went on to record the atrocities that the regime subsequently inflicted on its people, all from her horrifyingly exposed position in East Aleppo.

Her extensive footage, taken across five years, forms a striking documentary that is intimate in nature and micro in scope. Co-directing with Edward Watts, al-Kateab has produced this film primarily, as she explains in voiceover, for her daughter Sama, whose first year was spent under perpetual bombardment in the rubble-strewn husk of the city. The footage contains many horrors, yet al-Kateab also captures incredible humanity and all-too-brief moments of small, personal victory.

Although the non-linear narrative occasionally hinders the film, For Sama is a powerful testament to the resilient people of Aleppo, filled with in-the-moment fear-stricken testimonies, heartbreaking scenes of death, and scattered with camaraderie and the odd outbreak of resigned levity. This is urgent filmmaking at its finest. (Sophie Willard) ■ Selected release from Fri 13 Sep.

CRIME DRAMA

THE KITCHEN

(15) 103min ●●●●● DRAMA

BAIT

(15) 89min ●●●●● A principled fisherman tangles with down-from-London types in this leftfield take on class warfare from writerdirector Mark Jenkin. Aping silent cinema in its aesthetic and intensity, it turns the mounting tensions of a Cornish fishing village into riveting dramatic fodder.

Boat-less fisherman Martin Ward (Edward Rowe) is on a quest to restore his family’s fortunes. His childhood home has been sold to the affluent Leighs (Mary Woodvine and Simon Shepherd), who inhabit it for just two months a year. A man of few words, Martin is straight out of a western, making the smug Leighs the genteel invaders.

Bringing with them Waitrose goodies and folk like them, they’re nightmarishly plausible.

Shot in black-and-white using a 16mm clockwork Bolex camera and hand-processed, Bait is a labour of love. Using masterfully edited montage, Jenkin shows how the elements and individuals rub uneasily up against one another, while stormy stares are delivered via gloomy, grainy visuals that crackle with imperfections. The pertinent, everyday subject matter is lent cinematic stature by the wonderfully perverse approach. By harnessing the past, Jenkin gives real weight to the problems of the present.

(Emma Simmonds) ■ Out now.

62 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

Three mob wives take matters into their own hands in this crime drama based on the DC comic book series. Set in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC in 1978, it stars Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss as women whose Irish mafia husbands are sent to prison. Short of cash, they make the risky decision to set up a protection racket in direct competition with local mobsters. Watching them take over from men is thrilling stuff: this underdog story puts a gun to the head of sexism and isn’t afraid to pull the trigger.

But, as the body count escalates, the tone becomes more problematic. It’s intriguing to see otherwise ordinary female protagonists making deadly decisions, but there isn’t enough exploration of the moral conflict. That said, there is much to enjoy in The Kitchen, which comes with a hefty dose of Fleetwood Mac and grittily groovy 70s stylings. The leads are as fantastic as you’d expect, while male roles are filled well.

The film’s conclusion might leave you frowning, but there are moments of fun, dark humour and tension along the way. Hats off to writer-director Andrea Berloff for turning the tables behind the scenes, too: how many gangster films have been directed by women? (Anna Smith) ■ General release from Fri 20 Sep.

REVIEWS | FILM

list.co.uk/film

DRAMA

THRILLER

COMEDY HORROR

(15) 99min ●●●●●

(15) 123min ●●●●●

(18) 95min ●●●●●

THE LAST TREE Three years after he explored the impact of gentrification and cultural erosion on London’s black communities in his multimedia debut A Moving Image, writer-director Shola Amoo returns with the semi-autobiographical The Last Tree.

It's driven by a commanding central performance from Sam Adewunmi as Femi, a British boy of Nigerian descent who, after enjoying an idyllic rural childhood with foster mother Mary (Denise Black), finds himself thrust into the tower blocks of London after his mother Yinka (a moving performance from Gbemisola Ikumelo) returns to claim him.

Adewunmi is outstanding; fuelled by rage, confusion and fear, his proud demeanour barely conceals the fact that he’s almost entirely overwhelmed by his feelings. He’s also struggling to understand his heritage – his mother’s traditions are alien to him – and to live up to preconceived ideas of who and what he should be. While a final reel trip to Lagos is rather rushed, and a subplot involving a compassionate teacher somewhat cliched, Amoo presents a far more sensitive representation of the black British experience than is often seen on screen, challenging his audience to confront their own prejudices along the way. (Nikki Baughan) ■ Selected release from Fri 27 Sep.

HOTEL MUMBAI

READY OR NOT

As fresh atrocities wash images of previous horrors from the news cycle, Hotel Mumbai stokes memories of one particular mass shooting. Debut helmer Anthony Maras dramatises the 2008 Taj Mahal Palace Hotel attack.

Gunmen make their way into the Mumbai hotel, firing indiscriminately as they walk through the lobby.

A waiter, Arjun (Dev Patel), manages to protect some of the guests, who end up trapped in one of the lounges. Also among those fighting to escape are exRussian special forces operative Vasili (Jason Isaacs), whose path crosses with an American, David (Armie Hammer), trying to protect his wife and child.

Hotel Mumbai is a brutal film to watch. Although many of the tropes seem familiar from countless Hollywood movies, the storyline develops more interestingly, with its unusual insistence on depicting the minutiae of a human catastrophe. Moreover, Maras makes and fulfils a basic promise; without context or explanation, he depicts agonising events and pays tribute to the dead. Best considered in the style of Elephant or United 93, Hotel Mumbai does an effective job of forcing the audience to imagine what it feels like to be on the end of the barrel of a gun. (Eddie Harrison) ■ General release and on Sky Cinema from Fri 27 Sep.

While many eyes will doubtless be on the Downton Abbey movie this September, it’s not the only country pile that forms the backdrop of a new film.

In high-spirited comedy horror Ready or Not, family newcomer Grace (Samara Weaving) must fight for her survival in just about every room of an imposing manor.

The eccentric Le Domas family live by one tradition: every time someone marries into their midst, on their wedding night, they must select a card and play a game. Grace draws the short straw: a deadly take on hide-and-seek that lasts until dawn. Suddenly, everyone is after her blood – including her mother and father in law (Andie MacDowell and Henry Czerny) and assorted nutjob relatives. Not even the bickering Crawley clan behaves this badly.

The Australian-born Weaving is rock-solid as the initially bewildered bride who takes on the deranged brood at their own game, while co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Devil’s Due) strike a neat balance between action, blood-gushing gore and Trading Places-style wealth satire. It’s not perfect – whether it’s the over-the-top CGI of the finale or the lack of characterisation. But, for a late-night trip to the movies, it’s ideal. (James Mottram) ■ General release from Fri 27 Sep.

COMEDY DRAMA

THE FAREWELL (PG) 100min ●●●●●

The family comedy gets a poignant new twist in writer-director Lulu Wang’s deeply personal tale of grief and culture clashes, inspired by her grandmother’s diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer.

Wang’s family took the decision to hide the illness from the patient, instead gathering together under the guise of a wedding to say goodbye.

Apparently a common practice in China, this elaborate lie did not sit right with Wang, and the film explores her moral dilemma by presenting different sides of the argument through jovial and emotional exchanges, all served up over mouth-watering meals and grand family reunions. Operating on multiple levels, The Farewell really resonates when it comes to the overwhelming experience of returning to the motherland, with lingering shots of changing neighbourhoods and childhood memories floating to the surface.

Rapper-turned-actress Awkwafina turns in a hugely affecting dramatic performance, after memorable comedic turns in Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean’s Eight. She rolls with the punches as Billi, who adores her Nai Nai (an effervescent Shuzhen Zhao).

Whether they are talking on the phone or bonding over tai chi, their heartening interactions ring true, even if they do shield one another from uncomfortable secrets by telling little white lies.

The ensemble all do excellent work as fragile family members acting out, not knowing how to manage their inner turmoil.

It’s all intuitively handled by Wang, who nails the chaos and unspoken intimacy of relatives bonding over shared sorrow. The affection and complexity of this familial unit colours every candid exchange, coping mechanism, karaoke number and drunken speech, resulting in a bittersweet portrait of undying love.

(Katherine McLaughlin) ■ General release from Fri 20 Sep. 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 63

FILM | REVIEWS

DRAMA

FARMING

(18) 102min ●●●●●

BIOPIC

JUDY

(12A) 118min ●●●●● Judy Garland died in 1969 at the age of 47. Also that year, she married her fifth husband and performed a five-week run in a London nightclub. This biopic takes a look at that time, with Renée Zellweger playing the pill-popping singer, indelibly marked by her experiences as a child actress in the likes of The Wizard of Oz. It’s a sad indictment of early Hollywood, but director Rupert Goold (True Story) still finds joy, glamour and heart in this adaptation of hit play End of the Rainbow.

We meet Judy when she is divorcing husband number four, and encounters handsome young Mickey Deans (Finn Wittrock) at a party. He follows her to London, but this is less focused on their romance and more on Judy’s struggles to complete her work commitments while drifting drunkenly from hotels to bars, adored but unhappy and wracked with guilt about being separated from her children.

This is a portrait of a deeply lonely woman, and its best scenes are both poignant and gently amusing. One adorable moment sees the star inviting a pair of startled gay autograph hunters out to dinner, only to end up at their small flat when all restaurants are shut. A tender conversation ensues, recalling My Week with Marilyn in its depiction of an ill-fated actress having an encounter with a British fan.

This also recalls the recent Stan & Ollie, but it’s better, not least due to Zellweger’s tremendous performance. Whether delivering fake smiles or – more rarely – real ones, Zellweger is captivating as the tragic star, her face etched with sadness, her eyes wistful, her shoulders slightly hunched, her stagger barely under control. This seems like the role the actress has been waiting for – and the film many Garland fans have too. (Anna Smith) ■ General release from Wed 2 Oct.

Based on the experiences of actor-turned-director Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Farming tells the unusual and horrifying story of a British Nigerian boy assimilating into an Essex skinhead gang. In the 60s and 70s, ‘farming’ was the phenomenon of working or studying immigrants fostering out their children to white, often working-class families. The film opens with one such arrangement: a Nigerian couple (Akinnuoye-Agbaje himself and Genevieve Nnaji) hand their newborn son, Enitan, over to the Carpenters (Lee Ross and Kate Beckinsale), alongside a wad of cash.

Growing up in a white neighbourhood, Enitan internalises the prejudice he experiences. When his birth parents bring him back to Nigeria, he is as out of place there as he is in Tilbury. Zephan Amissah’s initial portrayal of a shy boy turning against himself is as remarkable as the process is sickening.

Frustratingly, the remainder – which sees a 16-year-old Enitan (played by Damson Idris) join the skinhead gang – lacks the same conviction, with nuance losing out to punishing, showy abuse, while the film concludes with haste. Despite storytelling issues, excellent performances from Amissah and Idris give Farming its power and its heart. (Katie Goh) ■ General release from Fri 11 Oct.

COMEDY

NON-FICTION

(15) 107min ●●●●● WAR

WEREWOLF

(15) 88min ●●●●● The horror of war doesn’t end with liberation in Werewolf, an intense, imaginative mixture of thriller, fairy tale and allegory from Polish writer-director Adrian Panek. There are echoes of Lord of the Flies in a story that follows a group of young concentration camp survivors in the dying weeks of WWII as they find sanctuary in a woodland mansion. There is little food, no water or electricity but there is a fragile sense of security. Hanka (Sonia Mietielica) becomes the reluctant leader – a Snow White creating a home for her own version of the seven dwarfs. The threat to their safety stretches from Russian soldiers to fugitive Nazis and German shepherd attack dogs. The dogs surround the house, leaving the children with little chance of escape.

Panek makes the most of his locations, contrasting the gloom and claustrophobia of the house with the seemingly boundless freedom of the woods. Restrained in its violence, Werewolf provides a thoughtful exploration of how humanity endures in the face of evil. The dogs have been trained to kill. Many of the children have only known a society in which the strong survive and the weak perish.

How can compassion hope to flourish in a world gone mad? (Allan Hunter) ■ Selected release from Fri 4 Oct. 64 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

French auteur Olivier Assayas (Personal Shopper) is at his best with edgier fare. But this bourgeois comedy is pretty conventional. Reunited with previous collaborator Juliette Binoche, Assayas constructs a tale of middle-class woes that can feel a little self-satisfied.

Alain Danielson (Guillaume Canet) is a slick editor, while author Léonard Spiegel (Vincent Macaigne) is older and behind-thetimes. Alain isn’t going to publish Léonard’s latest tome, which riles Alain’s wife Selena (Binoche). Why? Perhaps because she’s having an affair with Léonard, who is also married.

Carved out in the most familiar traditions of French cinema, Assayas may be leaning back on the sort of introspection that is the mainstay of Gallic filmmaking, but his characters are concerned about the impact of modern technology on their lives. Canet shows us the vulnerability beneath Alain’s calm exterior, Binoche has a riot as an actress stuck on a TV cop show, and cinematographer Yorick Le Saux ensures the heavily talky scenes stay alive visually. But, while Assayas tackles issues of French identity with gusto, it’s a world that many will find impenetrable, and a film that seems destined to be a minor work. (James Mottram) ■ Selected release from Fri 18 Oct.

REVIEWS | FILM

list.co.uk/film

BIOPIC

ADVENTURE

DRAMA

(TBC) 112min ●●●●●

(TBC) 93min ●●●●●

(15) 138min ●●●●●

OFFICIAL SECRETS In 2003, GCHQ translator Katharine Gun leaked a memo she received which contained details of a US surveillance operation targeting UN Security Council members, aimed at securing approval for the invasion of Iraq. Gavin Hood’s Official Secrets is a thoughtful whistleblower drama that forensically replays Gun’s actions and the enormous fallout that almost saw her sent to jail.

Playing Gun is Keira Knightley, who gives a tightly-wound performance as she agonises over her decision. Alongside her is an excellent cast, led by Matt Smith as Observer journalist Martin Bright, who must authenticate Gun’s anonymous revelations, and Ralph Fiennes as Ben Emmerson, the human rights lawyer brought in to defend Gun once she confesses and is arrested.

South African director Hood (Rendition, Eye in the Sky) takes a daring approach, switching the focus from Gun to Bright to Emmerson as the story unfolds.

He tells Gun’s story without sensationalising it and does a credible job of replicating what it’s like to bring a contentious story to print. But, mostly, it’s a damning reminder of the lies that were told in the rush to war.

For that reason alone, it has to be one of the most important films of the year. (James Mottram) ■ General release from Fri 18 Oct.

THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON On paper, Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz’s debut sounds like it’s been churned out via an algorithm that’s been fed a plethora of ‘inspirational’ Sundance screenplays. It’s a road trip movie where two lost men enjoy a Huckleberry Finn-style adventure as they walk, swim, sail and drive from North Carolina to Florida. Thankfully, the sweetness of the central dynamic between Shia LaBeouf’s Tyler and Zak (played by Zack Gottsagen, an actor with Down’s Syndrome, who the filmmakers wrote the story specifically for) propels the narrative along, despite its contrivances.

Zak is stuck in an old folks’ home where he dreams of becoming a wrestler. His idol is The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church), who he watches repetitively on an old VHS tape. Much to the chagrin of his carer Eleanor (Dakota Johnson, in a clichéd role), Zak sneaks out one night, bumps into crab fisherman Tyler and the two go on the lam.

The cast is filled out with American indie movie royalty, including Bruce Dern, John Hawkes and Jon Bernthal. But it’s all about the lead pairing. Gottsagen is endearingly funny and LaBeouf once again nails it as an appealing scruffbag. Together, they’re a cocklewarming delight. (Katherine McLaughlin) ■ Selected release from Fri 18 Oct.

BY THE GRACE OF GOD François Ozon continues his prolific career with one of his best films. His eighteenth feature is also unlike any other he’s made. Already dubbed ‘the French Spotlight’, it shares similarities to Tom McCarthy’s 2015 Oscar-winner about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Ozon offers up a comparably detailed examination, however, the focus is not on investigative reporters, but the victims.

There is a real urgency to the story. It begins in 2014 with 40-year-old banking exec Alexandre (Melvil Poupaud), who was molested back in his youth by local priest Father Bernard Preynat (Bernard Verley).

Remarkably, still a devout Catholic, this buttonedup family man decides to take action, confronting Cardinal Barbarin (François Marthouret). Gradually, news of Alexandre’s case reaches other victims, notably atheist François (Denis Ménochet), who is adamant that this story must be exposed in the press.

Largely, it’s a scrupulously researched procedural that grips throughout its 138-minute runtime, with occasional flashpoints – a dinner table argument with François’s family, for example – adding to the trauma.

What results is a film that, like Spotlight, strikes a significant blow against a disgraced institution.

■ Selected release from Fri 25 Oct.

COMEDY

THE DAY SHALL COME (15) 88min ●●●●●

Nine years after the bravery and brilliance of Four Lions, Chris Morris belatedly returns with a transatlantic companion piece that’s both surreal and horrifying. Set in Miami, The Day Shall Come sees the war on terror become an assault on basic human decency as the FBI contrive a man’s downfall.

‘Based on hundreds of true stories’, it gives us a well-researched reality that’s as madcap as a Terry Gilliam fantasy. Charismatic newcomer Marchánt Davis plays Moses, the founder of the ‘Star of Six’, an ailing community farm and mission with a handful of followers. Although he sees himself as a revolutionary, he is deluded in the extreme. For instance, who needs guns when you have a horn that can summon dinosaurs?

Hellbent on prioritising convictions over justice and not above creating terrorists to do it, the FBI (led by Anna Kendrick’s all-too eager beaver and Denis O’Hare’s dangerously desperate boss) have this harmless, mentally ill man in their sights, sending in one of their most inept informers (the excellent Kayvan Novak) to entice Moses into committing a serious crime.

One of Britain’s comedy’s titans, Morris has always been several steps ahead of his rivals in his ability to recognise the ridiculous and tackle the taboo; by exposing an outrage that’s seldom talked about, his second take on the robustly explored subject of terrorism feels box fresh.

Co-written with Jesse Armstrong, the laughs come thick and fast but it’s underpinned with humanity – its sympathies firmly aligned with a seemingly goofball outsider who’s poignantly off his meds. As hilarious as it almost always is, there’s sincerity too as well as twitchiness and tension in a film gearing up to deliver one heck of a gut-punch. (Emma Simmonds) ■ General release from Fri 11 Oct. 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 65

FILM | HIGHLIGHTS

FILM HIGHLIGHTS Films are listed by release date.

Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

BAIT A boat-less Cornish fisherman tries to restore his family fortunes by catching fish any way he can, while affluent newcomers take over his home town.

See review, page 62. Out now.

IT: CHAPTER TWO The Loser’s Club are now adults but the creepy clown is back in the second half of the adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. Out Fri 6 Sep. QUEEN OF HEARTS A woman seduces her teenage stepson which (unsurprisingly) creates serious problems. Out Fri 6 Sep. DOWNTON ABBEY A big screen outing for Downton Abbey and its inhabitants. Out Fri 13 Sep. FOR SAMA The tale of a young Syrian woman’s struggles with love, war and motherhood over the span of five years. See review, page 62. Out Fri 13 Sep. HUSTLERS A group of former strip club employees get the upper hand on their Wall Street clients. Out Fri 13 Sep. NIGHT HUNTER Psychological thriller about the hunt for an online predator. Out Fri 13 Sep. RAMBO: LAST BLOOD The Vietnam vet exacts bloody revenge in his final mission. Out Thu 19 Sep. THE KITCHEN The wives of three imprisoned New York gangsters take over their rackets in the 1970s. See review, page 62. Out Fri 20 Sep. THE GOLDFINCH A teenager’s life is turned upside down when his mother is killed in a terrorist attack. Confused in the aftermath, he steals a priceless piece of art known as ‘The Goldfinch’. Out Fri 27 Sep. HOTEL MUMBAI Dev Patel leads an all-star cast in Anthony Mara’s film dealing with the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. See review, page 63. Out Fri 27 Sep. THE LAST TREE A teenage boy attempts to handle a change in the environment and his incoming adulthood. See review, page 63. Out Fri 27 Sep. 66 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

Abominable

POMS Comedy about a group of retired women who form a cheerleading group.

Out Fri 27 Sep.

London tour. With Oscar-winner Renée Zellweger in the leading role, Judy tells the story of fame, age and love. See review, page 64. Out Fri 4 Oct.

READY OR NOT Thriller about a bride who is forced to participate in a mystery thriller by her new in-laws. See review, page 63. Out Fri 27 Sep.

ABOMINABLE Animated adventure about a lost yeti searching for its family. Out Fri 11 Oct.

GEMINI MAN An elite assassin is pursued by a younger version of himself. Out Fri 11 Oct.

THE DAY SHALL COME An idealistic young preacher is targeted by the FBI. See review, page 65. Out Fri 11 Oct.

NON-FICTION French romantic comedy with Juliette Binoche. See review, page 64. Out Fri 18 Oct.

JUDY Biography of legendary singer-actress Judy Garland and her iconic 1968

FARMING A young Nigerian boy is ‘farmed out’ to a white British family for a better future. But events take a very dark turn. See review, page 64. Out Fri 11 Oct.

HIGHLIGHTS | FILM

HITLIST

THE SOUVENIR An unworldly filmmaking student is balancing her work with a fraught relationship Events are listed by city, with thenForeign date. worker.

Honor Submit listingsOffice for your event at list.co.uk/add Swinton Byrne gives a fine, unaffected performance and Joanna Hogg provides a brilliant, unsparing portrait of her own creative evolution. See review, page 62. Out now.

AD ASTRA An astronaut travels to the outer edges of the solar system to find his missing father but discovers secrets which challenge the future of human life. Or something.

Out 18 Sep. THE FAREWELL When a Chinese grandmother (Shuzhen

Zhao) gets terminal cancer, the family is torn between hiding the diagnosis from the patient or telling her. See review, page 63. Out Fri 20 Sep. JOKER Original ‘origin’ story of the iconic villain, here in the guise of one Arthur Fleck. Out Fri 4 Oct.

MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL Sequel to the Disney

OFFICIAL SECRETS True story of a whistleblower who leaked information to the press about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. See review, page 65. Out Fri 18 Oct. THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON A young man with Downs syndrome escapes from a nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a wrestler. See review, page 65. Out Fri 18 Oct. ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP A decade since we last met them, it’s time to catch up with Columbus,

Hustlers

fantasy starring Angelina Jolie as the evil fairy. Out Fri 18 Oct.

Tallahasse, Wichita, and Little Rock.

Out Fri 18 Oct. TERMINATOR: DARK FATE More than two decades after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Sarah Connor sets out to protect a young woman and her friends, as a liquid metal Terminator, sent from the future, attempts to terminate them. Out Wed 23 Oct. THE ADDAMS FAMILY An animated version of The Addams Family which, from first images, looks faithful to Charles Addams’ original cartoons. Out Fri 25 Oct.

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KIDS FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /KIDS

FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /KIDS

ABOREHENAT DOLUM Id qui berum fugita sa nonseriam fugiature vereritisi dolum ius molo STICK MAN Toriame que volo magnate molorum quoditatis moluptas et aut expeliquisit aut ex es ipicabo reictatur, tenis eturio dit escitae pel maximusant fuga. Tioreriatur si occus sendae.

Oditatem quoditat fuga. Os aut ex elesequid ut delici aciassincit ea si aces etur, quod maximet aut erita cus.Rem faccum ex ea que plandem ex evendigendel eiur?Ommoloratia acesendis ipidellendi quo mo occupta tincto is molora nimagniet is elignam, oditistor ab illecto essintenis apelest arion essiti quoditi ossitati ut latqui corem non por anihil ilibeate nus.

Busdande que voluptu reperis inihit aborporrum ium quis es aut pra net, sam restia volore, sum, que etur sitio molores nis untio con est omnissi modita veliquis aut officiur ad

68 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Nov 2018–31 Oct 2019 Jan 2019

endae. Ut quia parchit, venis quae maion est aperit acesto excesciatque voluptatet, iusci con porectem ex et que volesse quiamus, sunt fuga. Im imil mod que pore, tet debis audis velecat dolescipiet doloratur, He endsfugit, up insimusandi a dog’s mouth, part of a swan’s nest and set on fire – after seque dende inum Stick quamus exerum, velesequas which, Man probably regrets going out for that morning jog. Happily, the voloreperumfather qui siof archil te doluptatur? threemo finally finds his way back to the family tree.

Evenda inum One sitis of milJulia eic tem.

Pudignis dolo Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved books, and now a consed et autas sequeshow, estissi ommolor ectio. life as a bit-part in another story. fun stage Stick Man started Orest earuptasita necerum ctem ‘The voles Gruffalo’s Childfugit has offi a little stick doll and that set me thinking about et, omnim dia doluptat faccum ex so many different things,’ recalls Donaldson. sticks and how theyeat. canTemos become et harum quid et re, sequo et, sequae peliqua ‘I remembered how when my sons were little they would play with sticks, and eriamusapedi volumquis ut theate sticks would eosRorrorent become everything.

Then I thought how a stick could be que esequosmistaken for lots of different things by different creatures.’

■ quassitate parumquam illiciant acesequam rem The book has been adapted by Freckle Productions, the team behind hit reperume shows Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales and Tabby McTat, and Donaldson feels the adaptation serves her book well.

‘I just love its energy and the music’ she says. ‘And I love the way they get just the right level of audience participation – it keeps everyone involved.’

(Kelly Apter) ■ King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 6–Sun 8 Sep.

Fun stage adaptation of the much-loved kids’ book

PREVIEWS & REVIEWS | KIDS

list.co.uk/kids THEATRE

ATLANTIS BANAL: BENEATH THE SURFACE

Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, Wed 9 & Thu 10 Oct; Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling, Sat 19 Oct and touring Her set design is often described as a work of art, so it seems fitting that Shona Reppe’s new show Atlantis Banal: Beneath the Surface should be set in a pop-up gallery. Although, ironically, on this occasion, the queen of Scottish children’s theatre is going for a pared-down approach.

‘This time the set is totally minimal, which is a real change for me,’ says Reppe. ‘I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say that the set develops as the show progresses. I wanted to try something new and create the show around the audience.’

Telling the story of visual artist Atlantis Banal, born on an island and struck by lightning, the show centres on Banal's new exhibition, Beneath the Surface. Reppe was inspired by real-life artists who work with found objects, in particular Yoko Ono and Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven.

‘These two women were overlooked as artists in a man’s world at the time,’ says Reppe. ‘Baroness Elsa was an eccentric artist who wore tin cans on her head, and it’s rumoured she exhibited in the toilet of an art gallery before Marcel Duchamp did.’

Following the success of previous shows – Magic Sho, Cinderella and The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean – Reppe has now teamed up with French company Velo Theatre, who are known for creating atmospheric work using objects.

‘We worked together on capturing the feel of an art gallery,’ explains Reppe, ‘and it’s been fun creating the character of Atlantis Banal, an artist who makes the ordinary extraordinary.

‘Why make a show about art for children? Because so much of art is inspired by everyday life and children are in the thick of it so why not? I want to dispel the idea that art is for the elite – life is art!’ (Kelly Apter)

PHOTO: MIHAELA BODLOVIC

PHOTO: RIMBAUD PATRON

BALLET

MUSIC / THEATRE

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 13–Sun 15 Sep and touring ●●●●●

Platform, Glasgow, Fri 6 Sep; Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 13 Sep

WEE HANSEL & GRETEL

Scottish Ballet’s Wee Hansel & Gretel is a triumph of the imagination, and a great way of hooking kids into the world of dance. With a gorgeous set by Gary Harris, which goes from spookily evocative woods to a sliding, split-level gingerbread house with sweet treats, it's a tale with many twists and surprises.

Choreographed by the company’s artistic director, Christopher Hampson, this shortened version of the full-length ballet is narrated by cheeky, flat cap-wearing James Siggens. A recent graduate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Siggens is an impish presence throughout.

As for Hansel and Gretel themselves, the pairing of Constant Vigier and Alice Kawalek is an inspired one. They're a sweet enough pair of siblings, but never enough to induce a toothache. It's Gretel who saves the day – she’s feisty and headstrong; whereas her brother, ever clutching his teddy bear, is a more timid.

She can also be quite mean to him at times, as evinced by the scene where she and the Witch take his teddy from him and refuse to give it back.

Madeline Squire as the Witch is the epitome of fairy tale duality: she looks like a magical fairy in her sparkling white gown, but underneath, she’s evil. Squire plays her more for laughs though. Even as she meets her demise, the tone is cartoonish, rather than terrifying.

All told, the malevolence is sprinkled with icing sugar. For thrills, laughs and shivers for the whole family, this show really takes the cake. (Lorna Irvine)

WHIRLYGIG

He’s composed music for some of Scotland’s finest children’s theatre companies, including Catherine Wheels and Visible Fictions. But now, Daniel Padden is doing it for himself, with his debut theatre show, WhirlyGig. As you would expect from a musician-composer, there’s a lot of music in it – and a lot of instruments – 30, to be precise. Really, that many?

‘Yes – in fact we had to reduce the number as it was getting out of hand,’ says Padden. ‘There's a sousaphone, xylophone, saxophone, kazoo, ukulele, concertina, drums, melodica, voices and some others you might not think are instruments.

I suppose I'm greedy, and I love to hear different sounds. I have a basement full of weird and wonderful instruments, most of which I can play very badly.’

Padden himself doesn’t perform in the show, which may explain why he’s made it so difficult for those who do. A celebration of the many different ways music can be made, WhirlyGig finds four brave musicians faced with a range of musical puzzles to solve.

‘I was interested in what happens when musicians are taken outside their comfort zone and given absurd challenges they're not used to dealing with,’ explains Padden. ‘So in WhirlyGig they don't get to sit still, they don't always get to play the right instrument, and they don't always know what they're playing. But they still have to put on a show. It's very funny watching them, and I'm glad I'm not on stage!’ (Kelly Apter) 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 69

KIDS | HIGHLIGHTS

KIDS HIGHLIGHTS PHOTO: ROBERTO RICCIUTI

Events are listed by city, then date.

Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW ART FOR BABY Gallery of Modern Art, Tue 3–Tue 24 Sep, glasgowlife.org.uk Simple, creative arts and crafts sessions designed for parents and their babies.

MISTER MAGNOLIA Bothwell Primary School, Sat 7 Sep, folksytheatre.co.uk Folksy Theatre adapt the wacky adventures of Quentin Blake’s Mister Magnolia for the stage with live music, puppetry and plenty of audience interaction.

STICK BY ME Platform, Thu 12 Sep, redbridgearts.co.uk Joyful work of physical comedy about friendship, play and the importance of the small stuff from Andy Manley and Ian Cameron.

Also The Studio at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 13 Sep, capitaltheatres.com, and touring.

WEE CREATIVES Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, Wed 25 Sep, glasgowlife. org.uk Storytelling and play sessions among the Resource Centre’s treasure trove of art and museum objects.

MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! AGE OF HEROES SSE Hydro, Thu 24–Fri 25 Oct, thessehydro.com Action packed, stunt-filled arena spectacular that sees The Avengers, X-Men and Spider-Man team up to defeat the worst villains in the Marvel Universe.

EDINBURGH EATEN North Edinburgh Arts Centre, Sat 14 Sep, independentartsprojects. com Mamoru Iriguchi’s play about food chains and digestion, centred on a lion that eats a human for lunch, except that the human’s alive and well

HITLIST

WHIRLYGIG Platform, Glasgow, Mon 2–Sat 7 Sep, catherinewheels.co.uk Four musicians play 30 different instruments in this fun performance challenging the cast’s musical ability. See preview, page 69. Also Traverse Theatre, Fri 13–Sat 14 Sep, traverse.co.uk, and touring.

70 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

Scottish International Storytelling Festival

in his stomach. Also Eastwood Park Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 18 Sep, eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk, and touring.

Sep, recitalsforwrigglers.co.uk The story of the Princess and the Pea is interwoven with gentle classical music and other popular nursery rhymes.

COLLECTIVE PLAY Collective, Sat 14–Mon 16 Sep, collective-edinburgh.art Three days of outdoor, child-led play and workshops, focusing on a different material and led by a new artist each day.

TINY TALES: ANIMAL STORIES Scottish Storytelling Centre, Tue 17 Sep, scottishstorytellingcentre.com Storytelling about cheeky chickens, hungry hedgehogs and a whole menagerie of animals with Lea Taylor.

RECITALS FOR WRIGGLERS Palace of Holyroodhouse, Sun 15

WALK TALK MAKE Scottish National Gallery of

STICK MAN King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 6–Sun 8 Sep, capitaltheatres. com Charming stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s tale about Stick Man’s journey back to the family tree. See preview, page 68. Also touring, see list.co.uk/ kids for details.

WEE HANSEL & GRETEL King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 13–Sun 15 Sep, scottishballet. co.uk Scottish Ballet presents its specially adapted version of the classic fairy tale for wee ones. See review, page 69. Also touring, see list.co.uk/kids for details.

Modern Art, Sat 21 Sep & Sat 19 Oct, nationalgalleries.org Outdoor adventuring across Modern One and Two’s grassy grounds and sculptural park. Be sure to dress for the weather.

FAMILY ART TOURS Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Sat 28 Sep & Sat 26 Oct, nationalgalleries.org Short, interactive and creative tours designed to increase the whole family’s confidence in looking at and chatting about art.

ATLANTIS BANAL: BENEATH THE SURFACE Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, Wed 9 & Thu 10 Oct, catherinewheels.co.uk The new show from one of Scotland’s finest theatremakers for children, Shona Reppe set in an intimate ‘pop-up’ gallery.

See preview, page 69.

Also touring, see list. co.uk/kids for details.

SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL Scottish Storytelling Centre, Fri 18–Thu 31 Oct, sisf.org.uk Live storytelling featuring storytellers and musicians from around the world.

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RICHARD HAWLEY Sheffield singer-songwriter returns with his eighth studio album

PHOTO: CHRIS SAUNDERS

Congratulations are taken with modest grace when you say ‘well done’ to Richard Hawley on the appearance of his eighth and most recent album Further at number three in the UK charts, his highest placing since 2012’s Standing at the Sky’s Edge. ‘Even after all these years, you never take it for granted that folks are still going to be there,’ he says. ‘They might have moved on, done something else, gotten into other things.’

This time round, says Hawley, the songs just seemed to naturally be upbeat and short. ‘A lot of the songs are more aggressive, which I thought might have put people off,’ he says. ‘You can never make an album to be successful, if you try to predict what people want you’re onto a loser.’

There was a freshness, he says, about getting back in a room with his band, given that the year’s since 2015’s Hollow Meadow were spent exploring other avenues.

‘I’ve been lucky in my life that I’ve been asked to do so many disparate, interesting projects,’

he says. ‘Pretty much as soon as I finished touring the last album, the phone rang and it was [Sheffield actor and writer] Tony Pitts, he wanted me to write the music for the film Funny Cow; I just threw myself at it, then I ended up acting in it with Maxine [Peake]. That was quite funny, I was a bloke in a working man’s club playing guitar – it must’ve taken hours to think of that!’

Further, he says, feels to him like ‘a jar of different-coloured glass beads’, in that it has no central unifying theme, where past albums might have been seen as a love letter to his home city of Sheffield. He feels no need to represent the place, but singing in his own accent is important to him.

‘A lot of things which used to be the domain of the working classes, like rock’n’roll, being a musician, they’re slowly being usurped by people who have the money to do this,’ he says. ‘But you can tell when a voice is authentic – whether the spirit of it is for real or just bullshit.’ (David Pollock) ■ Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, Tue 15 Oct.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 73

MUSIC | VOLBEAT

BAND OF JOY

With a potent cocktail of metal, rockabilly and more, Danish rockers Volbeat are famed for their upbeat, highenergy live shows. Henry Northmore catches up with guitarist Rob Caggiano as they gear up for their UK tour

M

etallica, Slayer and Korn are undeniably some of the biggest names in metal. But they’re not exactly a barrel of laughs. Volbeat bring a big dose of fun to the world of monster riffs. After singer Michael Poulsen disbanded death metal group Dominus in 2001, he expanded his outlook and embraced more diverse influences, mashing together metal and rockabilly.

‘Volbeat to me is a just a rock’n’roll group,’ says the group’s American guitarist, Rob Caggiano, taking a break between shows as the main support on Slipknot’s current US tour. ‘There are metal and pop influences, punk, rockabilly, country, but at the end of the day, it’s a rock’n’roll band.

‘Why does rockabilly and metal work so well? Who knows. It’s just the stuff we listened to growing up, we definitely wear our influences. A lot of bands take themselves too seriously. We love what we’re doing when we’re up on stage, there’s a certain interaction between us and the fans that we thrive on. We’re definitely having fun doing what we’re doing.’

Caggiano is a relatively new member of the Danish group. ‘When I was younger, the two guys that really got me were Eddie Van Halen and Angus Young; from there that turned into the big four – Slayer, Megadeth, Metallica and Anthrax – that really, really helped shape who I am as a guitar player.’ He ended up joining Anthrax in 2001 playing on multiple records and tours. ‘I’m really proud of what we accomplished together; they’ve always been one of my favourite bands and always will be.’

74 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

He first crossed paths with Volbeat when the Damned Things (a rock supergroup featuring Caggiano alongside Fall Out Boy’s Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley, Anthrax’s Scott Ian and Every Time I Die’s Keith Buckley) supported the Danish rockers in 2010.

‘On that tour, I’d jam a song with them on stage every night, it was a blast, we had a really good time. They really liked the Anthrax stuff I’d done and my work as a producer.’ He had produced records by bands such as Cradle of Filth, 36 Crazyfists and Machine Head and was hired

by Volbeat to work on 2013’s Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, ending up adding several guitar solos to the recording. ‘We just really hit it off, it just kind of worked out,’ says Caggiano, who ended up joining the band in 2013.

Now the group are heading back to the UK to play dates in support of their new album Rewind, Replay, Rebound. ‘We spent even more time in the rehearsal room, in the pre-production phase, really hashing out ideas and arrangements. We ended up with a lot of demos before heading into the studio, the whole process worked really well. We ended up with an album we’re really proud of.

‘For me personally, I always feel like I have something to prove when I work on something creative. That’s definitely a healthy way to go about it, we’re all very passionate about what we do. Any time we do something, we want to make it as good as we can possibly make it. It’s definitely not a case of going through the motions.’

VOLBEAT | MUSIC

list.co.uk/music

PHOTO: ROSS HALFIN

Wilco

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FILTHYTONGUES.COM

plus special guests

G R O UP T H E R A PY T O UR PLUS SPECIAL G UESTS

DRIVIN N CRYIN & PATRICK DAVIS

OUT WEDNESDAY SOLD 9 OCTOBER

New Album ‘Ode to Joy’ Out 4th Oct

Extra Show Added Due To Demand

THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER

Thursday 26 September

GLASGOW Barrowland

GLASGOW BARROWLAND

WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER

SWG3 GL ASGOW

HOOTIE.COM !"$

by arrangement with caa

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

saint etienne Tiger Bay 25th Anniversary Concert

Friday 18 October

Plus special guests

Tuesday 8 october 2019

oran Mor • Glasgow

GLASGOW SWG3

Saturday 19 October Edinburgh Queen’s Hall

PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

plus special guests THE BOOKSHOP BAND

PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

SUNDAY 20TH OCTOBER

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER

TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER

QUEEN’S HALL EDINBURGH

GLASGOW THE GARAGE

GLASGOW GLAD CAFÉ

WITHERED HAND CELEBRATING 10 YEARS

TYLER RAMSEY Intimate Solo Performance

Friday 1 November

Glasgow Oran Mor

Volbeat, left to right: Jon Larsen, Kaspar Boye Larsen, Michael Poulsen, Rob Caggiano

Rewind, Replay, Rebound is another riotous mix of hard and heavy rock and metal with good-time blues and rockabilly. They channel the spirit of Elvis on ‘Pelvis on Fire’, hit hard and fast with the 37-second blast of ‘Parasite’, ramp up the thrash on ‘Cheapside Sloggers’ (featuring special guest Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer) and go full on boogie woogie on ‘Die to Live’.

‘I think what we ended up doing on this record was that all the elements of the Volbeat sound have been lifted. The melodic stuff is more melodic, the heavy stuff is even more heavy, the retro stuff goes even further down that road. That song [‘Die to Live’] is pretty far out, it has a really authentic vibe. He [guest vocalist Neil Fallon from Clutch] totally nailed it and the guys [Raynir Jacob Jacildo (piano) and Doug Corocran (sax)] from JD McPherson’s band totally brought the song to life. Having the piano and sax was all part of us taking that retro thing even further.’

Their UK tour is an impressive package with support from Danko Jones and Baroness. ‘We are definitely pretty picky and choosy about who we go out on the road with. We want to create an experience for the fans,’ says Caggiano. ‘We’re big fans of what Danko does, we’ve toured with him a bunch of times and he sang on one of our records so there’s a relationship that totally makes sense. Baroness, love what they’re doing, big fans of their new record.’

Volbeat play the O2 Academy, Glasgow, Tue 24 Sep.

NEW GODS +

Thur 21 Nov

NEW/GOODS

Monday 28 October

GLASGOW ORAN MOR

GOOD NEWS +

Wed 20 Nov

Fri 22 Nov

EDINBURGH Voodoo Rooms

For The Morning, Out Now!

www.tylerramsey.com

NIKKI LANE

PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

MONDAY 11 NOVEMBER

GLASGOW ORAN MOR

Plus special guests

EUROPE TOUR

THURSDAY 21 NOVEMBER

GLASGOW ORAN MOR

plus special guests

Thursday 21 November

GLASGOW QMU

electricsix.com

Plus special guests

AN EVENING OF SONG AND STORY “HEAR THE STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS”

JESSE TERRY WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER GLASGOW THE OLD HAIRDRESSER’s

0844 844 0444

Thursday 17 October Voodoo Rooms Edinburgh

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TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER

GLASGOW THE OLD HAIRDRESSER’S

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regularmusicuk 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 75

MUSIC | LEWSBERG PHOTO: TOMMY VENTEVOGEL

DAM FINE Having re-released their debut album earlier this year, Rotterdam’s Lewsberg are ready to take on the world. Arusa Qureshi speaks to singer and guitarist Arie van Vliet to find out more about the band and their upcoming UK dates

R

otterdam four-piece Lewsberg made the journey over to Brighton earlier this year for The Great Escape, where they were met with enthusiastic crowds at the UK’s biggest showcase festival, who clearly embraced their simple yet intriguing brand of lo-fi rock. Having released their self-titled debut back in 2018 in the Netherlands, Lewsberg re-released the record worldwide in January this year, a move prompted by the growing demand from fans outside of their home country.

‘When we first released the album in 2018, we didn’t really know what to expect,’ frontman Arie van Vliet (pictured left) explains. ‘We put it out ourselves, without any kind of promo campaign, so we didn’t know who or what our audience was going to be. Would people outside Rotterdam listen to it? Would the record cross borders? It was a pleasant surprise when we found out that there appeared to be a worldwide audience for our music. That’s when we decided to arrange this re-release, so people across the globe could buy the record in their local record shop.’

At nine tracks, the album is a concise and brilliant blend of fuzzy guitar lines and sardonic spoken-word vocals, with shades of Velvet Underground and Talking Heads throughout.

‘We weren’t trying to make a record that would sound too good,’ van Vliet says of their general approach. ‘We’re not here to please people, it’s good to disturb people at times. If there has to be some kind of concept, I think that is it: that we’re doing things the way we want to do it, without taking other people’s opinions into account.

I believe you can hear that in the music, in the lyrics, in the way the record sounds and maybe it’s even in the way we released the album.’

Of their hometown of Rotterdam, van Vliet is keen to highlight how much is currently 76 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

happening in the Dutch city as far as music goes, whether it be behind the scenes or out front in new releases and projects. ‘Not only are people starting new bands all the time, and playing in each other’s bands,’ he says, ‘but there’s also a lot of people putting on shows in Rotterdam. In small places, most of the time not even in proper venues. And these places disappear as soon as they pop up. That keeps things fresh and sharp, and makes the music scene pretty lively.

‘The most interesting part of the music scene in Rotterdam is the experimental part,’ he continues, ‘made by musicians who don’t seem to care about their audience at all, let alone expanding their audience. I’ve learned a lot from this attitude. But even more important is the fact that the music they make is quite interesting. For example, I really like the record that Red Brut put out last year, using cassettes and day-to-day sounds as the main instruments for her sound collages.’

The band’s upcoming UK tour will see them play in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as Brighton, Leeds and Oxford, before they head back to mainland Europe. So for anyone new to Lewsberg and their mellow, mid-tempo nonchalance, what can be expected from their live set-up?

‘When we started Lewsberg, our idea was to be a rock band with really good songs, played very badly. I think we failed, as we actually perform the songs quite decently. Our original idea is still present, though: we like to break down songs when they start to sound too nice, to slow things down when you start to feel the rhythm, to be out of tune during a crucial guitar solo.’

Lewsberg play Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, Wed 9 Oct; The Hug and Pint, Glasgow, Thu 10 Oct.

REVIEWS | MUSIC

list.co.uk/music INDIE / ALT.ROCK

SEBADOH

Broadcast, Glasgow, Fri 4 Oct

PHOTO: JUSTIN PIZZOFERRATO

Sebadoh’s influence on the world of indie rock can’t be understated, both in their DIY recordings and in their bighearted songwriting. But it’s Ariana Grande who founder Lou Barlow made a comparison with in the release for the band’s ninth album Act Surprised, specifically the track ‘Celebrate the Void’, which opens with a line that wouldn’t be out of place in one of the global megastar’s lovelorn anthems: ‘I get the feeling you don’t feel me.’ ‘Pop music is always great,’ Barlow enthuses, ‘even when it's not. It has an impact in culture and psyches that I have no choice but to appreciate.'

On Act Surprised, the band haven’t taken the unlikeliest of left turns into the world of pop, instead delivering another cathartic blast of guitar rock. ‘All Sebadoh records are political,’ says Barlow, ‘but this time we looked outside, instead of in, for most of the tunes.’ Across 15 tracks, Barlow and bandmates Jason Loewenstein and Bob D’Amico delve into the complexities of an increasingly divided world, one altered beyond the point of no return by technological advancement. It’s a record with all the energy of a live performance but is also one of Sebadoh’s most melodic albums, the fruits of working with Justin Pizzoferrato, responsible for the post-reunion Dinosaur Jr albums Beyond, Farm and I Bet On Sky. ‘Jason, Bob and I spent a week throwing ideas to each other then convened in Justin's studio,’ says Barlow. ‘The recording was a blast.’

The band’s upcoming European tour takes in a visit to Glasgow, a city Barlow has a lot of fondness for. ‘It’s a place that I always remember,’ he says, ‘the quiet ferocity of the music scene, the love of music that buoys every show I've played there, a place where I feel like my basic desire to write songs is understood and appreciated. Suffice to say, I always look forward to, or am very nervous about, a show in Glasgow.’

(Craig Angus)

SCI-FI / INDIE / FOLK / ROCK

KETTLE OF KITES

The Hug & Pint, Glasgow, Fri 6 Sep Tom Stearn, former singer with Admiral Fallow, is contemplating grander more complex concepts as his Kettle of Kites return with second album Arrows, drawing inspiration from sci-fi and in particular one of the genre’s greatest writers. ‘I'm a big fan of Isaac Asimov and we took inspiration from many of the themes in his books,’ explains Stearn. ‘As well as the more scientific and futuristic side of his work, there are always underlying eternal themes in his books which people can identify and connect with, much like the songs on this record, such as love, time, destruction, spirituality and journeying into the unknown . . . the sci-fi side of it pulls those eternal themes together in an interesting way.’

Lead single ‘Orchid’ is a widescreen slice of indie that uses futuristic concepts to address climate change and possible ecological disaster. ‘I think what inspired me about his [Asimov’s] writing is how forward-thinking his ideas were, how relevant they are today and how he blended elements of real science with storytelling to make you reflect on the bigger picture of humanity. I found delving into these ideas to be a great source of inspiration in writing the lyrics for the record.’

Even with the band spread across the globe (Stearn and bassist Pietro Martinelli are based in Genoa, with guitarist Marco Giongrandi in Brussels and drummer Riccardo Chiaberta in London), Stearn knew these were the right people for the project. ‘They're fantastic musicians and also really into what we were doing. This album really feels like we worked together as a band on all the compositions and that we're all following the same path musically.’ (Henry Northmore) GRIME / PUNK

SLOWTHAI

The Poetry Club, Glasgow, Mon 15 Oct 'I knew what I wanted to say on the album,' Northampton rapper Slowthai notes of his Mercurynominated debut Nothing Great About Britain. On its release earlier this year, the album was praised for its fierce ruminations on poverty, class and nationalism, alongside Britain's fast-approaching exit from the EU. But Nothing Great About Britain is also a very personal record for Slowthai, born Tyron Frampton, as he airs his grievances with savage and passionate soliloquies, ultimately advocating for a sense of community amid the fearmongering and intolerance currently plaguing the country.

'It’s basically my experience of growing up [in the UK]; of having a family that were immigrants originally, of the stories they’ve told me, of my childhood and how I’ve lived my life,’ he says.

'Through it, I’ve gone on a journey of explaining how everything I was chasing to make me feel good only clouded my judgement. And it took me going through a tonne of shit to realise that none of these things – no money, no drugs, no fake relationships – is gonna make me happy, or make me a good person.'

His recent UK tour, for which he sold tickets for 99p, took him to places not typically on the gigcircuit like South Shields, Ramsgate and Milton Keynes, encouraging fans affected by Britain's dire economic state to attend and see one of their favourite artists live. His upcoming UK tour may see the self-proclaimed 'Brexit Bandit' play more familiar venues but tickets will remain affordable, at only £5 regardless of the city or venue. (Arusa Qureshi) 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 77

1979-2019 40 Years of Music Memories www.thequeenshall.net | Tickets & Info: 0131 668 2019 85–89 Clerk Street, Edinburgh EH8 9JG

SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2019 LISTINGS AT THE QUEEN’S HALL, EDINBURGH SEPTEMBER

Fri 11, doors 6.30pm

Walter Trout plus special guest Dan Patlansky

Sat 7, doors 7pm

Sat 12, doors 7pm

Last Podcast on the Left

Lloyd Cole

Mon 9, 8pm

An Evening with Richard Jobson of The Skids Sun 15, doors 7pm

Sun 13, 8pm

Cavern Beatles Wed 16 Oct, 7pm In The QH Bar

Femi Kuti

Liminal Nights #2

Thu 19, doors 7pm

Thu 17, 7.30pm

Peter Hook & The Light

Tommy Smith Quartet: Embodying the Light

Fri 20, 7.30pm

Fri 18, 8pm

Duncan Chisholm: The Gathering

London African Gospel Choir: Paul Simon’s Graceland

Sun 22, 7.30pm

Heidi Talbot presents Duke Special, James Yorkston & Brìghde Chaimbeul

Sat 19, doors 7pm

Fri 27, 7.30pm

The Unthanks: Emily Brontë Song Cycle

Scottish National Jazz Orchestra: An American Journey with Bill Evans Sat 28, 7.30pm

St Etienne: Tiger Bay 25th Anniversary Sun 20, doors 7pm Mon 21, 8pm

Hello Again, The Story of Neil Diamond Thu 24, 7.30pm

Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Sun 29, 7.30pm

Penguin Café

Sat 26, 7.30pm

OCTOBER

Sun 27, doors 7pm

Thu 3, 7.30pm

Thu 31, 7.30pm

Big, Big Train Lissie

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Fri 4 / Sat 5, 7.30pm

Ben Elton

NOVEMBER

Sun 6, 7.30pm

Fri 1, 7.30pm

Lubomyr Melnyk: The Prophet of the Piano

An Evening with Lenny Henry: Who Am I Again?

Mon 7, 7.30pm

Jojo Moyes

Thu 10, 7.30pm

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Left to right: Pekka Kuusisto, Maxim Emelyanychev, Anna Clyne

g n i x i M

IT UP

With a dynamic new Principal Conductor at the helm and a host of exciting collaborations in the offing, Carol Main finds the Scottish Chamber Orchestra entering its 2019/20 Season with a renewed energy that comfortably mixes cutting edge and more familiar repertoire From even a quick glance through the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s 2019/20 Season brochure, it’s clear there’s an abundance of fresh, cuttingedge talent involved, whether playing, composing or conducting. With the appointments of Maxim Emelyanychev as Principal Conductor and Anna Clyne as Associate Composer, there’s a marked new approach which is all very much about the audience.

Born in 1988 in Dzerzhinski, a city about 250 miles east of Moscow mainly known for its industrial chemical production, Maxim first appeared with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as guest conductor last March. Sparking a different kind of chemistry from the one with which he grew up, Maxim and the Orchestra immediately hit it off and now, in his first full Concert Season, it’s all about sharing. ‘We are musicians,’ he says about himself and the Orchestra, ‘and we are very happy in our job, for what we do is actually our passion. It’s so great to be able to share this with the public. We couldn’t do it without the public. In a concert, something very special happens and it is a great pleasure to feel this energy.’

For Maxim, no two performances are the same. It is about responding to the magic that is in the concert hall at any given time. Hard work in rehearsals leads to a spontaneity that can’t be prepared in advance.

‘You do your decisions in the moment’, he says, ‘you need to improvise and just relax in the concert, and the Orchestra are such extraordinary musicians that they can do this.’

This exceptional musicianship is vital to Anna Clyne’s role too. A graduate of Edinburgh University, Anna says, ‘I’m honoured and excited to begin my role, and very much looking forward to writing new music for the incredible musicians of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.’ Although composers tend to be seen only when they take a bow for a performance of a new score, Anna will be very present as Associate Composer.

‘Pre-concert talks and performances are an opportunity for me to interact with audience members, whether new or familiar faces, and to provide a window into new work and the creative process.

Having a living, breathing composing partner is a wonderful way to share insights and engage with a wide orchestra community, while also providing an important example for younger musicians and composers to see this relationship in action.’

Her double violin concerto, Prince of Clouds, which earned a 2015 Grammy Award nomination, is heard in November, alongside her first Associate Composer commission which takes the form of a concerto for orchestra, highlighting some of the Orchestra’s outstanding soloists. This particular concert will be directed from the violin by another innovative musician with his own take on orchestral repertoire, the Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto, who is Featured Artist of the 2019/20 Season. Hailed as ‘one-of-a-kind’ by Toronto’s The Globe and Mail, Pekka took the BBC Proms by storm three years ago when his encore was

a Finnish folk song which he introduced with great panache before both playing and singing it.

More familiar repertoire, which will be conducted

by Maxim Emelyanychev in his very first concert as Principal Conductor in November, includes Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony, which sits alongside Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No 2 and the UK premiere of Five Pieces for Orchestra by French film composer Philippe Hersant. ‘It is a privilege to conduct music of our own time,’ he says, ‘and mixing different types of music is very important. It is also very important for orchestras to provide the best possible classical music audiences can hear and respond to. If we can have the happiness of this connection, then we are all happy.’

■ Scottish Chamber Orchestra 2019/20 Season, Sep 2019–May 2020, sco.org.uk

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 79

MUSIC | RECORDS

ALBUM OF THE ISSUE

INDIE HIP HOP

SAMPA THE GREAT The Return (Ninja Tune) ●●●●●

Naming your debut The Return might seem odd, but it’s worth remembering that this is far from the beginning of Sampa the Great’s story. The Zambiaborn, Australia-based artist drew critical acclaim for her 2017 mixtape Birds and the BEE9, and she’s been on a steady rise ever since.

But there’s another return being addressed here. ‘I personally feel that people on the continent have a duty to our family in the diaspora, to re-teach our culture, language, spirituality, ways and return our peeps to ourselves,’ Sampa recently said of new single ‘OMG’, a highlight among near-relentless pleasure points. For an artist who has also lived between Botswana, LA and San Francisco before settling in Melbourne, the musician frequently talks up life at the intersection of various identities, and the result is an album that sounds as rich and vibrant as a life lived across continents. ‘Music is my way of expressing my return, my self, my beginnings,’ the title track proclaims, and suddenly the eponymous return feels as much a journey as an arrival.

Sampa’s greatest weapon is frequently the element of surprise. Tracks like ‘Summer’ and ‘Don’t Give Up’ are positively soporific in places, lulling the listener through the record before something like ‘Time’s Up’ comes and blows it all up. There’s a raft of collaborators across the album’s 19 tracks, all of which promises an exhausting listen which blessedly never arrives.

Could The Return get Sampa the Great’s foot firmly in the door of the music industry? We’ll let her answer that one, on the gloriously hornladen track ‘Final Form’: ‘Nah, knock the walls off. Fuck the whole key, we gonna hinge the whole door off.’ (Matthew Neale) ■ Out Fri 13 Sep.

BROKEN CHANTER

Broken Chanter (Olive Grove and Last Night From Glasgow) ●●●●● In search of inspiration for his debut solo album, David MacGregor (of Kid Canaveral fame) headed for the Highlands to immerse himself in the rugged vistas of Skye and Ardnamurchan. The product of these isolated weeks of writing and demo-recording is the eponymous Broken Chanter; a title that could double as a tongue-in-cheek description of the sombre singer himself. Pairing catchy choruses and post-pop grooves, with melancholic, self-deprecating lyrics about ageing and resilience, MacGregor offers up a tasty slice of Scottish indie avant-pop, shot through with streams of folk and electronica, that fans of the Twilight Sad or Frightened Rabbit will meet with glee.

Many of the highlights of the record come when MacGregor experiments with field recordings: the opening track ‘Nineteen Ninety-Eight’ features a recording of a Japanese freight train that lies in a bath of huge, almost rave-y synths and swooping fiddle lines, before a galloping, drum-heavy groove thunders in. The contrast in mood and scale between the first two tracks is perhaps the most stark illustration of what MacGregor does best on this album: from a sweeping, anthemic soundscape, the music deftly zooms right in, to an intimate, hushed guitar line in the first few bars of the waltzing ‘Should We Be Dancing’. Another ambient peak comes on the sparkly ‘Mionagadanan’, which sounds exactly like its name; a previously lost Gaelic term for the twinkling dust particles caught in a ray of sunlight shining through a window.

These more cinematic moments are interspersed among solid, indie pop-rock tracks, yet they do leave you keen for some more daring experimentation that never quite materialises. But the sweetest melodic moments (‘Don’t Move to Denmark’) and the danciest choruses (‘Beside Ourselves’) definitely make up for the less memorable stuff in between, in music that marries traditional and contemporary influences to make an album that is somehow just so very . . . Scottish. (Kate Walker) ■ Out Fri 6 Sep.

INDIE POP

ALTERNATIVE

Close It Quietly (Sub Pop) ●●●●●

Pang! (Rough Trade) ●●●●●

FRANKIE COSMOS

‘Does anyone wanna hear/the forty songs I wrote this year?’ Greta Kline offers on New York indie rockers Frankie Cosmos’ forthcoming album Close It Quietly.

Only half of the output of this characteristically prolific spurt of creativity has made it onto the band’s fourth full-length LP, which comprises 21 songs (only one of which passes the three minute mark). Like a scrapbook of incidental sketches and thoughts, the album retains their trademark twee, anti-folk aesthetic, and radiates ephemeral punk energy.

What binds this collection together is consistent yet distinct sonic textures, and Kline’s soft, confidential vocal. The quartet’s lineup has further solidified with what was once Kline’s ‘backing band’ now each bringing irreplaceable elements to the sound. Lauren Martin’s whimsical synth lines add a particularly lovely layer of lightness to Alex Bailey’s climbing basslines and Luke Pyenson’s taut drum fills.

A hushed assurance of sonic identity matches the understated profundity of Kline’s lyricism. This is poetry which is complex in mundanity, much like that of the band’s namesake and Kline’s once-moniker Frank O’Hara, famous for his diaristic observations of the small beauties of everyday New York City life.

The opening lines of Close It Quietly (‘The world is crumbling/and I don’t have much to say’) are a sarcastic nod at how these sometimes heartbreaking, endearingly goofy lyrics are deeply personal, yet outwards facing.

‘Flowers don’t grow/in an organised way/why should I?’ is the characteristically astute line that speaks to this record not marking any significant ‘progression’ from Frankie Cosmos’ previous releases. Each brief track on Close It Quietly is a poetic journal entry with a pearly surface but a spiral of deeper meanings at its centre – much like the marbles on the album artwork – in a testament to the non-linear messiness of growth and finding little moments of joy in today’s crumbling world.

(Kate Walker) ■ Out Fri 6 Sep. 80 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

GRUFF RHYS

A decade has passed since Super Furry Animals released their last album Dark Days/Light Years but Gruff Rhys continues to be a relentless creative force.

Following hot on the heels of 2018’s orchestral triumph Babelsberg, Pang! is yet another intriguing step from one of indie’s great innovators.

The lyrical content of Babelsberg addressed tyranny, socio-political uncertainty and environmental fears both directly and metaphorically. On the face of it, the largely Welsh-language Pang! shies away from making big direct statements but Rhys’ decision to collaborate with the South African electronic artist Muzi naturally invites us to consider the joys of working with people from other cultures; the partnership is a thrilling one. The polyrhythmic two-punch of the opening title track and ‘Bae Bae Bae’ hustle and bustle like a busy marketplace, with Gavin Fitzjohn’s frantic brass adding to the excitement.

Pang! also contains the poppiest thing Rhys has recorded in the last decade and possibly ever, ‘Ara Deg (Ddaw’r Awen)’, which wouldn’t have been out of place on the last two Vampire Weekend albums. It’s a song that begs to be played over and over again; with interweaving, hook-laden melodies and a bouncing groove that’s reminiscent of Animal Collective at their most whimsical.

It’s up there with his career highlights.

The most enjoyable songs on Pang! are the boldest; after ‘Ara Deg’ the album settles into a more stripped back place with ‘Niwl O Anwiredd’, ‘Eli Haul’ and ‘Taranau Mai. They feel less adventurous coming after that opening run, a point reaffirmed by the closing ‘Annedd Im Dannedd’, which sends Pang! out with glorious fanfare. It could have been interesting to hear a whole record’s worth of Rhys and Muzi really doubling down on the links between Cardiff and Johannesburg, but as it is, Pang! is another marvellous collection from one of the best songwriters of his generation. (Craig Angus) ■ Out Fri 13 Sep.

RECORDS | MUSIC

list.co.uk/music SOUNDTRACK

EXPERIMENTAL

Days of the Bagnold Summer (Matador) ●●●●●

FIBS (Moshi Moshi) ●●●●●

BELLE & SEBASTIAN

ANNA MEREDITH

The IMDB entry for the forthcoming Days of the Bagnold Summer – the debut film by director Simon Bird, aka The Inbetweeners Will McKenzie – tells us precisely why Belle & Sebastian have composed the original soundtrack for it, which is released here as a full album recording. ‘A teenager spends his summer listening to heavy metal music and trying to get along with his librarian mom,’ it declares, and only the Americanisation of that last word detracts from what could essentially be a monochrome Belle & Sebastian album cover come to life.

Technically the group’s tenth album, and their first since 2015’s Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, there remains a sense – as there was with Storytelling, 2002’s soundtrack to the Todd Solondz film of the same name – that the Belle’s creative direction might have been usurped somewhat by the demands of the film. Of thirteen tracks, two are re-recordings of previous Belle & Sebastian songs; ‘Get Me Away from Here I’m Dying’ (1996) and ‘I Know Where the Summer Goes’ (1998), the former one of only two genuinely upbeat songs here (the other is the La’s-like jangle of lead single ‘Sister Buddha’).

There are also a number of instrumental and incidental tracks, and while ‘Jill Pole’ and ‘The Colour’s Gonna Run’ are pleasant folk-rock grooves, the absence of Stuart Murdoch’s voice is missed (although ‘Another Day, Another Night’, ninety seconds of Sarah Martin repeating a looping lyric over gossamer-thin acoustic guitar, is superb). ‘I Know Where the Summer Goes’ is a gorgeous, folksy affair; ‘Did the Day Go Just Like You Wanted?’ bears some classic bittersweet lyricism from Murdoch; and ‘This Letter’ is a sparse bossa nova fantasia.

Perhaps the most pleasingly unusual track on here, however, is ‘We Were Never Glorious’, the instrumental which closes the record with elegiac piano, violin and vocal clips from the film. It’s not a classic Belle & Sebastian album in its entirety, but there are many moments of wonder to be found here. (David Pollock) ■ Out Fri 13 Sep.

For all that she’s a compositional expert of breathtaking ability, Anna Meredith remains trapped in the hinterland between her two natural constituencies at the moment. The North Queensferry-raised musician is beloved of classical audiences, although there’s a certain perception from stuffier quarters that her popularity is a confected sop to the youngsters, while in the field of genuinely experimental pop music – which is what she makes – she’s too approved of by the BBC Proms and laden with an MBE to be truly fashionable.

Whichever form her legacy takes – and she’s a musician of such originality that a proper legacy would be deserved, rather than just fond remembrance of a couple of songs which people once liked – it will be her recordings which grant it to her. In which case FIBS, the follow-up to her 2016 Scottish Album of the Year Awardwinning debut Varmints, indicates that playful experimenter may be the mantle which suits her best.

Throughout, Meredith appears to be having fun with new and often intriguing combinations of keys, instruments and genres. The addition of electric guitar is an element which her fans may not be used to, although ‘Limpet’, the song which relies on it most, is also the most conventional, with the air of an instrumental Manic Street Preachers B-side. It's also used on ‘Paramour’, whose swirling electronic beats and deep blasts of tuba are at least far closer to Meredith’s ballpark.

With electronica, she appears truly at home; on ‘Sawbones’, orchestral and synthesised elements fusing so as to be indistinguishable; on ‘Inhale Exhale’, which takes the elegiac acid riff and converts it into a soaring piece of pop; and on ‘moonmoons’, ‘Divining’ and ‘Unfurls’, all different flavours of delicate ambient exploration. It’s an album which blends the conventional and the unconventional, and while Meredith’s talent glows on the latter, the former is unfriendly ground to one of her ability.

(David Pollock) ■ Out Fri 25 Oct.

ART POP

FOLKTRONICA

The Practice of Love (Sacred Bones) ●●●●●

i,i (Jagjaguwar) ●●●●●

JENNY HVAL

Love isn’t exactly the most original of subjects to tackle for a recording artist.

Everyone’s had a crack at it from the certified crooners to the bland brand of Radio 2 romance. But Norwegian multi-disciplinary artist Jenny Hval’s The Practice of Love hangs less on tenderness and more on the intuitive connections between four women: Hval herself, Sydney-born songwriter Laura Jean (who Hval met when living out in Australia), Singaporean multi-instrumentalist Vivian Wang (who Hval admits she’s only really met in passing) and French artist, Félicia Atkinson. The connection between the latter is marked only by a shared passion for New Mexico and a mutual admiration for each other’s work.

With such a breadth of influences and global inputs, it’s not surprising that The Practice of Love is a Rolodex of stored sounds, fragments of documentary scripts and the kind of ethereal electronica you might hear from fellow Nordic DJ, Maria Minerva. Opening track ‘Lions’ finds Hval poaching from Vivian Wang’s voiceover stores as she recounts the tale of an imagined space up in northern Norway that was never christened while ‘Accident’ (with Jean on lead) feels more like a nod to the EDM euphoria of the nineties. But it’s the title track where Hval’s playful mind and self-expression excels as Wang delivers a rousing knockdown of the very notion of love (‘I hate love in my own language/It contains the entire word honesty inside it’) and admits: ‘Maybe “Sorry” is the closest I’ve ever got to saying love’.

With her six-strong discography to date, Hval has picked up international acclaim for her markedly non-traditional arrangements incorporating poetry, prose writing and performance. The Practice of Love is no exception.

If anything, she’s spread those tendrils even wider, out through internet cables and across oceans to connect these artists together and find a common voice. Because while Hval might not like the idea of love, she’s found the spark of something tender here.

(Cheri Amour) ■ Out Fri 13 Sep.

BON IVER

Bon Iver mainman Justin Vernon has made the most of the opportunities which arose from the unexpected global success of his no-fi debut, For Emma, Forever Ago. Initiatives include running his own festival and launching a non-commercial streaming service on to which he regularly dripfeeds new material – including, at one point, a song entitled ‘The Shittiest Day In American History’ (whatever could he be talking about?)

Vernon has also become progressively more sociable as a musician, and some of his recent collaborators crop up on this fourth Bon Iver album. Guests include piano man Bruce Hornsby, the Dessner brothers from the National and James Blake, whose propensity for manicured angst makes its presence felt in the periodic use of distorted keening vocals. There is a thin line between this self-regarding pretension and the soulful gospel chorale of ‘iMi’, and Vernon seems intent on criss-crossing it throughout this downbeat electronic suite which sticks roughly to the same lane as 2016’s 22, A Million in eschewing the songwriting rigour of earlier albums in favour of experimenting with the sonic palette.

Vernon has suggested that the weeks spent utilising multiple rooms in the studio were more crucial to the record than the years he spent songwriting – you can judge for yourself whether or not that is a boon. While individual tracks don’t outstay their welcome, many are frustratingly sketchy.

Highlights are invariably the more soulful interludes – the bare vocal invocation at the start of ‘Hey, Ma’ would not be out of place on a Young Fathers album. Hornsby guests on the piano–led, gospel-tinged ‘U (Man Like)’, which culminates with some sweet call-andresponse between the sexes.

But, elsewhere, the testifying quality of Vernon’s raw vocal over a calming wash of finessed piano and synths on ‘Naeem’ or his pained pronouncements against a backdrop of soothing, shifting brass on ‘Sh’Diah’ sounds contrived. (Fiona Shepherd) ■ Out now.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 81

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GOING UNDERGROUND FEATURE | MUSIC

list.co.uk/music

GOING THIRD-DEGREE UNDERGROUND BYRNE Stewart Smith digs out some of the best underground, DIY and self-released music currently out ofabout the Scottish music scene David Byrne talks to coming Claire Sawers life after Talking Heads – collaborations, creativity and How Music Works

W

here’s just one small caveat before The List gets the green passionately, as a man still madly in love with music. Electronic music, light on an interview with David Byrne. One thing Mr Byrne world music, folk song, religious chants, ballet scores – the ritual, the most definitely won’t be talking about, comes the polite but craft, the urge to dance along while cooking in his kitchen – Byrne’s MERCURO-CHROME firm message, is Talking Heads. is clear – he can’t enough.and sound artists along with their of get musicians sour tonalities are balancedrefrain playful flourishes Athlete Joy / Athlete Despair From of anyone else, a of request to ●●●●● not talk aboutand the single biggest part of myown life electronics, is tied to something completely keyboards that and is samples.

The disarming moments ‘A of large Stravinskian thing Much they of thearemost famous exciting for new mightmusic seemcoming churlish, wistfulness, a bit awkward; the a passage ephemeral,’ he writes in40-minute the book. ‘You music, only title can’t tracktouch opens withitaexists dialogue while of staggered uncooperative a pop diva. But coming from the momentreflect it is being apprehended. yet it can profoundly alter out now in demand Scotlandof is released digitally between Bruno And Duplant’s chimes and Baran longa shape-shifting tones and extended atharmonies polymath suchThere’s as himself, coming fromtoDavid it makes perfect how we viewon thethe world.and It’s powerful stuff.’ or on tape. an immediacy theseByrne, Kennedy’s electronics, the reverberant Syed-Tollan’s.

The eight piano pieces sense.

Byrne’s reveals aa man constantly new Besides big part of Byrne’s enthusiasm comesdrones from formats, not toCVmention refreshing lackon the tones fading into hovering fliplookout take in for swashbuckling free jazz,innovation, minimal apercussive ground break, new to master, to complete; theand impressionist collaborations – as he and playfully pointsambience. out, Pitchfork said he’d of filler.to Cassette is skills the ideal formatnew for projects a chordal looming Theyonce sustain this exercises doodles, polar of laurel-resting. Yeah sure, David Byrnea brief was asnippet singer of a capella collaborate with anyonebeautifully for a bag of what does heminimal look for projectopposite like Mercuro-Chrome’s Athlete of with forDoritos. over 20Sominutes, with art-song. in the most wave pop bands of the 70s and 80s, in a collaborator?

Joyone/ ofAthlete Ofinfluential Despair.new Beamed from acoustic guitar plucks, modular synth twitters whose hits (‘This Must Place’, Killer’, ‘Once in a ‘I wouldn’t want someone that does what I do,’ he answers. the kaleidoscopic mind Be of the poet, artist‘Psycho and OTHERWORLD and disembodied voices weaving in and‘That out Cleadworkiet ●●●●● Lifetime’, own favourite here) still sound fresh as daisies would be redundant. You’re going to getout anything outLavinia of that. musician insert Jamie your Bolland, Mercuro-Chrome of thenotmix.

Then, of thenew blue, I Had Forgotten How Much Light Is InwhoBlackwell’s nearly 30 way yearsfrom later. the ButLynchian he’s also jazz been of a film composer, You wantThere someone understandswordless what you soprano do, but is vocals comingcome from is a long his soundtrack The World, Till You Gave It Back To Me place. ●●●●● bike rack designer, illustrator, of non-fiction, a different Then swooping you find thein. connection between two. Baran I love former group Tut Vuphotographer, Vu. The two pieces here writer The grand finalethesees Otherworld project out from Kaycomfort record label runner, visual artist . Byrne has built a career is outthe of latest getting of my zone.out It’shuge an incredible I learn are adaptations of his poem ‘On. .All Fours’, carving blocks of thrill tone when on a chapel creative and thrived it, so it stands to reason – why would2016 he albumsomething andCelle, it starts to work.’

Logan, whose as Helena devised ADHD, to accompany a on performance with organ, as samples and treatments transform the want to getbymisty-eyed and revisitItold ground? as aYou multi-disciplined artist,space. with what he self-diagnoses as ‘very Best, Don’t acoustic costumes Morven Mulgrew. begins with If I Can’t Handle Me At MySo, ‘Yeah, reading I declined interview with Mojo reason,’ mild is Asperger’s’, Deserve You Byrne At Your Worst, one of theis keeping himself on his toes as much a part of the Bolland out aanlitany of identities: ‘I amfor that confesses, onlyof a second a laugh, something creating something new? IMPROVISERS original in the Nightappeal Schoolas catalogue. a seabird .leaving . . the tree Tolstoybefore . . . a letting vision outmost GLASGOW he a lot during the Then chat. He’s New YorkIn office, waiting on aDIY techno ‘Yeah, like wonk to keep myself interested –&I’ll kind of throw myself into contrast to the and Ilo-fi in does the body electric.’ out in of his nowhere, ORCHESTRA MAGGIE NICOLS Beingknow ●●●●● lunchtime of sushi, andrhythm he’s inkicks good spirits. area that I don’tEnergy completely or understand, that I’m not releases venture an Ornettedelivery Coleman-derived in of that album, these twosome unsung hero to ofstay Scottish ‘I have no embarrassment about Talking Heads stuff, I don’t. adept at, so I’m forced An to swim in order afloat.music, There’sLindsay a good intoof course dreamlike realms of electro-acoustic and Bolland’s voice blossoms into blissed-out It’s just there’s awful lot of other things going on, especially at the feeling that comes Cooper played with everyone from Mike ambience.

Logan creates her own sound worldfromLthat.’ auto-tune, like an a strangely ecstatic inversion moment.

I thought, god, they’re probably to masticate When he’s notslow studying music’s communicating with away, other Oldfield to patterns, Derek Bailey.

After stints bywant feeding her sound sources through of Kanye’s 808 &“Oh Heartbreaks.

Bursts ofgonna the past. Mull things somehow.” I would just rather and talk long aboutdelays. music makers (in myriad or jump-starting some new he different returned ways), to Scotland in the 1990s, where reverbs Such an approach absurdist humour (a over blink-and-you’ll-miss-it other stuff.’ genre into life, fan of the simple bit – listening to it. he also led aimprovisation workshops and played everything an he’s KRS-1 sample) are followed by moments of can run the risk of turningmusic It’s safe to say Byrne isAs a fan of forward odd motion. now, he’s beingbut Logan ‘I has like to listen in a concentrated way – that’s theWells best way to take it bass and tuba with the Bill Octet.

In the amorphous mush, a painterly revealing vulnerability. wonderfully as Right propelled forward severalidentity, directions.

He’s just put out the to excellent put sense on headphones while joggingwith through the Nicols park. I hecycling shared or a house Maggie attention detail, and in. a I’ll keen of 1960s, this exploration ofin ‘bipolar delusional Love This and Giant, a record withalso fellow New Yorker St Vincent, real On Cleadworkiet, usually sing heavily along – I hope goingGeorge fast enough one can hear and I’m the late Lyle, that bothnofuture alumni duration and space. intuition the body’made is, it’s deeply name Annie Clark, and backed by a brass band. He’streated also writing me.’ and swell over of Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra. Fittingly, guitarmusic chords shimmer empathetic. for theatre, designing more bicycle racks – this time alphabet-inspired While others bemoanEnergy the ‘death of is thebased music stays Being onindustry’, Cooper’s Byrne poem-cumshifting drones, gradually creating a blissful ones for the Brooklyn Academy of Music – and prepping himself for aI Had Forgotten steadfastly the othermanifesto side. ‘There’s more goodGuide music To being made ‘A Madman’s Music’, sense of yearning. . . .on is more HORSE WHISPERER Planctae 8 Fictions ●●●●● book tour./ Oh yeah, he’s written a massive book too. now than ever tones before,’ he states simply. with Nicols, Cliona Cassidy, George Burt and impressionistic still, as piano and mallet The demented DIY prog of Horse Whisperer’s How Music Works is music-geek heaven. It’s Byrne’s verythrough enjoyable It’sfog, the short version whatTam his book explains over 300-plushis pages.

In Dean Burn interpreting words glimmer a pale golden buoyed by ofguest alternative a cheesy popstar memoir – a sort of intelligent his 60th year, and fourth decade an artist, can Byrnetoever a time The Fifth to Season remains one of GLARC’s while theasensemble responds hissee musings airy flutes.storybook for fans releases, crossed with a manual for toemerging artists. In it, when he’ll get bored ofand music?

The answer comesstretches with a laugh. mostmusic striking so it’s a delight provocations.

Certain recall ‘It’s the he music from several angles – as a recording artist TWINS (with just not gonna happen.’microscopic abstractions of Spontaneous Music seeexamines Max Syed-Tollan return to the esteemed THE CRAY In Themethods; Companyand of Architects ●●●●● anecdotes aboutlabel Brian Eno’s but clever Glasgow tape with thisunconventional set of chamber Ensemble (with whom Cooper and Nicols second as the Cray Twins, Paul is out their pan improvisations. percussion on joint album Lifetheir in the Bushalbum of How Music Works now, published musicpots andand piano Written forMy On performed), but thereby areCanongate. deliberate irruptions Ghosts).

Asensemble, a businessman (with chapter dissecting the Gordon motivesKennedyRead more David at journal.davidbyrne.com.

Editat.

Baran and take on the from role of woodwind ‘Planctae’ is aafiendishly of Byrne form, from the birdsong vocal hockets that behind art, his own record Luaka Bop, plus and assemblers, Enitatium sedit volorestiunt a comnis a dolupta directors, composers piecing intricatemoney-making and weirdlyfrom compelling piece of label, build to laboressum a teeming Ligeti-like chorus, to a toethe practicalities of touring/ making CDs/ and sellingtogether t-shirts),the and most contributions oftiunt. a virtual collective tapping Latin-jazz number. baroque-modernism.

The jerky rhythms 1 Nov12018–31 Sep–31 Oct Jan 2019 THE LIST 83

MUSIC | HIGHLIGHTS

MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS Events are listed by city, then date.

Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW GLASGOW THREE AGES POETRY SLAM Tron KETTLE Theatre, OF KITES Sun 7 Apr, tron.co.uk The Hug andofPint, Sep, Three teams poetsFri go6 head-tothehugandpint.com Sci-fi inspired head in this poetry slam competition, songs by rock band fronted divided upthe intoindie ageart categories

by Scottish songwriter Tom Stearn. See ‘Teens’n’Twenties’, ‘Thirtysomethings’ preview, 77.to Know Better’. and ‘Old page Enough Hosted by Robin Cairns.

THE WATERBOYS Barrowland Ballroom, Sat 7 Sep, barrowland-ballroom.co.uk The acclaimed folk rock band formed in Edinburgh and fronted by Mike Scott perform songs spanning the band’s lengthy career.

THE SPOOK SCHOOL Art School, Sat 7 Sep, theartschool. co.uk Final gig on a farewell tour by the beloved indie pop four-piece from Edinburgh.

LA CHEETAH 10TH BIRTHDAY La Cheetah Club, Sat 7 Sep, Fri 11 Oct, lacheetahclub.co.uk Two-part tenth birthday celebration for the popular Glasgow club featuring Theo Paris (Sat 7 Sep) and Lory D (Fri 11 Oct).

EELS O2 Academy, Sat 14 Sep, academymusicgroup.com Melancholy but catchy songs by the American rock band fronted by ‘E’ (Mark Oliver Everett).

ARIANA GRANDE SSE Hydro, Tue 17 Sep, thessehydro.com The multi-platinum Grammy award-winning pop songstress visits Glasgow on her Sweetener world arena tour.

SPIELBERGS Poetry Club SWG3, Thu 19 Sep, swg3.tv New Norwegian indie rock trio from Oslo.

AIDAN MOFFAT & RM HUBBERT St Luke’s & The Winged Ox, Sun 22

Sep, stlukesglasgow.com The duo play songs from their Scottish Album of the Year award-nominated collaboration album, Here Lies the Body. Also Summerhall, Edinburgh, Fri 20 Sep, summerhall.co.uk; Gardyne Theatre, Dundee, Thu 19 Sep, gardynetheatre.org.uk PALE WAVES Barrowland Ballroom, Mon 23 Sep, barrowland-ballroom.co.uk English indie pop band from Manchester perform songs from their debut album.

FAT COPS G2, Mon 23 Sep, garage-glasgow. co.uk Band led by comedian Al Murray and former Bluebells frontman Bobby Bluebell sing songs about ageing.

KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD Barrowland Ballroom, Tue 1 Oct, barrowland-ballroom.co.uk Australian rock band well-known for their energetic live shows.

STATIC-X The Garage, Wed 2 Oct, garageglasgow.co.uk Industrial metal band from Los Angeles. Wayne Static died in 2014 but the band head out on tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album Wisconsin Death Trip with mysterious masked frontman Xer0.

Support from SOiL, Wednesday 13 and Dope.

SEBADOH Broadcast, Fri Oct 4, broadcastglasgow.com American indie rock band and pioneers of lo-fi music. See preview, page 77.

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB O2 Academy Glasgow, Fri 4 & Sat 5 Oct, academymusicgroup.com Upbeat electronic indie rock from the Northern Ireland trio in support of their new album, False Alarm.

DZ DEATHRAYS Stereo, Sat 5 Oct, stereocafebar.com Australian dance-rock trio hailing from Brisbane.

FANGCLUB The Garage, Sat 5 Oct, garageglasgow.co.uk Garage rock collective from Dublin supporting their second album, Vulture Culture. Also Mash House, Edinburgh, Mon 7 Oct, themashhouse.co.uk GREEN VELVET SWG3, Sat 5 Oct, swg3.tv House and techno songs from the American singer, songwriter and record producer also known as Cajmere. Also Leith Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 7 Sep, leiththeatretrust.org THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS O2 Academy, Tue 8 Oct, academymusicgroup.com Popular London indie rock band perform their hit songs from the 80s including ‘Love My Way’ and ‘Pretty in Pink’.

IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE The Classic Grand, Wed 9 Oct, classicgrand.com Electronic afro-punk band from London.

Pale Waves

HITLIST

XXX FREAKENDER Xxxx The Old XxxxHairdressers, Glasgow, Fri 13 Sep–Sun 15 Sep, freakender.co.uk Three days of live music and DJs including Modern Nature, Double Discone and Pozi.

VOLBEAT O2 Academy, Glasgow, Tue 24 Sep,

84 84 THE THE LIST LIST 11 Jun–31 Sep–31Aug Oct 2019

academymusicgroup. com Danish band playing a high-energy combination of heavy metal, punk and rockabilly. Mighty metal support comes from Baroness and Danko Jones. See feature, page 74.

SLOWTHAI SWG3, Glasgow,

Mon 14 Oct, swg3. tv Rapper hailing from Northampton performs politically-charged tracks from his debut, Nothing Great About Britain. See preview, page 77.

BIFFY CLYRO Caird Hall, Dundee, Mon 14 Oct, cairdhall. co.uk Rare intimate gig by the award-

winning, chart-topping Scottish rockers from Kilmarnock.

CHER SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Mon 28 Oct, thessehydro.com Arena gig as part of her Here We Go Again tour by the Grammy and Oscar-winning 73-yearold singer and actress.

xxxx Cher

MUSIC | HIGHLIGHTS

MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED PHOTO: RONALD DICK

OF MONSTERS AND MEN O2 Academy, Thu 31 Oct, academymusicgroup.com Icelandic band known for their indie folk/pop songs channel new rock and synth influences.

SAINT ETIENNE The Queen’s Hall, Sat 19 Oct, thequeenshall.net Much-loved London alt dance-pop trio celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album Tiger Bay.

OPETH SWG3 Galvanizers, Thu 31 Oct, swg3.tv Swedish progressive metal band often labelled the ‘heavy metal Pink Floyd’ for their lengthy tracks.

TERMINAL V FESTIVAL The Royal Highland Centre, Sat 26 Oct, royalhighlandcentre.co.uk Halloween-themed electronic music festival featuring Laurent Garnier, Maceo Plex, Skream, Annie Mac, Ben Klock, Horse Meat Disco, Hot Since 82, Alan Fitzpatrick and more.

EDINBURGH THE FLAMING LIPS Usher Hall, Thu 5 Sep, usherhall. co.uk American experimental rock heroes bring their cosmic eccentric live show with furry animals back to the UK. Performing The Soft Bulletin in full.

FEMI KUTI The Queen’s Hall, Sun 15 Sep, thequeenshall.net Critically acclaimed world music from the great ambassador of Afrobeat.

PIP BLOM The Caves, Edinburgh, Wed 9 Oct, unusualvenuesedinburgh.com Acclaimed songwriter from Amsterdam performs indie pop numbers with her namesake band. Also Stereo, Glasgow, Fri 11 Oct, stereocafebar. com

Hot Chip

LEWSBERG The Hug and Pint, Thu 10 Oct, thehugandpint.com Dutch four-piece perform indie rock songs reminiscent of the Velvet Underground from their debut. See feature, page 76.

CREEP SHOW The Art School, Mon 14 Oct, theartschool.co.uk Collaboration between American singer-songwriter John Grant and members of the English electronica band Wrangler.

RICHARD HAWLEY Barrowland Ballroom, Tue 15 Oct, barrowland-ballroom.co.uk Swooning, crooning songs from the former Longpigs and Pulp guitarist. See preview, page 73.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Barrowland Ballroom, Thu 17 Oct, barrowland-ballroom.co.uk American metalcore outfit perform songs from their eighth studio album, Atonement.

DJ FOOD PRESENTS KRAFTWERK 86 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

Drygate Brewing Co., Fri 18 Oct, drygate.com Audio visual show and DJ set focused entirely on German band Kraftwerk. DJ Andrew Divine supports.

ELVANA O2 Academy, Fri 18 Oct, academymusicgroup.com Elvisfronted Nirvana tribute combining rock’n’roll with grunge.

EDWYN COLLINS Beat Generator Live, Dundee, Tue 3 Sep, beatgenerator. co.uk The former Orange Juice frontman and ‘A Girl Like You’ singer performs his solo material. Also The Ironworks, Inverness, Mon Sep 2, ironworksvenue.com SKYE LIVE The Lump, Portree, Isle of Skye, Thu 5–Sat 7 Sep, skylive.co.uk Three-day outdoor music festival at the traditional home of the Skye Highland Games, headlined by the Waterboys.

THE STRUTS The Liquid Room, Sat 12 Oct, liquidroom.com Glam rock band from Derby fronted by Luke Spiller known for their high-energy gigs.

BELHAVEN 300TH BIRTHDAY BASH Belhaven Brewery, Dunbar, Sat 21 Sep, belhaven.co.uk Large birthday celebration for Belhaven Brewery featuring the best of Scottish music and beer.

JESS MORGAN AND NELS ANDREWS Brig Below, Tue 15 Oct, brigbelow. com Co-headlining show by English folk singer Jess Morgan and American singer-songwriter Nels Andrews.

GRUFF RHYS Spiegeltent, Paisley, Wed 16 Oct, thespree.co.uk The eccentric Super Furry Animals frontman performs his solo material as part of the Spree Festival. See album review, page 80.

MELT-BANANA Stereo, Sat 19 Oct, stereocafebar. com Experimental rock from the Japanese noise rock band fronted

by Yasuko Onuki. Also The Caves, Edinburgh, Fri 18 Oct, unusualvenuesedinburgh.com HOT CHIP Barrowland Ballroom, Sat 19 Oct, barrowland-ballroom.co.uk Quirky uber-danceable electronica and poignant electro ballads.

SUNN O))) Queen Margaret Union, Fri 25 Oct, qmunion.org.uk Loud experimental metal band from Seattle.

OUT OF TOWN

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PAISLEY 11-19 October

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MUSIC | CLASSICAL

L A C I ASS

CL

CLASSICAL

THE NIGHT WITH . . .

Various venues, Edinburgh, Glasgow & Aberdeen, until Thu 12 Dec, thenightwith.com Formed in 2016, The Night With . . . ’s formula of programming new and experimental classical music in informal spaces came about when artistic director Matthew Whiteside was studying for his masters in composition. With fellow students, he put on a concert in Glasgow’s Bloc+.

‘We thought, let’s put on some music we want to listen to in a way that we want to listen to it. I felt I’d like to renew the idea, and it all came together in The Night With . . . I decided to put classical music in pubs and bars and art galleries and give three 15–30 minute thirds rather than a standard two halves. If I go to a concert, I’d quite like to sit with a glass of wine and be able to listen to music and then have time to refresh the glass at least once throughout the evening!’

Starting with a couple of concerts in the basement of the Hug and Pint, The Night With . . . has evolved massively, with 25 concerts this year in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen as well as Belfast. Following a packed Fringe, as part of the Made in Scotland showcase, a host of thrilling concerts will take place throughout the rest of the year, most incorporating at least one world premiere.

Performers include Australia’s Ensemble Offspring as well as new music ensemble The Hermes Experiment, whose concert will showcase the winning entry of The Night With . . . ’s 2019 call for scores. The season also features an intriguing blend of old and new. Violist Garth Knox will give a concert playing contemporary work with electronics on the viola d’amore, an instrument more common to the baroque period. Ensemble 1604, who specialise in ‘new music with a period aesthetic’, perform music from the 16th, 17th and 20th century alongside . . . shadows that in darkness dwell . . . , a new work by Timothy Cooper. (Miranda Heggie)

The Hermes Experiment

CLASSICAL HIGHLIGHTS HITLIST RSNO: STRAUSS & MAHLER ONE Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 14 Oct, usherhall.co.uk Sensational orchestral sounds from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Strauss’s dramatic Don Juan, with Mahler’s thrilling Symphony No 1 in the second half. Scottish mezzo Karen Cargill is soloist in Berg’s luscious Seven Early Songs. Also Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 15 Oct, glasgowconcerthalls.com THE DUNEDIN CONSORT St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington, Fri 13 Sep, lammermuirfestival.co.uk For the first of their four Lammermuir Festival concerts going under the heading ‘The Art of the Concerto’, the Dunedin Consort place Bach’s classic Brandenburg Concertos Nos 1 and 3 at the heart of a programme switching between the great JS and Vivaldi. The performance opens Lammermuir’s 10th anniversary festival.

88 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

GLASGOW

EDINBURGH

BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Glasgow Green, bbc.co.uk, Sat 14 Sep Be part of the glorious celebration that marks the finale of summer’s BBC Proms in one of Scotland’s favourite musical events of the year. BBC Scotland’s Proms in the Park returns to Glasgow Green with classical music heard alongside Scottish reels plus an array of special guests, all presented in entertaining style by popular tenor and broadcaster Jamie MacDougall.

RSNO: IN FOCUS: THE VIENNA CONNECTION Wed 2 Oct, Institut Français d'Ecosse, usherhall.co.uk Round-table illustrated discussion led by RSNO music director Thomas Søndergård which explores the fascinating context in which the Romantic movement of Beethoven and Goethe reached its pinnacle, and the impact it had on the course of music thereafter. Also Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 5 Oct, glasgowconcerthalls.com

BBC SSO 2019/20: OPENING NIGHT – MAHLER SYMPHONY NO 5 City Halls, Thu 26 Sep, glasgowconcerthalls.com The BBC SSO turn to Mahler for their season opener this year. In his Symphony No 5 – the Adagietto forever immortalised through its starring role in Visconti’s film Death in Venice – tragedy turns to triumph.

Less familiar is the extraordinary soundworld of Chaya Czernowin, whose Once I blinked nothing was the same receives its UK premiere.

Also Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 29 Sep, usher hall.co.uk

SCO 2019/20: BACH AND SIBELIUS WITH PEKKA KUUSISTO Queen’s Hall, Thu 3 Oct, thequeenshall.net Pekka Kuusisto is a real draw for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a performance in which he both plays and directs. Turning to his native Finland for Sibelius’s Symphony No 5, he also gives the Scottish premiere of Anders Hillborg’s Bach Materi, inspired – unsurprisingly – by Bach, whose Brandenburg Concerto No 3 opens proceedings. Also City Halls, Glasgow, Fri 4 Oct, glasgowconcerthalls.com

OUT OF TOWN CAPPELLA NOVA: MAJESTY Cumnock Old Church, Cumnock, Fri 4 Oct, thecumnocktryst.com An intriguing programme of early Scottish music from the time of the Reformation and huge societal turmoil, and the impact on the music that was to emerge in the wake of such change.

RED NOTE ENSEMBLE Ormiston Parish Church, East Lothian, Wed 18 Sep, lammermuirfestival.co.uk Red Note returns, under the baton of Simon Proust, for an afternoon of new music by students of major European conservatoires combined with music by British stalwarts Oliver Knussen and Peter Maxwell Davies.

THEATRE THEATRE DANCE INTERNATIONAL GLASGOW

FORFTHE or thLATEST e latesNEWS, t news, LISTINGS listings aAND nTO d rREVIEWS, eviews, GO go to LIST.CO.UK list.co.uk /t/THEATRE heatre

Biennial showcase of dance and movement returns Staging 25 shows from five continents in one month, Dance International Glasgow returns to the city with another celebration of movement in all its guises.

Featuring UK collective Nora performing a new work by postmodern dance legend Deborah Hay; Palestinian dancer Farah Saleh’s excellent solo, What My Body Can’t Remember; a short film starring the Royal Ballet’s first black dancer, Solomon Golding; and two works

by Scottish Dance Theatre to name but a few, this biennial event mixes live performance, film, text, installation and site-specific work, all of it questioning and responding to the world we live in.

The festival kicks off on 4 Oct with Rob Heaslip Dance’s ENDLING (pictured), a blend of dance, voice and ritual named after an individual that’s the last of its species – once it dies the species becomes extinct.

‘Dance International Glasgow is a landmark festival in our cultural calendar,’ says Heaslip, ‘so we’re delighted that our company will be launching it with our new production, which re-imagines the Gaelic wake and toys with merriment and the macabre. We’re also thrilled to see Gaelic arts included in such a diverse and energised programme.’ (Kelly Apter) ■ Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 4–Sat 26 Oct.

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1 Jun–31 Sep–31 Aug Oct 2019 THE LIST 89

THEATRE | PREVIEWS & REVIEWS POST MODERN

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Couper Institute, Glasgow, Thu 31 Oct–Sun 3 Nov. Reviewed at Manchester International Festival Claire Cunningham’s sense of playful adventurousness has seen her explore multiple genres – spectacular aerialism, dynamic choreography, theatre / dance hybrids – and complex themes with an emphasis on her own autobiography. Thank You Very Much, despite its unlikely celebration of Elvis Presley tribute acts, continues in her tradition of making performance that is intimate, cerebral and emotive, meditative and positive, with a powerful eye for the striking visual moment. While she has never lost her distinctive humour, her ability to collaborate allows other performers to share the spotlight and develop her inspiration into a comprehensive reflection on the relationship between the movement of performers with disability and the impersonators of the King of Rock’n’Roll.

Four performers – Cunningham, Daniel Daw, Tanja Erhart and Vicky Marlin – are joined by the voices of five tribute artists. Each live performer is given an episode, to relate their experiences to the mentoring of a tribute artist, while Cunningham introduces and concludes with her own early memories of Elvis and the connection she felt with the svelte star of the Comeback Special.

An apparently casual structure reveals a series of profound connections: questions of how movement marks out an individual, how the specifics of certain Elvis moves can be broken into a sequence, and how the tribute artist finds an echo in the experimental, live arttinged processes of Daw, Erhart, Marlin and Cunningham are placed at the service of a gently thoughtful and richly emotional journey. (Gareth K Vile)

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PHOTO: RICHARD H SMITH

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MUSICAL

FILM ADAPTATION

Tramway, Wed 4–Sat 21 Sep. Reviewed at Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Tue 12–Sat 16 Nov, Reviewed at King’s Theatre, Glasgow

Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 12 Sep– Sat 5 Oct, and touring

THE DUCHESS [OF MALFI]

Zinnie Harris’s daring, contemporary take on The Duchess of Malfi opens with the eponymous Duchess singing alone on stage. Tentative at first, she eventually warms to this act of self-expression and agency until abruptly, two men appear on a looming bridge above her and the moment is broken: the lights shudder, the music jars, and the Duchess falters. This fleeting exposition of male domination over female independence sets the scene for Harris’s fresh approach to this oft-told tale.

The Duchess [of Malfi] exposes the disturbing cruelty of gender oppression through to its visceral end. Strikingly, Harris does not shy away from the physical and sexual violence these women endure in this Citizens Theatre production, but rather recovers the subjectivity of the female experience within it; in one of the most extraordinary scenes of the play, the women band together, drenched in blood, and occupy the stage, if not as a corrective to male violence then as an act of stark resistance to it.

Superbly acted by a consistently strong cast, led

by Kirsty Young’s vibrant, defiant Duchess, The Duchess [of Malfi] renders John Webster’s play as timely and relevant as ever. (Anahit Behrooz) 90 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

Despite its cheerful title, the 2006 film which inspired this musical is a darkly comic road trip story that deals with themes such as sexuality, death, drugs and suicide. It perfected the bittersweet tone between goofy family adventure and outright tragedy: not always the easiest mix for musical theatre.

The plot sees a family of mismatched personalities travel to California so their youngest, the perpetually delightful Olive (played by Evie Gibson), can participate in a beauty pageant. The upbeat opening number, about how all of our endeavours fail, epitomises the tone of the show.

When Gibson’s happy, high-pitched voice cuts through the pessimism, it’s like a beam of sunshine.

Though a few songs are repetitive or overly long, many have the catchy, witty and moving qualities of classic show tunes. A particular highlight is a number about the joys of sex delivered by Olive’s grandpa (Mark Moraghan) – it’s not an outdated joke about a bad grandpa or a cringe-worthy spew of lewd suggestions; it is hilariously taboo-breaking.

Little Miss Sunshine is a show that knows how to provide feelgood fun and still respect the intelligence of its audience. (Flora Gosling)

SOLARIS

A new collaboration between Malthouse Theatre Melbourne, the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh and the Lyric in Hammersmith, David Greig’s adaptation of Stanislaw Lem’s novel Solaris promises to wrestle with huge themes of outsiderdom, love, grief and constructed truth.

Directed by Malthouse’s Matthew Lutton, it aims to be both chilling and humorous. Greig says: ‘I had no idea Stanislaw Lem’s book was so funny, so moving, and such a fascinating philosophical disquisition on the eternal human problem of our relationship with “the other” - whether that other is a person, a planet, a lover or a monster.

‘The premise is simple: there are three scientists on a space station orbiting a great planet, a psychologist arrives to check on their wellbeing, and strange things start to happen – is the planet communicating with them? Or are they imagining it? Is it a god? Or a demon? Or a child?’

With legendary film and theatre actor Hugo Weaving portraying Gibarian on video, and Keegan Joyce as Ray, Jade Ogugua as Sartorius and Fode Simbo as Snow onstage, this existential sci-fi production should be in safe hands.

(Lorna Irvine)

Image: NIC Kay

by Amie LeeKing

Dance International Glasgow 4 – 26 October 2019 DIGlasgow.com #DIGlasgow

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POLITICAL THEATRE

THE DRIFT

Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 11 & Sat 12 Oct The Tron’s forthcoming season has a series of bold choices and a panoply of exciting voices: from Julia Croft, with her fierce feminist mash-up Power Ballad, to a meditation on postcommunist society in Fallen Fruit, and Gary McNair’s unique Glaswegian interpretation of Ben Johnson’s The Alchemist.

There is a real emphasis on dynamic work which challenges and provokes, and none more so than Hannah Lavery’s world premiere, The Drift.

Directed by Eve Nicol, The Drift is poet, writer and performer Lavery’s lyrical, theatrical exploration of Scottish history.

Presented by the National Theatre of Scotland, the piece is supported by Flint & Pitch and the Workers Theatre and commissioned with the Coalition of Racial Equality and Rights as part of Black History Month. Furious, heartfelt and moving, it interrogates ideas of place, family and loss, and is steeped in Lavery’s experiences of growing up ‘mixed’ in Scotland.

With her roots in spoken word performance, she sees this as a way to make ideas resonate within a theatrical context. ‘I suppose I think that poetry has always been such an important part of theatre that I have always felt to be part of a theatrical tradition’, she explains. ‘I think, however, poetry can offer layers of meaning and allow a similar space to emotionally connect to ideas and difficult themes’.

The initial inspiration for the piece was, she says, ‘a piece of seaglass, an Edinburgh close and my father’s fast walk, and that question, “where are you from?’’’ She believes that the political is often personal, and adds, ‘I think my play is rooted in grief, but I couldn’t say goodbye to my father, to understand him, without considering him as a black Scottish man, and that understanding was a political and historical understanding.’

(Lorna Irvine)

PHOTO: MIHAELA BODLOVIC

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TRUE LIFE STORY

RECLAIMING HISTORY

Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 11–Sat 14 Sep. Reviewed at Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh

Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Thu 5–Sat 7 Sep; Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 18–Sat 21 Sep, and touring

HOW NOT TO DROWN

‘I was just a little kid’ says Dritan, the central figure in How Not To Drown, a co-production between ThickSkin and the Traverse Theatre, with Tron Theatre and Lawrence Batley Theatre. He’s an 11-year-old asylum seeker arriving in the UK after his homeland is ravaged by war. With most of the world ripping itself apart on faultlines of race and immigration, it’s frustrating that the expositional dump that opens How Not To Drown avoids any political details and settles for the blandest platitudes.

One issue is that Dritan Kastrati plays himself; he’s fine as an actor, but while the script constantly references his youth, Kastrati looks mature and conveys little vulnerability. Kastrati’s script, co-written with Nicola McCartney, evokes the experience of being smuggled from Kosovo to Albania to the UK via Italy and Belgium, but while the details might be true, they’re not always persuasive.

How Not To Drown does pack a lot of action into it’s 85 minute running time, but the twin targets of people-smuggling and social services aren’t meshed in any effective way. Vigorous playing and effective staging only go so far; addressing a subject this vital, and saying so little about it, smacks of box-ticking; the moral, that we should all do what we can for each other, feels like a minimal reward. (Eddie Harrison) 92 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

BLACK MEN WALKING

Inspired by a real life men’s walking group in Cumbria, Black Men Walking takes a stroll through the Peak District, detouring through 2000 years of black history and arriving at a supernatural meeting with the spirits of their ancestors.

With music from rapper Testament, and an unflinching look at a serious contemporary subject, this promises to be an uncompromising production.

Peter Huntley, interim executive producer at Eclipse, explains: ‘The group inspired the play, but it doesn’t tell their exact story. Hearing about how they use the walk to share their experience of living in Britain and how they connect to the landscape is something we explore in the production.’ From this starting point, Black Men Walking heads towards broader discussions of identity and location.

Huntley’s vision is a telling one that recognises a key problem with contemporary theatre and balances the fictional with the factual. ‘It’s important that we use real events as we want to reflect the black British experience,’ he says. ‘We want people from those communities to see themselves represented on stage – something which doesn’t often happen in the theatre world.’

By reclaiming the landscape of the Peak District as part of black history, Black Men Walking challenges audiences to reconsider not only theatrical exclusion but also gaps in the historical record. (Gareth K Vile)

PREVIEWS & REVIEWS | DANCE

list.co.uk/dance

Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Wed 25–Sat 28 Sep; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 17 & Fri 18 Oct. Reviewed at Edinburgh International Festival It’s fair to say that Scottish Ballet has form when it comes to translating tricky texts into dance. Its version of A Streetcar Named Desire was blistering, and lit up the text in a new, redraw light. And it’s this that Helen Pickett’s The Crucible is most reminiscent of.

The question of why bother transposing Miller’s iconic text into a mute form quickly evaporates as the dance seizes hold of the physicality of lust, dogma, and mass hysteria. Emma Kingsbury has created a discomfiting world, where the giant spread of a huge cross dominates the stage.

Prayer in this community is expressed through military drills, interrupted by tableaux of violent, simmering passions.

Meanwhile, in a forest late at night the Salem girls manipulate dolls houses and shadow puppets, teetering en pointe, thrilling with the excitement of all that is forbidden.

Miller’s story – of teenager Abigail’s affair with her employer John Proctor, which becomes entangled in mass accusations of witchcraft – unfolds with clarity, mixing in just enough descriptive movement to let us know what’s going on. But it’s when the repressed surfaces of the central characters are scratched that the real heart of the piece pours out.

There’s no hiding a character’s soul in dance, and this is most apparent in the role of Elizabeth Proctor. Aloof and proper, almost chilly in Miller’s text, here she is a fully fleshed woman whose upright dignity softens as the piece progresses.

Peter Salem’s score shivers menacingly, unsettling with its unpredictable rhythms, in a production which reminds us that beneath all the flying verbal accusations of the text lie breathing, pulsing humans. (Lucy Ribchester)

PHOTO: NADINE BOYD

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CONTEMPORARY DANCE

CONTEMPORARY DANCE

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 27 & Sat 28 Sep

Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Thu 19 Sep; Brunton, Musselburgh, Sat 21 Sep, and touring. Reviewed at Dance Base, Edinburgh

RICHARD ALSTON DANCE COMPANY With the shock announcement last October that Richard Alston Dance Company would be folding in 2020, plans started taking shape for an appropriate send-off.

Founded in 1994, the company has staged almost 30 different works, so when it came to programming a swansong, there was lots to choose from.

Entitled Final Edition, each show on the tour has been tailored for that specific venue, with the Festival Theatre programme featuring Mazur, Brahms Hungarian and brand new work Voices and Light Footsteps by Alston himself, plus Martin Lawrance’s new piece, A Far Cry. Forced to close due to The Place (the dance centre in London where Alston is based) reapportioning its Arts Council grant, the company hopes to keep a flame alive through an archive and foundation. Alston also plans to offer his existing works to other companies.

‘I really believe that choreographers, like other artists, mature if they keep going,’ says Alston. ‘For the past 25 years I’ve dedicated myself to my own company, and although I’ve worked with a few other companies, mostly in America, I’ll have more time to do that now.

‘I’m sure there are some people who think why on earth hasn’t Richard Alston given up? But actually, as far as I’m concerned I really want each piece to be better than the one before – and I still live in hope that I haven’t made my best dance yet.’ (Kelly Apter)

THE CHOSEN

Choreographer Kally Lloyd-Jones’ piece about death and dying opens with the loud throb of a heartbeat. Six dancers sit on mirrored cubes looking relaxed, apparently unaware of the sound of life booming out of the speakers.

Lloyd-Jones wanted to create a work that explores the universal, complex reality of death, following a year where she lost four people, including her best friend. Although The Chosen is about dying, what the show mostly focuses on is how people go about living, knowing that death is unavoidably in the post.

The movement is often intensely physical; athletic spins and falls follow more stationary sections, including one sequence where the dancers tap feet, bite nails, sigh impatiently then pace the floor, as if to remind us how much of life is spent waiting for something.

The dancers from Glasgow-based Company Chordelia are soaked in sweat by the end, having rippled themselves through swirling patterns of ebbing water as a soundtrack of crashing waves plays, then interlocking limbs and dangling torsos off each other, with some incredible paired work.

A fast-forwarded section of twitchy, hurried actions is also impressive, another reflection on the passage of time. The subject matter could have made for a maudlin piece, but instead the dancers coax out ideas about how we waste or embrace the time we spend being alive. (Claire Sawers) 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 93

THEATRE | HIGHLIGHTS

THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS GLASGOW THE DUCHESS [OF MALFI] Tramway, Wed 4–Sat 21 Sep, citz. co.uk Based on John Webster’s play, Zinnie Harris’ adaptation explores male rage and female resistance as two brothers try to control their sister with fatal results. See preview, page 90.

THE CHOSEN Tron Theatre, Thu 19 & Fri 20 Sep, tron.co.uk Moving dance piece by Company Chordelia that expresses life, death and how we spend the time we have left. See review, page 93. Also touring, see list.co.uk/dance for details.

CABARET NOIR Wild Cabaret Live, Sat 28 Sep, Sat 26 Oct, wildcabaret.com Wild Cabaret presents a new show that blends aerial performers, circus, stilt walkers, jugglers, acrobats and more.

NINE TO FIVE King’s Theatre, Tue 8–Sat 12 Oct, 9to5themusical.co.uk Smash-hit musical written by country legend Dolly Parton, centred around three colleagues determined to kick out their sexist boss and change their workplace environment.

PHOTO: MARC BRENNER

Events are listed by city, then date.

Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

HOW NOT TO DROWN Tron Theatre, Fri 11–Mon 14 Oct, tron.co.uk True story of Dritan, a child asylum seeker, who makes the perilous journey across the Adriatic and must then endure the British care system.

See review, page 92.

RIP IT UP: THE 70S King’s Theatre, Sun 13 Oct, atgtickets.com Dance showcase set to a 1970s soundtrack from Strictly Come Dancing star Louis Smith, joined by Rachel Stevens, Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton and backed by a live band. Also Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Mon 14 Oct, capitaltheatres.com FALLEN FRUIT Tron Theatre, Thu 17–Sat 19 Oct, tron.co.uk Solo show about Bulgarian

Barber Shop Chronicles

1 2 S E P T E M B E R – 5 O C T O B E R 2 0 19

A N E W P L AY B Y DAV I D G R E I G A DA P T E D F R O M S TA N I S Ł AW L E M ’ S N OV E L D I R E C T E D B Y M AT T H E W L U T TO N

PRAISE FROM MELBOURNE:

‘Triumphant and emotionally vibrant’ The Music

‘Out of this world’ Herald Sun

‘One of the year’s best theatre shows’ Beat

TICKETS 0131 248 4848 | lyceum.org.uk

Solaris is a co-production between Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.

94 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

Royal Lyceum Theatre Company Ltd is a Registered Company No. SC062065, and Scottish Charity Registered No. SC010509

HIGHLIGHTS | THEATRE

THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS PHOTO: JANE HOBSON

Events are listed by city, then date.

Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW THREE AGES POETRY SLAM Tron Theatre, Sun 7 Apr, tron.co.uk Three teams of poets go head-tohead in this poetry slam competition, divided up into age categories ‘Teens’n’Twenties’, ‘Thirtysomethings’ and ‘Old Enough to Know Better’.

Hosted by Robin Cairns.

Scottish Ballet: The Crucible

history after the fall of the communist bloc, told through the point of view of a seven-year-old girl, an unravelling couple and an 80s game show host.

Also touring, see list.co.uk/theatre for details.

THE NEXT STEP SEC, Thu 17 Oct, sec.co.uk The CBBC tween dance show goes live with original choreography and music from the hit series.

EDINBURGH RICHARD ALSTON DANCE COMPANY Festival Theatre, Fri 27 & Sat 28 Sep,

HITLIST

BLACK XXX MEN WALKING Xxxx Xxxx Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Thu 5–Sat 7 Sep, tron. co.uk Three members of a monthly black men’s walking group in the Peak District explore aspects of black British identity. See preview, page 92. Also touring, see list.co.uk/ theatre for details.

Also Traverse Theatre,

capitaltheatres.com The acclaimed dance company embarks on its last ever tour before shutting its doors in 2020. Featuring Alston’s Voices and Light Footsteps, the world premiere of Martin Lawrance’s A Far Cry and more.

See preview, page 93.

DIVERSITY Usher Hall, Sat 5 Oct, usherhall. co.uk Street dance skills from the winners of the third series of Britain’s Got Talent, still going strong.

ON YOUR FEET Festival Theatre, Mon 7–Sat 12 Oct, capitaltheatres.com Jukebox musical about power couple Gloria and Emilio

Edinburgh, Wed 18–Sat 21 Sep, traverse.co.uk SOLARIS Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 12 Sep– Sat 5 Oct, lyceum.org. uk Psychological thriller exploring the deepest fears of a crew on board a space station orbiting a strange planet. See preview, page 90.

Estefan, from the origins of their story in Cuba to the streets of Miami. Also King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Mon 2–Sat 7 Mar, atgtickets.com LOVE SONG TO LAVENDER MENACE Royal Lyceum Theatre, Wed 9–Sat 12 Oct, lyceum.org.uk James Ley’s play set in a gay bookshop in 1987 Edinburgh, centred around bookseller Lewis and party-boy Glen.

THE DRIFT Traverse Theatre, Thu 10 Oct, traverse.co.uk World premiere from Hannah Lavery, exploring the experience of being ‘mixed’ in Scotland.

SCOTTISH BALLET: THE CRUCIBLE Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Wed 25–Sat 28 Sep, scottishballet. co.uk Scottish Ballet brings Arthur Miller’s tale of the Salem Witch Trials to life on stage. See review, page 93. Also Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 17–Fri 18 Oct, capitaltheatres.com

See preview, page 92. Also Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 11 & Sat 12 Oct, tron.co.uk BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES Royal Lyceum Theatre, Wed 23 Oct– Sat 9 Nov, lyceum.org.uk Play by Inua Ellams, which explores the unique cultural environment of barber shops in London, Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos and Accra.

ROCKY HORROR SHOW Edinburgh Playhouse, Mon 28 Oct– Sat 2 Nov, atgtickets.com Richard O’Brien’s classic musical follows Dr Frank’n’Furter and his weird and wonderful adventures.

DANCE INTERNATIONAL GLASGOW Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 4–Sat 26 Oct, tramway.org Biennial festival of dance.

This year’s programme includes pieces by Farah Saleh, V/DA, Colette Sadler, Emanuel Gat and more. See preview, page 89.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH Couper Institute, Glasgow, Thu 31 Oct, nationaltheatrescotland. com Choreographerperformer Claire Cunningham explores identity and impersonation through the world of the tribute artist, performed by disabled artists. See review, xxxx90. page

1 Jun–31 Sep–31 Aug Oct 2019 2018 THE LIST 95

ADVERTISING FEATURE

PHOTO: KIRSTY MCLACHLAN

PHOTO: NOAH LOU

The voices and stories of China took centre-stage at this year’s Edinburgh Festivals through the China Focus programme.

Celebrating excellence in Chinese theatre and dramatic production, the curated line-up brought innovative, contemporary shows to Edinburgh that investigate China’s historic and current creative history, as Katharine Gemmell discovers The annual China Focus programme continues to gain strength and build lasting links. This was its third year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with productions including The Blue Bird, The King of Ghosts: Zhong Kui, Qi and Tang and Four Dreams. It was also China Focus’ debut year at the Edinburgh International Festival with performances from Shanghai Symphony Orchestra playing Dvořák and Shostakovich and a brand new version of ballet and orchestral work, Rite of Spring.

Created as a celebration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the programme aims to promote original Chinese works in the UK as a nod to the positive cultural relationship between the two countries. To mark the achievements of the UK-China arts industries, officials from the Chinese Embassy, Shanghai Municipal Government, Scottish Government, Edinburgh Council, British Council, EIF, and the Fringe, alongside members of the press and artists, came together on Thursday 22 August for an East to West commemoration.

At the ceremony, one of the pieces highlighted was Tang and Four Dreams, which played from 21–23 August at Assembly George Square as part of the Fringe. The musical theatre piece is a ‘play within a play’ that explores a contemporary understanding of the life of Tang Xianzu, China’s answer to Shakespeare, and showcases Chinese musical instruments, culture and literature.

‘This musical is inspired by Tang’s Four Dreams,’ says scriptwriter Lu Jiayun. ‘When I wrote this story, I read all of Tang’s Four Dreams and I think this story still has life, with audiences being moved by each dream. The stories of Tang Xianzu are never happy 96 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

PHOTO: NOAH LOU

s t e e m EAST WEST

but it is important to let people know who he is.’

‘Both Tang and Shakespeare wrote tragedies,’ composer Xu Jianqiang adds. ‘The difference between them is Shakespeare wrote tragedies directly. In Tang’s time, if he had written his anger directly, he would have been killed. He had to express his emotions through his writing and drama.’

Its double structure takes audiences back to the Ming Dynasty where four parts of Tang’s life accompany his Four Dreams in Linchuan. In the modern part, a young woman called Xin’an searches for the meaning of Tang’s words from his play The Peony Pavilion: ‘where does love arise? It wells up from the deep’. At its heart, the piece aims to teach audiences about Tang’s works and traverse his commitment to ideals and love.

‘China is a cultural giant and [it’s culture] is widely celebrated,’ Jianqiang says. ‘We dreamed of bringing this show to the United Kingdom to introduce Tang Xianzu to a western audience. As a composer I added a lot of traditional Chinese instruments, and traditional Chinese opera; like Peking Opera and Kunqa Opera. I wanted to mix western and Chinese music together.’

Earlier this year the production toured to some of the world’s most prestigious venues including the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Other productions which garnered success at the summer festivals were The Blue Bird, a blend of east and west in a Broadway-style, based on Maurice Maeterlinck’s classic story and performed by Helen O’Grady Drama Academy. The King of Ghosts: Zhong Kui took inspiration from the traditional

Chinese myth of the same name and combined Chinese classical opera, multimedia and modern music to create a vivid piece of children’s theatre.

Finally, Qi is a movement piece inspired by the shapes and meanings of pictographic characters, offering a multi-sensory experience.

Making its debut at the EIF, China Focus brought Shanghai Symphony Orchestra: Dvořák and Shostakovich and the Rite of Spring to Edinburgh’s Usher Hall and Festival Theatre respectively. China’s premier classical ensemble performed under the musical direction of Long Yu and the orchestra were joined by US cellist Alisa Weilerstein for a stirring performance of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto and Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony. With Rite of Spring, Yang Liping’s major new version of the classic ballet used two specially created new scores inspired by traditional music from Tibet, as well as the original by Igor Stravinsky, to critical acclaim.

Fresh from its success in Edinburgh, China Focus continues to be a force for good in encouraging new ideas in the UK-China art industries and fostering important links between the arts and culture sectors and governments.

TVTELEVISION FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /TV

Fo the latestr n listings a ews, reviews, g nd o list.co.uk to /tv

WATCHMEN Damon Lindelof ‘remixes’ comic book classic for a new TV adaptation

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Orest voles (Lost, Theearuptasita Leftovers) for a TV version. necerum fugit offi ctem is et,a omnim dia doluptat Lindelof huge fan and his reverence of Watchmen is obvious in his open letter to faccum eat. fans posted on Instagram. While characters like Doctor Manhattan, Silk Spectre and Temos ex etOzymandias harum quid(played et re, sequo et, Irons) will make an appearance, this is more inspired

by Jeremy sequae peliqua atethan volumquis by eriamusapedi the comic rather a literal adaptation – a semi-sequel that takes place after the eosRorrorentevents ut queof esequos quassitate the original where vigilantes and white supremacists clash. ‘We have no desire parumquam illiciant acesequam reperume to “adapt” the twelverem issues Mr Moore and Mr Gibbons created 30 years ago,’ says Lindelof. ‘Those issues are sacred ground and they will not be retread nor recreated nor reproduced nor rebooted. They will, however, be remixed.’ (Henry Northmore) ■ Sky Atlantic, Oct (date tbc).

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TELEVISION | PREVIEWS

HIGHLIGHTS THE CAPTURE BBC One (date tbc) Holliday Grainger, Callum Turner, Ron Perlman and Famke Janssen star in this timely thriller about fake news, modern surveillance and shifting perspectives as a soldier fights for his freedom.

DARREN MCGARVEY’S SCOTLAND BBC Scotland, Sep (date tbc) Better known as rapper Loki, McGarvey takes a personal tour of Scotland examining poverty, health and the overlooked lives of many of the country’s forgotten residents.

ACROSS THE DIVIDE Henry Northmore takes a look at Louis Theroux’s latest documentary, Selling Sex, an intimate investigation of the UK sex industry

T

here’s something about Louis Theroux that makes his subjects open up. His softly, softly approach helps them feel at ease even when they are discussing deeply personal issues. He seems to genuinely care, creating a safe space where people open up and share. It’s what has made him one of the most popular documentarians in the UK. His latest show Louis Theroux: Selling Sex investigates the world of legal sex work in the UK. ‘I’m always drawn to stories that involve ethical wrinkles – issues that are deeply felt, but are also divisive, and in which good-hearted people can come to opposite conclusions,’ explains Theroux. ‘The debate around selling sex is exactly that kind of story.’

It’s a topic Theroux has examined from several angles with documentaries about brothels, prostitution and pornography over the years. Exchanging sex for money isn’t illegal in Britain as long as ‘it doesn’t involve coercion, exploitation, or any kind of public nuisance’ and with the rise of the internet and social media, women and men are moving away from the street and brothels into a new grey economy. ‘It is one of the most straightforward, yet complex interactions that can take place between two people,’ says Theroux. ‘On the one hand, none of the activities taking place here are illegal; everything is above board and both parties have mutually agreed on the arrangement. On the other, it’s impossible to deny that for many – maybe most – people, there is something unsavoury in the idea of accepting money for an act that is so intimate. They have a problem with those who do it and see it as a symptom of a society that is controlled and dominated by men.

98 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

‘What we ended up with was a very intimate look at three very individual women and the different paths that led them to this field of work. I found it revealing and thoughtprovoking to make – I hope viewers have the same experience. Mainly, I’d like to thank the women who so openly and honestly let me in to their lives and helped broaden my understanding of their lives and experiences.’

Theroux watchers will have noticed a trend for his shows becoming more and more sombre. Starting with wide-eyed peeks into UFO cults, wrestling and infomercials via spending time with oddball celebrities such as Paul Daniels, Chris Eubank and Jimmy Saville (though in retrospect that particular episode is a far darker portrait of a deeply evil man), Theroux is now looking at some of the most serious issues affecting US and UK society.

Recent documentaries on end-of-life care, alcoholism, anorexia, autism, dementia, postpartum depression and drug addiction have helped humanise difficult and complex topics with sensitivity and understanding. ‘I take on difficult subjects because it’s what I find most interesting, and if anything, it’s in a spirit of self-doubt and anxiety that I tend to take on difficult subjects,’ he says ‘In other words, my biggest fear as a programme maker is the idea of either being boring, or presuming on the good will of the audience that they’ll want to see whatever I do. That runs completely counter to how I see myself, which is as a journalist and a curious person, but not as an entertainer who is interesting in his own right.’

Louis Theroux: Selling Sex, BBC Two (date tbc).

HOT ZONE National Geographic, Tue 10 Sep Fictionalised account of a global ebola pandemic. Starring Julianna Margulies, Noah Emmerich, Topher Grace and Liam Cunningham.

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: 1984 FOX, Thu 19 Sep, 10pm The ninth season of the anthology horror show. Billie Lourde and Emma Roberts return but no major role for series regular Sarah Paulson (though we’re expecting at least a cameo).

CRIMINAL Netflix, Fri 20 Sep David Tennant and Hayley Atwell lead the UK cast in this ambitious new thriller from Netflix featuring 12 stories set across four different countries.

TRANSPARENT Amazon Prime, Fri 27 Sep A final one-off special to wrap up the complex family life of the Pfefferman’s.

THE GOOD PLACE – SEASON 4 Netflix, Fri 27 Sep The fourth and final series of the endlessly inventive sitcom about religion, good, evil, philosophy and beyond.

SILICON VALLEY – SEASON 6 Sky Atlantic, Oct (date tbc) Another great comedy, set in the world of tech entrepreneurs and computer geeks, coming to a close.

WATCHMEN Sky Atlantic, Oct (date tbc) Muchanticipated new series inspired by Alan Moore’s comic book classic. See preview, page 97.

THE WALKING DEAD – SEASON 10 FOX, Mon 7 Oct, 9pm It was a pretty bleak end to season 9. But also great to see the long running zombie drama has (kinda) found its way again after a couple of duff series.

LOUIS THEROUX: SELLING SEX BBC Two (date tbc) Theroux delves into the world of sex workers in the UK in this one-off documentary. See preview, left.

VISUAL ART FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /VISUALART

NICK CAVE: UNTIL US artist’s ambitious installation confronts gun violence and racism This curious culture clash of gun violence and gaudy sentimentality is testament to the dedication and skill of Tramway’s instal team. Thousands of spinning glitterykitsch garden ornaments fill Gallery 2, rotated by hundreds of disco-ball motors bulk ordered from China. People walking through the door light up with child-like delight at the sensory spectacle followed by a moment of recognition as they notice glittering symbols such as guns, bullets and teardrops hovering within the installation. Next they become intent on working out how the magical effect of an invisible wind is achieved by mechanical means.

At the centre of the gallery is ‘crystal cloudscape’, a floating island made of re-purposed chandeliers. Yellow ladders extend up to the edge of this glitzy cushion, which viewers climb to access a jumbled dream-world-apart.

Nick Cave is a collector of ceramic ornaments, imitation flowers, antique toys and of racist memorabilia, which he has spent the last decade gathering from vintage shops and yard sales. A cacophonous array of mantelpiece paraphernalia is frozen in morbid still life. Flowers bloom indefinitely, presided over by cast-iron figurines depicting a conventional racist caricature of an African American. Here, Cave has built these figurines their own Eden and furnished them with butterfly nets so they can frolic through his bountiful landscape. Visitors are invited to survey this strange land briefly before dismounting awkwardly, backwards down the ladders.

Back on the concrete floor below, this utopian vision of eclectic harmony evaporates and thousands of shiny beads and glittering ornaments press in to take its place.

(Jessica Ramm) ■ Tramway, Glasgow, until Sun 24 Nov ●●●●●

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VISUAL ART | PREVIEWS & REVIEWS PHOTO: PAUL, STELLA AND JAMES IN SCOTLAND, 1982 (C) PAUL MCCARTNEY

ROSALIND NASHASHIBI

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One), Edinburgh, until Sun 27 Oct ●●●●● Across the 45 minute running time of Rosalind Nashashibi’s new, two-part video work – Part One:Where there is a joyous mood, there a comrade will appear to share a glass of wine and Part Two: The moon nearly at the full. The team horse goes astray – fragments of family life and friendship emerge. A group of people take a walk in the hills, two young children are drowsily wakened by their mother, free and easy conversation is had on whether linear time is the greatest obstacle to space travel, and a science fiction scene appears to be re-enacted on a beach, in which a man instructs a young woman walking lonely across the sand to return to base.

These films – which feature Nashashibi, her children, friends and family – fall somewhere between lush 16mm home videos and attempts to recreate the esoteric feel of 1970s arthouse sci-fi.

Inspired by Ursula K Le Guin’s The Shobies’ Story, in which a crew must bond and reach a consensus understanding of the universe to enable space travel, the two pieces creates a vivid impression of both the enormity of raising a family in the present, and the hypothetical possibilities for future advancement which human imagination and potential for working together affords our race. (David Pollock) 100 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

LINDA MCCARTNEY RETROSPECTIVE

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, until Sun 12 Jan 2020 ●●●●● ‘My photography is me,’ the artist formerly known as Linda Eastman once said about her work. This shines through this remarkable era-defining exhibition, put together with love by her husband Paul and two daughters Stella and Mary two decades after McCartney’s death. Like Yoko Ono, McCartney is too often disgracefully derided as being some kind of Beatles hangeron. The expansive range of both public and private moments gathered here together for the first time, however, reveal a major artist in her own right.

There is an easy intimacy to everything McCartney shot, from her swinging sixties portraits of the rock’n’roll jetset at play, to more personal images of her family in the Scottish countryside on their Campbeltown farm. Both are here, with early assignments including a gnomic Neil Young and a yawning Jimi Hendrix.

A smiling Fab Four are captured in their psychedelic pomp at the Sgt Pepper’s press launch. A cooler, cockier Brian Jones and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones are framed elsewhere in their own state of majesty. McCartney’s images of the Beatles on Abbey Road, which, as they process in line as if crossing a parted Red Sea, are larkier and less studied than Iain Macmillan’s actual album cover shot.

Among the portraits of a family at rest, one of a naked Paul on the bed with a new-born Mary encapsulates a warmth that all but embraces the viewer. A 1970 shot of Paul on a Glasgow street captures him roaring like a Gorbals legend. With later images – including a wise Allen Ginsberg, and Kate Moss and Johnny Depp sharing the coolest of cuddles – in terms of pop history, McCartney’s access all areas insight is unparalleled.

Beatles heads will lap it up, but it’s family affairs that matter most. (Neil Cooper)

W

MULTIMEDIA

ALBERTA WHITTLE: HOW FLEXIBLE CAN WE MAKE THE MOUTH Dundee Contemporary Arts, Sat 14 Sep–Sun 24 Nov

With the proposed date of Brexit falling right in the middle of Alberta Whittle’s DCA show, it feels like an ideal opportunity to reflect on our relationship with the rest of the world from a unique perspective. Whittle, who was born in Barbados and has lived in Scotland since graduating from Glasgow School of Art’s MFA programme in 2011, offers just that outlook.

Eoin Dara, DCA’s head of exhibitions, says: ‘Alberta starts from her own lived experience, her family and her connections to Barbados and Scotland, looking at the way history is written and which voices are being left out. It feels really timely to be connecting to that kind of practice which asks us to think about how we got to where we are right now, and how we can move towards a more inclusive, more equal future.’

Whittle’s video works will be supported by sculpture, installation and new prints. Dara says this – Whittle’s biggest solo show to date and her first museum show in the UK – is long overdue. ‘Alberta has been making incredible, really important work here in Scotland for quite a few years and her profile has been increasing internationally for a while. It’s time we caught up to her.’ (Susan Mansfield)

PHOTO: © RUTH CLARK 2012

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

FILM

P R E V IE

PHOTOGRAPHY

VIDEO INSTALLATION

FIONA TAN: DISORIENT

Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow, until Sun 26 Jan 2020 ●●●●● In the darkness of Fiona Tan’s video installation, Disorient, huge beanbag cushions are scattered across the floor. Lounging visitors are softly lit by the glow of two huge screens. A male voice recounts extracts from Marco Polo’s Book of the Marvels of The World, detailing a series of far-away places with exotic sounding names, the religious customs or physical attributes of their populations and the remarkable commodities to be found. Pearls, indigo, porcelain, coral; the sonorous voice laps like waves: an entrepreneur’s fever dream.

Marco Polo's manuscripts detailing his travels for 24 years through the Middle East and East Asia circulated widely through Europe, kindling powerful visions of exotic places to be explored and handsome fortunes to be made.

Disorient was was first displayed at GoMA in 2012.

Built by a wealthy merchant in 1778, GoMA’s building has also served as the Royal Exchange where merchants and businessmen once congregated to deal in commodities such as coal and sugar. In Glasgow as in Venice, power and wealth derived from spices, tobacco and slavery is no longer conspicuously accumulated. Instead both cities trade on the production of cultural capital. (Jessica Ramm)

HIGHLIGHTS | VISUAL ART

VISUAL ART HIGHLIGHTS Events are listed by city, then date.

Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE The Lighthouse, until Sun 29 Sep, thelighthouse.co.uk A celebration of 20 years of Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture, with an exhibition of archive material, a timeline of past exhibitions and more attractions.

JONATHAN BALDOCK: FACECRIME Tramway, until Sun 6 Oct, tramway. org New work presenting an alternative history of clay as a tool of communication and carrier of language.

PHOTO: © GRAYSON PERRY. COURTESY THE ARTIST AND VICTORIA MIRO, LONDON/VENICE

Grayson Perry: Julie Cope’s Grand Tour

HITLIST

ROSALIND NASHASHIBI Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One), Edinburgh, until Sun 27 Oct, nationalgalleries.org/ visit/scottish-nationalgallery-modern-art Twopart film show which takes inspiration from Ursula K Le Guin’s The Shobies’ Story. See review, page 100.

David Batchelor: My Own Private Bauhaus

STREET LEVEL OPEN Street Level Photoworks, Thu 12– Tue 24 Sep, streetlevelphotoworks. org Work by new and established photographers who are either based in Scotland or who were living there when the work was made.

JASMINA CIBIC: AN ATMOSPHERE OF JOYFUL CONTEMPLATION CCA, Fri 13 Sep–Sun 13 Oct, ccaglasgow.org A film trilogy installed within an immersive installation featuring props and sculpture, looking at how different countries have used culture to project strength and nationhood. Part of Some things want to run.

PHOTO: TOM NOLAN

LANA HALPERIN: MINERALS OF NEW YORK Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 13 Oct, gla.ac.uk/hunterian Work exploring the relationship between geology and everyday life, centred on a piece of garnetiferous gneiss, excavated from the street which Halperin grew up on.

GRACE SCHWINDT: FIVE SURFACES ALL WHITE CCA, Fri 6 Sep–Sun 13 Oct, ccaglasgow.org Work examining different societal structures of power, using film, performance, drawing and sculpture, informed by historical and biographical research.

EDINBURGH DAVID BATCHELOR: MY OWN PRIVATE BAUHAUS Ingleby Gallery, until Sat 28 Sep, inglebygallery.com Sculptures, paintings and drawings inspired by the Bauhaus but infused with Batchelor’s own artistic sensibility, including a fascination with colour. See review at list.co.uk CUT AND PASTE: 400 YEARS OF COLLAGE Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Two, until Sun 27 Oct, nationalgalleries.org/visit/scottishnational-gallery-modern-art A first survey exhibition of collage, featuring 250 works which span 16th-century anatomical flap prints to computer-based images. See review at list.co.uk GRAYSON PERRY: JULIE COPE’S GRAND TOUR Dovecot Studios, until Sat 2 Nov, dovecotstudios.com The Turner Prize-winning artist explores the life of

NICK CAVE: UNTIL Tramway, Glasgow, until Sun 24 Nov, tramway. org Ambitious installation by the American artist and dancer, confronting the issues of gun violence and racism. See review, page 99.

LINDA MCCARTNEY RETROSPECTIVE Kelvingrove Art Gallery

an ordinary woman through the medium of tapestry, in his first ever Scottish exhibition. See review at list.co.uk WILD AND MAJESTIC: ROMANTIC VISIONS OF SCOTLAND National Museum of Scotland, until Sun 10 Nov, nms.ac.uk Displays and objects showing how some of the defining images of Scotland got created between the 18th and 19th centuries, including highland and military dress, landscapes, literature and other exhibits.

See review at list.co.uk THE ITALIAN CONNECTION City Art Centre, Sat 7 Sep 2019–Sun 24 May 2020, edinburghmuseums. org.uk/venue/city-art-centre An exploration of the creative links between Scotland and Italy, which have existed for hundreds of years. Featured artists include Allan Ramsay, EA Walton, FCB Cadell, Joan Eardley, Eduardo Paolozzi

& Museum, Glasgow, until Sun 12 Jan 2020, glasgowlife.org.uk/ museums/venues/ kelvingrove-art-galleryand-museum Exhibition of photographs taken by Linda McCartney during the 1960s and 70s, curated by her husband Paul and daughters Mary and Stella. See review, page 100.

and Elizabeth Blackadder.

ADE ADESINA RSA: AURORA Royal Scottish Academy, Sat 14 Sep– Fri 25 Oct, royalscottishacademy.org Linocuts, woodcuts and etchings with an ecological theme, from the Nigerianborn, Aberdeen-based artist.

CARBON’S CASUALTIES Summerhall, until Sun 27 Oct, summerhall.co.uk Work by New York Times photographer Josh Haner, documenting the realities of climate change.

OUT OF TOWN LINDSAY SEERS: EVERY THOUGHT THERE EVER WAS Hospitalfield Arts, Sat 7 Sep—Sun 13 Oct, hospitalfield.org.uk Work reflecting on the way the brain functions in schizophrenia.

FIONA TAN: DISORIENT Gallery Of Modern Art, Glasgow, until Sun 26 Jan 2020, glasgowlife. org.uk/museums/venues/ gallery-of-modernart-goma Spectacular two-screen film installation by the Amsterdam-based artist Fiona Tan, which explores historic and contemporary perceptions of the ‘oriental’ through

ideas about colonialism, myth, identity and war. See review, page 100.

ALBERTA WHITTLE: HOW FLEXIBLE CAN WE MAKE THE MOUTH Dundee Contemporary Arts, Sat 14 Sep–Sun 24 Nov, dca.org.uk Alberta Whittle embarks in her first major solo exhibition. See review, page 100.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 101

the list

STUDENT GUIDE 2019

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

s t n e t con CULTURAL CALENDAR

MUSIC

COMEDY

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY .............. 106

SPOTLIGHT ON THE SCENE............ 116 BEST SMALL VENUES .................... 118

AHIR SHAH ........................................ 129

EAT & DRINK

CLUBS

VEGETARIAN & VEGAN ..................108

CLUBBING BY GENRE ..................... 120

FILM

ELEVATED EATS ............................... 110 SIGNATURE COCKTAILS ................. 112

BEST SMALL & INDIE CINEMAS ... 130

BOOKS

LGBTQ+ EMILY FROOD ..................................... 121

HELEN MCCLORY............................. 132

SHOPPING

THEATRE

VISUAL ART

ECO-FRIENDLY SHOPPING ............. 114

EVE NICOL & DIANE STEWART .... 125

GRAD SHOW RISING STARS .......... 134

FRESHERS AND GLEN’S. GLEN’S AND FRESHERS. NICE RING TO IT, DON’T YOU THINK? This summer, Scotland’s favourite vodka released two delicious new flavours — Strawberry & Apple and Passionfruit & Peach. Summer might be winding down, but we’re not going anywhere. Look no further for pre-drinks in the flat, sunny weekends in the park, not so sunny weekends…

Fill a pitcher with ice. Add 4 shots of Glen’s Vodka and 4 shots of Glen’s Passionfruit & Peach. Top with cranberry juice and squeeze in some fresh lime.

Garnish with lime wheels. This one’s made to share, so grab four glasses and enjoy with pals.

After all those hours in the library, put the books down and pick up the cocktail shaker. You’ve earned it.

Fancy some inspiration? Look no further.

Grab a glass (any will do — we quite like a wine glass).

Add 2 shots of Glen’s Passionfruit & Peach and fill with ice. Top with 3 shots of smooth orange juice and finish with a splash or two of prosecco.

Please enjoy responsibly.

1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 103

GLEN’S G

GET YOUR COAT. Y FRANKIE BOYLE: FULL POWER EDINBURGH Edinburgh Playhouse, Thu 12 & Fri 13 Sep, 7.30pm, £29.40 Frankie Boyle embarks on his first ‘proper’ Scottish tour in over ten years, featuring some of the best moments from his recent Prometheus albums. Also at King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 1 Oct, 7.30pm, £29.40.

BELTER COMEDY EDINBURGH Gilded Balloon Basement, Thu 10 Oct, 8pm, £6.60 Witness some of the best talent currently on the comedy scene running through their best gags and some new material, with musical accompaniment from house band Betty & The Bass.

HOSTING PRE’S? KEEP IT SIMPLE...

Two shots Glen’s Passionfruit & Peach

ROMESH RANGANATHAN: THE CYNIC’S MIXTAPE GLASGOW SEC, Sat 26 & Sun 27 Oct, 6.30pm, £23 You’ve seen him in League Of Their Own and Judge Romesh, now prepare to laugh at all the things Romesh Ranganathan has found unacceptable since his last comedy tour.

Lemonade Ice cubes Lemon wedge garnish!

Two shots Glen’s Strawberry & Apple Lemonade Ice cubes Lime wedge garnish!

Please enjoy responsibly

104 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

GLENN MOORE: LOVE DON’T LIVE HERE GLENNY MOORE

THE EDINBURGH REVUE STAND-UP SHOW

EDINBURGH The Stand, Sat 26 Oct, 4pm, £12 The Mock the Week and Stand Up Sketch Show star takes his newest hour of gags aplenty on the road for his first solo UK tour. Also at The Stand, Glasgow, Sun 27 Oct, 8.30pm, £12.

EDINBURGH Monkey Barrel, Tue 10, 24 Sep, Tue 8, 22 Oct, 7pm, £2 (£1 students) Showcase of the best stand-up and sketch comedy the University of Edinburgh’s legendary comedy society has to offer.

BIANCA DEL RIO

JONATHAN VAN NESS

GLASGOW SEC, Fri 6 Sep, 6.30pm, £38.50 See the winner of season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race in the flesh during her comedy tour, It’s Jester Joke. Also at Edinburgh Playhouse, Sat 7 Sep, 8.30pm, £39.15–£155.15.

GLASGOW SEC, Sat 19 Oct, 7pm, £30–£125 The non-binary star of Queer Eye, Gay of Thrones and the Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness podcast takes his stand-up show on the road. Yas, honey, can you believe?

S GUIDE

ADVERTISING FEATURE

YOU’RE GOING OUT OUT! Freshers and Glen’s. Glen’s and Freshers. Nice ring to it, don’t you think? Not only do we have some simple (and delicious!) drinks for you to make, we’ve also joined forces with The List to present to you the very best events happening across Scotland this Freshers season. After all those hours in the library, put the books down and get the glad rags on. You’re going out out. You’ve earned it.

star tours a refurbished version of his 2018 hit show.

RUSSELL HOWARD: RESPITE GLASGOW SSE Hydro, Sat 21 Sep, 6.30pm, £35 You remember him from Russell Howard’s Good News and The Russell Howard Hour, now see the funnyman in the flesh during his newest worldwide tour.

COMEDY CENTRAL IMPRACTICAL JOKERS GEOFF NORCOTT: TAKING LIBERTIES GLASGOW Glee Club, Thu 26 Sep, 8pm, £13.50 The Question Time, Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and The Mash Report

GLASGOW SSE Hydro, Tue 15 Oct, 8pm, £34.05–£62.45 The prankster quartet known as The Tenderloins bring their stage show to the UK, where you can expect pranks and hijinks galore.

#GlenKnows #GoodTimes #PassionfruitPeachGlens @GlensVodkaLLG

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NEON The North East of North Digital Arts Festival in Dundee is Scotland’s only international festival dedicated to digital and technology-driven arts, featuring moving image, performance and music across the city. Their theme for 2019 is ‘react’, and will focus on the relationship between digital art and activism; what role the media art can play in our political systems; and how might we protest differently in a digital age. Dundee, Mon 4–Sun 10 Nov.

EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY Bid adieu to the old year and usher in the new at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, which sees the city centre transform into an explosion of light and colour. Festivities kick off with a blazing torchlight procession and a lively programme of live music and ceilidhs across the city.

Helping revellers start 2020 off on the right foot will be US hitmaker Mark Ronson, who has been announced as the festival headliner. Edinburgh, Mon 30 Dec–Wed 1 Jan.

PHOTO: CHRIS SCOTT

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PHOTO: CHRIS WATT

PHOTO: NEIL BARTON

BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL With roots in ancient Celtic rituals, the Beltane Fire Festival is an annual celebration that heralds the coming of summer with a dramatic procession of fire, drumming, storytelling and acrobatics. On the eve of May, a court of otherworldly creatures will gather on the top of Calton Hill to awaken the mythical May Queen and the Green Man, who will then lead a spectacular, fiery procession into the wee hours of the morning. Edinburgh, Thu 30 Apr.

BURNS & BEYOND The second annual Burns & Beyond will once more celebrate the legacy of Robert Burns. Taking over secret locations in Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, audiences will be invited celebrate the best and brightest of Scotland’s creative talent today. This year will feature a ‘not-sotraditional’ Burns Supper, whisky tastings with Johnnie Walker and headline shows from Edwyn Collins, Tide Lines and more. Edinburgh, Mon 20–Sun 26 Jan.

HIDDEN DOOR One of the most unique festivals on the scene, Hidden Door is a multi-arts festival dedicated to opening up neglected but architecturally unique urban spaces in Edinburgh, transforming them and highlighting their continued potential. Their next venue has yet to be announced, but in the past festival organisers have populated the line-up with such heavy-hitters as Young Fathers, Dream Wife, C Duncan, Ray BLK and more.

Edinburgh, tbc.

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The best part about being a student is having your mind opened to new ways of thinking. But who’s to say that has to end when you leave the classroom or the library?

Scotland is a cornucopia for arts and culture through the year, from visual art to dance and everything in between, so there’s always something going on that will enlighten you. Here’s our pick of the best cultural goings-on across the next few months

SONICA Back for its fifth edition, Glasgow’s cutting-edge international arts festival from art-house Cryptic crosses the boundaries of music, theatre, visual and electronic art. It showcases installations and performances from Scottish talent, as well as international artists. The 2019 festival will open with a one-off immersive audiovisual work, Aether (pictured), by musician and scientist Max Cooper and the Architecture Social Club.

Glasgow, Thu 31 Oct–Sun 10 Nov.

PHOTO: MARK VESSEY

PHOTO: MICHAL AUGUSTINI

PHOTO: ANDY ROSS

SCOTTISH BALLET: THE CRUCIBLE Having probably encountered Arthur Miller’s 1950s play on your English or Drama syllabus, this is one not to be missed. Scottish Ballet have adapted the thinly veiled critique of McCarthyism under the guise of the Salem Witch Trials into a chilling modern dance piece, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival in August to widespread critical acclaim.

Glasgow, Wed 25–Sat 28 Sep; Aberdeen, Thu 3–Sat 5 Oct.

PAISLEY HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL Head to Paisley at Halloween for this annual commemoration of the macabre. This year they’ve chosen a creepy circus theme and the Friday will involve the streets being taken over by a sinister outdoor circus, complete with street theatre and aerial performers. For the Saturday, a circus parade, choreographed by Cirque Bijou, will transform the town with animated puppets and spooktacular characters.

Glasgow, Fri 25-Sat 26 Oct.

SCOTTISH QUEER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Learn about the best of queer cinema from around the globe at the event that gets people watching, talking and making more queer films.

Last year featured work like Leilah Weinraub’s Shakedown (pictured) and this year the festival kicks off with an shorts evening, shining a light on the LGBTQIA+ community and activism with Adam and the Alphas and Bodies Like Oceans among others.

Glasgow, Wed 2–Sun 6 Oct.

WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL Scotland’s National Book Town has played host to a celebration of literature in all its forms for ten days every year since 1999. It’s a small and intimate festival that punches well above its weight in attracting the biggest authors to its programme.

The likes of Kerry Hudson (pictured), William Clegg, Leila Aboulela and Catherine Simpson will make an appearance to discuss their work. Wigtown, Fri 27 Sep– Sun 6 Oct

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PARADISE PALMS

HENDERSONS

KALPNA

Don’t let appearances fool you: this funky student hangout isn’t just a great watering hole, but Palms also dishes out some of the most soulful veggie food in the city, courtesy of Lucky Pig. The Lucky Fish Burger, which swaps out cod for tequila beerbattered tofu, is a particular standout, as are their organic jackfruit crab cakes. Their chipotle mac and cheese, crusted with baked walnut and served with a side of vegetable crisps, is another heavy-hitter.

• 41 Lothian Street, theparadisepalms.com

The Henderson family have been in the plantbased game since the early 1960s. With four locations across Edinburgh, Hendersons serve up a wide range of vegetarian dishes, baked goods and organic tipples, and also sell organic produce straight from their East Lothian farm. Their Thistle Street spot went 100% vegan in 2015.

• 92 Hanover Street; 94 Hanover Street; 25c Thistle Street; 67 Holyrood Road, hendersonsofedinburgh. co.uk

Kalpna’s jewel-encrusted interior houses a treasure rove of vegetarian and vegan delights, leaning into Indian cuisine’s already-strong veggie tendencies.

Taking inspiration from the south, Punjab and Gujarat regions, they serve up a range of fragrant, traditional dishes. Their wide selection of dosas – thin, crispy pancake wrapped around a savoury mixture – is also particularly noteworthy, boasting heady butter masala, palak paneer and chilli cheese fillings.

• 2–3 St Patrick Square, kalpnarestaurant.com

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Plant-based fare is booming across Scotland’s central belt. Despite the nation’s penchant for meat, chefs and epicureans from across a dizzying variety of cuisines are now awakening to the humble vegetable’s potential and creating some truly delicious grub. Here we’ve listed a few of our favourite vegetarian and vegan-friendly spots

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GOW

TOMILLO

THE PROJECT CAFE

RAWNCHY

The pair behind Glasgow’s VeGin events, Natasha Paloni and Mark Donald MacLeod, decided to set up a kitchen residency at Ocho café for homemade vegan delights that take inspiration from around the world. The menu is a fusion of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Asian-inspired small and large sharing plates. There’s even a menu of very thoughtful vegan cocktails. Make sure to check opening times before you visit because it’s a semi-permanent pop-up.

• 8 Speirs Wharf, tomilloglasgow.co.uk

Set up in the community interest company model, all profits go back into the community at this social enterprise that offers an ever-changing menu of vegetarian dishes. The money raised funds regular nightly events with diversity at their heart. You can expect veggie dishes like hearty salads, fluffy flatbreads and an imaginative use of beans and pulses.

• 1a–2 Fleming House, 134 Renfrew Street, theprojectcafe.co.uk

A pastel-pink haven for handmade, freefrom desserts that focus on healthy living and environmental friendliness. All of the products here are plant-based and free from dairy, soy and refined sugar. There’s a variety of products on offer like gorgeously decorated cakes, tarts and bars, which also lovingly don’t use artificial colourings or flavourings.

• 58 Maryhill Road, rawnchy.co.uk

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HIGHER GROUND Step away from the oven pizza, donate those instant noodles to your flatmate and for goodness sakes put that box of cheesy pasta in the bin. Why settle for basic when you can get the elevated version right on your doorstep throughout Edinburgh and Glasgow?

RGH U B N I D E

RAMEN

MAKI & RAMEN

When Ramen Dayo! owner Paul returned from 12 years living in Tokyo, he was distraught to find there were no dedicated ramen shops in Glasgow.

With his addiction unsatisfied, he took it upon himself to master the recipe and open a pop-up ramen place himself that bloomed into this permanent restaurant.

The reasonably priced bowls of noodles are soul warming and served alongside a banging soundtrack and a neat drinks menu with Japanese staples.

• 31 Ashton Lane, ramendayo.com

PIZZA

Sister to the bustling sit-down Italian eatery just off the Royal Mile, Civerinos Slice offers up portions of their famed pizza pies to those needing a quick bite on the go. These generous slices are still served piping hot from the wood-fired oven, and garnished with unique topping combinations, such as roast pear, pancetta and pistachio crumb. Keep an eye out for their famed Grandma Slice: square, doughy pizzas baked in a deep Sicilian pan.

• 49 Forrest Road, civerinosslice.com

MELTMONGERS

What does your classic, run-of-the-mill macaroni and cheese need? More stodge, of course. Luckily the grilled cheese gods over at Meltmongers will sandwich your mac between two slices of buttery, toasted sourdough, with a garnish of crumbled parmesan for luck. Get it with a side of skin-on fries, or potato tots smothered in cheese sauce and maple bacon bits – or just a dish of plain ol’ mac and cheese.

• 80 Bruntsfield Place; 138 Dundas Street, facebook.com/meltmongers

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RAMEN DAYO!

Dishing up steaming bowls of soup noodles, Maki & Ramen have made a name for themselves as the ultimate purveyors of this comforting Japanese dish. Their standard tonkotsu ramen swims in a fragrant pig bone broth with all the veg-and-egg trimmings, while thrillseekers can slurp down the hell ramen, doused with generous amounts of chilli.

There are branches across the city, so delicious soup bliss is never far from hand.

• 13 West Richmond Street; 75 Nicholson Street; 37 Leith Street; 97—101 Fountainbridge, makiramen.com

CIVERINOS SLICE

GLASGO

PAESANO

Although it’s only been open in Glasgow since 2015, Paesano has garnered a mythological status on the city’s food scene. Serving authentic, traditional Neapolitan pizza, it’s been voted the third best pizzeria in the UK and has appeared on listicles with Naples’ finest. Its winning formula comes down to the hybrid yeast and sourdough proofed for over 48 hours, the revolving menu of creative specials and the student-level price point.

• 94 Miller Street; 471 Great Western Road, paesanopizza.co.uk

MAC AND CHEESE

SLOANS

A pub menu wouldn’t be complete without macaroni cheese and as the oldest pub in Glasgow, Sloans makes sure it serves the best. It serves the dish in six different flavours including a Mac of the Month.

In fact, Sloans are so dedicated to mac and cheese that they host the Scottish Macaroni Appreciation Club (SMAC) on the last Wednesday of every month. They meet to feast on four-courses of the dish, to a cheesy soundtrack, and unveil a new mystery mac at each event. Tickets always sell out fast, so get them in advance to avoid disappointment.

• 108 Argyle Street, sloansglasgow.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Out on the

OLD TOWN

Old Town Pub Co has got your big night out in Edinburgh’s Old Town covered. With pubs and clubs located in underground vaults, old churches and hidden down narrow alleys – all thumping with music and flowing with booze – there’s truly something for every kind of evening

Keeping it cheap and cheerful at

BAR SALSA She may be small, but she is mighty should be the catchphrase for Bar Salsa. This wee bar pulses with good times, and you won’t find a cheaper pint anywhere else in the centre of Edinburgh. Shots from £1, cocktails from £4 and pitchers from £10 make this the ideal hangout for the cashstrapped, and the smiles across the room prove you don’t have to splash the cash to have a good night.

Enjoy international acts at the legendary

LA BELLE ANGELE Hidden down an alleyway off the Cowgate, La Belle Angele is is a 650 capacity dedicated music venue.

This place is run by music lovers, for music lovers, so bands cover all genres and the sound system is topnotch. For a gig space, the drinks are pretty wallet-friendly too.

Experience clubbing’s rock alternative at

OPIUM

Enjoy dirt-cheap clubbing and cocktails at

SUBWAY COWGATE

See big bands on your big night out at

STRAMASH

Edinburgh’s only dedicated 24/7 rock club has been bucking the trend for almost 30 years. You won’t find anything but rock and metal here: It’s all guitars, throwing devil horns and everything played loud. There’s free entry every night at this countercultural institution, and plenty of drinks deals for students too.

The massive mural by the dancefloor lets you know this isn’t your average Edinburgh club. Open until 3am, Subway Cowgate is where the party starts and ends. Super-cheap cocktails and alcoholic slushies for grown-ups add a bit of flare to the drinks menu, and with some truly cheap tipples and pounding DJ sets on offer, why go anywhere else?

Housed in an old church, Stramash has managed to retain some Celtic charm with its wood-carved motif, like a Viking hall of old. A huge stage sees a steady roster of big-name bands play live. It’s also home to the biggest sports screen in the city, so there’s no chance of missing a minute of the game. There are cheeky drinks deals from Monday to Thursday too.

Catch the game at

Discover underground music scenes at

Discover late night live music at

THE GLOBE

MASH HOUSE

WHISTLEBINKIES

This underground sports bar is decked out in flags and, true to its name, offers beers from all over the globe. All nationalities are welcome to cheer on their team at whatever major sporting event is happening that evening. Pub-style events take place throughout the week, like quiz and karaoke nights, and DJ sets get the place jumping at the weekend.

Squished between the Cowgate and Chambers Street, the Mash House – whose discreet location gives it a secretive vibe – plays host to some of the best live music and DJ sets around. Three floors feature an intimate gig space, dance floor and three bars. Everything from club nights, dance classes and poetry readings are held here, so there’s a constant buzz of creative energy.

Live music every night of the week means it’s not just the affordable drinks coaxing folk into this underground bar. Located in the South Bridge vaults, the arched ceiling of Binkies makes for great acoustics. There’s an open mic night on Mondays and it’s one of the few bars open until 3am every night. Entry is free every day.

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that's the

spirit!

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While we’d never advocate immoderate alcohol consumption, these Edinburgh and Glasgow bars have become synonymous with their signature drink, so it’d be a shame not to see what the fuss is about, right? Suzy Pope says chin-chin!

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WHITE RUSSIANS AT

MOONSHINE AT

LEBOWSKI’S

ABSURD BIRD

This lively West End bar has two pages of its menu dedicated to White Russians, an homage to The Dude. Who knew there were so many ways to mix vodka, Kahlua and milk.

A slice of the deep south in central Glasgow, Absurd Bird does fried chicken and moonshine. Cocktails mixed with “not gin” and “not vodka” whisper of prohibition and make-do alcohol.

BOOZY MILKSHAKES AT

TIKI COCKTAILS AT

BOOZY COW Head to this burger and cocktail joint for their alcoholic milkshakes. Mason jars overflowing with whipped cream, topped with cookies and donuts come with a kick. Is it a desert or a drink? Who cares, it’s delicious.

GIN & TONIC AT

THE JOLLY BOTANIST The Jolly Botanist is home to juniper scientists and steampunk surroundings. The menu is a graph, demonstrating the perfect pairings of gin and garnish.

VODKA COCKTAILS AT

THE TIKI BAR & KITSCH INN This basement bar is where tropical cocktails come in ceramic tiki mugs, glass skulls and coconut shells.

The flaming volcano sharing bowl is guaranteed to get groups giggling.

FROZEN COCKTAILS AT

REVOLUTION Cool off with a frozen cocktail at this Soviet-themed bar.

Like a slushie for grown-ups, a frozen daiquiri or cherry woo woo is just the thing for hot city days. Happy Day deals are easy on the wallet too.

THE SECRET ARCADE

GIN & JUICE AT

Tucked down a narrow Cockburn Street close, the Secret Arcade’s vodka menu is five pages long and shows off the versatility of the spirit. Cocktails for all tastes are split into spicy, sweet and fruity.

GIN71

PUNCH BOWLS AT

52 CANOES TIKI DEN It’s all about tiki masks, ceramic mugs and cocktails on fire at 52 Canoes. Rummy punch bowls packed with tropical fruit are made for sharing and are served flaming.

This swanky cocktail joint specialises in all things juniper. Craft gins are paired with homemade tonic and the menu is like a public service pamphlet on how to garnish a G&T properly.

BLOODY MARYS AT

THE BUNGO

POT-TAILS AT

Whether you’re looking for hair of the dog or a boozy brunch, head to The Bungo where six different kinds of Bloody Mary are on offer, including a Tom Yum Thai version. It’s like a meal in a glass.

ROSELEAF

BUCKY AT

Add a bit of class to your cocktail evening with a pottail from the Roseleaf bar in Leith. Teapots filled with fruity cocktails in the doily-covered surroundings evoke a scene from Alice in Wonderland, but with more booze.

HIGHBALLS AT

CAMERA This secret speakeasy basement bar has taken spirit and mixers to the next level. The fernet and coke will make you wonder why you’ve been wasting your time on the basics.

NICE N’ SLEAZY’S Dirty food and dirty drinks are the theme at Nice n’ Sleazy’s. It doesn’t get much dirtier than the cult, Scottish staple; Buckfast. Drink it on its own, in an elaborate cocktail or with a mixer.

FORTIFIED WINE AT

KELVINGROVE CAFÉ Usually festering at the back of your parents’ drinks cupboard, this late night café is giving a new lease of life to fortified wine with their innovative cocktail menu.

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get your

As our impact on the environment makes itself increasingly known, eco-friendly shopping is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Luckily, it’s also easier, more accessible and more affordable than ever, with plenty of loose, zero-waste and environmentally conscious retailers popping up

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EDINBURGH THE ECO LARDER

A dedicated zero-waste retailer and social enterprise, the Eco Larder opened its doors after a successful crowdfunding campaign, and is dedicated to helping Edinburgh residents reduce their plastic waste. Pledging to put the planet before profit, the shop sells everything from reusable containers and bamboo straws, to natural beauty products and eco-friendly loo roll. The Eco Larder also hosts a range of free workshops on how to create their own daily essentials with zero waste, such as toiletries and cleaning products. They also sell a range of loose food items, such as pasta, pulses, oils and spices.

• 200 Morrison Street, theecolarder.com

THE REFILLERY This plastic-free grocery sells a wide variety of loose products, from wholefoods to household cleaning and personal hygiene supplies, which customers can pack into their own jars and containers. The Refillery also stocks other items to help reduce everyday plastic use in small, simple but meaningful ways, such as beeswax food wraps instead of cling film, and washing bags that capture the synthetic microfibres that detach from our clothing in the washing machine, and prevent them from entering our rivers and oceans.

• 39 Newington Road, therefillery.co.uk

GLASGOW ZERO WASTE MARKET After noticing a gap in the market in the East End of the city for plastic-free alternatives, Graham Sharp and Lizzie Leman set up a permanent shop to fill the hole in the market and offer access to affordable reusable products. Fully embracing the refill shopping culture, it allows customers to bring in their own containers and fill up on food and cleaning products like pasta, oats, shampoo bars, and even reusable sanitary products. They also have an online store and a handy blog which shares helpful tips on how to live a low-waste lifestyle.

• 17 Hillfoot Street, zerowastemarket.org.uk

LOCAVORE As a community interest company, with profits going to public good, buying loose items from this Southside store is good for the planet and the community. The shop helps to build a more sustainable local food system by offering organic, loose wholefoods through their grocer, veg box deliveries and café. Fill up on grains, pulses, flours, herbs, eco household cleaners, fresh bread and dairy and meat products, while bypassing the supermarket and shopping ethically and affordably.

• 349 Victoria Road, glasgowlocavore.org

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PHOTO: JANNICA HONEY

dream scene Scotland has long held a reputation for punching above its weight on the music scene, and it continues to be a thrilling environment for music lovers of all kinds. Whether you just want to see gigs or you’ve got an eye on starting a band or even a record label, Craig Angus discovers why Scotland’s a great place to be from three local musicians and promoters HEIR OF THE CURSED

psych, post punk, garage and weird pop music from all over the world.

The Gentle Invasion’, and semi-irregular club nights as Irregular Owl Movements.

What’s the best thing about the music scene in Glasgow?

What’s the best thing about the music scene in Scotland?

Hello! Please describe yourself.

I’m Heir of The Cursed and I haunt people.

What’s the best thing about the music scene in Scotland?

Either Romeo Taylor or Shawarma King.

Tell us about your favourite moments as a performer, or punter, in your time here?

My first sell out show at the Hug and Pint was a surreal and special moment. As a punter, probably the Ho99o9 show at the Poetry Club; they’re the greatest band in the world.

What advice do you have for newcomers who want to get involved in the local scene?

There’s a tribe for everyone so you’ll find yours. Stay hydrated.

What three acts should anyone new to the country check out?

Andrew Wasylyk, Current Affairs and RAZA.

So many great bands come from this city that we love and get to promote and watch week in week out! Everyone supports each other and plays in each other’s bands too.

Tell us about your favourite Freakender moment?

Probably the first festival going off without a hitch. After months of planning and not really knowing how it would go, it ended up being a sell-out and a total blast from start to finish.

What advice do you have for newcomers to the city who want to get involved in the local scene?

Go to shows! There are loads of great shows happening and bands playing every night, go to the shows and get talking to people, there’s something for everyone here.

What three acts should anyone new to Scotland check out?

What wisdom can you pass on to newcomers?

Kaputt, Lylo, Romeo Taylor.

Hey Freakender, what’s the deal with you then?

BART OWL

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Tell us a cool story?

I used to put on a festival called Retreat! with my friend Emily. One year, the Leg headlined. They were performing in panda masks. Halfway through a storming cover of Mike Oldfield’s ‘Moonlight Shadow’, Dan suddenly stopped singing. He took a step back from the microphone and suddenly vomit started streaming out of his panda mask. It was both the most amazing and most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen at a gig.

FREAKENDER We promote shows and run a festival (Fri 13–Sun 15 Sep at the Old Hairdressers) of the same name in Glasgow featuring interesting and mostly relatively unknown

It really feels like you’re close to everyone else and that people are working together rather than in competition. I feel proud that in addition to putting on my own nights, I can be helping out a Lost Map, OK Pal, Song by Toad, or Nothing Ever Happens Here event any other night of the week.

Hello Bart! What’s your story?

I play guitar and try to sing in a band called eagleowl. I also put on semi-regular gigs as

Go to as many shows as possible. Speak to as many people as possible. Everyone is super friendly and usually ready and willing to help any way they can.

Recommend us three of your favourite local acts?

Gaze Is Ghost, Girl Jesus, Super Inuit.

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STUDENT GUIDE 2019

n o w l l a m s

Sean Greenhorn checks out the best independent music venues in Glasgow and Edinburgh, where you can get up close and personal with your favourite bands before they hit the big time

118 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

E

ver been to a concert and heard a band proclaim ‘this is one of our favourite cities to play’? These love affairs start somewhere, and usually this is at your local independent venue – where you can catch ‘the next big thing’ and witness something truly special.

John McWilliams, owner of Edinburgh’s Liquid Room, says he sees independent venues as ‘the last voice for individuality’ in today’s live music scene; ‘without these venues we will be left with mainstream corporate groups doing the same shows time and time again’. So here’s our pick of some of the best of these venues in Glasgow and Edinburgh, two cities where every music lover will find themselves spoilt for choice most nights of the week.

First up in Glasgow is the rather legendary

King Tuts Wah-Wah Hut, which famously played an instrumental role in the discovery of Oasis. Such is its fame that last year the Killers, fresh from a headline set at TRNSMT, played a special late-night show. Two other small ‘basement’ venues, Broadcast and The Hug & Pint, each offer vibrant bars with full kitchens to accompany their gig spaces.

Upcoming highlights at these venues include Our Girl (Broadcast) and Dan Mangan (Hug & Pint).

Elsewhere in the city, Stereo, Mono and The Old Hairdressers are all owned by the same vegan-loving business family. The Old Hairdressers is the smallest of the three, looking like an under-furnished living room and hosting many of Glasgow’s up-andcoming acts. Mono is an open plan café-bar with a stage in one corner, opposite Monorail record-shop. Stereo, although the largest

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH

MUSIC CALENDAR We round up some of the best gigs to look forward to over the coming months

GLASGOW ELROW GLASGOW - EL BROWNX Immersive clubbing experience with a downtown New York theme. SWG3, Sat 11 Oct, elrow.com

LITTLE SIMZ London-based rapper and hip hop artist with a Mercury Prize nomination for her latest album, Grey Area. SWG3, Thu 24 Oct, stillnessinwonderland.com

LOYLE CARNER Eloquent Mercury Prize-nominated rapper and MC from London. SWG3, Wed 30 Oct, loylecarner.com

CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN Garage rock and post-punk quartet from Llandudno, with rock’n’roll and indie pop influences.The SSE Hydro, Fri 8 Nov, catfishandthebottlemen.com

KATE TEMPEST Hip hop lyricist, playwright, poet and MC. The Old Fruitmarket, Sat 16 Nov, katetempest. co.uk

EDINBURGH HOZIER Soul and contemporary blues-folk from the Dublin-based songsmith. Usher Hall, Tue 24 & Wed 25 Sep, hozier.com

SELF-ESTEEM of these three, still manages to feel like an intimate basement space and is an exciting place to catch bands with a bit of buzz around them. Upcoming acts include Karine Polwart at Mono and Chastity Belt at Stereo.

Although Glasgow often dominates touring schedules, Edinburgh holds its own with several independent venues dotted around the capital. The Liquid Room is in the heart of the city (just off the Grassmarket) and has been around for over 30 years. Legendary acts who’ve played there include the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Coldplay and Amy Winehouse.

Staying in the centre, the tiny Sneaky Pete’s is popular for sweaty late-night clubs, but their gig schedule deserves a close look too, with upcoming highlights such as Xiu Xiu and Pulled Apart by Horses. Nearby, The Mash House, is a multi-story, multi-

purpose venue with a dizzying array of gigs and club nights to choose from, with acts such as the breakthrough emotive pop of Self Esteem coming up.

A more recent addition to the city’s music scene, the multi-arts venue Summerhall has its own dedicated music programme entitled Nothing Ever Happens Here. Based out of the venue’s Dissection Room (the building is an old veterinary school), it has hosted everyone from Sun Ra Arkestra to Charlotte Church.

These are just a taste of what Edinburgh and Glasgow have to offer for independent venues. As Nick Stewart of Sneaky Pete’s tells us, ‘go to your local independent venue as often as you can, you may or may not see the next big stars, but either way, you’ll benefit the venue that definitely will host tomorrow’s big artists . . . and you’ll definitely see some amazing music’.

Solo electro-pop project from Slow Club’s Rebecca Taylor. The Mash House, Wed 16 Oct, selfesteem.love

SHE DREW THE GUN Dreamy, lyrical psych-pop group from Liverpool, fronted by Louisa Roach.

Summerhall, Fri 1 Nov, shedrewthegun. com

SIGRID Norwegian pop singer-songwriter. Usher Hall, Tue 26 Nov, thisissigrid.com

KAISER CHIEFS Jaunty rock and indie quintet best known for hits ‘Ruby’ and ‘I Predict a Riot’. Usher Hall, 22 Jan, kaiserchiefs.co.uk 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 119

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change Like many things in life, clubbing can be tribal. To help you navigate the mind-boggling choices out there, Katharine Gemmell has picked some of the best nights out on the town to suit your particular music tastes

ROCK

HIP HOP / R&B

Glasgow’s Cathouse has been the place to be for rockers, metalheads and punks since the 90s with themed nights most days of the week and bi-monthly specials. Its spiritual counterpart in Edinburgh, Banshee Labyrinth, is a suitably haunting venue with rock-tinged themed nights to match.

Hidden behind the facade of a pawnbroker, the Berkeley Suite in Glasgow is an eclectic club venue that regularly hosts hip hop parties like Magic City, with its dedicated pick of the genre.

At Buff Club, every Thursday is hip hop night, complete with all the classics you’ll know the words to. At Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh on the last Saturday of every month, Ride takes over with noughties and 90s R&B and hip hop.

ELECTRONIC MUSIC Home to one of the best and longest-running underground clubs in the world, Glasgow’s Sub Club is an institution for electronic music lovers.

As well as visits from the best international DJs, they have regular nights like Subculture, I AM and We Should Hang Out More. In Edinburgh, techno, disco and house fans should look no further than Fly Club parties at Cabaret Voltaire with residents Denis Sulta, Jasper James and Theo Kottis.

REGGAE / DRUM & BASS Edinburgh’s Bongo Club is known for its sweet line-up of bass-heavy nights including all things dub, drum & bass and reggae. It hosts Messenger Sound System, which has been at the heart of the city’s reggae scene for 30 years.

Elsewhere, the Rum Shack’s dancehall hosts nights from reggae to ragtime and everything in between.

POP

BEST OF THE REST

Whether its because classic hits might be all you have in common with your fellow freshers or because they’re the perfect soundtrack for a swally, students and cheesy tunes are the perfect match. The Shed in Glasgow’s Southside is a haven for fans of the genre, with a dedicated Guilty Pleasures Saturday night. Edinburgh University Student Association’s Big Cheese welcomes all students for the biggest student club night in the city with loads of chart faves.

Sometimes good club nights just don’t fall under a generic category and that can be said for Edinburgh’s BALKANARAMA. This is one of Edinburgh’s most riotous nights, hosting Balkan beats regularly at different venues in the city. Over in Glasgow, the Push It night serves up serious bangers from female-led pop music, to themed R&B and hip hop nights.

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e m o C u o y s a e r a at rospect , p g in t n au nts n be a d LGBTQ+ stude a c i n u Starting f times but for tougher. Katie o en y the best ition can be ev Frood, equalit y s the tran ht up with Emil een Margaret u l ug Goh ca rsity officer at Q our educationa > and dive to find out how ore inclusive > em ity, Univers ents can becom hm establis

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STUDENT GUIDE 2019

H

eading to university for the first time is tricky for everyone, what with navigating new friendships, figuring out the best shortcuts across campus and learning how to cook pasta for every meal. But for LGBTQ+ students, the move can be even more challenging as they get to grips with a new community, finding safe spaces to socialise and date and still try to make it to lectures on time.

Universities and colleges are aware that their LGBTQ+ students may need specific support. Nearly every university in Scotland has an LGBTQ+ society as well as welfare officers and student reps who are trained to support LGBTQ+ students. Emily Frood (pictured), a student at Queen Margaret University (QMU) is the equality and diversity officer for the university’s student union and understands from her own experience the need for universities to offer support to LGBTQ+ students.

‘Everyone starts university at the same point,’ Emily tells us. ‘As a trans student, I knew that I wanted to get coming out out of the way before arriving at university so I could figure out how I could fit into student life and where could support me. I was heavily invested in making sure the university I was going to and the kind of services that were there were going to be okay and supportive.’

Doing some research, Emily discovered that QMU offered support for LGBTQ+ students through the university’s welfare services as well as socialising. ‘QMU has an LGBTQ+ society who meet weekly from the beginning of term for anyone who wants to chill and get to know people in a more social setting rather than going out into LGBTQ+ club spaces.

‘Personally, when I started university, I wasn’t much of a going out person. There are plenty of non-alcohol spaces where you can make friends and, through the university and the union, I was able to flourish and find those spaces. The university puts out a freshers guide every year and we update that with an LGBTQ+ map highlighting some of the more social spaces in the centre of Edinburgh and useful information and

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contact info for society reps as well.’

As well as signposting social spots, QMU has drop-in counselling services and facilitates getting students the right kind of support. ‘In the students’ union, we try and help students feel included in student environments and advertise the LGBTQ+ society as a preventative service, supporting students before they have to go to the university’s “higher up” services.’

As diversity officer, Emily has been spearheading a campaign for QMU’s campus to be more accessible to LGBTQ+ students. ‘Gender neutral bathrooms has been an ongoing discussion with the university. It’s something that my predecessor had kick-started so it’s been a year or two that we’ve been pushing for [it].

‘Ultimately, QMU is fairly committed to making the campus as safe a space as possible for all students,’ Emily continues. ‘Every February we’ve had a flag raised for LGBTQ+ History Month which is nice and an event where heads of departments and staff come down and speak and it’s been a really nice atmosphere. We’ve made a real effort to try and connect with people, especially if they aren’t members of the society because there’s always going to be students we miss so we really want to try and keep up the inclusion all year round. I’m also hoping to get a trans flag put up in November for Trans Day of Remembrance.’

Emily is optimistic that Scottish universities are becoming more inclusive and hopes that support continues to increase for LGBTQ+ students. ‘It’s understanding the issues facing LGBTQ+ students and ensuring we feel welcome and can come to staff with often difficult and sensitive questions or issues that need rectifying. If universities don’t provide this, students are going to hide away and keep that to themselves. We need our universities to be safe spaces for all students.’

For more information about LGBTQ+ resources and groups in Scotland, check out lgbtyouth.org.uk and equality-network.org

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Drama queens W Two rising stars of Scottish theatre tell Deborah Chu how students with an interest in the performing arts can make the most out of their uni years

hether you’re an aspiring performer, playwright or director, studying theatre in Scotland can provide rich opportunities for developing your craft and building your network. Having studied theatre-making in Glasgow and Edinburgh, respectively, we speak to ascendant playwrights Eve Nicol and Diane Stewart about their own uni experiences and the routes students with an interest in theatre can explore.

For Nicol, who received her MLitt in Playwriting and Dramaturgy from the University of Glasgow, the support offered through the university was vital to helping stage her work. ‘That was the year I started seriously making my own work independently, because I had access to space through the university,’ she said. ‘You get lots of free rehearsal rooms, which you don’t have at other times.’ Moreover, the university offered funding for student projects, which Nicol used to stage a show at Glasgow’s Tron Theatre. Stewart had a similar experience in Edinburgh while studying for her BA in Drama and Performance at Queen Margaret University. She reels off a list of venues that host student productions, from established theatres like Bedlam, to the basement of Haymarket’s Mad Hatter’s Bar. But for Stewart, it was QMU’s annual performance festival in the Caves that was particularly formative: ‘When I was at uni, I took part in that every year,’ she says. >> 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 125

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STUDENT GUIDE 2019

Eve Nicol; previous page: Diane Stewart

<< Outside of academia, however, both Stewart and Nicol sing the praises of the drama societies they were involved in. Stewart, who was vice-president of the drama society at QMU, highlighted the creative experimentation that took place in the company of her fellow students.

‘It was a very supportive community for sharing ideas and thoughts,’ she says. ‘There’s some work I made that I wouldn’t make now, but I’m so glad I did it then, because it gave me the opportunity to try and test it and go, “oh, that’s not for me”. Or “actually, I never thought about doing that . . . ”’ ‘I got experience through being part of the drama society in all the really important, practical things,’ says Nicol. ‘Like, what does a good selection of plays look like in a programme? How do you balance the different skills you’ve got available? All that comes through the student-led activities and the am-dram scene that Glasgow has.’

Nicol and Stewart pay heavy emphasis on the importance of their peer network, and it’s no wonder, given the close-knit nature of the theatremaking scene in Scotland’s central belt. But happily, both have found the community to be an incredibly nurturing environment. ‘There’s so many opportunities to try work out,’ says Stewart, ‘and even if they say “I don’t know if that went great,” there’s always someone willing to talk to you about it, and normally it’s actually someone who has got something positive to say.’

When Nicol returned to Glasgow after completing her undergrad elsewhere, she could sense immediately the unique bond that was shared among the city’s theatre community. ‘Swinging in and doing an 18-month course in postgrad was me desperately trying to get a little bit of that thing I was seeing amongst my peer group,’ she says, laughing. ‘But really, across Glasgow and Edinburgh, there’s a real sense of DIY — of, “oh I want to do this thing, so I’m gonna do it”.’

So what’s the one bit of advice they’d give to an aspiring playwright?

‘Read all the plays!’ says Stewart enthusiastically. And, she adds, take all the risks you can while in the safety of the university environment.

‘Those opportunities have to be taken advantage of, because you can fail, and it kind of doesn’t matter, because you got to try something out,’ says Stewart.

‘I think it’s just to do it,’ says Nicol. ‘And doing that while you’re studying is particularly good because you’ll have those resources that you’re never going to get again. You’ll be surrounded by people who all want to take that leap with you.’

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37 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3JU | 8 Brougham Street, Edinburgh EH3 9JH 1 Sepâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 127

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SIX UNIQUE PLACES TO VISIT IN EDINBURGH h

wit t a E t s Ju Cycles

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xplore Edinburgh in all its glory with Just Eat Cycles. Situated at 65 different stations across the city, it’s an affordable, fast, convenient and environmentally friendly way to travel around the city. The best thing about the bikes is that they aren’t just parked next to the main attractions like Edinburgh Castle or the Royal Mile, they’re also within touching distance of some hidden gems.

To show how easy it is to find these, we’ve collated a list of six unique places you can visit with Just Eat Cycles. Be inspired to get up and go!

THE WATER OF LEITH WALKWAY Running from the bottom of the Pentlands at Balerno to Leith Docks, the walkway alongside the Water of Leith is a haven for wildlife and peace. With lots of different route options available, you can visit the likes of Murrayfield Stadium, Dean Village and the Royal Botanic Garden along the way.

Stations: Victoria Quay, Constitution Street, Stockbridge, Murrayfield

CALTON HILL As one of the city’s seven major hills, Calton Hill offers beautiful views across the city as well as being home to an array of historic buildings 128 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

including the National Monument, Nelson Monument and the City Observatory and City Dome, which now house the brand new Collective Gallery, a major hub for contemporary art.

Stations: Hillside Crescent

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND’S ROOFTOP Scotland’s national museum hosts an array of collections and Scottish antiquities covering science, technology, natural history and world cultures. Aside from immersing yourself in all that the museum has to offer, there is also a littleknown rooftop terrace that has panoramic views of Edinburgh.

Stations: Bristo Square

EDINBURGH ZOO Perhaps not the most unique of attractions at first glance, but Edinburgh Zoo is distinctive as the home to the UK’s only giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang. The pandas are due to be returned to China in 2021, after a 10-year agreement, leaving only a few years left to see them. Aside from the pandas, there are also over 170 other species to check out.

Stations: Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road

A day pass costs £3 and allows unli mited journ eys of up to 1 h our in a 24 h our period. He ad to edinburg hcyclehir e.com to find a b ike and learn more PORTOBELLO BEACH Just a few miles from the city centre lies the charming coastal suburb of Portobello, home to Edinburgh’s only beach. Its golden sands are Seaside Award-winning and Portobello possesses the classic faded glamour you’d expect from a British seaside resort. If it’s too cold to take a dip or sunbathe, grab a fish supper from St Andrews chippie on the High Street or try out your luck in the retro arcade.

Stations: Portobello.

ROYAL OBSERVATORY The Royal Observatory Edinburgh is a historic site that houses the UK Astronomy Technology Centre and the Institute for Astronomy. Their work includes designing the telescopes of the future and discovering new innovations in this field. You can enjoy the visitor centre as individuals and groups for a range of public events, astronomy talks and doors open days.

Booking is essential, drop-ins are not available.

Stations: Kings Building 1, 2, 3

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Simple as ADC When top British stand-up Ahir Shah first attended Cambridge to study politics, he already had some performing experience to call upon. Here, he talks to Brian Donaldson about public speaking, nerds and not being a sketch guy

You already had some live performing under your belt before you went to Cambridge, but would you say that your comedy career was enhanced by going to university?

I did have a fair bit of experience beforehand in that I had a few gigs in pubs and a deluded Fringe run. Whereas now I have the cumulative effect of thousands of gigs in pubs and eight deluded Fringe runs. I knew that the Footlights existed and that there was a comedy gig in the bar at the college I was at. It wasn’t like it was definitely one-million per cent going to be my job, and I ended up being very interested in the thing that I studied (I attempted to do a Masters but was resolutely rejected because my personal statement was an acrostic poem saying ‘do not send me into the real world yet’).

Cambridge is seen as this weird cabal where you meet people when you’re 18 and you all end up running the world. Certainly in comedy, you left university and within two years you had your own series on the BBC, but it’s not like that anymore. But it was more about meeting a lot of young

people who were nerds about the same thing that I was a nerd about.

Did you get involved in all that Footlights malarkey then?

I co-wrote and directed a couple of things, but I was never very good at the sketch comedy thing so I left that to other people.

Being a solo stand-up was always more likely to be your bag, then?

Retrospectively, that seems like a damning ‘does not play well with others’.

They had these entertainment nights called Smokers at Cambridge: what’s that all about?

This was a fortnightly thing at the ADC, the uni theatre, which happened at 11pm on a Tuesday night which felt like an entirely normal time to do shows. Recently I went back to Cambridge to help someone out by doing a slot at an ADC late show and I was like, ‘I want to go to bed! Why am I here?’

The Smokers would be open auditions and you could do stand-up, sketches, songs, whatever you wanted to do, up to three minutes in length.

What would be your advice to any aspiring student stand-ups?

Stay off my turf! Only joking. Generally speaking, stand-up is, above all, a really fun thing to do. One of my flatmates now was someone I was also at uni with and he works in the civil service but he gave stand-up a go a couple of times back then.

And he really enjoyed it. Doing it doesn’t mean you absolutely have to build a career around it; it can just be a fun thing to do.

At some point in your life, you’re going to have to do some kind of a presentation or public speaking, and doing stand-up is a fun way to find out that it’s not something to be nervous about.

Well, yes, isn’t public speaking one of those top fears in those polls you get about fears?

Really? Is it? That seems ridiculous to me.

Unless public speaking suddenly turned out to be made of snakes, then there’s no way that could turn out to be one of the top fears.

Ahir Shah: Dots, The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 17 Nov; The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 18 Nov.

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1 F IL M H OUS E Also known as the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s HQ, the Edinburgh Filmhouse screens a varied programme throughout the week, from arthouse and foreign cinema to more mainstream offerings.

• 88 Lothian Road, filmhousecinema.com

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One of the oldest operating cinemas in Scotland, this historic Tollcross gem is beloved for its arthouse screenings and ornamental architecture. There’s also an excellent bar and café for those with some time to waste before curtains-up.

• 38 Home Street, picturehouses.com

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the meadows

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A small Morningside cinema showing new releases in classic luxury, with comfortable armchairs and table service in intimate screening rooms. Ideal for those willing to part with a few pounds for a truly immersive experience.

• Newbattle Terrace, dominioncinema.co.uk

Big multiplex chains cater well to the masses but if you’re looking for something with a little more soul, why not check out these smaller-scale cinemas that bring a bit more personality and glamour into your movie-going experience

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G LA S GOW 1 G R OSV E N OR This cinema might be wee, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in serious style. Two screens feature luxury sofa seats and full-size couches to lounge in, with a fully stocked bar and lots of snacks on offer at the kiosk. Screening all the latest blockbusters, as well as cult releases and event cinema.

• 24 Ashton Lane, grosvenorwestend.co.uk

2 G L ASG OW F IL M T H E AT R E

Originally built in 1939, this was the first arthouse cinema constructed outside London. From 1974, the B-Listed building became better known as the GFT and now features three screens and hosts the Glasgow Film Festival. If you’re aged 15–25 you can get a special card that gets you tickets for just £5.50.

• 12 Rose Street, glasgowfilm.org

3 EV E RYM A N C IN E M A

As the newest cinema in the city, the Everyman boutique cinema brand is known for being extra boujee. Situated in the swish Princes Square shopping plaza, you can order food and drink from their dedicated restaurant menu straight to your seat while you relax and watch the film.

• Unit 3–5, Princes Square, Buchanan Street, everymancinema.com/glasgow 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019 THE LIST 131

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Getting it

write Novelist and short story writer Helen McClory writes lyrical, compelling fiction suffused with darkness, light and the surreal, but it took her a while to realise being an author was an option. She chats to Lynsey May about her route to writing

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he might’ve been a keen reader and writer when she was small, but author Helen McClory didn’t always believe writing was a possible career choice. ‘I briefly wanted to be a vet – I love animals, but I quickly realised I’d have to see a lot of the inside of animals with that job. I don’t think I could have coped with all the death, even alongside all the happy moments that I’m sure come with the job.’

Happily, encouragement from her parents and a school teacher changed her perspective and McClory is now an award-winning author with a number of publications to her name, including short story collections with Edinburgh publisher 404 Ink. Her witty Jeff Goldblum Variations has recently been picked up by Penguin Random House for American release and she’s currently working on a novel about castrati called The Little Knife, co-authored with the brilliant Camilla Grudova, author of The Doll’s Alphabet.

That’s not to say that her journey here was without mishaps. Writing is a notoriously unpredictable career and a certain tenacity is a necessity. For

132 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

example, things took an entirely unexpected turn when McClory’s first novel, The Flesh of the Peach, was on the verge of publication. She says ‘the worst [writing career] moment would have to be the spectacularly bad timing of Freight Press announcing it was going under right as my debut novel was coming out. That was rough.’

The Glasgow publisher folded suddenly to the utter surprise of many of its authors and supporters.

The news caused shockwaves throughout Scottish publishing but McClory, like many other Freight authors, is still here, still writing and finding success despite the setback.

So what does McClory suggest if you’re dreaming of sharing your words with the world? On the practical side, she recommends looking into how publishing and lit journals work by volunteering as a reader or intern (ideally, in a paid position). On the personal side, she says ‘nothing happens overnight in this strange business, the world will not care one bit for the longest time (or ever) so you must just be willing to write for your own sake.

‘Money and fame and enduring works – don’t believe they will happen; believe in writing a lot and reading more.’

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T A K E E W S R E H S E FR

GSA A few highlights from the huge range of events taking place during Glasgow School of Art’s packed Freshers programme

93 N’ BOUGIE GSA Students’ Association, The Vic Bar, Tue 10 Sep, 7pm–midnight A community dinner, party and performance night specifically for POC, giving freshers the chance to meet members of the Glasgow community and have a great time in the process.

Join RUI HO, who makes her Glasgow debut, alongside local talents 皚桐, AKUMU悪夢, MM, DJ high_speed_rail and more tbc for a night spanning a variety of club genres and a spectrum of sounds.

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GSA Students’ Association, The Vic Bar & Assembly Hall, Fri 13 Sep, 11pm–3am, £8 (£6)

GSA Students’ Association, Assembly Hall, Fri 13 Sep, 4–7pm A durational sound performance

embedded in a collaborative visual installation by Soojin Chang and Alfie Strong produced in Glasgow, Ratanakiri, and Phnom Penh this summer. Live sound in collaboration with Jack Everett.

BBQ IN GARNETHILL PARK W/ FROGGS (Friends of Garnethill Green Spaces) Garnethill Park, Sat 14 Sep, noon–4pm FROGGS will be running their Bread Oven in Garnethill Park, dishing out pizzas and other goodies. Head along

to enjoy some treats while getting to know the activities of FROGGS and the wider Garnethill community.

COMMUNITY MEAL WITH UBUNTU WOMEN SHELTER GSA Students’ Association, The Assembly Hall, Sat 21 Sep, 3–7pm Come along to this women only (trans and non-binary inclusive) event, share a meal and learn about ways you can support Ubuntu Women Shelter or be supported by them. Meals are free or pay what you can, with all donations going to Ubuntu.

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Generation

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Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art colleges have a world-class reputation for producing top-tier talent. Rachael Cloughton takes a look at the rising stars from the current crop of graduates who are starting to make their mark on the scene

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Clockwise from top: Kathryn Johnson; Kate Lingard; ‘All that can be seen can be adorned by Kate Lingard; Brian McLysaght; work from McLysaght’s collection; ‘Dawn’

by Kathryn Johnson

dinburgh College of Art graduates scooped some of the top awards at Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) this year. Brian McLysaght was named the ‘shining star’ by judges, scooping three prizes at the GFW annual ceremony; the Conscious Design Award sponsored by Swarovski, the Christopher Bailey Collection of the Year Award and the Hilary Alexander Trailblazer Award. His designs confront the impact of fast fashion, offering an innovative, sustainable alternative with pieces made from entirely organic waste materials, sourced locally and which are completely biodegradable. Other big wins went to fashion graduate Alexandra Fan, who took the Womenswear Award and the David Band Textiles Award for her space age collection made of biodegradable latex, described as pushing ‘fashion into the future,’ and Rosie Baird, who won the George Catwalk to Store Award for her haunting collection of Scottish-inspired garments.

At New Designers, one of the biggest showcases of new design talent in the UK, Glasgow School of Art graduates stole the show, securing the event’s top prizes for the second year in a row. Silversmithing and Jewellery graduates Harriet Jenkins and Eleanor Whitworth scooped both of the prestigious Goldsmiths Company awards. Jenkins won the Company’s Silversmithing Award for a collection of pieces inspired by cabbage leaves, while Whitworth took the Jewellery Award for her intricate gold and silver jewellery adorned with bugs and insects. Another top prize went to GSA graduate William Sharp, who won the Hallmark Studio award for his Bauhaus-inspired designs, developed by applying Dieter Rams’ 10 Principles of Good Design (often called the ‘Ten Commandments’ for design) to a collection of modular jewellery, made using 3D printing from biodegradable PLA plastic.

Sculpture and Environmental Art graduate Kate Lingard received GSA’s highest award, the 2019 Newbery Medal, for her degree show work; a complex installation of casts created from structures of the inner ear, which were made in collaboration with medical and microbiological laboratories across Scotland and the medical visualisation department at GSA. Lingard was also selected to show her work at the RSA New Contemporaries exhibition in Edinburgh next year.

You can also catch some other rising stars on the Scottish painting scene at the RSA New Contemporaries next year, with Joseph Buhat, Naomi McClure, Jasmine Regmi and Leila Kleineidam all selected from Aberdeen’s Gray’s School of Art’s small but prestigious painting department to show in the capital. Another painting graduate from the school, Kathryn Johnson, won the prestigious Gordon Brown Memorial Prize, awarded in memory of the Aberdeen-based painter who studied at Gray’s in the late 1980s.

In Dundee, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design graduate Louis Peters won a ‘One to Watch’ award at the D&AD New Blood Festival this year. The Graphic Design graduates’ degree show work was named Jam-roll and is a typographic publication about losing your virginity.

Peters describes it as ‘a humorous journey, uncovering the untaught, grey areas that surround sex education, only apparent with both time and experience.’

Other ones to watch from DJCAD include graduates Ana Hine, Steven Sheath and Cal Kaha McKeon, who are members of The Queer Dot, a new artistic collective formed in response to the lack of queer representation in the university library. The Queer Dot is a play on the term ‘the year dot’, meaning the first day of history, drawing attention to the fact that queer people have always been here. There are currently 13 artists in the collective working towards new projects, including an exhibition at Generator, Dundee, and a new outdoor painting, which will be unveiled during Dundee Pride.

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BACK PAGE FIRST&LAST TAPE FACE The silent comedy star takes on our Q&A in which he writes answers quietly about comets, kale and Crash Test Dummies

First film you saw that really moved you

I had cooked a chicken soup and decided to leave it for several weeks and upon my return it had the most glorious film on it. You could look at it from several different angles and see incredible things.

Last lie you told

See above.

Last great meal you cooked

There was this soup . . .

First movie you ever went on a date to

Pumpkinhead 3. Absolutely brilliant.

Last time you cried

First thing you do when you’ve got time off work

Book another show.

First crush

Last time you bought someone flowers

Probably kale. I mean, if the world is ending it’s already pretty bad.

It was for Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond just to prove a point.

First song you’ll sing at karaoke

First object you’d save from your burning home

‘Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm’ by Crash Test Dummies.

Robert the rubber plant otherwise he would kick my ass. He’s brutal you know.

Last time you exploited your position to get something

Last funny thing you saw online

I managed to get an extra hour in a library due to keeping quiet.

A couch on the IKEA website.

Ridiculous.

First time you realised you were famous

First job

I’m not. I’m a clown.

Last time someone criticised your work

Not applicable.

Last book you read

Robert my rubber plant is always the one to give me show notes.

He’s brutal.

First word you spoke

First great piece of advice you were given

Exist.

Last time you were starstruck

Halley’s Comet in 1986. Not technically a star but very very impressive.

First thing you’d do if you ran the country

That would ruin the surprise.

136 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019

Last person you fantasised about

Bah ha ha ha ha ha! Really?

Last crime you committed

First three words your friends would use to describe you

Have we met?

Last time you made an impulse buy and regretted it

Robert the rubber plant. I didn’t realise how brutal he is First concert you ever attended

It was Enya. This is a lie. Google it.

1 NOV

Not applicable.

My thumb. An incident with a hammer and a cabbage and some classical music.

The operating instructions of the Bosch SMV68MD01G. An incredible story.

NEXT ISSUE PHOTO: IAN GEORGESON

Closing credits of Pumpkinhead 3.

Last meal on earth: what would it be

I poured the milk onto the teabag and then added the hot water.

First book you read for a second time

Coping with Déjà Vu. Last song at your funeral

The song that never ends.

The Tape Face Show, SEC, Glasgow, Fri 27 Sep; Dundee Rep, Sat 28 Sep.

Hard to believe, but soon we’ll all be thinking about the year that’s just gone in the arts, culture and entertainment world. That means it’s time for our 2019-defining Hot 100 where we pick the movers, shakers and influencers who have shaped the past year. Which person, act or organisation will follow up the success of last year’s victors, the Glasgow Women’s Library?

Plus, we’ll look at the Christmas shows and New Year events that will have Scotland brimming with excitement as 2020 begins.

WED 23 OCT – SUN 17 NOV 2019

BACK FOR 2019! TICKETS ON SALE NOW ILLUMINIGHT.CO.UK    DCCPIlluminight