The Skinny Scotland December 2016 by The Skinny

.CO.UK

INDEPENDENT FREE

CULT U R A L

J O U R N A L I S M

December 2016 Scotland Issue 135

THE BEST OF 2016 Albums of the year, from David Bowie to Solange Top 10 Films Ken Loach on I, Daniel Blake Comedy responds to 2016 CHRISTMAAAAAAS Gift Guides: DVDs, comedy books, Scottish design, improving books, food & drink & culinary tech Christmas cards! Battle of the pantomime dames An expert guide to tolerating family ART DCA Thomson MUSIC Kate Tempest Baby Strange vs WHITE Song, by Toad CLUBS Daniel Ruane Overground FILM Robert Sheehan TRAVEL Living in Tokyo Opinion: Travel as a gay couple

It 's the Wrapture!

Photo: Sarah Donley

P.33 Christmas Gift Guide

P.40 Financial Dominatrixing

December 2016 I N DEPEN DENT

CULTU R AL

JOU R NALI S M

Issue 135, December 2016 ÂŠ Radge Media Ltd. Get in touch: E: hello@theskinny.co.uk T: 0131 467 4630 P: The Skinny, 1.9 1st Floor Tower, Techcube, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall Pl, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL The Skinny is Scotland's largest independent entertainment & listings magazine, and offers a wide range of advertising packages and affordable ways to promote your business. Get in touch to find out more.

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printed on 100% recycled paper

Contents

Editorial Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor Art Editor Books Editor Clubs Editor Comedy Editor Deviance Editor Events Editor Film & DVD Editor Food Editor Music Editor Theatre Editor Travel Editor

Rosamund West Will Fitzpatrick Adam Benmakhlouf Alan Bett Claire Francis Ben Venables Kate Pasola Kate Pasola Jamie Dunn Peter Simpson Tallah Brash Amy Taylor Paul Mitchell

Production Production Manager Designer

Sarah Donley Kyle McPartlin

Sales Sales Executives

General Manager Publisher

George Sully Sandy Park Grant Cunningham Victoria Brough Kyla Hall Sophie Kyle

THE SKINNY

Photo: Jake Hollings

P.23 2016 Comedy

Photo: Jacky Sheridan

P.10 Top ten albums of 2016

Contents Chat & Opinion: Gaze into an ever-peril06 ous future with Crystal Baws! Plus Shot of the Month, What Are You Having For Lunch? and a guide to the treats on our website... Heads Up: Your at-a-glance guide to 08 cultural happenings in December. THIS YEAR IN REVIEWS year, another shit-tonne of 10 Another tremendous records that demand space on your shelves/hard drive/streaming services. What made our top ten albums of 2016 – Beyoncé? Catfish & The Bottlemen? Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard? Read on and find out... Plenty of marvellous music was made 19 closer to home too, of course – after some intense debate and no little bloodshed, our writers agreed on the the best Scottish albums of 2016.

22 We know, we know: Rogue One isn’t even out yet. But still, our Film team ummed and ahhed and somehow compiled a definitive top ten films of 2016.

Still, as you may recall, the year hasn’t 23 all been gold. Here our Comedy editor looks back over a tragic calendar to consider the unbearable shitness of the last twelve months. FEATURES

24 With I, Daniel Blake, filmmaker Ken

Loach may just have made the defining document of Tory Britain. We meet the veteran socialist to learn a little more.

25 Edinburgh's new club night Overground

has quickly become the place to discover a new breed of lo-fi, raw house and techno; promoter James Wright explains how it all came about.

33 A dazzling array of Christmas cards

and gifts – consider it one of our many presents to you: our Christmas Special Showcase of artists, designers and general clever clogs.

...And for the bookworm who prefers 38 laffs’n’yucks to existential quandaries and swashbuckling romps, here’s our Comedy books gift guide. Plus our suggestions of DVD gifts for your loved ones.

39 Travel: Family Christmas got you eyeing up emigration? Here’s what you should know about most liveable city 2016, Tokyo.

40 Deviance: We know: getting through

Christmas without wanting to murder your family for their ‘unenlightened’ commentary is tricky, but we’ve got you covered with our survival guide. Plus: financial dominatrixing, and a seasonal feminist wishlist.

43 Food & Drink: How to cheer up the

foodie in your life on the morning of 25 December (clue: with presents), plus Food News and a Christmas Phagomania.

REVIEW

47 Music: We talk to Kate Tempest; Baby

Strange and WHITE talk to each other; Song, by Toad on The Happiness Hotel; music vs the environment and our team of scrupulous reviewers look at December’s album releases (nothing with sleigh bells on, sadly).

55 Clubs: Producer Daniel Ruane on the

his favourite out-there sounds, plus yer clubbing highlights for the month.

57 Theatre: Auntie Trash de-Grinchifies anti-Christmas sentiment.

26 Suspenseful indie thriller Jet Trash feels

closer to a Hitchcockian nightmare than a timely Christmas movie – we chat with star Robert Sheehan.

29 It just ain’t the season of goodwill in

Scotland without The Broons or Oor Wullie, is it? Get to know comics giant DCA Thomson as they celebrate their 80th anniversary.

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

30 What to get the tome-devouring book-

worm in your life as Annual Present Day returns? Fear not, our Books editor has put together this handy literary gift guide.

behind you! Oh no he isn’t! Oh yes 32 He’s he is! Yep, all of that and more: we chal-

lenge the panto dames of Edinburgh and Glasgow to a royal rumble, of sorts.

58 Film: Best way to beat the cold? Hide

in the cinema: here’s the month’s new releases.

59 Books: This season’s reading rated. 60 Comedy: The future of stand-up. 61 Art: Exhibitions reviewed, plus your gallery must-sees for December.

62 Competitions: You know how it works. Enter. Win stuff. Easy.

63 Listings: Stuff to do in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. Bloody loads of it.

71 Last Word: A sobering look at the rarelyconsidered tribulations of travelling as a gay couple.

December 2016

Contents

Editorial L

ast issue of 2016. The year has of course been frequently hallucinatory in its awfulness. We all thought about how to approach the end of year, consumer madness of the traditional December issue and came up with something we hope offers a celebration of the year’s creative highs without whitewashing over its various lows. We’ve split the edition into sections, starting with a look back, followed by a bit of festive madness, interspersed with some coverage of things that – shockingly – aren’t aligned with Christmas or end of year nostalgia. As is traditional, we’ve been thinking a lot about lists of our favourite things. Our film editor was worried that democracy would once again throw up some bullshit and anoint Gods of Egypt our pick of the year. But he needn’t have worried. The writers came through and voted for a considered list of releases that reflects a global outlook with a dazzling array of international auteurs. Our albums of the year is also international in its outlook and reveals an era of creative protest and politicised music, where the walls between genres are increasingly redundant. We count down from 10 to 1, with some faces who’re familiar to these pages and some new additions. No spoilers. Well, one spoiler – Solange beats Beyoncé in the battle of the Knowleses. We’ve also focussed on our team’s favourite releases from closer to home, with a top five Scottish albums of the year on p19. Five may be a small sample of the creative output of 2016, but it reveals an incredible spectrum of artists and styles coming

out of this nation at this point in time. The look at 2016 concludes with an interview with Ken Loach, director of one of the year’s most talked-about films (I, Daniel Blake) and one which many hope will change the political narrative around social justice and the welfare state. Moving into our gift guide / losing our shit at Christmas territory, Books opens with a thoughtful look at how reading can offer an insight into different mindsets and experiences, fostering greater global awareness and empathy. Our gift guide shoot celebrates the small businesses who’re quietly redefining Scottish design on an international stage. It also features some cacti models, because 2016 was the year of the cactus when it came to home decor. We asked some of our favourite illustrators to design us some special Christmas Cards, which can be admired in our centre spread. Deviance was increasingly concerned about how to navigate time with the extended family and their at-times problematic pronouncements, so new writer Eilidh S asked some experts how to get through the festive season without going on a murderous rampage. Our Food section keeps things traditional, compiling a guide to delicious things to eat and drink that you could give to people you love, while also taking a scathing look at the daft tech available for panic buying. Hello, self-heating butter knife. In non-festive news, we take a look into the new exhibition up in Dundee, DCA Thomson, which

celebrates the 80th birthday of the city’s favourite publishers by giving some artists free rein in their archives to dig about and be inspired. Music interrogates Kate Tempest and pits local acts Baby Strange and WHITE against each other, before taking a trip to Song, By Toad’s HQ, the Muppet-inspired Happiness Hotel. Deviance looks into the intriguing world of financial domination, while Phagomania keeps things phagomania by taking a trip to Japan to stare at a strange line of Doritos featuring a picture of a man being stamped in the crotch. So there you have it. The final issue of 2016 – somewhat sombre, somewhat celebratory, somewhat man being stamped in the crotch. Merry festive season everybody! [Rosamund West]

DECEMBER'S COVER ARTIST This month's cover image has been constructed and photographed by our Production Manager, Sarah Donley. Using The Skinny's 2016 archive of illustrations (and some celebrity mugshots) she made a Christmas tree celebrating the year from the magazine's perspective. When she's not production managing, Sarah works as a freelance photographer. Edinburgh-based, she works on all kinds of projects, from weddings to ad campaigns, using her fine art background to inform her creative solutions to client briefs. You can see more of her work at: sarahdonley.co.uk

Creative Edinburgh Awards 2016 The cream of Edinburgh’s creative talent were celebrated at the Creative Edinburgh awards last month. Sculpture park Jupiter Artland, The Scottish Poetry Library and the Edinburgh Artists’ Moving Image Festival were among those picking up prizes – head to theskinny.co.uk/art for a full list of nominees, and more on 2016’s winners.

Kathleen Jamie wins Saltire Book of the Year award Jamie’s poetry collection The Bonniest Companie saw off books by the likes of Irvine Welsh, Jenni Fagan and James Kelman to win Scotland's top literary award. Read the full list of this year’s Saltire Award-winners at theskinny.co.uk/books

instagram.com/donley_photo

Shot Of The Month Black Mountain, Stereo, 14 November by Kathryn Wood

Chat

THE SKINNY

Crystal Baws With Mystic Mark ARIES This year the ghost of Christmas past is a bit too far in the past, it’s a Neanderthal from 500,000 BC – blindly unaware of the birth of Christ as he won’t be born for another half-million years – bursting into your bedroom in the dead of night and howling in hairy confusion. The ghost of Christmas future meanwhile is the consciousness of Santa downloaded into an AI mainframe and then erased by a virus. TAURUS This month you meet the man of your nightmares and live sadly ever after.

Spot the Difference PUDDING THE WORLD TO RIGHTS Ah, Christmas Pudding. Like a big, brown football packed with booze and dried fruit, tradition dictates that it takes around a month to knock together, needs to be set on fire, and still ends up smelling a bit like the back of a kitchen cupboard. Still, chuck on some custard and it’s basically fine. But one of these puddings is the finest, and we’re sure you’d taste the difference if you had a bite of each.

GEMINI For serial killing Gemini, Christmas is the time when you defrost all the bags of dismembered bell-ends and stuff them with sage, onions and parsley, bang them in the oven and get all of the skeletons out of your closet for the dinner.

That said, we don’t want to over-shell their differences – after all, they are both definitely puddings. If you can spot the tiny, impercetible difference between these two, head on over to theskinny. co.uk/competitions and let us know. The best/ funniest answer wins a copy of Dreams from My Father (A Story of Race and Inheritance) by Barack Obama, courtesy of the happy elves at Canongate.

CANCER In December the WTO votes to pass regulation under international trade law that Santa’s operation is monopolistic, forcing Father Christmas to break it up and open the door to corporate enterprise. Now on Christmas Eve, thousands of private zero-hour contract santas crisscross the frosty night sky, stuffing so many useless gifts down chimneys for the residents inside-it’s like that scene in Watership Down.

Competition closes at midnight on Wed 4 Jan 2017. Winners will be notified via email within two working days of closing and will be required to respond within 48 hours or the prize will be offered to another entrant. Our Ts&Cs can be found at theskinny.co.uk/about/terms

LEO You finally realise that there is no such thing as darkness in the soul. There is no soul after all. Just meat. VIRGO Everyone’s heard of Christmas, but have you heard of Christ-Mash? Christ Jesus, Lord on High, once shared out packets of dehydrated potato starch among his followers, miraculously feeding the five thousand with a single 300g packet by

simply adding water. Its expanding potato-like foam hardens into starchrich vegetable substitute in minutes, so you can save £££s as well as your soul. LIBRA Boxing Day is the day we commemorate the afterbirth of Jesus, which was eaten by the first donkey to be made a saint. SCORPIO Pulling 50p coins from behind children’s ears might be entertaining, but as your bank manager explains, it is not a business plan. SAGITTARIUS This Christmas in Bethlehem you pick through the shattered rubble of your once proud Inn, pulling mangled and bloody children from the wreckage and taking refuge in the barn, where your wife wails into the night over the roar of fighter jets dropping more bombs from the Heavens. CAPRICORN This month as you prepare to have guests around for Christmas dinner, it dawns on you that the toilet is the only chair you own. Not to worry, simply ask each guest to take it in turns sitting to have dinner while the rest play parlour games downstairs. You can cut the turkey on the cistern, dump the steaming veg in the bath, make trifle for dessert in the sink, and they can request extra helpings of gravy or sprouts via an in-house communication system based on flushing. AQUARIUS This month you spend all of your money on a lavishly expensive wallet. PISCES You can only communicate through registered trademarks, reminding your family that when it comes to your newborn child, “I’m Loving It” and that they should all remember to “Eat Fresh”.

twitter.com/themysticmark

Credit: Mark_M (flickr)

facebook.com/themysticmark

Online Only theskinny.co.uk/travel Keen for a fresh start in 2017, presuming we actually our weekly guides to what’s on in Edinburgh make it that far? Can’t say we blame you, so why not and Glasgow. check out the latest in our Living Abroad series – guides theskinny.co.uk/film to life in Barcelona, Cologne, and Malmö await. We recap 2016’s most overlooked films – the pictures that didn’t make the splash they deserved, theskinny.co.uk/music Our top ten records of 2016 can be found in these but are well worth catching before the year’s out. here pages, but head over to the website for our Sign up to The Skinny Zap! full top 50 albums of 2016. We’ve also picked the Want to stay up-to-date on the best things to see brains of Frightened Rabbit and Song, By Toad to and do each week, but without the tricky business get their favourite records of the year, and you’ll of wading through thousands of Facebook invites also find a playlist of our favourite tracks of 2016. and panicked WhatsApp messages? Sign up for our weekly newsletter, and let us do the hard work theskinny.co.uk/clubs for you. Keep up with the latest in Scottish clubbing with

December 2016

By Jock Mooney Opinion

Compiled by: Kate Pasola

If we're going to make it through to the end of this godforsaken year, it's gonna take lashings of mulled wine, a shitload of Christmas fairs and some seriously sparkly distractions. As always, Scotland's got your back.

Wed 30 Nov

Finished Black Mirror and looking for something new to scare the living shit out of you? Head to CCA’s screening of Jonathan Glazer’s shiver-worthy scifi Under The Skin. Though it’s got castings of blockbuster proportions, it’s a considered and artful film that’s deffo worth your time. Plus, who doesn’t wanna see Scarlett Johansson playing an extra-terrestrial who drives around Glasgow luring dudes into her van? CCA, Glasgow, 6.30pm, free

Sharon Hayes’ much applauded investigation into LGBTQ identity and anxiety In My Little Corner of the World, Anyone Would Love You closes soon. It’s a large video installation featuring voices reading aloud letters written to different lesbian publications and newsletters from the 60s and 70s. Work like Hayes’ feels truly essential right now, so get yourself along in support of the cause. The Common Guild, Glasgow, until 4 Dec, free

Under The Skin

Thu 1 Dec

In My Little Corner of the World, Anyone Would Love You

Mon 5 Dec

Tue 6 Dec

Wed 7 Dec

The absolutely ace and achingly cool Aleksandra Denton, more commonly known by her moniker Shura treats Stereo to a live show this week as part of a tour of Europe and Australia. Nostalgic and gauzy, her sound is thoroughly thrifted, taking vintage pop and R’n’B and stitching in lyrical and musical modernity. Catch it IRL in Glasgow tonight. Stereo, Glasgow, 7pm, £14.75

People of Dundee, don’t you go thinking we’ve forgotten about your Christmas shopping. Duke’s Corner’s Night Market returns tonight, this time under a Christmassy guise. There’ll be opportunities to sample a whole loada food and drink, chit-chat with the traders and pick up some hamper-fillers for your nearests and greediests. It’s hosted by Bothy Gin, too, so expect to get festively blottoed. Duke’s Corner, Dundee, 6-10pm, free

Back for another eve of merrymaking, heartstring strumming and waxing lyrical, Loud Poets are all set to play a Christmas special at the good ol’ Scottish Poetry Library tonight. Expect all kinds of spoken word, a triumphant in-house band, multimedia elements and and a thoroughly wine-soaked night of hearty entertainment. Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh, 6pm, £5-7

Shura

There were sneers and snarls last month when we tried to recommend you visit your local Christmas attractions (fair enough, it was early November, after all). So, after careful consideration we've decided to give it one last go on the first day of December. Open that advent calendar, wrap your neck in a scarf and GO DO SOME BLOODY ICE SKATING.

Photo: Louise Lockhart

Heads Up

Tue 29 Nov

Duke's Corner

Sun 11 Dec

Mon 12 Dec

Tue 13 Dec

Wed 14 Dec

Following the whopping success of last year’s Girl Effect fundraisers, TeenCanteen are rallying the troops with the help of Last Night In Glasgow for a 2016 edition. In case the prospect of raising tonnesae cash for Scottish Women's Aid and The Scottish Refugee Council wasn’t enough to hook you (and your heart of STONE), check out the devilishly handsome line-up, which includes Ette, Boohoohoo, Eugene Kelly, MT. Doubt and Randolph’s Leap. Mono, Glasgow, 7pm, £10

Early December also sees the opening of The Lighthouse's retrospective of acclaimed typographer Alan Kitching's life, entitled A Life in Letterpress. The exhibition, covering 60 years of King's life is based on his highly anticipated monograph published by Laurence King. It features a showcase of his work, accompanied by sketchbooks, artefacts and studio equipment. The Lighthouse, Glasgow, 9 Dec-5 Mar, free

How ‘bout some carols, then? The Royal Scottish Academy’s signed up award-winning amateur mixed-voice choir Cadenza for a joyful night of mirth and merriness. What’s more, there's promise of mince pies and lashings of wine, and you’re allowed to join in with the singing. S-CO-R-E. Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, 6.30pm, £10-12

It’s another double-whammy today; film-pondering society Filmosophy are holding a screening and discussion of Spike Jonze's heart-squeezing Her (Filmhouse, Edinburgh, 5.50pm, £8-10), and chaos-curators Buzzcut bring another double-bill of performance ft. Daniel Oliver with Weird Seance and Ultimate Dancer with YAYA. CCA, Glasgow, 7pm, £6-8

Girl Effect

Alan Kitching

Cadenza

Her

Tue 20 Dec

Wed 21 Dec

Thu 22 Dec

Treat your eyeballs to something lavish with a screening of Todd Haynes’ award-winning not-quitea-Christmas-film Carol, starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Based on Phyllis Nagy’s groundbreaking novel The Price of Salt, It’s full of forbidden love, twinkling lights, fur coats and smudged lipstick – the perfect winter’s eve viewing. Filmhouse, Edinburgh, 8.40pm, £8-10

Dose up on festive lols tonight at The Stand's Dead Sheep Comedy Christmas Special, in which funnybloke Scott Gibson takes up the MC duties to host a night of good old rib tickling. The evening's programme is selected from the biggest comedians booked by Dead Sheep during 2016, so there's no better chance to catch the creme de la creme of stand-up. The Stand, Edinburgh, 8.30pm, £8-10

Here’s one that might sit well with those who’re reluctantly returning to their hometowns over the jolly season – Matthew Bulgo’s Last Christmas. Directed by Kate Wasserberg, the play follows protagonist Tom as he finds himself back at home, raking up the past and despairing at how little (and how much) has changed. Nice and bleak, eh? 13-23 Dec, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, 8pm (matinee available), £8.50-16.50

Scott Gibson

Carol

Out of the Blue Drill Hall

Photo: Jo Donaldson

Mon 19 Dec Out of the Blue’s monthly fleamarket’s back on the block today, giving you not only the opportunity to turn up and browse preloved treats, but also to pitch your own stall and declutter your home in time for Christmas. Stalls cost £20, and bookings are open from the beginning of December. Nothing to lose, and some phat Christmas dollar to gain… OOTB Drill Hall, Edinburgh, 10am-3pm, free

Mon 26 Dec

Tue 27 Dec

Wed 28 Dec

The big question is, what on earth are you doing, scouting out Boxing Day entertainment? Surely you’re planning to be hungover, bearing a food baby and breaking in those box sets? No? Well, Bloc have got you sorted, you social butterfly you, with Bloxing Day, in which they’re promising a DJ triumvirate with an arsenal of rock’n’roll from the last 60 years. Bloc+, Glasgow, 11pm, free

The word ‘magic’ is bandied around a little too freely at Christmas, isn’t it? How about some legit tricks and illusions? MagicFest is back for a stint following its success earlier this year, and within its programme of special events and workshops, there’ll also be a dazzling evening show featuring mind-boggling talent from the UK and France who’ll perform everything from mind reading to levitation. George Square Theatre, Edinburgh, 27-30 Dec, 2pm & 7pm, £14-18

Got some banging literature for Christmas and can’t wait to share it? Sounds like you need to give Edinburgh Women’s Book Cafe a go. This wee lunchtime event sees the Glasgow Women’s Library make its way to Edinburgh turf, allowing east-coasters to enjoy a leisurely lunch hour of readings, discussion and bookish sanctuary from the craziness of Christmas. Edinburgh Central Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, 1-2pm, free

Bloc+

Chat

MagicFest

Last Christmas

Edinburgh Women's Book Cafe

THE SKINNY

Sun 4 Dec

Flint & Pitch, Jenny Lindsay’s cabaret with heart is back in its current haunt, Bongo, tonight for another cockle-warming programme of poetry and music. Alan Bissett’s the compere for the night, TeenCanteen and folk musician Harry Harris will be bringing the melodies and London-based poet and performer Theresa Lola will join poet J L Williams and author Malachy Tallack for wordy wonderfulness. Bongo, Edinburgh, 7pm, £6

Crafters and pooch guardians – you’re spoiled for choice today. Not only do we have the first day of Etsy Made Local weekend Christmas market, featuring over 65 different designers for your perusal (The Briggait, Glasgow, 3 & 4 Dec, 11.30am-4.30pm), there’s ALSO Doggy Christmas Fair at Dog Days, Glasgow from 12pm-4pm, where you’ll find canine-related stalls, talks, shows and even photoshoots.

Today’s a fine day to get some Christmas shopping under your belt, with Christmas fairs taking place at House for an Art Lover (11am-3pm) and St Luke’s (11am-4pm), where you’ll be greeted with a cornucopia of craft, design, vintage and independent trade. Speaking of cornucopias, it’s also VegFest today, a massive meat-free programme of trade, talks and treats. 3-4 Dec, SECC Glasgow, £5-9

Sat 10 Dec

Noisy pop so-and-sos Honeyblood (aka Stina Tweeddale and Cat Myers) return to local turf tonight for a show in the thoroughly atmospheric surrounds of St Lukes. They released Babes Never Die, a banger of an album back in early November, and, packed with punchy lines, growly guitars and lashings of reverb, it’s well worth hearing live. St Luke’s, Glasgow, 7pm, £11

‘Member when Fatboy Slim played Glastonbury this summer and you were left salivating at the sight of all the euphoria, sweat and sweet ravey goodness you were missing out on? Well, now you’ve got another chance to get involved. Don’t fuck it up. Sure, Fatboy Slim won’t be a patch on Fatboy Slim at Glasto, but you can’t have it all, can you? SSE Hydro, Glasgow, £40-45, 6.30pm

More in the way of Christmas fairs today (we did warn you…). First up, there’s South Side Makers Market which’ll be packed to the rafters with the wares of local crafty folk (Sainsbury’s, Darnley Glasgow, 11am-5pm). Tea Green are also hosting another showcase of local designers and makers in the delightful setting of the Botanic Gardens. Wrap up and ready yourself for some retail therapy. Kibble Palace, Glasgow, 1011 Dec, 10am-4pm, free

Honeyblood

Fatboy Slim

Photo: Amy Muir

Fri 9 Dec

Photo: Amy Muir

Thu 8 Dec

Tea Green Market

Sat 17 Dec

Sun 18 Dec

Today’s one of the last days of Glasgow-based artist Rob Kennedy’s acts of dis play at Talbot Rice Gallery. The piece aims to disrupt our preoccupation with explaining things, and takes the form of an installation featuring a new video work, performances, detritus, found objects, philosophical texts and contemporary and historical artworks by the likes of Merlin James, Conor Kelly, Julian Kildear and more. Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh, until 17 Dec, free

Treat your compassionate soul to some good ol’ charity gigging tonight at the first day of Shelter Scotland’s Home For The Holidays twopart album launch. The record’s a songbook of festive ditties performed by the likes of Withered Hand, Meursault, Ballboy, WOLF, Book Group, eagleowl and The Spook School and accompanied by illustrations, lyrics and chords. Get your mits on it ASAP. Summerhall, Edinburgh, 16-17 Dec, 7pm, £10-20

Right, this one’s important. Sit up, pay attention, fix up, look sharp, etc. Fuzzkill’s throwing a Christmas party, and guess who’s back, honouring the festive season with a one-night-only set? DEATHCATS, that’s who. There’s also Fruit Tones, Secret Motorbikes, Lush Purr, plus tunechoosing from Breakfast Muff, Sweaty Palms and El Rancho ‘til the early morn... but also… DEATHCATS! The Old Hairdressers, Glasgow, 8pm, £4

Is there anything better than The Snowman at Christmas? Well, yes, there is actually. The Snowman, at Christmas, played by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, hosted by Christopher Bell and narrated by Podrick offa Game of Thrones (also known as Daniel Portman). So, yes. That's established. Shows taking place at Dundee's Caird Hall (16 Dec, 7.30), Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (17 Dec, 2pm & 6pm) and Usher Hall, Edinburgh (18 Dec, 3pm). Ticket prices vary.

Sat 24 Dec Ohh no, don’t you go thinking you were going to get off without a single pre-Christmas panto. However much you resent it, it’s not Christmas without a bit of ‘he’s behind you’ and whatnot. We recommend The Snaw Queen, Tron’s tremendously Scottish take on the tradition of the panto. It’ll be chuckleworthy and Weegietastic, if nothing else. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, various dates and times until 7 Jan, £10-19

Studio 24

DEATHCATS

Merry frickin' Christmas, pals

The Snaw Queen

Fri 30 Dec

Fri 31 Dec

Scottish Ballet strikes again, bringing their glimmering rendition of Hansel and Gretel to Festival Theatre for a string of dates before heading across to Glasgow and up to Aberdeen and Inverness throughout January. Laced with humour and top-to-tail in sumptuous costumes, it’ll be a perfect fairytale treat to devour in the runup to Christmas. Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, various dates between 10-31 Dec, times and prices vary

Turns out the folk of Scotland just can’t get enough of the Hogmanay jubilations, and this year due to ma-hoo-sive demand, there’ll be an extra show on 30 Dec in celebration of the Night Afore. Frightened Rabbit will be there, supporting croon-maestro Paolo Nutini with Vegan Leather, and there’ll be all sorts of bars and food stalls to keep you extra merry and full to the brim. West Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh, 6pm, £55-65

Edinburgh’s partiers are spoiled tonight, with the opportunity to revel in anything from reggae to house/techno at Wee Dub Hogmanay (Studio 24) and Nightvision Hogmanay (Liquid Room) respectively. Glasgow-side, we’re stoked for the Art School’s plans; not only are they bringing in Jon Hopkins to lead the jubilee in the main room along with Nathan Fake, Barker and N>E>D, there’s also Nightwave, Konx-om-Pax, Bossy Love and Sofay in the Vic Bar. Art School, Glasgow,

December 2016

Frightened Rabbit

Photo: Euan Robertson

Thu 29 Dec

Hansel and Gretel

The Snowman

Illustration: Jake Hollings

Fri 23 Dec Fancy ruining Christmas Eve for yourself? Cool! Start as you mean to go on at Keep it Steel Antichristmas – because metalheads wanna celebrate the festive season too! There'll be Christmassy drinking games, epic proportions of whisky, ale and tequila and a fine selection of heavy metal playing 'til the crack of dawn. Literally though. 5am. Studio 24, Edinburgh, 11pm, £5

Withered Hand

Photo: John Johnston

acts of dis play

Photo: John Graham

Fri 16 Dec

Photo: Justin Moir

Thu 15 Dec

Jon Hopkins

Chat

Photo: Richard Manning

TeenCanteen

Illustration: Eunjoo Lee

Sat 3 Dec

Photo: Ryan McGoverne

Fri 2 Dec

Albums of 2016

Beyoncé – Lemonade #10 For her sixth album, Beyoncé once again offered another way in, and this time around, the ambition of the accompanying visuals advanced the whole a league beyond the sum of its parts

From Bowie to Brexit, Prince to Presidential disaster, 2016 has relentlessly taken the piss out of... well, all of us. At least we still had the music – let our writers guide you through The Skinny's top ten albums of the year

genuity, it crammed into its four minutes a torrent of fiery discourse. A new kind of black power anthem, Beyoncé ferociously dismantled a multitude of embedded prejudices with no hint of apology – ‘I like my Negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils.’ For good measure, add a good dozen barbs for the haters, a punch-the-air declaration of parental love (‘I like my baby hair with baby hair and afros’), a frank affirmation of sexual independence and the year’s most arresting and empowering hook – ‘Okay, ladies, now let’s get in formation.’

emonade needs no annotation. Its various raging dialogues, tender confessionals, and endless questioning are all apparent and accessible immediately. There is much to explore but little to untangle. A literate and accomplished artwork, and a creative leap of some magnitude – only a fool would need it explaining. The key to Lemonade’s success was The Formation Tour, an outdoor spectacle that mixed traditional (an acapella of Love On Top that routinely saw the audience take over each night), sharp reinvention (an all too brief Destiny’s Child medley) and provocative. For the latter: a stageshow that blitzed the droopy mechanics of stadium pop. Both unfashionably understated and mind-alteringly

vast, over-cooked lighting and pyrotechnics were replaced by a huge hunk of weird: a gigantic revolving monolith onto which were projected live visuals and pre-filmed sequences. For once, really, you had to be there. And if you weren’t there, where were you? The Formation Tour took its name from the song whose explosive debut performance at February’s Super Bowl 50, acting as a jaw-dropping trailer for the album (funnily enough, the tour was announced worldwide shortly after the halftime show). Fashioned from, seemingly, little more than bleeps and twitches, Formation was an abrupt rug-pull, as alien and revelatory as Get Ur Freak On or When Doves Cry. And aside its musical in-

“ Beyoncé ferociously dismantled a multitude of embedded prejudices with no hint of apology” Of course, this had been coming. But previous leftfield excursions had, in hindsight, only hinted at where the world’s greatest popstar would go next. Not just a final sloughing of the constraints of R'n'B norms, but in how it so ruthlessly dismissed the mainstream’s demands and expectations, Lemonade was a staggering subversion of mode. A stinging rebuke to the societal and political

Words: Gary Kaill

apparatus that, still, is happier when people of colour – and women in particular – know their place. A tipping point. Beyoncé’s ‘what does this button do?’ album. Lemonade saw Beyoncé emerge as a fearless creative, a fire-breathing protagonist, a feminist icon like no other. “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman” – Malcolm X’s words used as a linking passage act as foundation for a celebration of the women in Beyoncé’s life as she sets about shaming the weak and disloyal men. With unflinching candour, Lemonade documents a marriage in crisis and a father-daughter relationship beyond dysfunctional. Be sure not to passover the accompanying DVD because those visuals really are essential. Lemonade’s dense narratives are interpreted with vision and daring. The spoken word sections that bridge between songs form a compelling soliloquy, and there is poetry in both the words – ‘Pull the sorrow from between my legs like silk, knot after knot’ – and the images. Musically, not even a hint of filler. Every song is a new kind of essential: the fragile elegy of Sandcastles; Freedom, where Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar brew up a storm; the working woman anthem 6 Inch, a collaboration with The Weeknd where an Isaac Hayes sample provides soulful backing. Prod for weak spots. There are none. Lemonade is unique and peerless. Listen and learn.

Parquet Courts – Human Performance

Parquet Courts have released five records in five years – a feat achieved by few of their peers. Human Performance ticks all the right boxes Interview: Katie Hawthorne

arlier in the year, The Skinny asked Parquet Courts’ co-frontman Austin Brown to help summarise the Brooklyn-based band’s ever-evolving sound. It was probably a stupid question, and we got what we deserved: “I think to describe us as a particular genre, or in a way that’s specific, is wrong. But people also wind up using really vague terms that don’t apply, either. I don’t know! It’s not really my job...?” He’s right, it’s not his job. It’s ours, so here goes. Brown, Andrew Savage, Sean Yeaton and Max Savage released their fifth studio album this year, if you include their rare 2011 debut American Specialties released on limited cassette, and 2014’s Content Nausea, misleadingly released under the Parkay Quarts misnomer. Over these five records, the band have tried out all manner of approaches to a set of similar goals – but Human Performance hits the highest watermark. As Brown remembers it, the album was the result of an unusually long writing and recording process: “We took the amount of time that we did because we wanted to not repeat ourselves, and make it an important thing – that we are capable of evolving.” It paid off, too: that constant push for clarity in expression and a distillation of the noises that build Parquet Courts’ sound has come to define them more clearly than any specific genre tag. The four have thrashed out garage rock, dallied with spaghetti western, fired off punk, and last year’s largely instrumental EP Monastic Living

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offered up a brutal, brilliant soundscape. Human Performance knots together all those threads, with extra room built in for intentional experimentation.

“ A human performance is something that people do every day” Austin Brown

“It was all about understanding that the first thought; the easiest path, wasn’t necessarily the best way to go.” Brown asserts, as he describes how they threw out any preconceptions of what the band “should” sound like. “Almost half the record, I feel like you could recognise as a new Parquet Courts record, and half of it comes from a different place entirely – those songs became really important,” he says, highlighting Captive of the Sun – a half rapped, half spoken-word track that encapsulates the band’s surrealist tendencies. Elsewhere, Berlin Got Blurry is their poppiest, most (anti)hedonistic effort to date, One Man No City has surprisingly warm, spacious drum fills, Steady On My Mind is a ballad stripped of Parquet’s

usual sarcasm, and Paraphrased is a rollicking, tongue-in-cheek exploration of thought explosions and chronic self-awareness: ‘Sometimes I... draw definitions from my words / Sometimes I… can’t be repeated, I can’t be paraphrased, no!’ “Once you hear the vocals, whether it’s Andrew or myself, it reminds you that it’s us. Maybe you didn’t need to be reminded, but that’s what ties it all together for me. It’s the same voice, same perspective,” Brown decides. So perhaps it’s a critical fixation upon their band’s own existence that defines Parquet Courts? After all, an album titled Human Performance can’t avoid looming existential dread. “A human performance is something that people do every day – there’s you, and then there’s the way that you perform the act of being yourself,

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and the way that you perform for people…” he attempts to explain. “Sometimes it can be sincere, sometimes a performance is a lie, and sometimes you don’t know.” All we know, then, is this: Parquet Courts’ fifth, studio recorded LP Human Performance is a one of a kind. It details the shouts and sirens of New York City, the suffocating, unavoidable dust of daily life and digs with a pointed shovel behind your ribcage – without losing the weirdo humour and joy in the unexpected that are two of the only certain characteristics for a Parquet Courts album. Whatever they come up with next, you’ll know it when you hear it. parquetcourts.wordpress.com

THE SKINNY

Anohni – Hopelessness

Hopeless times need music too. Anohni teamed up with OPN and HudMo to produce one of the most startling records of recent years Words: Finbarr Bermingham

usic is often the crutch that helps us hobble through the tough times. It lifts us to the fabled other side, where the grass is greener and the air is easier to breathe. But there are times when the earth is scorched and toxicity pervades the atmosphere about us. Many of us now exist in such a time. The past months have left us sucking on sulphur, bashing our heads off the brimstone. These are hopeless times. But times like these need music too. It seems impossible to hear Anohni’s Hopelessness outside of the prism of Trump and Brexit; away from the fact that perhaps the only, tiniest morsel of salvation from the past 12 months – the Paris Agreement on climate change – is now likely to be incinerated with the same gleeful disregard as we burn our skies, our trees and our lungs.

“ In fifty years all anyone left is going to be asking is what were we thinking?” Anohni

These are songs about genocides, drone strikes, executions and temperatures rising. Many are aimed at the Obama administration, which will likely be repainted as a progressive paradise in the years to come, but which has been as brutal in its embrace of airstrikes, civilian killings and immigrant deportations as any other. And despite Anohni herself telling The Skinny that she does not feel these songs have further resonance in these increasingly dark days for society, it is difficult not to listen to these beautiful, haunting, visceral songs and feel a pang of anger. “The idea wasn’t to predict the world’s current awareness of its feelings of hopelessness,” she says, but to “move through my own feelings of hopelessness to see if it left me feeling more empowered.” The point on “awareness” of hopelessness is important: the world has been, arguably, drifting in a horrendous direction for some years. But in recent months, this has been manifested in a very public, ugly way. For Anohni, a transwoman residing in an America that’s awash with bigotry, these feelings must be suffocating. There are parts of this album – particularly side two’s Obama, Crisis and Hopelessness – that are as potent political statements as have been put to wax in years. But one of the cornerstones of these songs is the fact that more than anybody else, Anohni blames herself. ‘How did I become a virus?’ she sings on the title track. We, through our consumptive habits, self-delusion and inability to engage with one another, are all complicit in society’s slide towards the detritus. She explains, in an email exchange: “I have been trying to better understand what is actually happening, and what is my true part in it? I want to challenge my own inability to be vigorously hon-

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est with myself. So sick of denial and self-centered advocacy. In 50 years all anyone left is going to be asking is, ‘What were we thinking? When we knew what was going down and we did almost nothing to change our course?’ I want to ask that question now, in case there is still time to do something useful.” She praises co-producers Oneohtrix Point Never and Hudson Mohawke for transforming this from what could very easily have been a gloomy record. “Both of them were entirely influential in the sound of the record. It’s their stuff. You know what kind of records I have made in the past. I added some bells and whistles and vocals. I wanted the sound to be exuberant, to stand in contrast to the lyrics.” We’re left with an unusual beast: a dispiriting mirror to society that you can sing and dance along to; a collection of protest songs that rage as much against the author as they do the wider world; slices of fury, perfectly-formed and hummable. This, as much as any record of recent years, is the crystallised sound of our times. And it is beautiful, horrifying and vital. anohni.com

David Bowie – Blackstar

On 8 January, David Bowie’s 69th birthday, his 25th studio album Blackstar was released. Seemingly a cause for double celebration, certainly none of us were to know that the album would also be his last Words: Claire Francis

avid Bowie’s death on 10 January framed Blackstar in a new and incredibly poignant context. According to co-producer and longtime collaborator Tony Visconti, Bowie had known since November 2015 that his cancer was terminal. Bowie had reportedly already finished Blackstar by then, but nothing in his vast output has ever been accidental, and Blackstar is an explicitly playedout performance of the man squaring off with his own mortality. On the monastic, uneasy ten-minute opener Blackstar, Bowie intones ‘Something happened on the day he died / Spirit rose a metre and stepped aside’ in a ghostly hush. On the prophetically-titled Lazarus he implores ‘Look up here, I’m in heaven’ amidst world-weary brass, before in spiritual contemplation he envisions that ‘Just like that bluebird / Now, ain’t that just like me? / Oh, I’ll be free.’

“ His death was no different from his life – a work of art” Toni Visconti

With the woozy, soaring ballad Dollar Days, there’s acceptance, and defiance too: ‘If I never see the English evergreens I’m running to / It’s nothing to me.’ Bowie and Visconti reportedly recut the vocals, adding a haunting effect throughout the record using an effect called ADT (automatic double-tracking). The recording process was apparently conducted in secret at New York studio The Magic Shop, with only a handful of friends and family – including Visconti – aware of the extent of the singer’s declining health. The trippy, jazz-infused Sue (Or in a Season of Crime) and sax driven ‘Tis a Pity She Was a Whore were re-recorded for Blackstar, including new saxophone parts played on the latter by Donny Mc-

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Caslin. This exploratory aesthetic permeates Blackstar; where familiar Mark Ronson-esque riffs powered surprise ‘comeback’ album The Next Day. In 2013 it was his first new album in nearly a decade, and throughout The Next Day, with its phoenix-like energy and glam-rock revivalism, there’s a sense of defiance. Conversely, Blackstar’s skittering drumbeats and jarring freeform narratives serve to add a further layer of discomfort. Despite the pervasive unease, Bowie’s unique, multifaceted persona is everpresent. Blackstar picks sneeringly over the concept of legacy and fame – ‘You’re the flash in the pan (I’m not a marvelstar) / I’m the great I am (I’m a blackstar)’ – while the industrial, sinister Girl Loves Me sees him grappling with a belligerent self who asks the reccurring question, ‘Where the fuck did Monday go?’ over a layer of percussion provided by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy. By album closer I Can’t Give Everything Away, Bowie lays bare his metaphysical musings. Amid mournful harmonica flourishes and brisk trip-hop beats, he begins: ‘I know something is very wrong,’ before resolving in a gentle refrain, ‘I can’t give everything / Away.’ With ‘skull designs upon my shoes,’ Bowie condenses himself into a final farewell, ‘Seeing more and feeling less / Saying no but meaning yes / This is all I ever meant / That’s the message that I sent.’ In a year full of truly heart-wrenching news, the first cut is the deepest, and Bowie’s departure still stings. Take comfort in the fact that although he may be gone, even in death Bowie continues to surprise us. Since its release fans have discovered design secrets in the artwork to Blackstar, and the album sleeve designer Jonathan Barbook recently teased that the vinyl contains further details that have yet to be uncovered. As Tony Visconti best summed it up in an online post following Bowie’s death, “his death was no different from his life – a work of art.”

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Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree

Photo: Alwin Kuchler

Death is a familiar character in Nick Cave’s songbook, but Skeleton Tree, his 16th studio album with The Bad Seeds, carries a particularly tragic spectre Words: Claire Francis

n July 2015, Nick Cave’s 15-year-old son Arthur died when he accidentally fell from a cliff in the family’s home town of Brighton. The group had reportedly commenced writing and recording prior to the incident, but the album was completed in its wake. There’s a strong thematic and stylistic continuation between Skeleton Tree and 2013’s atmospheric Push the Sky Away. But where Push the Sky Away had the gentle Jubilee Street for melodic respite, or the rumbling, wry Higgs Boson Blues to soften the album’s sparser moments, there’s little humour to be found on Skeleton Tree. Gone are the ruminations on science, religion, Robert Johnson and Hannah Montana. Skeleton Tree is an intensely personal record – the sound of one man standing face to face with his greatest fears. With its eerie whistle, Jesus Alone opens the album with the line ‘You fell from the sky / Crash landed in a field’ – that stomach-jolting sensation becomes Skeleton Tree’s close companion. A slow

creep of electronic wobbles and funereal harmonies, the first track instills a pervading unease that cloaks the record from start to finish.

“ Skeleton Tree remains a harrowing, visceral journey through grief, sorrow and loss” As with much of Push the Sky Away, Rings of Saturn sees The Bad Seeds taking another measured step away from their rock roots, embracing a textured blanket of synth blips and drum loops. There’s none of Cave’s trademark fire and brim-

stone to be found though – instead, it’s a spoken word stream of consciousness that reflects a state of bewilderment and confusion: ‘Upside down and inside out and on all eights / You’re like a funnelweb / Like a black fly on the ceiling.’ One of the most heartbreaking moments of the album is Girl in Amber, a sorrowful exhalation from a mind frozen by grief. ‘Some go and some stay behind / Some never move at all,’ Cave nearwhispers over hesitant keys, with the same emotional crossover appeal that anchors Into My Arms, his classic 1997 paean to broken faith. On the trembling I Need You, he sounds at the verge of breaking point as he repeats, ‘Nothing really matters, nothing really matters when the one you love is gone.’ Though I Need You – and many of Skeleton Tree’s songs – speak, in Cave’s trademark style, to ambigous unnamed characters, there’s an emotional gravitas that cuts to the core of every single track here.

By the time you reach the heartbreaking penultimate track Distant Sky, illuminated by heavenly vocals by Danish vocalist Else Torp, with its lament that ‘they told us our gods would outlive us / They told us our dreams would outlive us / They told us our gods would outlive us / But they lied,’ it’s a wonder we’re still dry-eyed. In One More Time With Feeling, the companion film to the album, Cave discourages viewers from drawing distinct parallels between his son’s death and the content of the album. However closely you choose to link the former to the latter, Skeleton Tree remains a harrowing, visceral journey through grief, sorrow and loss. Perhaps in inviting director Andrew Dominik to document the album’s completion, Cave was attempting a kind of catharsis, by responding in the best way he knows how – by making art of life. nickcave.com

Angel Olsen – My Woman Sometimes being painted into a corner can be a good thing, and My Woman is a work that pushes Angel Olsen’s diverse pop genius to the fore

albums happy to adhere to the idea of two conflicting sides. My Woman’s opening half is very much the pop period, from the icy atmospherics of opener Intern – “I made that the first track on purpose, to fuck with people and make them expect a synth record,” said Olsen to The Skinny back in September – to the irresistible perma-chorus of Shut Up Kiss Me. Meanwhile, Never Be Mine is a throwback to the 60s in absolutely all of the right ways. “I taught that to the band in 30 minutes,” Olsen recalled. “It was the last day in the studio, and I didn’t really want to spend it running through a whole new song, but Justin [Raisen, producer] said, ‘Listen, my wife and I have been fucking dancing to this demo for weeks, you have to get it down.’”

hen Angel Olsen made a genuine breakthrough in 2014, with her third full-length Burn Your Fire for No Witness, the press reaction amounted to a curious tidal wave of backhanded compliments. The record was showered with praise from all quarters, but it wasn’t the razor-sharp wit of Olsen’s lyrics, nor her disarmingly keen ear for melody that was largely coming in for the most plaudits. Instead, writers had a veritable field day with typecasting her as the quintessential tortured singer-songwriter, drawing a straight line between the scratchy production and the rawer side of the lyrical approach in order to position Olsen somewhere between the two. It feels, in retrospect, like a classic case of putting two and two together and making five. Olsen was frequently reticent, even abstruse,

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in interviews around the release of Burn Your Fire for No Witness, and it’s probably little wonder; hosts at one Chicago radio station largely ignored her for most of her allotted segment, talking about her rather than with her, before ludicrously asking, “So, Angel, your music is kind of like a girl at the bottom of a dark well – how do you feel about that?” Two years on, Olsen has adapted. If Burn Your Fire for No Witness – which balanced light and dark far better than the critics would have you believe – left some room for ambiguity as to her propensity for casting a wide net both thematically and stylistically, 2016’s follow-up My Woman removes any shred of doubt. This is a record that strikes a beguiling balance between old-fashioned and cutting-edge. It’s not often, these days, that you come across

“ I just thought My Woman sounded badass” Angel Olsen

It’s on the flipside that things take a turn, both in terms of approach and ambition. As much as anybody might have loved Burn Your Fire for No Witness, and as blown away as anybody who caught Olsen on tour might have been by her arresting take on one of the most-covered songs of all time – Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams – who knew she’d go on to pay tribute to that band with such verve on her next LP? Sister is surely the track of 2016, a

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#5 Interview: Joe Goggins

near-eight minute epic that builds from fragile confessional to the sort of soaring, Californian rock that only ever comes in glorious technicolor. As much as Olsen might try to play down the significance of the fact that My Woman was cut in Los Angeles, the vintage guitar work on that particular song frankly begs to differ. Woman springs for similar territory, also troubling the eight-minute mark and both adapting and eschewing the smoky jazz of the track that goes before it, Those Were the Days. Olsen, for her own part, was adamant that both the song’s title and that of the album itself were meant to be empowering, but not necessarily explicitly feminist; “I just thought My Woman sounded badass, but it’s one of those things that comes out of joking around with a boyfriend; him saying ‘my woman!’ It’s kind of degrading, but also flirtatious.” By the time proceedings close with Pops, a searing piano ballad, My Woman has run the gamut in terms of both sound and content. More important, though, are Olsen’s motivations; she aimed to make such an all-encompassing record not because she felt she needed to, more just to let everybody know that she was well capable of pulling it off. This is, by a very long margin, the finest album of the year by an out-and-out singer-songwriter, and tangible proof that the period immediately following your breakthrough is no time for conservatism; instead, Olsen doubled down creatively, and the results – however stylistically diffuse – are invariably brilliant. angelolsen.com

THE SKINNY

December 2016

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THE SKINNY

Anderson .Paak – Malibu

Malibu well and truly plunged Anderson .Paak into the consciousness of the music industry and music fans all over the world, and he has been riding that wave ever since Words: Nadia Younes

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moother than a motherfucker,’ sings Anderson .Paak on Suede, released in 2015 under the guise NxWorries – a collaborative project with hiphop producer Knxwledge. He’s describing a car, but he may as well be describing himself. .Paak’s music, just like his persona, is inherently smooth: an eclectic fusion of funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop, R'n'B, trap, disco and psychedelia that sounds like the past and the future combined. Suede was a turning point for .Paak (formerly known as Breezy Lovejoy). The track grabbed the attention of Dr. Dre and .Paak’s six-track contribution to Dre’s 2015 comeback album Compton brought him in to the public sphere, as well as allowing him the opportunity to meet and work with a range of producers and artists who would go on to help form the sound of his second album Malibu. Released back in January, Malibu is a powerfully honest insight into .Paak’s journey through life so far, and that journey has been anything but easy. By the time he was 17, .Paak’s father, mother and step-father had all been sent to prison and he had witnessed his family being torn apart by drug addiction, gambling addiction and domestic violence. In the album’s opening track The Bird, he doesn’t waste any time in getting down to the gritty details, singing about his turbulent upbringing and family issues: ‘My sister used to sing to Whitney / My mama caught the gambling bug /

We came up in a lonely castle / My papa was behind them bars.’ On the album’s lead single The Season / Carry Me, he continues to delve into his past, again alluding to his upbringing but also discussing his own money problems. Struggling to succeed with his music, .Paak spent a period of time homeless before he got a job on a marijuana farm in Santa Barbara: ‘I was sleeping on the floor, new born baby boy / Tryna get my money pot so wifey wouldn’t get deported / Cursing the heavens, falling out of orbit.’ The track stands out as the most personal on the album, with Paak addressing how his personal struggles left him conflicted with his faith, as he forced himself to stay motivated.

“ .Paak’s music, just like his persona, is inherently smooth” Malibu is just as much a confessional tale as it is a masterclass in musicianship. Along with his band The Free Nationals, .Paak has developed a signature sound that is as equally intimate as it is commercial. The flow of tracks is brilliantly craft-

ed, encapsulating all of .Paak’s influences, from the disco-infused Put Me Thru, and Am I Wrong, to the intimate R&B slow jams Lite Weight and Room in Here to the funk/rap tinged Your Prime and Come Down. The album credits read like a who’s who of hip-hop, with production from 9th Wonder, Kaytranada and Madlib and appearances from ScHoolboy Q, The Game and Talib Kweli highlighting just how wide .Paak’s circle of friends has grown. .Paak has returned the favour to many of

his collaborators and continued to expand his circle throughout the year, jumping on tracks with Kaytranada, ScHoolboy Q, Mac Miller and Domo Genesis. And to top it all off he didn’t let the year end without finally dropping the NxWorries album that fans have eagerly been waiting for. If 2016 has been anyone’s year, it’s been Anderson .Paak’s.

Bon Iver – 22, A Million

On Bon Iver’s engrossing third album 22, A Million, the band’s first album in five years, we hear Justin Vernon triumphantly overcoming his crisis of faith and confidence by asserting himself through technological clutter and finding peace in chaos Words: Chris Ogden

fter Bon Iver won two Grammies for their sumptuous self-titled second record in 2011, which saw Justin Vernon embracing both real and imagined geography, he suddenly didn’t know where to find himself at all. Vernon has come a long, long way since that freezing cabin in Wisconsin. With its obsessive numerology, hypermodern song titles (that typography! those dice emoji!) and esoteric sampling, 22, A Million looks and sounds as convoluted as Mark Z. Danielewski’s book House of Leaves. The inevitable comparisons the album has had with Radiohead’s dissociative Kid A are slightly askew, because although Vernon’s voice is often distorted as hell, his heart is easy to hear right from the start. From the reflective, soulful opener 22 (OVER S∞∞N), Vernon is an anxious, interrogative presence throughout the record, haunted by the idea of impermanence and searching for meaning, be it in the old constant of religion (33 “GOD” and 666 ) or trying to conjure it via his idiosyncratic, but instinctively understood lyrical ph-

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rasing (which other current artist would give us neologisms like ‘fuckified’ or ‘waundry’?)

“ Vernon is an anxious, interrogative presence ... haunted by the idea of impermanence and searching for meaning” 22, A Million’s inventiveness can’t just be found in its lyrics: the choppy industrial beat and climac-

tic horns of 10 d E A T h b R E a s T are stunning enough, or how 33 “GOD” morphs from its tinkly piano origins with flecks of folk banjo into thundering, celestial electronica ending with a reference to Psalm 22. The biggest shock, though, is on 715 - CRΣΣKS as a vocoded Vernon reminisces over a lost love before eventually yelling, ‘God damn,turn around now / You’re my A Team,’ the synthesiser straining from the human behind it. It’s the most intense and thrilling a cappella performance since Imogen Heap’s Hide and Seek. Even in its more traditional modes, 22, A Million is gorgeous, with the gentle acoustic picking of 29 #Strafford APTS harking back to the swooning beauty of Bon Iver’s heartbroken debut For Emma, Forever Ago, as Vernon resolves to ‘Fold the map and mend the gap / And I tow the word companion / And I make my self escape.’ 666 , however, expands on the grandeur of second album Bon Iver, building on its tenderly modulating synthesiser and chiming guitar before the song erupts with booming, In the Air Tonight drums. ‘What is left when unhungry?’ Vernon muses, and the song disappears suddenly into an abyss.

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Abrupt endings are a common theme on this record as Vernon finds a potential lead only for it to elude him as soon as he half-grasps it. Any lasting meaning proves to be short-lived. 22, A Million’s meditative final third looks to accept this fate, with 21 M N WATER’s jazzy age serenity and its contrasting fire-themed gospel ____45_____ clever bookends to the pillowy 80s soft-rock track 8 (circle) in which Vernon harmonises with himself only to wake up high again. 00000 Million proves to be an equally restorative closer as 2011’s Beth/Rest, as Vernon gives up counting days and concludes, ‘If it’s harmed / It’s harmed me / It’ll harm me / I’ll let it in’. Ultimately, 22, A Million taps into the same strange wonder as Denis Villeneuve’s recent sci-fi film Arrival, where Dr Louise Banks understands the sadness to come yet decides to embrace life in all of its anxieties and losses. What more rejuvenating message could Bon Iver offer after the shitsock of a year that was 2016? After all, it might be over sooner than we think.

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Solange – A Seat at the Table A Seat at the Table is an enormously historical, deeply political record – if you’ve heard it you’ll know that, but it demands repeating a thousand times over tell people all the time, if you don’t understand my record, you don’t understand me, so this is not for you.’

“ A Seat at the Table is dripping with symbolism and self-awareness”

eneath the iced, slow-jam R'n'B held up by rubbery, liquid basslines, regal brass and Solange’s unmistakable range, a fire burns. The younger Knowles sister has been releasing albums for fourteen years, but A Seat at the Table clarifies her voice like no other. An iron-clad message put forward with soft, precise, perfectionist delivery, Solange uses spoken word interludes to drape her songs in extra-personal context. Her father speaks on his experiences as one of the first black children to integrate high school in Alabama, ‘I was angry for years.’

“He made history,” Solange notes in an exclusive W Magazine interview. Her mother discusses the importance of pride, calling out so-called ‘reverse racism’, saying ‘All we’ve ever been taught is white history. So, why are you mad at that? [...] That is to suppress me, and to make me not be proud.’ No Limit Records’ boss and family friend Master P describes running a major, black-owned label against offered buy-outs from corporate giants ‘To being able to make Forbes and come from the Projects. You know, 'Top 40 Under 40', which they said couldn’t be done. [...] I

Solange soaks in layers of context until A Seat at the Table is dripping with symbolism and selfawareness. Her words fall against a backdrop of personal and political history. The looming, gothic horror of metal clouds on Cranes in the Sky is an awe-inspiring metaphor for steeling a body against struggle. Initially, Solange attempts change through superficial means: ‘I tried to dance it away / I tried to change it with my hair.’ As the song grows, so does she: ‘I tried to work it away / But that just made me even sadder,’ culminating in ‘I slept it away, I sexed it away / I read it away.’ She finds growth within herself, having exhausted other external, or uncontrollable, routes. On her Saint Heron website, there’s an interview titled ‘A Seat With Us’, between Solange, her mother Tina Knowles-Lawson and writer Judnick Maynard. In that conversation, Solange reflects that the record “is an invitation to allow folks to pull up a chair, get very close and have these hard

#2 Words: Katie Hawthorne uncomfortable truths be shared. It’s not going to be pretty, it’s not going to be fun, you may not get to dance to it, you’re not going to breath easily through it, but that is the state of the times that we’re in right now.” Guest spots from long-term collaborators (Dev Hynes, Adam Bainbridge), iconic musicians (Kelly Rowland, Lil Wayne) and brand new faces (Moses Sumney, Nia Andrews) adds strength and texture to Solange’s methods, but these extra voices never once dilute her vision. The regal, glorious aesthetic behind her videos for Cranes in the Sky and Don’t Touch My Hair combines high fashion and home-made dresses, as well as a reported seventy locations throughout America. In an interview with Vogue, Solange describes her intentions: “I wanted to express an almost stately look for black men and women. I wanted to represent black sisterhood, strength, pride and elevate the black man and all of his beauty and glory. This was our way of contributing to that narrative.” Mid-record, amid the glittering tragedy of Where Do We Go, she asks: ‘Where do we go from here? Do you know?’ Never has a question felt better timed. It’s possible that Solange’s story is not your story, and that this album is not ‘for you’ (as she explores on F.U.B.U.; ‘This shit is for us’) but whatever your background, your nationality or your political policies, you’d be wise to listen long, and listen hard. solangemusic.com

Frank Ocean – Blond #1 The year’s unremitting horrors were as real as this unpalatable reality age would allow and, four years after he emerged as one of our most watchful commentators, Frank Ocean bequeathed Blond

016: a year which swiped away our best-loved musical pioneers with horrifying ease; saw US police forces continue to take careful aim at black men and women; forced the innocent (and ultimately unwelcome) human collateral of long-term Western intervention to seek ever more desperate methods to flee their homes; proved that Brexit meant shambles; and ended with the elevation of a crazed and ill-equipped monster – one who campaigned tirelessly on a ticket of racism, misogyny and division – to the world’s most powerful political office. 2016 felt like a dream. One from which we would surely wake with a start and in a cold sweat, relieved that the worst nightmares are always the ones that we script in our heads in the dead of night. Real? This is real? ‘All you want is Nikes, but the real ones / Just like you, just like me...’ Frank Ocean’s Blond is a brooding, exploratory and deeply personal work that prods fearlessly at the reality of 21st century living and its often insurmountable challenges. Real? The word suddenly wants for meaning. On opener Nikes – an epic, head-spinning meditation on materialism, fakery (goods, people), mortality, with sidelong references to Shakespeare and Disney for good measure – Ocean sets the tone, signals the increasing scope and reach of his disarming worldview. Blond’s first two songs contain more ideas, generosity and performance than a multitude of recently lauded confessionals. ‘I thought that I was dreaming / When you said you loved me... We’ll

Words: Gary Kail

never be those kids again.’ By the time Ivy shudders (quite literally) screaming to a halt, Ocean has (his) reality in sharp focus: we loved, we lost (translation: I fucked up again) and no amount of hazy recollection can shift the lingering pain.

“ Ocean’s aesthetic is informed by an unfashionable modesty” Blond’s minimal beats disguise a rich musicality. Big names accompany but you barely notice – or perhaps you do and they have the good taste to stand back and not take over. You can go half a dozen plays of the glorious Pink + White before you clock that it’s Beyoncé breathing, ‘Take care...’ in the background. One of Blond’s stand-out tracks, it’s testament to Ocean’s developing versatility, and signals a switch from his more typical mode of recounting scenes to an almost abstract prose poetry: ‘In the wake of a hurricane / Dark skin of a summer shade / Nose dive in the flood lines / Tall tower of milk crates.’ Nights is a mini-symphony, a lights-down contemplation that hurdles multiple tempo changes, mood swings and vocal stylings. A pained and poignant personal history, it docu-

ments a day, a month, a year in the life. ‘You know I can’t hear none of that spend the night shit.’ Again: not ready to be loved. In an era of male hip-hop stars routinely operating from a position of supreme self-promotion – a braggadocio built on the wanton accumulation of cash and an ever-present, sly misogyny – Ocean’s aesthetic is informed by an unfashionable modesty: an interior mode of expression fortified by a compassion that lasers through the corporate cock-swinging of the Chris Browns of the world and ultimately finds kinship with the greats. Blond would not be diminished by being played immediately after Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, or, for that matter, Joni Mitchell’s The Hissing of Summer Lawns. A gifted producer on the one hand but ultimately a singer-songwriter at heart, Ocean chronicles his failings and his regret with a winning candour that recalls the queen at her finest.

And now, as if the battle to retain an inch of dignity and personal freedom – against the expectation of societal norms, and the weight of increasing casual and legislative prejudice – was not hard enough, here comes a US President sputtering a deep hatred for every goddamn thing Frank Ocean is, cares for, represents. We need our artists to retain a keen eye, to grasp the limitless reach new platforms have afforded them, to shape the popular protest. We need them to count us in. One voice and then another. And another. Voices carry. Frank Ocean is no rabblerouser but on Blond his stark intimacies tease the possibility that when one voice speaks for us all, anything is possible; that dreams of community, understanding and free love are perhaps worth blowing five decades’ worth of dust off, after all. boysdontcry.co

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Music

THE SKINNY

December 2016

Feature

THE SKINNY

Top of the Scots Sterling efforts from Frank, Bey et al aside, there were some truly wonderful records made by the fair hearts of Scotland this year. As voted by our Music team, here’s the five best Scottish albums of 2016...

Frightened Rabbit

#5 Law Holt – City Law Holt is a modern day flâneur, an R’n’B pop diva who in 2016 created exquisitely soulful soundscapes on her debut solo LP City to match the joy and alienation of living and loving in a contemporary metropolis. Holt describes her music as “a noisy, analogue reflection of my mental state on a given day. I write and record quickly so an LP or EP of mine captures in its entirety one of those intermittent crises life throws at me. (It’s about) love and loss. Feeling lucky in a doomed society which considers kindness to be a weakness. All of our stances and postures and outbursts are a bad mask for our individual weaknesses. My music lurks somewhere between the two.” Multifaceted and multi-talented, Holt’s voice lights City in an array of shades, often snapping flawlessly between deep, raspy tones, bluesy Billie Holiday echoes and light as a feather pop vocals. On the immaculate Just Another Break Up Song, Holt stacks her own varied vocal stylings one atop another to glorious effect. Her creative process is at once cloistered and yet inexorably caught up with Edinburgh, as she explains: “I write and record in the Soulpunk studio in Leith. The rest of the world vanishes when I’m down there. I have my own secret rituals. I can write and record multiple tracks in a day... By running the writing and recording processes so closely together the whole thing feels like a purge or a ceremony. “The music I make is all I have,” she says, “so I am intensely proud and protective of it.” Rightly so, too: Law Holt is unquestionably one of the most exciting artists working in Scotland today. [Rachel Bowles] #4 Honeyblood – Babes Never Die As Stina Tweeddale explained to The Skinny ahead of Honeyblood’s latest album’s release, Babes Never Die is the product of a refocused energy

December 2016

that reflects the duo’s new writing partnership: “Musically, we wanted it to have more of an urgency. The first album was very shoegazey, and quite dreamy. We wanted to be attacking and quite high-octane. Lots of drums.” The resultant second album is a super-charged ride through the fuzzy riffs, spiky lyrics and those aforementioned kick-ass drums. Babes Never Die wears its anthemic mantra on its sleeve, with the duo sounding notably more formidable than 2014’s self-titled debut. When asked about their own personal album highlights, Stina choses the “truthful” Cruel, which she describes as “a pretty chill song – until the end. I wrote (it) all in one go. I texted my manager and I was like, ‘Oh, I’ve written a slow song,’ and he got the demo and he was like, ‘That’s not a slow song. Do you even know what a slow song is?!’” As for Love is a Disease, their self-proclaimed “favourite” track on the album, Tweeddale explains: “The reason we love it so much is because it was the turning point.” Drummer Cat Myers adds with a laugh, “That’s when bass became a thing... and yeah, the rest of it just followed suit from there.” Titles like Sea Hearts, Love is a Disease and Ready For the Magic reflect both Honeyblood’s self-assured mentality, and the endearing honesty of Tweeddale’s lyrics. And with a newfound penchant for drums and bass, Babes Never Die has the perfect power-pop soundtrack for a narrative focused on strong, brave, take-no-prisoners women. [Claire Francis] #3 Teenage Fanclub – Here ‘You’ve been living in a bad dream baby, I know.’ Norman Blake could well be addressing all of us with this line from The Darkest Part of the Night, given the perpetual nightmare 2016’s turned out to be. Though it’s been a long six years in the making, Here couldn’t have come at a better time. In this year of sorrow and uncertainty, Teenage Fanclub did us all a favour by putting

Photo: Dan Massie

We make mistakes but we go through those experiences together, and we can spot the signs if somebody’s burned out, or needs a break to think about what it is they want out of the band, or their life. We want to keep things moving next year and start demoing for a new record. I just want to carry on working with these guys I love making tunes with.” [Joe Goggins]

out a characteristically warm and high quality record full of soothing reassurances that we’re going to pull through. The former track, definitely the album’s catchiest, is an instant pick-me-up of pillowy strings and sunshine harmonies topped off with a guitar solo that doffs its cap to Neil Young. Then there’s I Have Nothing More to Say, which finds bassist Gerard Love indulging his more psychedelic tendencies, making for what’s probably the prettiest four minutes of hypnagogic pop on wax this year. Importantly, Here doesn’t shy away from modern life’s definitive struggles (‘I don’t hear much fanfare for the common man these days,’ sings Raymond McGinley on Hold On) but neither does it surrender to them. Instead, it looks for solace in simple things – in love, in nature, in jangly guitars – and finds the spirit to keep on. [Andrew Gordon] #2 Frightened Rabbit – Painting of a Panic Attack Frightened Rabbit have long been seasoned purveyors of drama and emotional turmoil – on the evidence of a whirlwind and often turbulent 2016, little’s changed for the Selkirk quintet. Their fifth LP, Painting of a Panic Attack, met with rave reviews back in April, not least for the way in which it eschewed the bombastic grandstanding of its predecessor, Pedestrian Verse, in favour of a sparser, darker approach masterminded by The National’s Aaron Dessner, who assumed production duties. The band have toured extensively since, but hit a major bump in the road back in August; frontman Scott Hutchison declared the group finished during a drunken Twitter rant – mercifully reversing his position the following day – and his younger brother Grant, the band’s drummer, took a short break from live commitments after intra-band relationships became frayed. Ahead of a winter UK tour, guitarist Andy Monaghan assured us that the future of Frightened Rabbit is secure. “We were just saying, while we were over in America, what a nice year we’ve had.

Music

“ We were just saying, while we were over in America, what a nice year we’ve had” Andy Monaghan, Frightened Rabbit

#1 Anna Meredith – Varmints “Fashioned from curious beats, classical motifs, and the odd bit of tuba,” began an early, unpromising draft of a review unearthed from a discarded notebook, “Varmints represents slippery pop channelling Erasure, channelling Russians by Sting – only good,” which even at the time felt like a wilfully inadequate summation of this record’s charms. Anna Meredith may be more au fait with writing for and working with string ensembles or full orchestra, frequently introducing a contemporaneous electronic element to reframe the medium, but her debut dip in the waters of pop feels as delightful now as it did back then. Not that the album represents a deliberate compartmentalisation between different genres. “There’s a reliance upon tonality and certain rhythmic, structural things that are common to both classical music and pop,” Meredith told The Skinny when we caught up with her in the summer. “I use the same sort of harmonies and rhythms across what I write. You can listen to a big symphonic work and it’s got loads of things that you might enjoy in pop or a dance a track; they’re probably there in the classical repertoire – you just have to look for them in a slightly different way.” Which itself works as a method of describing the sly yet playful intelligence Varmints exudes across tracks both vocalled and instrumental. It’s in the exploitation of space between the on-beat and the off, layering tracks such as Scrimshaw and opener Nautilus with a sense of subversion. It’s in the vaguely retro, electro-pop hues behind Something Helpful or Last Rose; in the full-on immediacy of lead single Taken – not to mention mid-point song Dowager (which does, to be fair, sound a little like Russians by Sting – only good). Varmints remains as joyful as it is erudite, complex but never a show-off, and quite beyond classification. We’re very lucky to have it. [Duncan Harman]

Feature

Films of 2016:

Love, Death and Aliens

10. The Club (Pablo Larraín)

9. Our Little Sister (Hirokazu Koreeda)

This year, not only did Pablo Larraín premiere Jackie, a portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy in the days following JFK’s assassination, and Neruda, a biopic about communist poet Pablo Neruda, he also released one of the year’s best films. Focusing on a group of disgraced priest banished to an isolated house on the Chilean coast, The Club once again sees Larraín wrestle with the ghost of Pinochet with all the fervor of a fox in a hen house. A claustrophobic chamber piece peppered with absurd humor and shocking violence, this indictment of the Catholic Church develops into a deeply disturbing trawling of the collective national psyche that’s impossible to shake. [Patrick Gamble]

Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda is known for drawing subtle, restrained performances out of his young casts and his latest proves that he hasn’t lost his touch. Our Little Sister is a typically knotty, small-scale family drama that follows three sisters – ranging in age from late teens to mid-20s – who take in their younger half-sister after attending their estranged father’s funeral. Adapted from Akimi Yoshida’s manga series Umimachi Diary, the film avoids plot conflict, preferring to gently provide a window into the minutiae of grief and family life. In a year that has been defined by ugliness, bigotry and hatred, Koreeda delivers a blissfully mellow tonic. [Tom Grieve]

8. Knight of Cups (Terrence Malick)

7. Arrival (Denis Villeneuve)

6. The Assassin (Hou Hsiao-Hsien)

Terrence Malick’s continuing artistic evolution has reached a stage where his work is widely dismissed, mocked or ignored. It’s a state of affairs that says more about our incurious and complacent film culture than it does about him. Knight of Cups is Malick’s most audaciously abstract work, unfolding in a swirl of images as Christian Bale’s disillusioned screenwriter walks away from a life of material success and hedonism in search of something more meaningful. Emmanuel Lubezki turns 21st century Los Angeles into an alien landscape, and the film’s undulating rhythms pull us along on this spiritual journey while leaving space for us to pour our own ideas, emotions and experiences into it. For viewers with open minds and hearts, this is a richly rewarding experience. [PC]

Denis Villenueve returns with a (thankfully) less tense affair than last year’s stunning effort Sicario. Arrival uses real science to tackle a seemingly impossible problem: working out how to communicate with an alien life form that is truly Alien, with a capital ‘a’. The way the film depicts these ETs – who have a wildly different way of interacting with the world – leads to some audacious, but wholly satisfying plotting. Throw into the mix a rarely better Amy Adams, some Nolan-esque cinematography and a sumptuous score, and you have the best sci-fi film since the criminally overlooked Cloud Atlas. [Tom Charles]

Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s stunning martial arts epic has all of the lightness of a wuxi hero’s step, the exquisite grace of her swordplay and the ferocity of her heart. The tug of emotion threatens to overturn the weight of duty as the deadly Yinniang (Shu Qi) is tasked with a personally painful kill. Set against a glorious backdrop in feudal China, The Assassin is one of the most beautiful films of the year, lensed by the brilliant Mark Lee Ping Bin. What’s more, it finds spirituality and depth in the harmony of nature, giving the moments of action all the more steel. [Ben Nicholson]

5. Evolution (Lucile Hadžihalilović)

4. Hell or High Water (David Mackenzie)

3. Son of Saul (Laszlo Nemes)

French auteur Lucile Hadžihalilovic’s Evolution is a queer science fiction-body horror in the vein of Lovecraft and Cronenberg. Nic, a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, lives a simple littoral life in a mysterious, austere village populated by other uniform boymother pairings. Nic becomes haunted by the visceral sight of a dead boy’s decomposing body he discovers while diving, and his mother tries to reassure him that “the sea makes you think horrible things.” This consolation is prophetic: as Nic’s mère and la mer blur, a most disturbing vision of conception, birth and child-rearing unfurls. [Rachel Bowles]

“I’m racing a fire to a river with a herd of cattle, no wonder my kids don’t wanna do this shit.” After an election swung by disenfranchised members of America’s Rust Belt, Mackenzie’s film gives a powerful insight into the desperate world of those communities global capitalism left back in the dust. Chris Pine and Ben Foster are magnetic as brothers on opposite poles: one near wordlessly stoic; the other wild-eyed and motor-mouthed, like a cowboy Joe Pesci. Their last ditch quest to rob the banks that robbed the world sounds like pure Springsteen but the film’s moments of shuddering violence quickly bring any romantic sentiments crashing back into the dirt. [Ross McIndoe]

László Nemes’ debut feature Son of Saul is an emotionally devastating and haunting portrayal of the evils of the Holocaust set in the Auschwitz death camp in 1944. The central figure, Saul (Géza Röhrig), brings a raw palpability to his performance, with the horror of events he witnesses etched across his face at all times. All of which is unflinchingly realised by Nemes, who brings a moral and intellectual weight to the drama, drawing us into the very pit of hell, forcing the audience to confront the barbarism of one of the darkest hours in human history. [Joseph Walsh]

2. Things to Come (Mia Hansen-Løve)

1. Love & Friendship (Whit Stillman)

The Next Ten:

Mia Hansen-Løve’s films capture those transitional moments in our lives when the path ahead suddenly feels uncertain, or even disappears completely, and Things to Come is her most accomplished work yet. This portrait of an academic forced to reorient herself after life deals her a series of unexpected blows is keenly observed and elegantly made, and it is rich with perceptive, sad and beautiful details that linger in the memory. It also boasts one of Isabelle Huppert’s finest acting turns, and while it has almost become a cliché for critics to react to a Huppert performance by insisting that no other actress could pull it off, it’s usually true. [Philip Concannon]

The year’s funniest film – and best, as voted by our Film team – comes from American writer-director Whit Stillman, he of Metropolitan, Damsels in Distress and The Last Days of Disco fame, who moves his particular brand of comedy of manners to the realm of 1790s Britain. Love & Friendship is based on an early novella by Jane Austen, and the film is a perfect marriage of artists. It’s a breezy, ironic-romantic comedy that balances cutting wit both droll (everything Kate Beckinsale, on career-best form, says) and broad (every time Tom Bennett’s glorious dolt opens his mouth); an immaculate treat with something in its humour palette for near enough everyone. [Josh Slater-Williams]

11. Cemetery of Splendour (Apichatpong Weerasethakul) 12. Room (Lenny Abrahamson) 13. Paterson (Jim Jarmusch) 14. Embrace the Serpent (Ciro Guerra) 15. Everybody Wants Some!! (Richard Linklater) 16. The Witch (Robert Eggers) 17. Kate Plays Christine (Robert Greene) 18. Dog Eat Dog (Paul Schrader) 19. Kubo and the Two Strings (Travis Knight) 20. Anomalisa (Charlie Kaufman, Duke Johnson)

Given recent votes, we half expected something racist and idiotic like Gerard Butler hokum Gods of Egypt to top this best films of the year poll. This drum tight list our Film writers have assembled, however, will put your faith back in democracy

Feature

FILM

Read about our most underrated films of 2016 and check out our writer’s individual top tens over at theskinny.co.uk/film

THE SKINNY

Comedy is the best response to 2016 While there’s nothing funny about the loss of our favourite artists or a worrying rise in fascist ideology, 2016 has at least had comedians to go to the most horrible of places and find a response. Our Dark Arts expert investigates

016: an absolute nuclear clusterfuck in the embers of a skip fire, what with the normalisation of actual fascists and a celebrity death toll – including a dead gorilla – mirroring the state of the town at the end of Carrie. Then there was the 20 volumes it took to chronicle Tony Blair’s folly in Iraq. And Zayn Malik’s autobiography. The Celebrity Death Toll meets Sgt Pepper It seems like barely a week went by this year without at least one ‘oh shit, not really?’ moment of genuine sorrow. The Great Celebrity Cull of 2009 is a mere pretender in comparison to 2016 and couldn’t have prepared us for the number of honest-to-God legends not seeing in the New Year this time round. While we suspect a number of self-proclaimed mourning David Bowie fans hadn’t ever actually made it to the end of Labyrinth, or those who say they have ‘grown up with Prince’s music’ and then be all ‘something something nehnehneheh Purple Raiiin!’ the losses of our most talented artists were so relentless that even the most sincere tributes by the autumn lacked any sense of shock, by which time it was announced Leonard Cohen had died too.

“ That’s the best kind of comedy, the stuff that looks the darkness and terror of human nature right in the eye and calls it a cunt to its face.”

solid days non-stop, a selection of performers, passers-by – and on one occasion a local MP who brought baked goods – read aloud the recently published Chilcot report into the UK’s role in the Iraq war. A vital and curiously life-affirming project, and my personal highlight of the Fringe, it’s still quite saddening that Tony Blair was only ever called to account by six people at a time reading in a shed. Next to a bus. But called to account he was, and that’s the power of comedy and perhaps embodies that having something to say is the purpose of Fringe. Whatever Brexit means Frankie Boyle observed that the Tory leadership election in the wake of Brexit was ‘sort of like an X Factor for choosing the Anti-Christ’, and it fell to new PM Theresa May to define exactly what Brexit means: Brexit. Well, Of all the uncounted shitstorms breaking loose as a divided Britain starts the convoluted task of leaving the EU, one consequence largely under the radar is how a poor portmanteau like Brexit appears to have become an actual word. In terms of the Leave campaign, we could almost bring Spitting Image back just to let Boris Johnson play his own puppet. On Twitter, the whole fetid mess of comment and opinion on offer was perhaps best represented when UKIP parody account was set in Trumpton, until it was

deemed offensive rather than accurate of the very near future. This year has been like Inception for right-wing idealogues as Nigel Farage now selfstylishly splatters himself between the UK and an American Trump. He really is the human incarnation of shitting during a fart – it sounds hilarious until it actually affects you, in which case it’s nauseating, uncomfortable and makes you want to have a long, scalding wash with the shower head as far up your arsehole as his has ascended up President-elect Trump’s rump. At least in comedy we had Bridget Christie. She rewrote her Fringe show entirely to make sense of Brexit. And the howl of pain and rage which triumphed from The Stand’s basement was another highlight of August. Trump and Toblerone Which brings us to Trump. Not content with shafting the UK and then blagging the taxi fare home, the Year That Hope Forgot has of course seen elected as leader of the free world a man whose previous contribution to history was making Alan Sugar the likeable face of an execrable reality format. The jokes come thick and fast, and we can look forward to them continuing at least until he figures out how to press the big red button. There’s reams more to be written on this, but what’s given me hope as all this unfolds is what its author described as the shortest essay of all time.

Words: Emma O’Brien Illustration: Jake Hollings When the then- Republican Presidential nominee came over to Scotland in June to chat shit about Brexit affecting golf handicaps, Janey Godley took time out from her Fringe preparations to protest with a placard made of old lino saying simply for the world to see: TRUMP IS A CUNT. Because there are times when less really is more. And the thing is, even if you don’t agree with her, or don’t like her language, that’s why we’re here. That’s the best kind of comedy, the stuff that looks the darkness and terror of human nature right in the eye and calls it a cunt to its face. It’s been a bastard of a year, but as long as there are people prepared to do that, and can laugh about it, we might just be alright, you know. So, in a nutshell: fuck you, 2016. Just to prove the point I’ll leave you with a little harsher-in-hindsight crack from Jon Ronson back in that innocent Before Time, when we hadn’t even begun to fear for our Toblerones. Writing on the first day of 2016, Ronson tweeted: “I swear. On this day next year you’ll be saying to me, ‘Jesus, Jon, you were right. Nothing bad happened in 2016.’” Bridget Christie: Because You Demanded It, Citizens Theatre, 18 Mar, 8pm, £14/16 Janey Godley: There’s Only One Godley, Oran Mor, 24 & 25 Mar, 7.30pm, £11/13 Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Night, Citizens Theatre, 16 Mar, 8pm, £15/16 & Old Fruitmarket, 22 March 7.30pm, £17.50 All part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival

However, we have no need for words when we look back at the toll because in an evening’s idle Photoshopping a magazine editor, Chris Barker, knocked together the perfect roll call in a recreation of the Sgt Pepper cover using our dearly departed. In Barker’s rendering, Mrs Merton stands next to Muhammed Ali, Hilda Ogden looks down at Pete Burns and – just for a real punch in the guts – at David Bowie’s feet is a photo of Jo Cox, the MP senselessly murdered in the summer during the build up to the EU referendum. Just behind her is the word BREXIT spelled out in flowers. Ouch. And yet, there’s such a loving wit about it you kind of have to laugh. He’s even worked in the proper Toblerone, before all this nonsense with half the triangles gone. Note perfect. [NB: there’s been some issues around copyright and reproducing the image, so we won’t, but at the time of writing it’s still up on his Twitter feed – @christhebarker – along with a handy key. And don’t miss his insightful blog about the perils of going viral.] The Chilcot Report is Read in a Shed In all the video-in-The-Ring level horror, it’s almost easy to forget The Chilcot Report was actually published this year. Or it would have been, had it not been for a heroic and collective response by comedians – a sharp and poignant reminder to politicians that your bad deeds might not only find you out, they might also channel themselves into a public performance of great artistic merit at the Edinburgh Fringe. And so it was that for 12

December 2016

COMEDY

Feature

“ I want people to be angry” For five decades, Ken Loach has used cinema as a tool to expose social injustices within society. With his latest, I, Daniel Blake, Loach turns his attention to the UK’s humiliating welfare system. It’s a barnstormer, and his best film in years

n the corner of a bright hotel bar on a warm Sunday morning in Liverpool, two men are talking politics. The word “Thatcher” is being spat around like it’s poison on their tongues. It’s not an unusual conversation to hear in Liverpool, perhaps the UK’s most politically radical city, but the fact it’s a former Doctor Who and a member of The Fellowship of the Ring having the heated debate pricks up our ears. Paul McGann and Sean Bean aren’t the hotel’s only celeb guests. The Skinny is here to speak to Ken Loach, the director of such passionate and humane films as Kes, Raining Stones and Looking for Eric; the winner of two Palme d’Or awards (for The Wind that Shakes the Barley and his latest film, I, Daniel Blake); a tireless champion of the British working-class; and a constant thorn in the sides of various right-wing UK governments. The filmmaker, like the city of Liverpool as a whole, is in a buoyant mood. The date is 25 September. The previous day, Jeremy Corbyn won a convincing victory in Labour’s bitter leadership battle against the Blairite factions of his party. For Loach, a dyed in the wool socialist, it’s a moment of hope. “If you and I were sitting here a year earlier, just before Jeremy Corbyn was elected, we’d be holding our heads in our hands,” says the softly spoken, but steely director. “But actually, amazingly, out of the blue, comes this surge of political commitment, which no one expected was there. It’s like an underground oil well. Drill down a little bit and suddenly it’s spouted out.” Today is a busy one for Loach. As well as promoting I, Daniel Blake, which screened to two soldout audiences the night before, he’s due to march with protesters against the upcoming closure of Liverpool Women’s Hospital, give a speech at a Momentum rally, and then there’s a #JC4PM (that’s Jeremy Corbyn for Prime Minister) event in the evening. Despite rumours of retirement that have been floating around for years, the 80-year-old – who still manages roughly a film a year – is showing no signs of slowing down. “[My retirement] is just one of these silly things that is in the ether. I’m just like the footballers – I take each game as it comes.” While he’s never stopped working, there were signs that Loach may have mellowed in the last few years; lost his edge even. His most recent films, which include whisky-heist caper The Angels’ Share and overly sentimental period film Jimmy’s Hall, have leaned towards whimsy. There’s no such complaint with the righteous and heartbreaking I, Daniel Blake, which deservedly won Cannes’ top prize back in May. Part of the film’s appeal is its simplicity. It follows a widowed joiner, Daniel Blake (Dave Johns), who’s recently had a heart attack. His doctor tells him not to go back to work for a while. The ‘health-care professional’ at his local Jobcentre in Newcastle, however, has other ideas. “Paul Laverty [Loach’s screenwriter since the mid-90s] and I kept hearing these stories and passing them on to each other,” he says. “Stories of people being forced to work when they’re ill. Or these stupid, arbitrary sanctions. The poverty and the ill health it causes. The government consciously making its citizens ill and suicidal. So we thought we should just explore this.” In other Loach films focused on the trials and tribulations of characters on the breadline, say My Name is Joe or Sweet Sixteen, melodramatic and crime elements often muddied the water of the film’s politics. Here the focus on Daniel’s struggles is laser-like. “It is so horrific what the government is knowingly doing,” says Loach. “So we wanted to do something really pared down, very eco-

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Interview: Jamie Dunn

nomic, absolutely crystal clear, but not lacking in complexity, because the characters are quite complex underneath. So you want to give full value to the complexity of the characters and how it affects them. But do it with a kind of raw simplicity because it is so strong.” Raw is the word. Daniel, a hardworking and proud man, has been grafting all his life until his illness. Now he finds his life hanging by a string when a mountain of forms he can’t fill in and bureaucrats he can’t get hold of on the phone means he’s forced to continue looking for jobs he can’t accept, or else face withdrawal of government support. The situation for Katie (played by Hayley Squires), the young single mother of two whom Daniel befriends, is even more dire. In one of the film’s most powerful scenes, we see her delirious with hunger cramming cold spaghetti hoops into her mouth at a food bank, tears of shame in her eyes. The technique is blunt but powerful. This isn’t to suggest I, Daniel Blake is a work of dour miserablism, as Loach’s work is sometimes characterised in the press. It’s a furious work, but it’s full of warmth and humour. “The comedy isn’t artificial,” notes Loach. “Go to any working class area and people are laughing, there’s always jokes. I mean, Ricky Tomlinson [who starred in Loach’s Riff-Raff and Raining Stones] was there last night, clearly very kind and generous about the film, but he stands up and makes a joke, a joke of support. And the whole cinema laughs. Comedy is implicit in everyday life, so it would be quite artificial to take it out.”

“ They want you to believe poverty is your own fault” Ken Loach

There’s a pitch black comedy that runs through the film too: the governmental jargon and bureaucratic language that we’re all familiar with from day-to-day life is shown to reach Python-esque levels of absurdity in the work and pensions sector. “It is Orwellian language, isn’t it?” says Loach. “It’s these euphemisms, that either hide or say the opposite of what they mean.” In the scenes set within Daniel and Katy’s Jobcentre Plus, the absurdity of the language becomes maddening. Particularly infuriating is the Jobcentre’s manager, whose pleasant manner barely disguises his malice. “The man we cast, the man who ushers Katie out of the job centre, in real life he’s a policeman,” reveals Loach, “and he played it to perfection. He has the language of control while being apparently polite. ‘I need you to leave for me now,’ rather than just, ‘Get out.’ It’s very passive aggressive. The aggression and the threat is there, but is done in this falsely polite way.” There’s no such subterfuge with Loach, who, like his films, is pleasingly straight shooting. When we ask if he’s shown the film to anyone in government (we’d love to be a fly on the wall at an IDS screening), his disgust is palpable. “I don’t want to show it to them. They are the enemy to be beaten. They know what they are doing is wrong, we don’t have to persuade them,” he says, before uttering an almost inaudible, “Bastards.” We play devil’s advocate, and suggest that, no matter your political persuasion, any rightthinking person would see this system doesn’t work. If anything, all its bureaucracy is a waste of taxpayers’ money. Loach isn’t convinced. “There’s an ideological reason for the way that they behave:

I, Daniel Blake

it’s because poverty has to be laid at the door of the poor,” he says. “If you’re unemployed, it’s your own fault, your CV wasn’t good enough. But in fact the truth is the jobs aren’t there. Or if the jobs are there they’re zero hours, or they’re agency work where you get days at a time; casual labour, low wages. The security of work has gone for a large swathe of the working class. So because that’s their system, which is causing it, they want you to believe poverty is your own fault. There’s a logic to it from their point of view.” The general public, however, can be convinced. It’s happened before with Loach, most notably with his searing 1966 teleplay Cathy Come Home, a docudrama about a young mother struggling to keep a house over her family’s head during the

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60s housing crisis. The public outcry after its first broadcast shamed Harold Wilson’s government into housing reforms and help the charity Shelter grow to become a force for social change. While Loach concedes I Daniel, Blake is unlikely to reach the mass audience of Cathy... (“You have to remember, back then we only had two and a half channels”), he hopes the film’s simple message will resonate. “I hope the film will say, ‘This is intolerable!’ I hope people will feel solidarity with the characters and, if the film works, be distressed. But I also want people to be angry at the way we are and have been lead to live. Food banks are intolerable. The whole system of sanctioning is intolerable. We can’t treat people like this.” I, Daniel Blake is out now, via Entertainment One

THE SKINNY

Going Overground Edinburgh’s new club night Overground launched early this year and has quickly become the place to discover a new breed of lo-fi, raw house and techno; promoter James Wright explains how it all came about

he Skinny: How did the idea for Overground come about? James: I had become active in a few online communities focussed on the new wave of lo-fi, raw house and techno. I could tell that this scene was where the most interesting stuff was happening, and no promoters in Edinburgh seemed to be taking notice of it. The purpose of Overground has just been to provide a platform for these acts, who would otherwise be unlikely to get booked here until they become more well-known a couple years down the line. What do you think Overground offers, that other club nights in Edinburgh don’t? Firstly, one of the best crowds in the town. I’ve been lucky to gain a small but loyal following who are really into what I’m doing. The people who come are there for the music, and there’s never been any violence or harassment. There’s also nowhere else that caters to the same music policy. So far all the bookings have been Edinburgh debuts, with all bar one being Scottish debuts. There aren’t really any other promoters in Edinburgh with quite the same music policy. I’ve collaborated on a couple of bookings with my mates who run excellent nights themselves, but have their own distinct focus and aren’t as active booking-wise. Namely, Crème Fresh – who put on great house/disco nights, and Shapework – three boys with a focus on the bass-y techno to emerge from the ruins of the dubstep scene. What makes The Mash House the best home for Overground? In the past decade there’s been a huge dip in the number of nightclubs across the UK, and this is particularly true of Edinburgh. Before The Mash

December 2016

House, the only places that would have suited Overground would have been Sneaky Pete’s or Bongo, but they are always booked out with residencies. The Mash House has provided an alternative, and breathed much needed new life into the scene. It has an excellent soundsystem and three fantastic spaces to suit different scales of event. The staff have always been hugely supportive of my nights and are always a pleasure to work with. Shout out to Ben, Darrel and Jamie. You were lucky enough to secure Mall Grab’s debut Scottish performance as your first ever booking. How did that come about, and how was the show? Jordon aka Mall Grab was part of some of the same online communities I mentioned earlier. I had been following him for a while and could see the upward trajectory his music was going to take him on. At the beginning of the year I saw that he was touring outwith his native country of Australia for the first time. He wasn’t hugely well-known then, and I figured that none of the existing Edinburgh promoters would be showing much interest in him. I hadn’t initially intended on booking guests, but after enquiring to his agent I ended up booking him cheaply for the day after my last exam. Booking my first international DJ during exam time may have not been the most sensible decision, but it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Between then and the date of the show, his popularity deservedly surged and the night sold out in advance. For a weekday night at the Mash House, this was a complete anomaly. The night was such a success that I immediately arranged with his agent to get him back the next time he visited. He’s also a really nice guy. In August I booked two of his friends Rudolf C and Shedbug during their first UK tour, and my record bag got stolen

during soundcheck. Jordon heard about this and gifted me a record he’s not putting out for another month, and has promised to send me more! I can also say from the promos he’s sent me that his next release will be one of his best to date. Next up you have techno teen prodigy Happa booked for December, what can we expect from that gig? Happa is an incredible talent. Aged 14 his productions were being aired by SWAMP81 head honcho Loefah, and Mary Anne Hobbs of XFM/6Music described his music as the most remarkable thing she’d heard in as long as she could remember. At the same age, Four Tet sought him out to do a remix, which received widespread critical acclaim. He was already playing clubs like Berghain and Fabric before he was even old enough to legally enter as a punter. Considering all the buzz that’s been surrounding him over the past four years, I’m extremely excited to be bringing him for his Edinburgh debut. If you listen to his sets or read his interviews, you’ll learn that he’s not afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of what a techno DJ can get away with. No doubt he’ll provide a strong selection of forward-thinking techno, drawing from periphery influences ranging from ambient to industrial. A top DJ like Happa in Edinburgh’s finest club with a 5am license? You can’t go wrong. Any bookings on the horizon that you can tell us about? February will see another Edinburgh debut from yet another fast-rising talent, and without giving too much away, I can also say that I’ve just secured an all-time hero of mine for Overground’s first birthday in March. An incredibly prolific and influential act who is seen as a father of the scene

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Interview: Claire Francis

I keep referring to. To my knowledge he’s only played in Edinburgh once 7 years ago, so I’m happy with him as my first non-Edinburgh-debut guest. Watch this space for announcements! If you could book any DJ or producer for an Overground night, who would it be and why? Well Avicii has supposedly retired so I guess he’s out! Even if I could afford them, it wouldn’t really fit with Overground to book any big-time legends. However there are a number of fantasy, unattainable guests I could list here. Jeff Mills is the world’s most talented DJ in my books, but I doubt he’ll be calling me up any time soon. If time travel is allowed then Aphex Twin live set circa 1993 would be the absolute dream. I think Karenn have the best live set going right now, but I’ve been beaten to that one by Pulse. What are the best and worst aspects, in your opinion, about clubbing and nightlife in Edinburgh? The worst would be the small number of good venues, but the best would be the quality of those venues. Each act I’ve brought over has loved The Mash House and I’m really glad to have it as Overground’s home. Sneaky Pete’s is one of the only places in the world you’ll get to see acts like Erol Alkan, Midland or Daniel Avery to play to a crowd of fewer than 150 people, so I’m thankful for that place too. The licensing laws have made it difficult for a scene to really flourish here, but it looks like we might be leaving those days in the past. As a smaller city, Edinburgh is often missed out on many DJs tour schedules, but with more and more promoters pushing new exciting music, there’s definitely potential for that to change. Overground ft Harpa, The Mash House, Wed 14 Dec, 11pm, £8.50

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This Charming Man

Misfits and Mortal Instruments actor Robert Sheehan talks to The Skinny about starring and producing suspenseful indie thriller Jet Trash

t would be a shame to reduce Jet Trash into any of the genre boxes it ticks, but here goes. It’s a sun-drenched Christmas film, opening on an idyllic, postcard perfect Goa, with Robert Sheehan’s Lee submerged in crystalline waters, coming up for air to the golden tones of Bing Crosby crooning Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian Christmas Song), his warm baritone reminding us of Golden-age Hollywood escapism. Jet Trash, however, is closer to a Hitchcockian nightmare. You could also call it a film noir with a neon palette, complete with Vix, a boldly feminist iteration of a femme fatale, played by Sofia Boutella (Director Charlie Belleville insisted on having a female director of photography and production designer to add a female perspective to the male gaze). There are shades of those multi-stranded cockney crime comedies from the 90s, but without the ‘lads’ culture or veneration and romanticising of gangsters. Jet Trash also functions as a critique of Lee’s (and Hollywood’s) dream of India as an Orientalist fantasy playground, an escape for disenfranchised Western youths. It’s a veritable, psychedelic onion of a film, and the Misfits actor has done well starring in and shaping Jet Trash, working as a producer for the first time in his short career. Far from Goa’s pristine beaches on a dark and humid summer’s day in Scotland, The Skinny meets Sheehan in, appropriately enough, an Indian restaurant just down the road from where Jet Trash will receive its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in a few hours time. While others in the cast and crew nervously await the result of years of hard work, Sheehan remains quietly confident: “We showed it to loads of people, and [those] between the ages of 15-24 really loved the film,” he tells us. “So that’s given us a great spur on.” He is aware, however, that there

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Interview: Rachel Bowles

are no guarantees in the movie game. “You just never know,” he says. “I’ve thought things I’ve done [in the past] are really good, or I’ve been assured by the director three months after we’ve finished and he’s edited it and he’s said, ‘It’s great! All the way through. There’s not one bad moment.’ Then you watch it and gasp.” As a producer, he has no such surprises coming with Jet Trash? “I mean, I’ve seen this movie loads of times in various incarnations. I know this is the best version of our film.” So, how does Sheehan think the film will be received later that night? “I have no fucking idea,” he admits.

“I shed blood for this film” Robert Sheehan

Fortunately for Sheehan and first time director Charles Henri Belleville, Jet Trash garnered critical acclaim after its screening and has won a December roll out in cinemas across the UK. Watching Jet Trash with its heightened, dreamlike aesthetics, its solid, subtle performances and engaging, suspenseful narrative – as funny as it is heart stopping – it’s hard to believe that the film was shot in a matter of weeks on a shoestring budget. “The money definitely stretched,” the actor agrees. Sheehan himself was stretched too, almost to breaking point, having suffered multiple injuries during filming. First, he crashed a moped, almost breaking his leg and potentially jeopardising the entire project. “I shed blood for this film,” he laughs. “We actually got the crash on camera. There are flashes of it [during the film.]” In the scene, Sheehan’s character is supposed to accidentally kill a

cow, played by real life cow Jeff (nicknamed by Sheehan after Goldblum for his stage presence), who had to take a dose or two of ketamine for the scene. “Poor old Jeff. He had an awful going over, or the best day of his life! You couldn’t tell.” Sheehan’s second dicey incident involved snarling gangster Marlowe (played by Craig Parkinson) choking him out. “Oh, memories! I’m so glad to have met these fuckers,” he laughs. “Yeah, that was entirely my own doing as well. We were in this really stuffy, wet, humid indoor swimming pool room with jacuzzi and it’s an actual nightclub. I was sort of gagging, play-acting way too much, and somewhere in the middle of the take I just completely lost consciousness. I hit the floor, knees up, feet up like a fucking dead chicken. I just went. Then I remember in my head feeling this excruciating frustration of ‘God, your head’s going to explode. I can’t move! I can’t move!’ It was really horrible because I was kind of conscious and unconscious. It was like sleep paralysis. Then people started to murmur and I leapt to my feet and said, ‘I don’t feel well, I don’t feel well.’ Someone said ‘Oh God, get him a cup of tea and a biscuit!’ All for the art!” We ask Sheehan the standard ‘how’d you get involved in the project?’ question. As is often the case with this 28-year-old actor, we don’t get the standard response. “They brought me Simon Lewis’s novel Go [upon which Jet Trash is based] and they said, ‘Read that,’ and I said, ‘I can’t read.’ So they said, ‘We’ll have a matronly woman read it to you.’ So I lay there and was fed grapes by two Turkish boys while this large lady read me the book. Once I’d indirectly read it, I also read a treatment, which is a very rough approximation, like 20-25 pages. And that’s how you whet people’s appetite, you know? It was very nice to be at the grass roots level, and be cradled by a large woman with a large bust because everyone needs a bosom for a pillow.”

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Sheehan’s unique brand of humour comes across in his characterisation of Lee, a comic yet tragic figure trying to outrun his demons and always fucking things up. “We have in common his fabulous dress sense,” he says when we ask what other traits he shares with the character. “It’s hard because, in my head, the character came from a place of, ‘What would it be like to play a person who is completely and implicitly self-centred? Whose life exists for nothing else but themselves and all of the charm they have...’ “That’s the thing about charm sometimes – charm can be sapping, vampiric. The fun guy at the party is usually fun for selfish reasons and everyone around him is window dressing. I think it’s an egotistical thing sometimes to be the confident, charming, louty sort of fella, because really all you’re doing is holding up a mirror in front of yourself.” This is how Sheehan’s character comes across at the beginning of Jet Trash. “Like all good characters, he goes through a change and comes to a realisation about himself,” explains Sheehan. “He realises that he’s self-centred, that he fucks things up. And he comes to that realisation just by adding himself to any equation he makes that thing have less value. [I have] a friend who is an alcoholic but hasn’t drank in about 32 years, lovely man, great guy, he got sober in his 30's. That’s what he said he believed: if you added him to any situation – a home, a family, a party – he would just lessen that thing’s value by his very presence. Now that’s an awful way to live.” It’s this raw honesty at the heart of Jet Trash, its all too human characters, that flesh out Belleville’s vivid, tense debut and elevate it to must-see cinema. Jet Trash is released 6 Dec by SUMS Film and Media

THE SKINNY

December 2016

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THE SKINNY

Dundee’s Finest Export Christmas time for many brings with it an Oor Wullie or The Broons annual, comics that are more Scottish than a saltire soaked in Irn Bru. To celebrate their 80th birthdays, DCA Thomson tasks six artists to explore their archive

or his final show at Dundee Contemporary Arts, Exhibitions Curator Graham Domke conceived of the DCA Thomson exhibition as a paean to Dundee’s comic heritage channeled through the warped minds of artists he had already worked with or had wanted to work with while at DCA. Elaborating on his choice of artists, Domke explains, “Rabiya Choudhry, Rob Churm and Hideyuki Katsumata had all exhibited at DCA previously, and all six artists are playful and spirited in their responses to comic characters they grew up with, who they were shaped by.” In terms of timing, the 80th anniversary of the beloved comic characters works perfectly as a final tribute to the city of Dundee. “DC Thomson is so evocative of what makes Dundee tick.” For painter Rabiya Choudhry, she knew straight away she’d work with The Numskulls. “[They] never really left me since I was a kid. I’ve always thought about The Numskulls when I’ve made work... those wee voices in your head saying this is amazing or this is terrible. So they’re always characterised by these little people.” Given freedom to take the DC Thomson materials and run with them, Choudhry’s made them into something more peanut-like, with possible references to people she knows. In another painting, the Numskulls are the vehicles for bringing in

the band Suicide’s song Dream Baby. “I was always gonna have teeth that spelled ‘suicide’ [in this painting]”, says Choudhry. “It just seemed apt when I heard it in Adam Curtis’ Hypermnomarlisation documentary and he ended with that song – it just seemed perfect.” Also exhibiting, Hideyuki Katsumata has early memories too of growing up in Japan with Dennis the Menace. “I had some pins and T-shirts when I was in my teens. They’re my young memories of UK punk rock. Sometimes now I draw red and black border knits when I draw rock kids.” For the show, Katsumata will include DC Thomson cartoons that he has painted over, as well as his own new drawings. When asked if there’s anything similar to DC Thomson in Japan, he starts “Maybe …” before deciding “No, DC Thomson is an original style. … Someday, I want to make a cartoon for DC Thomson.” When Choudhry first visited the archives, she went along with co-exhibitors Rob Churm and Sofia Sita. “For me it was gonna be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was really quite a surreal experience. The archivist said he almost thought of it like The Numskulls and the art store was like the memory store. They really care about everything they’ve produced and they have examples of everything they’ve made.

“For me I feel really honoured to have seen it in a really natural state. You don’t know what you’re going to pick up. At one point I asked about some reels, and the guy gave me the box to go through, saying ‘That’s just an original artwork from the Bananaman cartoons.’ So I went through original hand painted stills from the Bananaman cartoons. They had a videotape in there that still had the plastic on it. It felt like a time capsule. There’s two bits and you go upstairs, and everything looks really glossy, and it looks really professional; then there’s the art store. That’s where the party is. “I asked the archivist, ‘Do you have all the toys you used to get?’ and they did, it’s nuts. Honestly it feels like a dream come true.” Archive Manager David Powell has been introducing each artist to the collections: “In some cases, their research has been almost forensic – looking in minute detail as to how pen lines were drawn, brush marks made and even the physical dimensions of the original art work. “ For Edinburgh-based cartoonist Malcy Duff, this was exactly the information he set out to find. “I went in with a very specific mission in mind, that being to see in the flesh some of the original pages that Dudley Watkins made in 1936. Seeing some of Watkins’ painted works for Topper was very special. They felt personal in a way that

Interview: Adam Benmakhlouf the Broons strips didn’t. That intricate detail and love in the paint work... hinting at the person behind the brush.” For the exhibition, Duff will be including The Pineapple Reading Area with his own drawn responses to cartoons from the archive. He makes clear though, “The comics probably couldn’t be less like mine, so instead of looking for connections, I just plunged into differences, like walking into a stranger’s home and putting my head in their fridge.”

“ I’ve always thought about The Numskulls when I’ve made work... those wee voices in your head saying this is amazing or this is terrible” Rabiya Choudhry

For Craig Coulthard, he saw a connection to his own work through a shared “attempt to communicate ideas through creative means.” Like the others, close looking at the marks and lines was important for him. “To be able to get a little closer to the actual creative process that went into the hand drawn comics was a real treat. To be able to sense the hand moving, to experience some of the work before the printing stage, really allowed me to feel a closeness with the artists.” Coulthard has focused on the Commando comic. “I have made a series of drawings based on original panels... The drawings are split into two groups of eight, loosely termed ‘explosions’ and ‘talking heads’. I have inserted new text into the drawings which deal with some of the realities of soldierly life.” He’s also commissioned the highly respected comic artist and Commando cover illustrator Ian Kennedy to make a new painting, and Coulthard will include a video of Kennedy making the work. Further surprising and unexpected takes on the DC Thomson legacy have come out from the project, like Dundee-based artist Sofia Sita’s artwork The Dundonians. Inspired by The Broons, Sita thinks of every kind of family, and will include 25 digital illustrations of selfies taken by individuals, flatmates, colleagues and neighbours in front of her living room scene mural painted outside the gallery. “I really hope visitors will enjoy getting involved with my work and that they’ll have fun and share memories and stories as a big family should do.” Between the artists, there’s more excitement about the show than a Beano Fan Club meet. From Coulthard rooting through charity shops in West Germany, Katsumata with Dennis the Menace pins in Japan or Choudhry just recently finding out about a character Sparky through local car boot sale finds, DC Thomson’s still going strong. For Choudhry it’s been a constant teacher: “Whenever I thought about drawing as a kid, [it was through] a lot of the references in the cartoons. You know the way Billy Whizz used to draw speed… [and] I still think like that. I think in a really cartoon, Beano-like way. I think I am 60-70% Beano anyway.” Rabiya Choudhry, Dream Baby Dream, 2016

December 2016

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DCA Thomson 2 Dec-19 Feb 2017

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C H SP RIS EC TM IA A L S

Challenging the Narrative This year, while our Books Gift Guide offers little Christmas sparkle it’s anything but dull. These are literary suggestions aligned with the issues of our age. Offering knowledge, which, after a damning 2016, could let in the light

Words: Alan Bett

016 has witnessed a President being voted into the White House on a mandate of hate. And while we gawp disbelievingly over the Atlantic, remember, we’ve gone and severed our continental ties in tandem. A stagnant world understandably wants change, but to turn the clock back is not to reset to simpler times, but to return to less tolerant ones. The books below combat the current political narrative, providing the opportunity to experience the lives of others and understand where our troubled world is and how we got here. These gifts offer insight into the issues currently facing us and let some light into 2017. Race & America The US is currently divided. The man elected to lead, wants to build walls. He wants the physical embodiment to snake across the country’s southern border – a monument which would shame a nation – but also to build division within society; between genders, races and sexualities; between the health and wealth haves and have nots. The outragous truth, brought back to public knowledge by the 2016 film Loving, that interracial marriage was not legal across the US until 1967, demonstrates that divisions have not only run deep; they have been enshrined in law. In 1960, 18-year-old African American George Jackson was handed an indeterminate one year to life sentence for the second-degree robbery of $70. He spent over ten years in San Quentin and Soledad prisons before being killed by guards in the latter in 1971, allegedly trying to escape. Over these years, George had written letters to his family, posthumously compiled into a collection entitled Soledad Brother [Chicago Review Press, £11.00]. They reflect anger, discrimination, the brutality of prison; a place ‘no one escapes unscathed’. It also chronicles the blossoming of a powerful political consciousness trapped behind bars. Angela Davis is the 1960s radical, linked to Jackson through a tragic courtroom hostage situation where his brother Jonathan was killed shortly after shouting ‘Free the Soledad Brothers’. She is known as a brave and eloquent campaigner for racial equality and feminist issues. Perhaps her most famous work is the 1982 text Women, Race & Class [Random House, £15.50], tackling the three major fault lines across which the ruling classes still divide and conquer. In some ways, it is dated – arguments move on – but also a document of the struggle at a crucial point in time. Fiction should not be ignored on this subject and there are many to recommend, from Clarence Cooper Jr’s harsh prison tale The Farm [WW Norton & Co, £12.99] to almost any work by Chester Himes. Perhaps the most criminally undiscovered is Herbert Simmons’s searing tale Corner Boy [Andesite Press, £19.95], the tale of 18-year-old pusher and sharp dresser Jake Adams. A young man who survives street gangs and the dope game, only to be undone by an interracial relationship. It has pitch perfect dialogue and poetic prose. Imagine The Wire set on 1950s corner stoops. Colonialism & Empire While many wish to look away from the current refugee crisis, it is important to remember that the British Empire ploughed turmoil across the world with actions which reverberate to this day. There are many tomes plotting this history from

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the colonial power perspective. Far more important to hear from the previously colonised. Chinua Achibe’s Things Fall Apart is perhaps the most famous. Now with a 50th anniversary re-issue and sitting quite rightly in the Penguin Classics series [£8.99], Achibe’s tale is of an Igbo leader and the influence of British Colonialism on his community. A study of tradition brought down by cultural imperialism. To quote Yeats: ‘Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.’ Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance [Faber & Faber, £8.99] plots the history of India from independence in 1947 through to the tumultuous time of ‘the Emergency’ in 1975. Indian history is rarely studied in the UK; a strange and insulting truth considering we helped forge the nation through force. Why not learn more through Mistry’s visceral and vivid novel of these times, shortlisted for The Booker Prize in 1996. For bold, furious and often funny reflections on the current experience of BAME writers on these shores pick up a copy of The Good Immigrant [Cornerstone, £8.99]. Life changing essays from a diverse group including the actor Riz Ahmed and the poet Salena Godden. Place yourself in their shoes and change your perspective on life. Heroes Ours may have fallen in 2016, but thankfully many still exist in prose. Malcolm X is an idol to many; still a menace to some. The Autobiography of Malcolm X’s [Penguin, £8.99] key theme is transformation. Malcolm Little underwent a complete U-turn from coke addicted hustler into one of the most prominent and controversial black voices of 1960s America. His second transformation was from segregation towards inclusion, for which he was silenced by the gun – his message too powerful for those preaching intolerance from either end of the racial spectrum. The family history of Jung Chang is the tale of three daughters of China; living through imperialism, revolution and the horrors to follow it during the ideological excesses of Mao Zedong’s reign. The power of her words is in their popularity; by becoming an international bestseller and

publishing phenomonon, Wild Swans [Harper Collins, £9.99] opened the lid on the hidden experience for a large percentage of the world’s women. For a more current take on the escape from totalitarian rule, try Hyeonseo Lee’s The Girl With Seven Names [Harper Collins, £8.99]. An account of life in the hermit kingdom of North Korea and how escape is never the end of the struggle.

“Place yourself in their shoes and change your perspective on life” Politics While the world seems to have been dragged dangerously right this past year, here is a reminder of past struggles, in both fact and fiction. Emile Zola’s Germinal [Oxford University Press, £8.99] depicts the grim struggle against the psychic and economic effects of capitalism on a coalfield in 1680s France. Harsh and grim but with raw and biting social commentary which shows just why it is one of France’s most significant novels. In it the miners dream of a better future: ‘Men were springing forth, a black avenging army, germinating slowly in the furrows, growing towards the harvests of the next century, and their germination would soon overturn the earth.’ Zero hours, gig economy Britain take note. Robert Tressel’s The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists [Wordsworth Editions, £1.99] has the corrupt and greedy firmly in its sights, yet more so those workers who are brow beaten to disbelieve a better existence is both possible and deserved. The workers themselves are presented as philanthropists, grafting purely for the benefit of their rulers. Revolution Change is now largely delivered through protest and the pen, yet stories of the past still offer in-

BOOKS

sight. John Reed’s 10 Days That Shook The World [Penguin, £6.99] is the essential report of the Bolsheviks’ October Revolution. American journalist, socialist and poet, Reed is one of only two Americans to be buried at the Kremlin walls and was immortalised by Warren Beatty in the 1981 Oscar winner Reds. Apart from this, the US (for some reason?) seems to have forgotten him. If intoxicated by the romance of revolution be sure to balance your reading out with either Solzhenitsyn’s classic One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich [Vintage, £8.99] or Anne Applebaum’s Gulag [Penguin, £12.99], an extraordinarily human history of the inhuman: Russia’s prison camp system. The idealism of revolution can be so easily soured. Sally Heathcote Suffragette [Vintage, £16.99] is a gripping interpretation of a different revolution; the campaign for Britain’s women to win the vote, vividly realised in this fine graphic novel. A fictional character is woven in with fact to tell the story of a fight still being undertaken on different fronts. The full vote was won in 1928 yet misogyny is just this year being validated by the actions and words of the leader of the free world. The final suggestion covers all the bases previously discussed here. The late 60s is so often spoken of as the key period of 20th century revolution, but ‘56 was far more significant. Simon Hall plots this most revolutionary year in 1956 [Faber & Faber, £10.99]. Colonial powers are beaten back – France in Algeria, Britain with Suez – while the US burns with racial protest and Eastern European states attempt to break themselves off from the edge of the Soviet monolith. Most affecting, and perhaps most prescient of a modern America pulled tight with racial tension, is the damning yet inspiring story of Autherine Lucy. She was the first African American student to attend the University of Alabama, in the face of violent protest. Lucy’s is a story of unimaginable bravery and quiet dignity. Of seeking out a basic human right to education and equality in a society ‘simply unwilling to give up the economic and political power, and the status, that they enjoyed as a result of institutionalised white supremacy.’ Now, just listen to that statement echo down though history.

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December 2016

Battle of the Panto Dames Trapped in some kind of pre-Christmas Hell, our grumpy theatre editor attempts to find some semblance of festive cheer by chatting to not one, not two, but three Panto dames and trying to turn them against each other. It didn’t work Interview: Amy Taylor

o you like your chips with salt and sauce, or salt and vinegar? How about panto dames? Do you want one dame or two? Well, this Christmas, you can choose one or the other, or maybe even both, thanks to theatres in Edinburgh and Glasgow, which, confusingly, are both called the King’s Theatre. But which dame(s) are the best? The King’s Theatre Edinburgh’s panto dame since 1997, Auntie May has starred in various pantos, from Mother Goose and Aladdin to this year’s offering, where she plays Dame Trot in the classic Jack and the Beanstalk. May describes it as “laughs, more laughs and more laughs…..oh, and a great story. Oh yes, and more laughs.” The production also stars Andy Gray and Grant Stott, who Auntie May tells me is the one cast member most likely to win in a fight. “He was a big polis in his earlier life,” she purrs, “and he still has a very big baton.” May has sung, danced, been flown around the auditorium on a harness and had more costume changes than most people have had hot dinners. So, what gives her the edge over the competition? “Well,” she begins, “the thing is, the other panto dames are men dressed up as women. I’m a real woman…in fact, I’m a lady.” This is certainly one thing which separates Auntie May from her rivals in the Weedge. She always carries a pack of Tena Ladies and a spare pair of pants in her handbag. She wears heels – she assures us, specifically, “Theresa May kitten heels. They are very today.” Despite taking fashion advice from the Prime Minister, who she just so happens to share a surname with, May is warm and fun and assures me that she has lots of costume changes planned. Sixteen, to be precise. “And that’s just in the first ten minutes.” But unlike the Ugly Sisters, May is the lone dame treading the boards night after night. I ask her if she thinks that having two panto dames in one show is making up for something, but ever the diplomat, she says no.

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THEATRE

“Two dames…do you have any idea of the price of tights? It will cost Glasgow a fortune.” The price of tights notwithstanding, we ask May if she thinks she’s the best panto dame in Scotland. “Well, I wouldn’t say I’m the best but I’m the oldest…except for Gregor Fisher, who is 86.” Meanwhile, in Glasgow, Fisher and partnerin-crime Tony Roper (or as they’re otherwise known, at least for the next few weeks, the “ugliest” panto dames in the country: Euphemia and Lavinia) are out for blood. But they’re also in Cinderella at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow. “There are no other panto dames but us!” they shriek in unison, when we ask what they think of their contemporaries. But what about the King’s in Edinburgh, we counter. They’ve only got one Panto dame, do you think they’re worried that there are two of you? “They should be worried,” they whisper. We shudder. The conversation moves to fashion, and when it comes to shoes, they tell me that they prefer flats, except “for the walk down”. They refuse to give me an exact number, but they say that they both have at least 12 costume changes lined up. And their handbags, they assure me, contain their absolute must-have items: “A can of ginger for Lavinia and a tub of Polyfilla... I mean, foundation for Euphemia!!” But who would win in a fight between all three panto dames? Surprisingly, the Ugly Sisters seem to shy away from violence, admitting that it would be “handbags at twenty paces, but probably Auntie May as we’re not fighters.” “OK,” we counter as a last resort. “You’ve got two hours, a lost shoe, and four feet between you. Who tries on the shoe first, and how will you make it fit?” “Come and see the show, you skinflint!” they shriek. We just might. Jack and The Beanstalk, King's Theatre, Edinburgh until 15 Jan, £16-33 Cinderella, King's Theatre, Glasgow, until 8 Jan, £12-33

THE SKINNY

Gift Guide 2016 2016 was Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, an initiative which saw the spotlight being placed firmly on the designers and makers creating forward-thinking products for an international audience across the length and breadth of the country. As thoughts turn to Christmas gifts, we asked a few of our favourites to lend us some of their beautiful wares, focussing on small batch, handmade production, with ethically sourced materials. Shop local, yo

LEFT Left to right:

Lifestyle New Wool Blanket in Navy and Mustard Herringbone, Tartan Blanket Co., £60 Lifestyle Blanket New Wool Ginger Stripe Herringbone, Tartan Blanket Co, £65 Lifestyle New Wool Blanket in Rust Chevron, Tartan Blanket Co, £65 Classic Lifestyle Lambswool Blanket in Blue Slate Block Stripe, Tartan Blanket Co, £60 Elska shawl by Hilary Grant, mint, grey and white, £118 Hands up A1+ calendar 2017 by Risotto, £35 Eden A3 Calendar 2017 by Risotto, £18 Breakfast tea towel by Printed Peanut, £12

ABOVE Clocks by Emma McDowell, geometric £60, circle £70 Elska shawl by Hilary Grant, £118

LEFT Clockwise from left:

Sunrise geometric patchwork pouffe by Fun Makes Good, £180 Baby Blanket by Tartan Blanket Co., £35 The Last Supper by Jessica Harrison, 2007, Lithograph, Edition of 30, £350 unframed, Edinburgh Printmakers Gin baubles by Pickering’s, £30 for six Elska shawls by Hilary Grant, mint, grey and white, £118 Galaxy Clock by Fun Makes Good, £25 Photo by Ross Fraser McLean, part of Summerhall's CEIBA exhibition Barney’s Beer gift pack, £10 Victoria Peake Lomo instant camera, £179 Achroous Gin by Electric Spirit Co, from £35 Paolozzi Lager Limited Edition 6 Part gift pack £15, Limited edition 12 part gift pack £30

December 2016

SHOWCASE

RIGHT Clockwise from cactus:

Calamine pink Geo block, by Cecilia Stamp Jewellery, earrings £28, Chunk ring £50 Gold mini Geo necklace, by Cecilia Stamp Jewellery, £95 Concrete vessel by Emma McDowell, £25 Jetstream Brooch in resin, Jo Pudelko, £185 Yogi Lotus collection by The Third Aye, eco silver, ring & necklace both £110, earrings £150 Lunar by Maeberry Jewellery, silver, £120 Heritage collection by Badger and Baird, gold vermeil. Crown Bangle £165, Crown Hoop earrings £120 Gold mini geo studs, Cecilia Stamp Jewellery, £78 Ultra Devon Necklace, Jo Pudelko, £350

BELOW Ceramics by Natalie Wood: Detsu water carafe, £30, Detsu cup, £21, Detsu Low Pourer, £18 Gin Baubles by Pickering’s, £30 for 6

ABOVE Ruby Shoes Glitter by Sarah Hill, £15

Lifestyle

SHOWCASE

THE SKINNY

LEFT Clockwise from cactus:

Resin and flower pendant by DandillionGil, £25 Glass earrings by Helen Chalmers, £10 Concrete vessel by Emma McDowell, £30 UHRLY watch by Swatch, £38 Resin and flower pendant by DandillionGil, £45 Vanilla Lip Butter by Lucky Cloud Skincare, £4 (trio set £10) C201A / Chronograph watch by Paulin, £195 Commuter E watch by Paulin, £180 Glass earrings by Helen Chalmers, £10 Sweet Orange & Vanilla Body Balm by Lucky Cloud Skincare, £15 Lipsticks in Ava and Boysenberry by Sarah Hill, £17

ABOVE Aqua Fade and Bell in Clear Crystal glasses by IOLLA, from £65 depending on prescription Lifestyle Blanket New Wool Ginger Stripe Herringbone by Tartan Blanket Co, £65 Elska shawls by Hilary Grant, mint, grey and white, £118

Find out more: Products Hilary Grant Scottish contemporary knitwear, hilarygrant.co.uk The Tartan Blanket Co, tartanblanketco.com Fun Makes Good, funmakesgood.co.uk Lomography cameras, lomography.com Paulin watches, paulinwatches.com Swatch, swatch.com/en_gb IOLLA glasses, iolla.com

ABOVE Clockwise from top left:

Concrete vessels by Emma McDowell, £20-30 Mumbai Lomo instant camera, £79 Natural handmade soaps by The Printed Peanut, £5.95 Conditioning Beard Oil by Westburn and Granite, £10 Galaxy Clock by Fun Makes Good, £25 Pickering’s miniature gin, £17 for three C201A / Chronograph watch by Paulin, £195 Commuter E watch by Paulin, £180

December 2016

Art & Design Jessica Harrison, jessicaharrison.co.uk Edinburgh Printmakers, edinburghprintmakers.co.uk Ross Fraser McLean photography, facebook.com/RossFraserMcLean Risotto Studio, risottostudio.com Emma McDowall concrete, emmamcdowall.co.uk Natalie Wood ceramics, nataliejwood.com Jewellery The Third Aye, thethirdaye.com Cecilia Stamp, ceciliastamp.com Jo Pudelko, jopudelko.co.uk

SHOWCASE

DandillionGil, etsy.com/uk/shop/DandillionGil Maeberry Jewellery, maeberryjewellery.com Badger and Baird, badgerandbaird.co.uk Helen Chalmers, Helenchalmers.co.uk Drinks Electric Spirit Co. electricspirit.co Pickering’s Gin, pickeringsgin.com Barney’s Beer, barneysbeer.co.uk Paolozzi Beer, edinburghbeerfactory.co.uk Skincare & Beauty Lucky Cloud Skincare, luckycloudskincare.com Westburn and Granite grooming, westburnandgranite.co.uk Sarah Hill make-up, sarahill.com The Printed Peanut, theprintedpeanut.co.uk

Credits: Photography by Sarah Donley sarahdonley.co.uk Styling by Rosamund West Modelling by Sabrina & Kevin the Cacti

Christmas Cards!!!

Aimee Chang

Sarah Kirk

Fran Caballe

Sarah Bisse

Josie Somm

SHOWCASE

THE SKINNY

Stella Murph

Some of our artist pals made us these lovely cards to share with you Terri Po

holm

Andrew Den

Jake Holl

ings

Eunjoo Lee

December 2016

SHOWCASE

Gift Guides!

DVDs of the Year On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... a collector’s edition DVD (or more likely a Blu-ray, but that doesn’t rhyme)

2016’s Best Comedy Books

Words: Jamie Dunn

From the evolution of sexual desire to Beyoncé, 2016 has been a special year for books by comedians

Ghostbusters (for the MRA in your life)

Words: Ben Venables

Animal by Sara Pascoe As panoramic as it is personal, Sara Pascoe’s Animal is both an account of the evolutionary history of the female body and also an insightful, relatable and comedic memoir. It is everything sex education should be but often isn’t: an understanding, empathetic and honest account of sexual desire in all its physicality and emotional complexity. Pascoe expresses vulnerability and strength in equal measure with plenty of wit throughout. Quite simply, Animal is a magnificent achievement. [Published by Faber, RRP £12.99] Digging Up Mother by Doug Stanhope The singularity of this book is nicely captured in the audio version where Stanhope shares narrating duties, has guests correct his version of events and comments on which passages required legal advice. The opening chapter recounts how he helped his mother on her deathbed, but this is really just a doorway into their entire relationship, which is a maternal bond and friendship like no other. Bonnie was a recovering alcoholic, a hoarder and eccentric, yet however far Stanhope’s journeys from job-to-job and town-to-town rising through the stand-up ranks took him, his mother always seems close and encouraging. At times it reads like a riotous road trip. Indeed, if the Beat Generation novels like On the Road weren’t such self-indulgent drivel, they might have aspired to be something like as good as this memoir. Stanhope says it’s a love story – it’s a strange one for sure but it’s a love story nonetheless. [Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, RRP £10.99] The Sellout by Paul Beatty The Sellout centres on the legacy of slavery in America. Comedically this sounds unpromising but Paul Beatty’s satire on race relations occasionally offers a laugh-a-sentence, as its black protagonist and narrator finds himself on trial for reintroducing segregation to the local school and reinstating slavery. The prose reads like stand-up routines, nicely influenced and with nods to Richard Pryor, David Chappelle and Chris Rock. Then, in the comic literary tradition The Sellout follows such masters as Jospeh Heller and Kurt

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Vonnegut. It won the Booker prize, but comedy fans worrying this kind of illustrious prize normally goes to the sort of art that wouldn’t know how to be funny. shouldn’t be put off. [Published by Oneworld Publications, RRP £12.99] Thatcher Stole My Trousers by AlexEi Sayle While his first memoir Stalin Ate my Homework recounted his earliest years and received great acclaim, this second volume is perhaps of more interest to comedy fans. After all, Alexei Sayle was one of the pioneers of the Alternative Cabaret movement in the 1980s. It is less his history and more comedy history as the mother-in-law jokes and punch-down humour against minorities, still in vogue throughout the 1970s, gave way to politically engaged, surreal and subversive material. [Published by Bloomsbury, RRP £8.99]

“ If the Beat Generation novels like On the Road weren’t such self-indulgent drivel, they might have aspired to be something like as good as this memoir” What Would Beyoncé Do? by Luisa Omielan The breakout 2012 debut show, which started life in a tiny room above a pub, this year returned to the Fringe in a room sixty times the capacity, courtesy of the Edinburgh Interantional Conference Centre. The book version has much of Omielan’s same aspirational call to arms of follow-your-dreams and take-noshit. There’s more room for detail in the book though and it offers insight and perspective into the peaks and valleys of being a centre stage comedian one moment and alone on a night bus the next. [Published by Century, RRP £14.99]

For a culture so used to reboots, the apoplectic online vitriol that met the announcement of an all-female Ghostbusters from men who felt their childhood memories were being destroyed was downright bizarre. Paul Feig’s comedy has many delights (Kate McKinnon’s nutty gear-head Holtzman, for example), but the chief one is the glee with which the film takes on its detractors by making every man in the movie a moron, from their modestly-brained secretary Kevin (Chris Hemsworth) to the YouTube commenters who react to their video: “Ain’t no bitches gonna fight no ghosts.” As Lesley Jones’s Yates says, “You’re not supposed to be listening to what crazy people say online.” [On Blu-ray and DVD from Sony] Donnie Darko (for that weirdo kid in your life who needs a hero) ”Donnie Darko! What the hell kind of name is that? Sounds like a superhero or something.” 15 years after its release, it’s clear that Richard Kelly’s wry mix of sci-fi and coming-of-age is a keeper. This shiny new Blu-ray release should be pressed into the hands of any kid who feels, like Donnie does, that their family and teachers don’t understand them. It may change their life. And who knows, like Donnie, they may also save the world. [On Blu-ray from Arrow] The Jacques Rivette Collection (for that cinephile in your life with lots of time on their hands) Jacques Rivette makes extremely long films that feel like their characters are making up their own story as they go along, giving them the feeling that anything could happen. None were longer or more freewheeling than Out 1, which is the centerpiece of this essential box set. The Paris-set mystery following two theatre troupes, two conspiracy nuts and a shady organisation called the Thirteen takes over 13 headscratching hours to unfurl. Is there a better time to get pulled into Rivette’s odyssey than over the Christmas break? [On dual format from Arrow] Buster Keaton Shorts Collection (for the cinephile in your life with little time on their hands) If 13-hour films are too much to handle in your post-Christmas dinner stupor, how about some of the most hilarious short films ever made? This new collection sees 32 of Buster Keaton’s sublime shorts on to one boxset, from 1917’s The Butcher Boy to 1923’s The Love Nest, and the deadpan comic’s mini-masterpieces have never looked better. [On Blu-ray from Eureka] Twilight’s Last Gleaming

COMEDY / FILM

(for that person in your life who’s still not worried about Trump as president) If you’re of the mind that our post-truth politics is a relatively new phenomenon, you’ve not been watching enough cinema from the 70s. This gem from Robert Aldrich is one of the decade’s angriest. It centres on Burt Lancaster at his gruff best as a Vietnam-vet who breaks into a nuclear missiles bunker and threatens World War Three unless the President releases the true reason his generation was thrust into war. [On dual format from Eureka ] Sing Street (for that millennial in your life who wants to know about the 80s) This sharply detailed coming of age musical follows a group of schoolboys in mid-1980s Dublin who decide to put a band together – the chief inspiration being that one of the lads wants to impress a girl. It’s written and directed by John Carney, who brought us the twee Once and Begin Again. Don’t let that fact send you reaching for the mute button. This has all the sweet sentimentality of those two films, but the 80s setting also adds some spiky edges. [On DVD and Blu-ray from Lionsgate] Nerve (for the Gen Xers in your life who want to know about millennials) This social media thriller plays like a younger, less cynical cousin to Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror. It tells the story of two pretty young things (Emma Roberts and Dave Franco) caught up in a voyeuristic game streamed on the dark web that requires participants to do increasingly edgy dares, from kissing a stranger to murdering one. It’s all quite ridiculous, but you won’t want to take your eyes off the engaging leads or Michael Simmonds’ neon drenched night-time photography. [On DVD and Blu-ray from Elevation Sales] The Shallows (for that cinephile in your life considering spending Christmas by the beach) Since making his debut with 2005’s House of Wax, Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra has made a string of modest thrillers that display a flair for lucid action and inventive set-pieces. The Shallows, a fat-free survival thriller, shows off all his skills to the max. Some of you might daydream about spending Christmas alone at the beach, leaving your family to bicker over the remote, but this nailbiter starring Blake Lively and a great white shark will surely give you pause. [On DVD and Blu-ray from Sony]

THE SKINNY

Living in Tokyo Survive the depths of winter and a family Christmas by fantasising about a move to the world's most liveable city, 2016 Words: Katie Hennessy Illustration: Stella Murphy

okyo is a cruel mistress: a beautiful thing, all bright bright lights and kawaii consumable goods. Before you know it you’ve spent your yen on all-night karaoke, and still dressed as Hello Kitty you’re asleep on some poor salaryman’s shoulder as the subway hurtles you miles from home. You missed your stop 40 minutes ago. If this is you, welcome to Tokyo. You’re doing it right. Sensei, sensei, sensei! You’re probably an English teacher. Or an ALT (assistant language teacher). Either way you’ll be called sensei and you might as well enjoy it because you worked damn hard to get here. You’ve got your mandatory uni degree, done a very (and I mean very) comprehensive health check, and you’ve spent time negotiating a decent salary. If you’re smart, you’ll be working a five-day week and have paid holidays outside of the legally obliged ten. Yes, just ten. Take note of the national holidays, because you would never want to pass up on the chance to make appropriate Mountain Day or Respect for the Aged Day plans. 1LDK and six tatami mats Tokyo is expensive. Renting here, like anywhere, means handing over a deposit, which is about one month’s rent. Key money is basically just a gift to your landlord and that’s a month’s rent; insurance fees are half a month and agency fees are usually 8%. Doesn’t sound like fun? Of course it is! You’re living in Tokyo. But if you don’t have that kind of yen to throw down, or if that level of commitment puts the fear of god into you, then a sharehouse has you covered. It’s pretty much the same as an Airbnb situation, but you’re sharing it with a whole host of other people, and for months not days. They will still be expensive but the fee usually includes bills. For that money you’ll never eat a meal alone again, there’ll always be someone to offer you an Asahi after a long day at work, and you’ll be proficient in cheers-ing not just in Japanese (kampai!) but probably six other languages too. These guys will have your back when Japan gets tough (it will) or if you lose your key (you will). Tekunorojii Japan is a strange mix of high tech and tradition, and despite what you’ve seen or heard, Yoshimi has yet to battle the pink robots. Yes, the toilets have so many buttons it will take you an embarrassing 90 seconds to figure out how to flush. When eating out, food comes on demand after ordering it from your vTech-style menu screen. But don’t get too excited; there’s no Wi-Fi anywhere and 80% of business in the country is still conducted via fax machine. It’s a strange learning curve and it’s always good to have your smartphone on hand to help you through emergencies. Apps like Yomiwa will help you translate kanji when you’re at the supermarket; Instagram is essential for posting pics of your lunch (it’s only polite in Japan, y’know), and HyperDia will help you navigate the unholy maze that is the train system. While you’re at it, pick up a Suica card (like the Oyster) to save some yennies. Like your bank card, it will be decorated in adorable cartoon characters. Don’t say you don’t love it. Atsui, ne? On a near daily basis, you will be asked if your country has four seasons. ‘Of course!’ you say, but have you ever found yourself slipping off your train seat thanks to your own sweat? No? Then your

December 2016

understanding of weather extremities is rudimental. In summer the government actually reminds you to use your air conditioner for fear that you will pass out and die, and in winter you’ll find that indoors doesn’t feel a whole lot different to outdoors. But autumn and spring make it all worthwhile. If there’s anything that will keep you in Japan, it’s the chance to see another autumn in full colour – or to hanami with a beer under a freshly bloomed cherry blossom tree. Date Night Try it at least once! Even if you’re not looking for anything serious, it’s a fun way to spend a Friday night. Don’t believe the stereotypes; Japanese people are just as diverse as any other nation and are not all hopelessly shy. The Skinny has been chatted up on the same street in Harajuku by the same guy three times. We’re attractive but not memorable, it seems. Far less creepy was falling into conversation with a soon-to-be boyfriend on a train by Fuji. You can’t write that stuff. If J-drama romance isn’t your style, and awkward dating à la teenage disco feels more comfortable, then head to a gōkon at the first invitation you get. Basically a group blind date. Need we say more?

“ If there’s anything that will keep you in Japan, it’s the chance to see another autumn in full colour” Shumi wa nan desu ka? You will be asked what your hobby is. Find a hobby, if purely for answering this question. None of the following will suffice as answers but are suggestions for how to spend your weekend while lying about how good at tennis you are: – Doing all-night karaoke with a couple of friends, picking a theme, and not emerging from that room until the sun is up. – Being hipster in Kichioji, sipping on expensive Swedish coffees and browsing beautifully designed cat paraphernalia. – Staying in a love hotel, with a partner, or a friend, someone you met that night, or just by yourself. – Choosing the theme carefully because, yes, they come with themes. – Bopping along with Nichome’s favourite go-go dancer in Dragon Men in Tokyo’s gay district. – Falling in and out of every nook and cranny of a bar that Golden Gai has to offer. Bonus points for befriending Yakuza members. – Hitting a work party, or enkai, and being the last one standing. – Never uttering a word about it come Monday morning but knowing you have earned the respect of the entire staff room.

– Dressing up Lolita-style before wandering Harajuku. Also realising that there’s only a few people who are actually stylish enough to get away with this and resigning yourself to being an observer instead. – Losing yourself in the Sega Arcade, reliving your childhood all over again. – Taking the most kawaiiiiiii!!!! photos in the purikura photobooth. – Shopping in Shimokitazawa, wandering an abundance of over-priced vintage clothes shops justified only because hey, they are far more wearable than your Harajuku style. While you’re there, find the guy that will read Manga aloud to you for a small fee. Keepin’ it Real Friends at home asking about your new life will want to know where it falls on the spectrum between a Gwen Stefani video and Lost in Translation. Truth is, it will hit both extremes at some point. The Robot Restaurant, the Kawaii Monster Cafe and Takeshita-dori are where you want to go for the highs, but when the culture shock is too much, give up the Scarlett Johansson pout and do something about it. Take time to ground yourself and appreciate that Tokyo is a city just like any other. Take a stroll in Shinjuku

TRAVEL

park, visit the zoo in Ueno or walk the pier in Yokohama. If you absolutely must, head for a pint in the English-style bar, HUB. Kuuki Yomenai Meaning ‘can’t read the air’ – and if you can’t do it, you probably won’t settle all that well into Japan. At its loosest interpretation it means picking up on every conceivable subtlety that may be conveyed to you at any given time. Eating on trains is not illegal, but Japanese grandmas will stare you down and no one has ever challenged them and lived to tell the tale. Same goes for speaking loudly. And not holding elevators open for others. Be observant and you’ll catch on easily. This society is a utopia of cleanliness and good hospitality, no exaggeration, so do your best to respect this. You’ll be crying out for it when you’ve gone. At the same time, don’t compromise your principles: if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe at all, do it your way regardless. Just refrain from the Gaijin Smash. This is basically acting like a dickhead and then pretending that you didn’t know any better because you’re foreign. You will not make any friends this way. Instead go forth and make local friends, learn some of the lingo, and ask those friends to help with it. Make it home in one piece, sporting a Hello Kitty getup if you can. It’s Tokyo, there’s no better place. theskinny.co.uk/travel

Feature

LE Y ST FE LI

Terms and Safewords I deliberated for a long time before getting involved. One of the first things I established was consent, and a safeword. His terms were simple: he would establish how much money he had to spare a month, and I would spend it. Mine were a little more involved: he isn’t allowed to meet me, I would tell him when I needed money and what for, and he would receive the occasional picture of me. He later denied himself these pictures as he believed ‘he didn’t deserve them’. This is his loss, because as I’ve established before, I am very skilled at taking nudes. Developing my voice as a dom This is, of course, an incredibly profitable arrangement for me, and he seems to consider it mutually beneficial. I’ve had my eyebrows done, bought some hair products and also had my cabs paid for to and from dates, all for the low price of making him ache with jealousy when I describe my relationships with other men. It turns out I make a very good dom; for someone who is very submissive in the bedroom, I have developed a knack for sounding very demanding and authoritative, and started to enjoy this new side of myself. Exhibit A, an actual text I found myself sending: “You’re paying for my time. I’m going to need to know how much of my time you’re worth soon. Go ahead and work, text me when you finish. Keep making my money.”

“After all, is it really consent if you’re too horny to think straight?” We’re also still working out establishing proper boundaries and appropriate punishments. A common punishment from financial doms is the threat of exposure. I made it clear from the very beginning that the idea of blackmail was ab-

Diary of a Financial Dominatrix

What on earth is a paypig? A financial submissive, or ‘paypig’, is (usually) a man who finds it erotic when their dominant (i.e. moi) rinses their finances. Following his query, I’m now

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Anonymity: essential or an obstacle? Originally I prized Boy’s anonymity. I didn’t want to know anything about him for fear of becoming too attached to perform the dominant voice he needed. But as time passed, I scrapped that and started getting to know him. Turns out he’s a real doll. I’m more aware of what he needs from me since doing so; it isn’t all invoices and insults, sometimes he wants me to be kind and give him advice about his day. This actually came as a relief because I’m not sure how long I could sustain the mean stuff – it’s much easier to be kind. Warning signs As our professional relationship has developed, I’ve become slightly concerned about safety – both mine and his. I’m pretty much anonymous to him (my bank account details are the extent of what he knows about me), and he has entrusted me with his privacy. But I’m concerned about whether or not Boy is actually in a position to consent to our agreement. He lacks self-preservation, and sends me money without leaving himself a comfortable amount to live on. He’s admitted to taking out a credit card and a larger overdraft to fund his kink. Because of this, I’ve come to realise that one of my roles as his dom is ensuring that he doesn’t overindulge and bankrupt himself, so I’ve decided that it’s better he has me than a less scrupulous goddess. After all, is it really consent if you’re too horny to think straight?

2016 was an abomination. Feminist presents won’t fix it, but they’ll sure ease the pain...

Words: Felicity Benefutuis Illustration: Jacky Sheridan ollowing the implosion of my most recent relationship I did what I do best and returned to trawling dating sites. Three days into my sket journey and I received a message on Plenty of Fish that sparked my curiosity. “Hey, I know I’m not good enough but can I be of some use to you? Pay for your dates with others?” Welcome to the world of financial domination, a scene which thrives on Twitter, where some ‘goddesses’ command legions of ‘slaves’ to pay for their every expense. I’m new to the scene but I’ll do my best to show you around.

Fetish respect In our very first exchange I made a point of assuring this man that I would respect his fetish. I hope you will too. I’ve written this article with his consent – I don’t want to abuse his trust, nor do I have time for kink-shaming of harmless fetishes. In the hierarchy of fetishes financial submissiveness is one of the lesser known. It’s often ridiculed, probably because our nonsense patriarchal rules condemn male submissiveness.

A Feminist Christmas Wishlist

On an ordinary day, on an ordinary dating site, one woman received a request to rinse a man’s finances for his own erotic gratification. She agreed, of course...

horrent to me, so that threat has lost its edge. Financial penalties don’t work either – he finds them too exciting.

the Plenty of Fish messager’s dom. I refer to him as Boy, because ‘Pig’ and ‘Slave’ (his suggested nicknames) don’t sit well with me as a woman of colour. His sexual gratification comes from humiliation – Boy finds it erotic to reimburse me for my limited attention. I’ve never met him, and he doesn’t know my name. He calls me ‘goddess’ and sends me money to use on dates with other men or to put towards fancy lipsticks and all for absolutely nothing in return, besides my consistent disinterest. This fetish has been linked to ‘cuckolding’; a fetish driven by experiencing the jealousy of someone else having sex with your partner, but our set-up differs from cuckoldry, because he idolises me as a woman that he will never have and lays absolutely no claim to me or my time.

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay Being gifted a collection of essays mightn’t feel like the height of festive glamour, but Gay’s Bad Feminist speaks to the soul, tickles the ribs and heaves away the burden of feeling like The Worst Feminist On Earth. Which’ll come in handy for next year, we think. Halfstitchembroidery Patches Nothing says Merry Christmas better than iron-on patches emblazoned with ‘Don’t fucking talk to me’ and ‘pissflaps’. Plus, they’re made by a rad Glaswegian crafter, so you get extra points for shopping local. Schwwwing. She Is Fierce Magazine ...Speaking of shopping local, we’re also pretty taken with She is Fierce, Hannah Taylor’s brand new feminist magazine for young women, launched right here in Scotland. After a soft launch

DEVIANCE

earlier this year, ISSUE UNO: Wonderland is out now, with a limited selection of ‘treasures’ for those who act fast. OMGYES Subscription So you’ve already bought your feminist BFF a vibrator (STFU, it’s a rite of passage). Now what? We’ll lay this one out straight: OMGYES is an online resource dedicated to female masturbation. Think the Karma Sutra, except with less men and more, er, interactive tutorials. Takes a little adjusting to, sure (it’s hella HD), but well worth the dollar. A Donation to Planned Parenthood in their name Or, failing that, Mike Pence’s. Shrug. Broad City Box Set A brilliant feminist needs brilliant comedy. Enter Broad City – a Comedy Central series featuring two tremendously hilarious and empowered New Yorkers owning and ballsing up their lives intermittently. Buy it for yourself, too. You deserve it.

THE SKINNY

Surviving Christmas When Your Family is The Worst ‘Tis the season to be problematic, it seems. We asked two experts how to cope with Christmas time when your family is less than woke... Words: Eilidh S. Illustration: Sonny Ross

hristmas, I’m often told, is a season for spending time with your family. It’s also supposedly dedicated to tolerance and understanding. Unfortunately, in my case, those notions are mutually exclusive. Every year it’s the same – a selection of my aunts and uncles (and occasionally the grandparents), prone to racism and homophobia swallow their weight in After Eights and retch up a year’s worth of vitriol for the benefit of the oversensitive young ’uns in the room. Meanwhile, we sit aghast, wondering whether the best course of action is to take the bait and unleash a hurricane of righteous rage, sink into a Baileys black hole or file for some sort of familial emancipation. Unfortunately, none of the above prove an adequate solution to the problem; Baileys runs dry, patience wears thin and it turns out that divorcing your family is actually too lengthy a process to be completed by the end of December. What’s more, thanks to the EU referendum, murmurs of another Indyref and the fact we’ve got an odious lacquer-fringed cuntwallop leading the United States, it’s highly likely that unclesplainers the world over are girding their loins for a stint of bollocks-spouting. And it’s our job to stop them... Or is it? I emailed Erica Curtis, a California-based marriage and family therapist and Dr. Scyatta A. Wallace, an award-winning psychologist residing in Brooklyn and quizzed them both on the best ways to manage familial indiscretions this Christmas. Think of it like an early Christmas present from Deviance – your very own guidebook to navigating even the most antagonistic of aunties. Let’s do this. When it comes to political correctness, why does it sometimes feel like my family is baiting me? Dr. Scyatta A. Wallace: They don’t see the problem in what they’re doing. They likely think, ‘We’re not talking about her, so what’s the big deal?’... They will only see it as silly pranks. Set those boundaries and walk away. It may take practice, but you can never let them see you sweat. Sometimes my extended family make jokes which aren’t necessarily targeted at me, but which I object to (for instance, comments about race or gender). Should I call them out? If so, how do I exert a little damage control along the way? Erica Curtis: Whether or not you let a family member know you object to their insensitive comments is a personal decision. If you do decide to say something, maximise the likelihood that they’ll hear your message with these tips: 1. Stay matter-of-fact. If you raise your voice or come across as defensive, the likelihood is that they’ll get defensive. 2. Say ‘I’ instead of ‘you.’ For example, instead of ‘you shouldn’t make comments like that’ say ‘it really bugs me to hear things like that’ or ‘I don’t find those kinds of jokes funny.’ 3. Get curious. Really curious. Ask matter-offact questions like, ‘what makes you say that?’ or ‘I wonder why you say that’; ‘When you make comments like that it makes me think you don’t like people who are X, Y or Z. Is that true?’

December 2016

4. Remark on feelings rather than facts. Try saying, ‘it makes me sad to hear that.’ 5. Be baffled. ‘I don’t know how to respond. I don’t like to hear things like that so I just don’t know what to say. I’m kind of at a loss.’ SW: Set boundaries. If a comment is made, tell family members that you do not support negative comments about others and you would appreciate it if they did not make those comments around you. Do not make it about them or try to convince them why they are wrong – the request should be made firmly, but without any tension. I feel like a failure when I fail to call people out on their shit. How should I deal with these feelings? EC: When people choose not to confront family members about their behavior, it’s often because they know it won’t be productive – perhaps they’re not going to hear you, or they’ll get defensive. There is nothing wrong with picking your battles. Rather than beating yourself up for the times you don’t confront family about their offensive comments, instead congratulate yourself on not thinking like them. When you grow up around certain views and attitudes, it’s no small feat to choose to think and behave differently. So instead of thinking ‘I can’t believe I didn’t say something’ instead think ‘I’m so glad I don’t think like that.’ SW: Do not feel compelled to show others how to be. However, it’s important to communicate that their behaviour is not something you want to be around. This should be done with respect and kindness. As hard as it is to do, it’s the only way to properly address hatred.

“ Baileys runs dry, patience wears thin and it turns out that divorcing your family is actually too lengthy a process to be completed by Christmas” I’m not really open to discussing my sexuality and/ or partners with my family, but that seems to cause yet more curiosity. How do you advise dealing with intrusive questions or homophobic comments? EC: If someone asks you something about your relationships or sexual preference you don’t feel comfortable getting into, you can respond with a casual, ‘Oh, grandma, I don’t talk about personal stuff like that’ and then change the topic: ‘Let me tell you what I’ve been doing at work/school…’ You may also want to consider the reason for their asking in the first place – are they being nosey or judgmental, or do they really want to know you better? If they seem sincere in knowing you better,

but it’s not the time or place for a heart to heart, let them know you appreciate their interest in your life and that you look forward to talking some other time about it: ‘Thanks for asking, Grandma. Let’s talk about it later, okay?’

ing it. Likely your partner or friend will be supportive and empathetic about your situation. SW: Do not apologise to your friend in public, as this may make the friend feel worse. Wait until you have time alone and then you can talk freely.

What’s the best course of action if my family makes an insensitive joke or comment in the company of a friend or a partner? EC: If your family is likely to make insensitive comments, warn your guest ahead of time. Let them know how you feel about those comments in advance – that it’s embarrassing when your dad starts to talk about X or that it makes you angry when your sister makes jokes about Y. Let them know how you’ve dealt with it in the past and how you plan to deal with it if it comes up at the upcoming family gathering, even if that means ignor-

Worst case scenario, a civilised dinner descends into a row. How do I deal? EC: Some of the most effective de-escalation strategies include identifying the other person’s underlying needs and feelings and speaking to that. Ultimately, people want to be heard and understood. Most arguments escalate for the very reason that both parties are desperately trying to be heard and understood, but neither are demonstrating that they hear and understand the other person... Disengaging is also an option. Suggest a different topic. Agree to disagree. Help clear the table. Walk away.

DEVIANCE

Lifestyle

THE SKINNY

Christmas Food and Drink Gift Guide From smart frying pans to delicious chocolate you’ll try to keep for yourself, we take a deep dive into the world of culinary Christmas presents

A is for Alcohol We’ll start with beer, and a host of craft beer subscription services that’ll keep your friends and family in bottles and cans well into 2017. Eebria’s Brewery Club (from £30) features a dozen beers from a brewery’s repertoire, while the Discovery Club (from £32) collates 12 beers from across the UK craft beer scene and invites you to ‘discover’, or ‘drink’, them. Meanwhile, Beer52 (from £24) mixes things up each month while also pairing their beers with a copy of Ferment magazine, plus some snacks to nibble on while cracking into cans of suspiciously high-percentage craft ale. Glasgow’s own Hippo Beers offer a beer club (from £28) with a serious incentive for keeping things local – two extra beers every month if you pick your box up from the shop rather than waiting for your post-person to give themselves a hernia lugging them up the stairs. For the pickier recipient, Honest Brew’s Tailor Made beer boxes (from £26) allow drinkers to rate their beers and in turn influence what turns up in their next delivery, and Flavourly (from £23) allow you to arrange for all-light or all-dark beer boxes instead of the standard ‘bit of everything’ approach. Or, alternatively, give your loved one the chance to actually make their own beer. Stewart Brewing’s Craft Beer Kitchen offers the chance to make professional-quality beer under the tutelage of trained brewers. Pick from one of over 50 recipes, rejig it to your tastes, make it up under expert supervision, and end up with bottles and bottles of the stuff. From £185 (for 40 litres), stewartbrewing.co.uk

“Want to find out how much sugar is in that apple, or make sure your block of cheese isn’t a piece of wood with a dairy veneer? This is the gift for you”

And if you aren’t a gin fan – sorry, if ‘the person you’re buying for’ isn’t a gin fan – there are other local options on the table. There’s the first Scottish-made spiced rum, Dark Matter, distilled in the tropical climes of… Banchory, or if you fancy something a bit left-field, there’s Aelder, an ‘elderflower elixir’ from the duo behind the Buck & Birch pop-up restaurant, and Crossbrew coffee liqueur by the team at Edinburgh’s Lucky Liquor Co. B is for Bizarre Gadgets Nothing says ‘gift’ like a standard household object that’s been jazzed up a notch, so let’s take a look at what’s what in the world of foodie gadgets. On the more useful end of the spectrum, the Drop (£79, getdrop.com) connected scales team up with your iPad to guide you through the pesky business of following a recipe. It is always good to have someone double-checking your work, particularly when that somebody is an emotionless food-weighing robot, and the scales themselves actually look relatively cool in a ‘nifty tupperware’ sense. Equally useful is the Smart Herb Garden (£60) from Click & Grow, which promises to help you to “grow fresh herbs, fruits and flowers with zero effort.” That’s our favourite amount of effort! If you’re in need of a stocking filler, why not plump for one of two different high-tech butter knives. That’s right, two high-tech butter knives! In one corner, we have the SpreadTHAT! (£9.99, prezzybox.com); made of titanium, it conducts your body heat to help you cover your morning toast without tearing holes in everything. In the other corner, the Butter Up (£7, butterup.com.au) uses a grating edge to slice cold butter into manageable, meltable strands which you can then spread away to your heart’s content. They are both genuine products which exist in the world – isn’t science great? Speaking of science, the Scio (£250, consumerphysics.com) is one of those gadgets that would

Words: Peter Simpson Illustration: Mike Hughes

have been unthinkable even a few years ago. Dubbed ‘the world’s first affordable molecular sensor,’ the Scio’s pitch is simple – wave it at things around you, and find out what they’re really made of. Want to find out how much sugar is in that apple, or make sure your block of cheese isn’t a piece of wood with a dairy veneer? This is the gift for you. And finally, a wi-fi connected smart frying pan. The Pantelligent (£129, pantelligent.com) smart pan features a temperature sensor, which sends data to an app, which alerts you on when to take culinary action. It removes any human agency from the act of cooking while encouraging you to faff about with your phone over a scorching hot stove, but if you’re looking for a gift that says to the recipient, ‘you can’t cook but none of us want to tell you,’ this could be the break you need. C is for Chocolate (and Coffee, and some alternatives) When it comes to giving food as a gift, best to keep it simple, and go for luxurious but easy-to-handle gifts that can either be smashed into faces on the day, or kept for a good while past Christmas. French-trained Edinburgh chocolatiers Edward and Irwyn’s treats definitely fall into the first camp – their chocolate-covered honeycomb and chocolate caramels taste and look incredible, so are ideal for instant gratification for both gift-giver and receiver alike. Fellow Edinburgh choc-smiths The Chocolate Tree up the ante with their Bean to Bar range of handmade chocolate bars, showcasing cacaos from across South America and Africa in suitably nifty packaging. Also ideal for the sweet-toothed out there are the artisan marshmallows produced by The Marshmallow Lady, and the chocolate from Coco. These two specialise in exciting and unique flavour combinations, be they Millionaire’s Shortbread or

chocolate mousse marshmallows, or bars of haggis spice or orange, lemon and geranium chocolate. If you have a friend who thinks they’ve tried it all, this is the gift for them. Away from sweet treats, coffee is another gift option that ticks the local, practical and delicious boxes. North Berwick’s Steampunk Coffee and Edinburgh/Glasgow heavyweights Artisan Roast both offer coffee subscription services that’ll send fresh beans direct to your door, with AR’s service featuring a steady rotation of beans and styles to keep the recipient on their toes. For the less caffeinated among you, Scotland’s specialist tea merchants have got the hook-up. In Glasgow, Tchai-Ovna in the West End continues to be an ideal spot to pick up floral and herbal teas, while in Edinburgh the likes of Anteaques (17 Clerk St) and Pekoetea (20 Leven St) offer up hundreds of styles of tea from all over the world. Eteaket offer a tea club with monthly top-ups from across their range, as well as a swanky teapot to help the recipient make the most of their new cuppa. But what about people who don’t like coffee or chocolate? Such people do unfortunately exist, but they can almost certainly be placated by one of Valvona and Crolla’s hampers, packed as they are with a whole host of savoury goodies sourced from across Italy and beyond. Alternatively, head to Lupe Pintos (313 Great Western Rd, Glasgow; 24 Leven St, Edinburgh) to craft your own festive selection from a frankly unsurpassed range of Central and South American rarities that’ll be livening up meals for months to come. And if your recipient still won’t be happy, head on over to ‘liquid deli’ Demijohn and pick them up a bottle of one of their many spirits, or a nice olive oil, or maybe even a tasty whisky. They don’t like it? Send them back to have it filled up with something of their choice, remembering that – even at Christmas – you can’t please everyone.

If you want to blend Christmas novelty with local spirits, grab a set of gin baubles (£30) from the Pickering’s Gin gang at Summerhall. As has been pointed out in the office, there’s around half a bottle of gin in these bad boys, making them a suitably high-powered present if you need a bit of a boost to get through Christmas Day. They’ve sold out quickly in the past, so act now. Come to think of it, a bottle of gin is, in a sense, the ideal Christmas present. It’s easy to wrap, it’s local, and you can probably nick some of it for yourself without anyone noticing. The Botanist, from the Isle of Islay, features a whole load of embossed lettering that makes it resemble some kind of alcoholic totem pole, while the sea-kelp infused Isle of Harris gin is all sans-serif lettering and cool seashell-like ridges. Then there’s Achroous by Leith’s Electric Spirit Co. – delicious juniper goodness, in the brightest orange bottle you’ve ever seen in your life. Seriously, it’s like a traffic cone from Tron, but filled with gin. It’s amazing.

December 2016

FOOD AND DRINK

Lifestyle

Food News It’s a very Christmassy food news round-up this month, laced with some birthday celebrations and plenty of chocolate

e start with the return of The Bon Noël at the Merchants’ Hall in Edinburgh. The drinks fair from the combined minds behind the Bon Vivant and the Devil’s Advocate promises hundreds of options from right across the boozy spectrum, as well as a pop-up cocktail bar and a series of cocktail masterclasses to help you get up to speed ahead of party season. 2 Dec, 6-9pm, 22 Hanover St, £16.50. Next up, it’s time to say happy birthday to Finland! Finnish Independence Day is celebrated at Scandinavian cafe-bar Akva with a Finnish buffet, live music, a live-stream of the big Linnanjuhlat bash in Helsinki, plus the chance to try out Lonkero (the much-loved Finnish gin and grapefruit concoction) and Salmari, the “black licorice and cough medicine” flavour liqueur. Well, it’d be rude not to. 6 Dec, 6-11pm, 129 Fountainbridge, £21.50. Over in Glasgow, it’s time to celebrate another landmark day. Repeal Day marks the end of prohibition in the United States, and the Liquid Academy cocktail school are celebrating the end of the madness with a night of 1930s style boozing and jazz in the recently-refurbed Savings Bank building on Bridge St. 8 Dec, 7pm-1am, 67 Bridge St, £20. A Glasgow stalwart making its Edinburgh bow this month, Street Food Putter

Club combines burgers and Korean street food and drinks from Harviestoun and Thistly Cross with the wonders of the mini golf course. Burger in one hand, golf bat in the other; you’ll be scoring golf goals in no time. 10 Dec, 1pm, The Bread Factory, 4 Anderson Pl, £6. Also this month, it’s the Scottish Chocolate Festival. If you’re looking for somewhere to find a load of edible presents, or just somewhere to hide from the perils of Christmas shopping while stuffing your face with delicious sugary treats, this is the place to be. Chocolate workshops? Check. Chocolate cocktails? Mmm-hmm. Hot chocolate? Not just one hot chocolate, but a whole bar full of them. Plus a string of tastings, a chocolate school, plus a whole host of presumably-non-chocolate craft goods to bulk out your presents. 17 & 18 Dec, 11am-7pm, 4 Anderson Pl, £10.50. And for a final festive treat, The Pitt street food market are branching out from their Leith home with a seven-day residency at New Waverley Arches next to Waverley train station. Expect a collection of the country’s best street food traders all together in one super-handy location, offering the chance to take a suitably arms-length look at the bright lights and big sandwiches of the Princes Street Gardens Christmas extravaganza. From 14 Dec.

The Bon Noël

theskinny.co.uk/food

Phagomania: Merry Chip-mas A stocking filler that stamps in your groin? Welcome to the kaleidoscopic world of Japanese Doritos Words: Lewis MacDonald

t Christmas time Phagomania likes to hygge down into its comfy place and take a moment to reflect on the year that has gone by. And after a year like this, the only route is pure escapism. If we could receive one foodie gift this Christmas (hint hint) it would definitely be sourced from Japan. Looking back over this column across 2016, Japan has smashed the competition on a few occasions, from our look at fast food fails featuring the iconic black Kuro Burger and McChoco Potatoes, to our tour of the world of ice cream including octopus and horse meat flavours. Let’s not forget that Japan is the nation that celebrates Christmas with a good old tabletop of KFC. Millions queue on the big day as the Colonel dons a Santa Claus outfit that reveals a resemblance that an entire coy marketing plan has been based upon. We’ll just conclude that things are a little different over in Japan. So with fond memories we look at the bizarre world of Japanese Doritos flavours. While we all know the standard flavours of tortilla chips (even if we wonder just how an adjective like ‘cool’ can get its own flavour), and might expect a more eclectic range of flavours from the land of the rising sun, we weren’t quite prepared for what we were to discover. From the outset, there are many, many more

Lifestyle

flavours than you might be used to. Packets adorned with familiar branding greet us but with a perplexing array of imagery that you’d struggle to associate with even the wildest flavour of crisps. And that’s coming from the UK, which is home to some of Europe’s more experimental crisp flavours. In mainland Europe they only seem to have one flavour – paprika (potato-loving travellers know what we mean…). Appealingly, there are frequent appearances of tall, frothy beer glasses on the packaging, accompanying flavours such as German sausage, anchovy & garlic and sesame chicken. Festive-wise, there are plentiful Christmas special editions to enjoy. A joyful snowman greets us with bell-shaped chips only to present us with the puzzling prospect of crispy salmon flavour. Meanwhile, the slightly more appropriate theme of winter cheese comes in the delightful form of Christmas tree-shaped chips. We can only imagine how one makes cheese taste ‘wintery’, but hey-ho. There are many candidates for the trophy of weirdest flavour. There’s an entire range dedicated to the variations of seafood pizza toppings (shrimp mayonnaise pizza anybody?) – corn soup looks particularly unappealing, while caramel is perplexing enough to draw curiosity. And the list goes on until you discover… the black Dorito.

FOOD AND DRINK

Blackened with bamboo charcoal, they’re simply salt and black pepper flavour, but it is not the flavour but the outrageous packaging that makes these champions of the surreal. Characters in tight orange and yellow jumpsuits kicking one another in the balls, or poised in a wolf costume during some kind of dining experience. To unravel this mystery, a bit of research reveals that these characters are an underground institution in Japan known as Taitsukun (‘Mr. Bodysuit’), a form of adult comic of a perverse and satirical slant. For example, the caption that accompanies our groin-kicking friends reads: ‘Don’t we have any other way to motivate our workers?’ Crisp manufacturers take note! We think Britain could seriously do with an equivalent range of David Shrigley-clad packets of snacks to provoke some nonsensical reaction. Stick that in your stocking.

THE SKINNY

Photo: Miriam Walsh

Words: Peter Simpson

The Skinny Food & Drink Special 2017 The votes are in! We publish the results of our survey in January in an eight page supplement. Want to advertise in it? Speak to our sales team on 0131 467 4630 or sales@theskinny.co.uk /TheSkinnyMag

@theskinnymag

Illustration: Mike Hughes

December 2016

december GIGS

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A Christmas Roast

Glasgow bands Baby Strange and WHITE play their biggest show to date this December as they co-headline the O2 ABC. Having played a tonne of shows together already, the bands have become the best of friends – we convinced them to interview each other...

Condie: “Yeah, I know what you mean, it was good playing Oxford the day all the students were away...” Madden: “And there was a music festival on in a big field nearby too...” Fingland: “Still though, it was sitting outside that music festival [that] we came up with the idea for this ABC show, so it’s not all bad!”

Baby Strange & WHITE

WHITE: Leo Condie (vocals) , Hamish Fingland (guitar), Chris Potter (guitar), Lewis Andrew (bass), Kirstin Lynn (drums) Baby Strange: Johnny Madden (vocals/guitar), Connaire McCann (drums), Aidan McCann (bass) WHITE: Have any of you fallen onstage before? Aidan McCann: “I had my first one recently, actually. Last note, last song, I disappeared.” Connaire McCann: “He fell kinda behind and off the stage. I was looking at him, then he was gone.” Baby Strange: Have you guys ever fallen onstage? Andrew: “I’ve never fallen onstage in this band, but Leo and Potter are pretty pro at it.” Leo Condie: “We were playing a festival in Belgium and there was this ego ramp – apparently it’s called that – I just call it a ramp. It’s the thing Bon Jovi would walk out to the crowd on...” Kirstin Lynn: “I don’t remember this...” Condie: “Well, Hamish was saying I should go out on it. I was thinking – it’s just the start of the festival, very chilled-out atmosphere, there’s only a few people here, maybe not...? So this is pretty much all his fault. I walked out onto it and looked at the crowd and thought, ‘Why have I walked out onto this ramp?’ I had nothing to go on so just said, ‘Hi guys...’ and kinda ran back onto the stage – my legs went under me and I just fell there on my arse. I was wearing all white and the trousers were covered in mud, so I just had to go on like I totally meant it.” Hamish Fingland: “So basically, we need to try to get through this show at the ABC without both bands falling on stage.” Condie: “My worry with the ABC is going down into the crowd and then not being able to get back on the stage, ‘cos it’s very high, and just having to walk out and round the side.” Madden: “Some security guard pushing your arse up onto the stage!” Andrew: “Both bands finish their sets and ev-

December 2016

eryone’s left and it’s just the disco ball, then Joh- nny and Leo stuck down in the photographers' bit.” WHITE: What do you think the worst thing that could happen at the ABC would be? Madden: “I have dreams about stuff like this. For some reason I have this recurring dream that I start singing and playing guitar, and I realise my pedal board is all the way at the back of the stage at my amp and I can’t hit any of the pedals. It’s really stressful, and this dream keeps happening to me. Obviously this isn’t the worst thing that could happen; it’s not as bad as the dream that I’ve killed somebody, but that’s another story... The worst thing at the ABC would be to walk out and nobody is there in front of the stage – that or the disco ball falls and flattens someone.

“ We played there with Future Islands and Everything Everything so get it up you!” Hamish Fingland, WHITE

WHITE: Have you guys played the ABC before with any other bands? Madden: “Yeah, we supported Palma Violets there in 2013.” Fingland: “Is that it?”

Madden: “Aye!” Fingland: “We played there with Future Islands and Everything Everything so get it up you!” Condie: “I think we played our third or fourth gig there?” Madden: “Aidan’s second gig was at the Barrowlands, so he wins. 16 years old in a school tie, there ye go!” Baby Strange: Have you ever had any injuries, either you guys onstage or people in the crowd? Lynn: “I smash myself in the face with my sticks all the time, it’s not very good.” Madden: “Is that what’s up with you? I was wondering...” Fingland: “I slash my finger a lot on my pick guard.” Condie: “I spit on members of the crowd quite often.” Fingland: “That’s more of a long-term illness problem than an initial injury though.” Madden: “So this is really going to get people to come to the ABC?” Condie: “Oh there’ll be a gap, so it’s just the photographers who need to watch out. It’ll be fine.” Madden: “Aidan’s been getting into a habit of booting bottles at the crowd. If he’s not feeling it from them he just boots bottles at them.” A McCann: “I’ve been trying to get a bit of air on it, but it always ends up just getting someone in the front.” WHITE: What’s the worst show you’ve ever played? C McCann: “Definitely one of the ones we did on tour together with you.” Lynn: “Cheers pal.”

Music

Photo: Ronan Park

Baby Strange: If you could support a band, where all the members are still alive, who would it be? WHITE (collectively): “Arcade Fire.” Chris Potter: “LCD Soundsystem would be one as well.” Lynn: “That’s who I’d go with!” WHITE: What about you guys? Lynn: “Gary Glitter?” A McCann: “He is still alive...” Madden: “The Strokes. I’d love to support The Strokes.” C McCann: “Are they alive but?” Madden: “Just... I’d actually love to support Green Day. The fans would eat us up man!” A McCann: “Imagine supporting Limp Bizkit, or someone like that though? How good would that be?” Madden: “Ooft, getting added to the Korn and Limp Bizkit show...” A McCann: “That would be a dream come true, we can put Arcade Fire on the back burner for that.” WHITE: What are you thinking for the ABC? Have you got any exciting things planned that you can reveal? Madden: “Well, we’re upping it to a four-piece.” C McCann: “For certain songs.” Madden: “It sounds SO good.” Lynn: “Who’s the fourth member?” Madden: “I can’t tell you, but he might be sitting at this table... kidding on Hamish, yer birthday was last month. We’re going to be covering a new song as well that we’ve never done before.” Baby Strange: What about you dudes? Andrew: “We’d like to try and create a light show that comes with a health risk.” Condie: “I think we’re hoping to add a few more people on stage, maybe end with ten, but don’t hold us to that.” Madden: “Sounds like Live Aid.” Condie: “I might descend in the mirror ball and walk on stage from that.” Baby Strange: Got any new merch for the show? Condie: “Yup, we’re bringing out a new boardgame!” Madden: “The thing that’s worrying, Leo, is that I don’t even know if you’re joking or not.” WHITE: Johnny, how did you come up with the idea of wearing a leather jacket in a band? (more laughter) Madden: (while pulling his wool coat) “This isn’t leather man!” Lynn: “I think that’s his John Rocha number.” Condie: “That’s because you’re off duty...” Madden: “Nah, I’ve binned my leather, I wear denim now!” Baby Strange and WHITE play a co-headline show at O2 ABC on Fri 16 Dec Want it Need it by Baby Strange is out now via Ignition Records Cuts That Don’t Bleed by WHITE is out now via Dead Beet Records

Preview

Perfect Storm The London writer and performer Kate Tempest speaks about new album Let Them Eat Chaos, and the radical, positive power behind her thunderous words Interview: Katie Hawthorne

ate Tempest is a writer, reader, rapper, playwright, poet and novelist. She grew up in Lewisham, a South East London borough, and it’s difficult to avoid describing her as some sort of prophet. Tempest’s burning words offer crystal clear, cutting condemnations of the state of our times; in her newest album Let Them Eat Chaos, set in a semi-fictional London, we are our own greatest problem and our only source of hope. Since her 2014 Mercury nominated debut album Everybody Down, she’s written a poetry collection and a novel, and this fluidity between art forms has fed her ability to craft wincingly accurate portraits of the person opposite you on the bus, or behind you in the Co-op queue. Let Them Eat Chaos opens in Tempest’s London at 4.18am. ‘Here is our moment, frozen.’ We travel across time rather than through it, as we’re introduced to a cast of familiar faces all awake at this exact minute, on this exact street. Articulating all those confused, angry, frightened feelings you might have been feeling recently, Tempest weaves together seven strangers’ stories to talk about shift work, war, rent hikes, radicalism, coffee shops, happy hours and powdered highs, all shadowed by that acute, insular fear that simmers in the middle of the night. The narrative is so absorbing that you could describe the record as a novel, or compare it to T.S. Eliot’s sprawling worlds, but Kendrick Lamar’s epic To Pimp a Butterfly shares just as many similarities. The lyrics for Let Them Eat Chaos have been published as a long poem, too, but a musical format holds a unique, theatrical power for Tempest. “This was always going to be an album,” She explains. “And I think it’s less about me deciding, and it’s more about learning how to listen to what the idea wants. You can be too controlling – or, I can be too controlling with ideas – and try and shoehorn them into moulds that don’t fit them properly. This was always going to be an album, because it began its life in the studio, with Dan [Carey, producer]. I had my lyrics book out, and we just began…” Mid-record, we meet Pete. ‘Well who’s this, staggering home?’ Tempest notes, looking down from the clouds like a late-night David Attenborough. ‘Grappling with half a cigarette,’ Pete is smashed, he’s been dabbing away his rent money, and he lives on this street. ‘His thoughts are like a pack of starving dogs,’ and Carey’s brutal, exhilarating beat kicks in as we jump straight inside Pete’s blurred mind. Tempest remembers; “So Dan’s playing this beat, and I’m like fucking hell. This is a guy that’s bouncing off the walls – I know this guy, I can hear him, so I start to write. I can hear the beat because it’s in the room, it’s being made as I’m writing – I show Dan what I’m writing and that makes him go even wonkier. He goes even further into Pete’s brain at 4.18 in the morning, and we know when we’re kicking off each other, we know when it feels really good. Whoops was one of those golden moments when it’s like, what the FUCK are we doing? What’s this?!” Next to Pete you’ll meet Bradley, ‘he’s got a good job,’ but he’s numb with loneliness in this new, cold city. Gemma who’s mourning, Zoe who’s

Feature

moving and Esther who’s too exhausted to sleep. Tempest’s analytical, observational eye is unstoppable, and every detail is vital. “It’s important that we see what [Zoe’s] putting in her boxes – the contradictions of those items and her beliefs, and whatever else. What a writer does is (make) you locate yourself so firmly in the present that you notice. It’s not a decision that you make – you look around and you see. Then it’s your compulsion, your urge, your need to record that stuff, to write it down and give it this life outside of yourself. Because if you don’t, it’s deafening.” Tempest continues, “I can’t imagine telling a story without rooting it in this very particular present tense because that’s how I experience life. It’s the way that people move and it’s what they have in their pockets. It’s the things they say that they don’t know that they’re saying. You know? You know.” ‘I know it’s happening, but who is it happening to?’ asks Bradley of himself, about life, alone in bed. Tempest’s unique talents put human histories to news stories, faces to austerity politics and – most of all – demand that we own up to our own complicity. ‘England. England. Patriotism. And you wonder why kids want to die for religion?’ she barks, words like daggers, on a track titled Europe is Lost.

“ I’m moved when I come off stage! It’s fucking epic” Kate Tempest

And so, a biblical, Shakespearean storm bears down at 4.18am, uniting these seven strangers in a great, terrible act of nature. On the record, Tempest describes how ‘the sky cracks into a wide mouthed grin and unleashes all the water that it carries, fuelled by waves and ‘churning’ rivers. ‘They see their city, new.’ she murmurs, this moment full of potential redemption and possible future action. ‘I see it from above,’ she speaks, on Breaks, as the rain washes the streets. ‘Seven doors to seven flats, open at the same time. [...] Here’s our seven perfect strangers. And they see each other." On the phone, our conversation is only marginally lighter. “I wanted something to happen which drew them out of their rooms, I was thinking – what is it?” She laughs. “It’s a fucking storm! Of course! Weirdly enough, after we made the record, Dan got these telescopes. We were outside his studio in the middle of the night, looking at Jupiter or something, and every single person that passed, all different people, were stopping. Coming together to look. Suddenly it felt very real, and I think that rather than this big analogy – and obviously it is that – it’s hopefully something very believable. There is a moment that can be shared, that’s somehow bigger than all of the fears and concerns that permeate the record. Standing together with strangers and sharing something that’s bigger than you – reminding you, in all this synthetic fever, what humanity can feel like.”

Again, it’s hard to write about Kate Tempest without describing her as a sort of soothsayer, a seer. There is the power of a full force gale in her careful, considered words, and what better antidote to mass misinformation than logic, reason and a storytelling tradition that puts community first. She rages against the “myth of the individual”, people who look away, look down, stare at their shoes, but she rejects that this is “speaking out” and prefers instead her work described as “a response to the times” because that’s what writers “do”. Tempest finds the pinnacle of her purpose in live audiences: “The reality is the connection between you and the audience, which happens in the room. It’s so… profound, and moving, and strange, and ancient. I can’t get my head around it, and also it’s the only thing that I’ve ever felt that I understand fully. It’s a very strange moment, and it’s so much bigger because it’s real, it’s happening. I’m moved when I come off stage! It’s fucking epic – and when it isn’t, that’s when you start to worry.” Born Kate Calvert, Tempest has been rapping since she was 16, sparking connections and

Music

discussions across festival fields, pub stages and poetry slams. In the 15 years that have followed, she’s worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company as naturally as she has with Boiler Room. Next year, she’s due to guest direct Brighton’s annual arts festival. Kate Tempest’s words will continue to shoot across the skies, and thank fuck that they will. Let Them Eat Chaos implores you to “love more,” and in typical spirit she affirms that this is no easy fix: “The idea of rooting yourself in an activated empathy, it’s precious to me. It’s not an easy thing, to love that way. It’s not, ‘Hey, kick back, smoke a spliff, just love more, yeah?’” Tempest pauses. “It’s not washing your hands. It’s actively meeting the panic and the fear and finding a way to let the driving principle be a loving principle, an empathetic one, a forgiving and loving one. I feel like that’s the only way we’re going to get out of the panic which stops us being able to think. And I mean that on a really day to day, local level. To live like that is something we can actually do, but it was to go all ways. All ways.” Let Them Eat Chaos is out now on Fiction Records Catch Kate Tempest at The Art School, Glasgow on 1 Dec

THE SKINNY

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Album of the Month Tissø Lake

Paths to the Foss [ITLAN, 17 Dec]

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D.I.D

Beans on Toast

Slowcoaches

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The State We’re In [Your Childhood Records, 2 Dec]

Photo: Nick Rue

Paths to the Foss, the new album by Tissø Lake, is a beautiful, fragile thing, which feels more like some ancient artefact than something as tangible as a collection of songs. Ian Humberstone, the man behind Tissø Lake, has form in this field. Humberstone co-founded the Folklore Tapes label in 2011, releasing the soon sold-out (and much coveted) Songs for Mariann Voaden – a largely instrumental sonic history of a 19th century Devonshire witch in rich analogue drones, which came in a cassette tape housed in a hollowed out hardback book. Last year came the Black Dog Traditions of England, a year-long undertaking delving deep into the lore of black dog phantoms which featured site-specific fieldrecordings and original audio of local storytellers spinning out black dog yarns. Paths to the Foss is a set of songs (and three instrumentals) influenced by Humberstone’s stay close to Øvsthusfossen, a thundering Norwegian waterfall hidden among shivering pines. Much of it was written in 2013, when Humberstone lived close by the sheer waters working as a farmhand. As a result, the album feels about as close to nature as it’s possible to get as Humberstone’s rich, deep voice sings of ‘moss on the ground’ while a slightly pagan-sounding mix of fiddles, gently plucked guitar and brushed drums swells and tumbles in the background. The effect on the listener is one of beatific

satisfaction as we follow Humberstone through his working day, and the rhythms and distractions which fill the gaps. It’s intimate and dreamy in the way that recalls such other meditative classics as Virginia Astley’s From Gardens Where We Feel Secure and John Martyn’s One World. Like them, Humberstone is no mere ambient noodler. These songs are melodically rich and varied; mood pieces in the truest sense of the term. [Jamie Bowman] tissolake.bandcamp.com

Listen to: Paths to the Foss, When Work Is Done

First noticed chanting, ‘We are a mess, we are failures and we love it’ with the cast of Skins in 2011, D.I.D return with sophomore album The State We’re In. In those simpler times, they were called Dog is Dead, and that song had a glockenspiel in it so they called it Glockenspiel Song... Times change. Unlike samey debut All Our Favourite Stories, The State We’re In carries some unexpected aces. Fast Food is tighter and shinier than anything from AOFS, while Hotel comes in sideways with Black Keys-flavoured distortion, and Gameplan’s final third whips out some hip-hop-esque plucked guitar. Alas, if only the whole album fizzed with this kind of ingenuity. [George Sully]

A Spanner in the Works [Xtra Mile Recordings, 1 Dec] Beans on Toast’s eighth album opens with 2016, a hymn to the boiling awfulness of the year. Lyrically, it’s from the same stable as Scroobius Pip, albeit filtered through the folkier end of the spectrum. Yeah, he’s a bit hippy-dippy (check out the mellow electronica of I Can Be That Tree), but his heart is in the right place. His politics are good and at times like this, we need more people like Beans on Toast: if Billy Bragg doesn’t have time to write the anthems of the age in which we live, then thank goodness we’ve got Beans to do the business. [Pete Wild]

Listen to: Fast Food, Killer Whale

Listen to: 2016, Afternoons in the Sunshine

Pete Doherty

Hamburg Demonstrations [BMG, 2 Dec]

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Hey Colossus

Rosie Crow

El Hombre Trajeado

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Dedicated to Uri Klanger [MIE Music, 2 Dec] This 90-minute double LP collects highlights from Hey Colossus’ first ten years, and while it’s easy to feel swallowed up by the combination of length and volume, it’s worth taking the time to peel back the layers of their most tempestuous of cacophonies. Molten metal, frenzied feedback and motorik grooves are the most commonly repeated themes here (notably and forcefully on the pulsing, chattering headache of Eurogrumble PTII), and the textures are fascinating. Simultaneously cerebral yet primal, and brilliant throughout. When Warmer the Belter arrives, it feels like a velvet cushion amidst scraps of splintered, rusted steel... Still, who needs respite when the fray is this much fun? [Will Fitzpatrick] Listen to: I Am the Chiswich Strangler, Warmer the Belter

December 2016

Rosie Crow [Crow’s Nest Recordings, 9 Dec] The self-titled debut album by Cornish singer Rosie Crow is an impressive slice of pop goodness. Formerly part of promising indie band Rosie & The Goldbug, Crow has struck out on her own with an assured collection of bright, confident and bold pop songs tinged with just the right amount of weirdness and vulnerability. See, for example, the theatrical dreamscape of Underground and the sparse, emotional piano ballad Charlotte’s Song; even better is the glistening electro-pop skip of Goodbye Brothers. Going solo is always a risk for any musician but there’s plenty here to suggest Rosie Crow is now on the right path. [Martyn Young] rosiecrow.co.uk

Listen to: Underground, Goodbye Brothers

Fast Diagonal [Chemikal Underground, 2 Dec] 12 years after their last album, it’s remarkable how much of El Hombre Trajeado’s sound has carried over onto record number four. If 2004’s Shlap was a sonic clip round the lugs, then Fast Diagonal, all angular guitars and jagged edges, treads a similarly onomatopoeic path. RM Hubbert and Stevie Jones (Sound of Yell / Arab Strap) have established themselves as artists of note in recent years but the tidy instrumentation found on their solo work is left at the door here, replaced with messy, jittery krautrock. At its best - as on the De Rosa-esque Darkest Sea and the hypnotic Nettles that book-end the madness -it’s compelling. At worst, it’s slightly jumbled, but enjoyable nonetheless. [Finbarr Bermingham] elhombre.co.uk

Listen to: Darkest Sea

It honestly hurts – we shit you not – to write the words: the latest Pete Doherty album doesn’t make me want to ram a rusty screwdriver into my ears. It’s actually *swallows pint of hot bile* quite pleasant. That isn’t to say there aren’t things here that make us want to physically harm random strangers (some of his song titles – Oily Boker, for one – are as reliable as syrup of ipecac for inducing vomiting, and often his vocals sound posed, sung on the hearth of a country retreat

Jean-Michel Jarre Oxygene 3 [Sony, 2 Dec]

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What? What? No, seriously. This is excellent. Sure, the very mention of the man’s name conjures a picture of excess forever associated with a particular era of gung-ho materialism, defined by concerts whose unfathomable vastness saw them take place not in stadiums but in places: Docklands, Moscow (just Moscow – attendance 3.5 million) and the Sahara. Anything dipping below the population of Scotland is Jean-Michel Jarre’s equivalent of a fanclub pre-tour warm-up. You might well choose to mock his various

RECORDS

Nothing Gives [Leisure & District, 2 Dec] Slowcoaches finally turn in their debut album – and it’s worth the wait. That name’s surely tongue in cheek – recorded over a mere two days, these songs rip along at a fair ol’ pace, recalling the gnarly riffing of Black Flag’s Nervous Breakdown and the hooks of your 90s pop-grunge faves. Classic punk thrills, in other words: Norms and Values rails against the complacency of a DIY scene that thinks it’s politically woke by default, while elsewhere the singalong rush (see angular strikeouts like 54 and We’re So Heavy) makes you willing to buy anything they’re selling. A solid and often wonderful debut. [Will Fitzpatrick]

Listen to: Norms and Values, Ex Head

fireplace). Once upon a time the mere idea of Pete Doherty was enough to put this writer off ever listening to music again. But. But. There are four or five songs here – Flags From the Old Regime, I Don’t Love Anyone (But You’re Not Just Anyone) V2, The Whole World is Our Playground – that we’d listen to voluntarily. Which may either mean this is the album that sees Doherty start to win praise from people who formerly hated him, or the album that has his devotees shrieking, ‘What the fuck is that?’ Either way, it’s a slightly boozy, bluesy, badly tuned, occasionally winsome collection of songs that treads a neat path between pseud’s corner and authentic alley. [Pete Wild] Listen to: Flags from the old Regime, The Whole World is Our Playground dalliances with the likes of laser harps and – ugh – keytars, but his long-term influence is inarguable and without those ground-breaking early works, many subsequently feted provocateurs wouldn’t know a Roland D50 from Roland Rat. Jarre’s original Oxygene, his 1976 debut, is still the best-selling French album of all time. Pass on the comic opportunities that fact offers up and focus on something altogether more edifying, namely: Oxygene 3 is a minimalist – and exquisitely melancholy – wonder. A 40-year anniversary tribute to the original that remains true to its electronic spirit and grounded in its melodic tradition, it does what all good sequels should do: stands alone on its own merits and sends you back to the original with newly opened eyes. [Gary Kaill] Listen to: Oxygene 17, Oxygene 20

Review

It’s Getting Hot in Here The past 12 months have seen a slew of artists engaging with global warming, from Radiohead to Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq. While environmental issues were sidelined in the mainstream media discourse, these musicians refused to look away Interview: Andrew Gordon contraction of ‘anthropocene’, refers to our current era of domination over our surrounding world and fellow species, though Cave questions how much we’re really in control when ‘all the things we love… we lose.’ Take the Great Barrier Reef, surely among the year’s biggest climate casualties, now a quarter smaller and razed by horrific bleaching that’s turned most of the remains a peaky skeletal white. It’s fitting, then, that it should be another Australian who dedicates a record to the plight of non-human species under global warming.

“ Better to practise some humility or face the consequences”

Given the recent upheaval surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline – only the most recent instance of indigenous communities bearing the brunt of extraction by any means necessary – Tagaq’s uncontainable howl is an important expression of solidarity with disadvantaged communities disproportionately threatened by the fossil fuel agenda. In the end though, climate change will come for us all: just hear Anhoni’s devastating 4 Degrees for a sneak peek. Over a glitchy fanfare that fuses Oneohtrix Point Never’s unnerving dystopianism with Hudson Mohawke’s cinematic bombast, the British songwriter describes a vision of the future that unfolds like a gory disaster film; dogs cry out from dehydration, dead fish bob along the ocean surface. An especially disturbing twist is her ownership of it all: ‘I wanna burn the sky,’ she insists.

On his odd and brilliant Utopia Defeated, loop pedal maestro D.D. Dumbo assumes the role of various unnamed creatures as he watches his kin decay, knowing he’s next. ‘See my brother in the deep blue sea / surely someday it’s gonna swallow me,’ goes Brother. ‘See my sister blister from the sun / Lord have mercy, what have I done?’ Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq also takes the animals’ side on her vicious Retribution, but where Dumbo’s Oliver Perry sees a one-way tragedy, Tagaq imagines a bloody reckoning mounted by the dispossessed. In monologues delivered between dizzying free jazz-via-industrial post-rock barrages, she draws a line between the exploitation of animals, indigenous peoples and the environment by state and corporate powers, her voice like a conduit for generations of combined rage.

Do Not Miss

Woodenbox, Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, 10 Dec. Mono, Glasgow, 15 Dec

Preview

Photo: Mathias Kom

The Burning Man

Kathryn Joseph

Kathryn Joseph, Clarks on Lindsay Street, Dundee, 8 Dec. Mono, Glasgow, 9 Dec

Photo: Kat Gollock

The Burning Hell The Hug and Pint, Glasgow, 6 Dec The Burning Hell, who hail from Canada, are touring their latest album Public Library one last time for 2016, and their show at Glasgow’s The Hug and Pint is the only Scottish date. The songwriting project of Mathias Kom, The Burning Hell are known for their often humorous lyrics, and have drawn comparison to the likes of The Silver Jews, They Might Be Giants and former Modern Lover Jonathan Richman.

Anhoni’s message is clear; with the deadline of zero emissions by mid-century looking less and less likely, negligence at this point is tantamount to complicity. She wants us to be scared and we should be. As she so harrowingly illustrates, a four degree celsius rise in global temperature would be a doomsday scenario for the planet, but in truth the ‘safe’ two degree upper limit proposed in Paris last year is only a bare minimum for humanity’s survival and will still see further extinctions, render vast areas of our world unrecognisable and prompt more mass migrations. But fear is also a kind of acceptance, a virtue more crucial now than ever. At a time when the incoming leader of the greatest world power chooses to pooh-pooh humanity’s biggest threat, these artists urge us not to look away.

Mariachi folk sextet Woodenbox (fka Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers) have been making glorious sounds together since 2008. According to their Facebook page, they came together over a love of sandwiches, Spaghetti Westerns and the Beatles, combined with an adoration of all things Mariachi, particularly ponchos. Sadly, the Glasgow-based band have decided to call it a day, so catch them one last time in Edinburgh and Glasgow this month.

Scottish Album of the Year Award Winner 2015, and all-round lovely lady, Kathryn Joseph brings her amazing songwriting skills and vocal talents to Dundee and Glasgow this December. You can expect to hear songs from her award-winning album, Bones You Have Thrown Me and Blood I’ve Spilled, along with a smattering of new songs in anticipation of Joseph’s plans to release new solo material in 2017.

MUSIC

Woodenbox

Slow Club

Slow Club The Caves, Edinburgh, 13 Dec Slow Club is Sheffield-based duo Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor, who have been making music together for over ten years. They’re on the road, touring latest album One Day All of This Won’t Matter, released via Moshi Moshi back in August. This is the only Scottish date on their tour, and a wonderful setting for their lush dreamy pop sounds. If you ask nicely, they might even play a track from their Christmas EP. ‘Tis the season after all!

THE SKINNY

Photo: Sol Nicol

f I was going to write a protest song about climate change in 2015, it would be shit.” So said Thom Yorke this time last year, just days before the Paris Agreement conference. Evidently he had a change of heart. While we’re perhaps still a while off from a top 40 hit about demanding proper carbon taxes, 2016 marked a groundswell in musicians writing about global warming, including Mr Radiohead himself. Yorke’s sung about natural catastrophe before – his solo debut was about rising tides – but A Moon Shaped Pool is the first Radiohead album to feature a genuine environmentalist anthem in the form of The Numbers. Formerly named Silent Spring, in reference to Rachel Carson’s landmark treatise on pesticides, the song insists that ‘We are of the earth / To her we do return / The future is inside us / It’s not somewhere else’. This “somewhere else” likely refers to the notion of a magical post-Earth utopia that’s a persistent thorn in the side of environmentalists; the idea, popularised by sci-fi fiction like Interstellar, that we might yet escape our dying planet and that technology will provide the solution to the problems that technology itself has caused. In a year that’s seen Elon Musk unveil plans to send millionaires to Mars, The Numbers is a pointed rebuff to technological optimism. Nick Cave, too, knows better than to believe humanity can outsmart nature. Informed by the tragic loss of his son, Skeleton Tree finds the Prince of Darkness confronting immutable existential forces, of which volatile environmental systems are just one. ‘There are powers at play more forceful than we,’ he warns on Anthrocene. ‘Come over here and sit down and say a short prayer, a prayer to the air’. Like death, there’s no negotiating with laws of nature, Cave suggests; better to practise some humility or face the consequences. The title, a

Photo: Ian Scott

“I

Yippee Ki Yay for The Happiness Hotel On a dreich Sunday afternoon in November, we jump on the number 35 bus and venture into the deepest darkest depths of Leith, to catch up with Song, by Toad ringleader Matthew Young, at The Happiness Hotel

Photo: Nic Rue

Interview: Tallah Brash

amed after a fictional rundown hotel featured in The Great Muppet Caper movie of 1981, Young’s version is a warehouse out the back of his house which doubles up as a recording studio and unofficial gig venue. When the Muppets arrive at The Happiness Hotel, they’re welcomed by Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem – Kermit asks, “Do you guys live here?” to which they reply, “Yeah, but only between gigs,” and during our chat we’re interrupted by eagleowl’s Bart Owl and Meursault’s Neil Pennycook, who come in to ask if we want anything from the shop. Suddenly everything makes sense. Song, by Toad was founded in 2008, having originally started out in 2004 as a static website Young put his CV on, when he was looking to leave a previous job. “I slowly but surely put more and more pages on it, where I was talking about music,” Young discloses. “Then I discovered blogs in 2006 and realised that’s what I was doing. By 2007 I was ranked in Hype Machine’s top 5 blogs, but that’s when I was writing about popular stuff.” In the same year, Young was catapulted into Edinburgh’s local music scene. “I think, it was probably Rob St. John got in touch saying, ‘I’m an unsigned musician, I’ve got a gig in the Waverley next week – do you wanna come along?’ So from

that and the T Break heats [where bands competed for the chance to play T in the Park], I went to see Down The Tiny Steps, and I saw Broken Records for the first time,” he says excitedly. “I got really pulled into the local scene, I stopped writing about famous bands and concentrated more and more on local stuff. “Then Kate [Young’s wife and partner in crime] and I promised Broken Records that if they didn’t get signed, we’d release their album because it seemed ridiculous – ‘Holy shit, what have we promised here? We’ve got no idea what a record label does!’ They (Broken Records) did get signed by 4AD, but we’d already planned it to such an extent that we kind of wanted to do it anyway, so we just started doing other stuff and our first release was in December 2008 (Meursault’s Pissing on Bonfires / Kissing With Tongues). We got pulled into being a legitimate record label before we really had much chance to think about it.” Fast forward eight years and Song, by Toad is now a well-oiled machine boasting numerous releases, sessions and gigs, mostly fuelled by gin and swearing. Young’s recent move to The Happiness Hotel in Leith isn’t for financial gain. “I don’t want this to become a commercial studio and I don’t want this to become a proper venue, but I

do want it to become the engine room for the label,” he enthuses. “Like the Christmas single – I want it to be the kind of place where somebody has a ridiculous idea and we can say, ‘Yes! Let’s do it, we will make it happen. Now!’ rather than having to think about stuff too much. I want people to be able to experiment and have a go at things. I don’t want anything to not happen just because studio time is expensive.” 2016 has been an incredibly busy year for Song, by Toad with releases from Plastic Animals, DTHPDL, Modern Studies and Faith Eliott, amongst others, but at the time of our chat, there were still three more releases to come for 2016: Toad Flake Paint’s Split 12” Vol.5 featuring Small Wonder, Furnsss, Eskimeaux and Beach Moon/Peach Moon; Meursault’s comeback EP, Simple is Good; and the eagleowl / Jonnie Common Christmas singles; Yippee Kay Yule.

“Holy shit what have we promised here? We’ve got no idea what a record label does!” Matthew Young

“They are two Christmas songs which are basically about the plot of Die Hard; one from

the perspective of the Nakatomi Plaza building itself, and I think Jonnie’s is from the perspective of John McClane,” Young affectionately reveals. “We’re gonna be releasing it on a little Christmas bauble snowglobe with a Lego John McClane inside. It’s basically the best thing that’s ever happened in music.” eagleowl’s Let’s Save Christmas (The Ballad of Nakatomi Plaza) was recorded at The Happiness Hotel: “This is one of the things about having this place – you can just do it! I initially thought Bart would just play his electric guitar and sing the song, and now it’s a 55-track behemoth with child choir, four tracks of trumpet, and however many different forms of percussion. It’s going to be our silliest thing to date.” Once Christmas is out of the way, and Hans Gruber has met his match for the umpteenth time, Young and his wife are planning to adopt in the new year, so some new faces are joining the ranks: “We’ve got Mario from Plastic Animals coming on board to help us create video constantly for sessions and releases.” Young explains. “Gavin from Electropapknit is going to be helping us with a lot of the band management/live management aspects, and Anastasia Connor is going to be doing full-time PR, plus various other things.” In 2017 you can expect albums from Meursault, Lush Purr and a new Split 12”, featuring Willard Grant Conspiracy, Micah P. Hinson, Tissø Lake and Kitchen Cynics. Young tells us: “That one was all recorded here and I thought Micah P. Hinson was going to freeze to death cos he’s from Texas, and we recorded it in November. There’s a hell of a lot on!” Meursault – Simple is Good is released on Mon 28 Nov Yippee Kay Yule is released on Thu 1 Dec

Mt. Doubt Electric Circus, Edinburgh, 15 Dec Starting life at the beginning of 2015, Mt. Doubt is the brainchild of Edinburgh-based musician Leo Bargery, and it’s pretty much been all go since its inception. They already have two fully fledged albums under their belt; 2015’s self-released My Past is a Quiet Beast and this year’s In Awe of Nothing, released via Scottish Fiction Records. If you’re a fan of bands like The National and Frightened Rabbit, then this might be right up your alley.

December 2016

PAWS The Hug and Pint, Glasgow, 22 Dec

Spinning Coin are something of a Glasgow supergroup; recently picked up by Geographic Records who put out a double A-side 7” with them back in April of this year entitled Albany / Sides, recorded at the famous Abbey Road studio. The band are currently on tour with Teenage Fanclub, having been hand-picked by the band themselves to join them on the road. Catch them in Sneaky’s for a show that promises to pack a punch.

Glasgow three-piece PAWS will be fresh from touring with Selkirk’s mighty Frightened Rabbit when they take to The Hug and Pint’s diminutive stage this December. And just three days before Christmas, it will be the perfect pre-Christmas night out for letting off some steam after a hectic month of festive planning and tedious shopping. Bleurgh. PAWS know how to party, so you’ll be thrashing and ripping your top off in no time. Promise.

Spinning Coin

Cate Le Bon

Cate Le Bon The Art School, Glasgow, 19 Dec

Photo: Stephan McRobbie

Mt. Doubt

Spinning Coin Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, 17 Dec

Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon is paying Glasgow’s Art School a wee visit this December for a final round of UK tour dates in support of her fourth album Crab Day, released earlier this year via Cardiff label Turnstile. She’s only playing one Scottish date on this tour, and once it’s completed she’s touring the States pretty extensively in the new year, so this could be your last chance for a while to see the Welsh wonder in all her folk-pop glory.

MUSIC

PAWS

Preview

Photo: Eoin Carey

songbytoad.com

PJ Harvey

SECC, Glasgow, 2 Nov

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A Wednesday evening at the SECC. Is there a less appealing prospect in live music? Perhaps a Monday morning concert at a recently closed branch of BHS. The cavernous exhibition arena in Glasgow is rightly despised by many regular gig-goers as a cold, soulless venue, alien to captivating performance. But Hall 3, which stages tonight’s show, at least offers decent acoustics and plenty of space for the assembled masses. If there’s any artist who can look past these spartan surroundings it’s Polly Jean Harvey. There are few songwriters who have consistently reinvented themselves with growing confidence – and no dilution of quality – as she has. At the start of her career, penning raw punk anthems like SheelaNa-Gig, PJ benefited from an authenticity lacking from many of her 90s peers. In the subsequent decades, as her albums began to feature more sophisticated arrangements, she never lost the knack for acute social observation or historical curio. Of course, all the conceptual lyrics in the world count for nothing if you can’t pen a decent tune – but there’s no shortage of them here. Tonight, as Harvey follows on stage a ninepiece backing band, the days when she played in a simple trio seem a lifetime ago. In fairness, such a sizeable entourage is required to do justice to her latest album, The Hope Six Demolition Project. Opening song Chain of Keys sees Harvey on

saxophone, building on a rumbling foundation of three drummers. When she steps up to the microphone to sing, the clarity and strength of her voice is almost as dazzling as her black-feathered outfit. The first 45 minutes of this show are everything you could hope from a live performance – engrossing, irresistible and at times breathtaking. Harvey leads the band through a selection from Hope Six, and her previous album, Let England Shake, with studied purpose. On The Words That Maketh Murder, as she thunders through a refrain based on that old Eddie Cochrane line – ‘What if I take my problem to the United Nations?’ – the crowd seem mesmerised at the chorus of chanting from her all-male band. This is as much a theatrical performance as a gig. The musicians change positions with flawless timing, and not a word is uttered by anyone between songs. But as the Glasgow crowd’s roar of approval grows louder, Harvey allows herself a quiet smile, and later in the set, finally offers sincere thanks for the reception she’s been afforded. She deserves the plaudits. This is a carefully choreographed production that could be appreciated by even those entirely unfamiliar with Harvey or her back catalogue. While other groups who attempt large-scale theatrical performances – Arcade Fire, for example – often sound bombastic and empty, Harvey’s show retains an austere mystique. The 90-minute set passes almost too quickly, but it leaves a lasting impact. There are several members of the audience in tears. With the spell broken, perhaps they’ve just realised they’re left standing in an emptying SECC. [Chris McCall]

PJ Harvey

Flamingods

RM Hubbert

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Those who caught Flamingods’ performance at Glasgow’s Stag & Dagger festival back in May will attest that the group’s eclectic soundscapes are a welcome break from the norm. The quintet, whose members are based in both London and Bahrain, make psychedelic music with a global scope, and tonight Broadcast’s tiny stage is crammed with guitars, synths, bongos, cowbells and a jumble of additional instruments, leaving barely enough room for the performers themselves. In his seashell-adorned cap and glittering waistcoat, the perennially cheerful Kamal Rasool guides us through Majesty, the group’s third album and debut release on Soundway Records. By way of introduction Rasool explains that they’ll be “playing a lot off the new album,” and given the context, it’s an obvious choice. Responding to the outcome of the US election earlier in the day, the band posted on their Facebook page: “We stand strong in the belief

Anaïs Mitchell

La Belle Angèle, 20 Nov

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For the past few years, it’s seemed like Anaïs Mitchell has been ascending, and tonight, closing out her tour in Edinburgh, it genuinely feels like she’s a star. Over 10 years since her debut record, Hymns for The Exiled, and six since the all encompassing art-piece Hadestown that has followed her ever since, her live show has become like watching an American national treasure, as she dips into a rich and varied back catalogue that showcases her as one of the finest working songwriters today.

Review

Electric Circus, Edinburgh, 21 Nov

Flamingods

that we are all connected as one and need to come together in these times and unite against the hate-fuelled madness going on around us.” It’s an apt mission statement for Flamingods’ jubilant, invigorating rhythms, and for their latest album, which follows a conceptual narrative of the journey to enlightenment. “Leaving the place you live to go somewhere

more exotic,” as Rasool explains, is a welcome remedy tonight, and Flamingods’ transportative tunes ferry us through shamanic vocals, Middle Eastern beats, handclaps, percussive freakouts and psych jams, so boldly optimistic and colourful that Broadcast’s compact basement barely manages to contain the magic. [Claire Francis]

Bookended by two songs in tribute to the late Leonard Cohen – she opens with Famous Blue Raincoat, and takes on Suzanne for the encore – Mitchell gives a good cross section of her career throughout the set. She returns to her critically acclaimed Child Ballads record, while also playing some newer tracks, including a contribution to Martin Green of Lau’s Flit project, which tells stories of social migration through song. Even though this tour isn’t promoting a new record, there is a real thrill to hearing Mitchell play new material. That said, there is still a sense that Mitchell is something of a fan’s secret. People are crowding around for a decent view at La Belle Angèle

tonight, but there’s a frenzied reaction to the performance of Wilderland and Young Man in America, beautifully accompanied by SAY Award-nominated Jarlath Henderson with multiple requests shouted out throughout the show. The standing ovation after she closes out her set with the brilliant Out Of Pawn, and the rapturous response to the strangely prescient Why We Build the Wall – “any comparisons to any President-Elects are purely... archetypal,” Mitchell notes – suggest that her audience sizes will only continue to grow. [Harry Harris]

flamingods.bandcamp.com

anaismitchell.com

Music

Photo: Louise Connor

Broadcast, Glasgow, 9 Nov

The parts shouldn’t really add up to the whole. Man with acoustic guitar, playing music derived from flamenco stylings and the dynamics of mid-90s postrock, largely instrumental... who’d have thought that these puzzle pieces would form a jigsaw so riddled with emotional resonance? RM Hubbert is a survivor. 20 years ago he played with (the recently-reformed) sonic adventurers El Hombre Trajeado, traversing the distance between Minutemen-esque post-punk, textured soundscapes and blistering math-rock, before the band called it a day after a decade together. Since then he’s recontextualised those influences via the nylon-string guitar, creating a catalogue of deftlycomposed, beautifully performed pieces that nod to familiar forms while remaining totally idiosyncratic to his unique muse. Throughout the show he jokes about the continuing influence of depression on his work; sometimes the crowd shuffles uncomfortably, other times they laugh warmly. It’s an odd yet comforting atmosphere for odd yet comforting music. So affable is his between-song chat that it feels as much a part of the show as his playing, but once those fingers begin dancing across the fretboard, we’re simply rapt. Songs such as I Can Hold You Back, originally written with Liverpudlian folk singer Kathryn Williams, and Bolt are stark, powerful pieces with lyrical punches rarely pulled (‘He broke his heart / You broke his jaw’ goes the latter, appropriately), while other times there’s a rare optimism emanating from the stage, transcending the wordless pieces and creating something rather more profound. Hubby leaves us with the words of Daniel Johnston: ‘True love will find you in the end.’ That’s as may be, but we’re already well and truly smitten. [Will Fitzpatrick] rmhubbert.com

THE SKINNY

Photo: Amy Muir

Live Reviews

December 2016

Feature

THE SKINNY

Guest Selector: Daniel Ruane He creates celestial music on the periphery of ambient, techno and electronica; this month’s Guest Selector Daniel Ruane presents ten choice tracks from beyond the solar system Interview: Claire Francis Illustration: Roel van Eekelen

“S

cience fiction is always a good pairing with electronic music,” explains Manchester newcomer Daniel Ruane, ahead of the release of his new EP Incandescent. “They share a common component – technology and the desire to continually advance that technology. “The attempt to create something so unique that no one has heard anything like it before – to convince us of its advanced or alien origins – has permeated the outer reaches of electronic and computer music for decades,” he continues. “Sonic narratives depict alternate worlds or dimensions and the fear of the unknowable. With all of this in mind, my selection tries to focus on music that employs these concepts and how they have informed my own creations.” The Orb – Earth (Gaia) [The Orb’s Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld, 1991] "When I was growing up, my dad was obsessed with this album and used to play it when we were driving back from visiting family. We’d be driving through dark hills where the only lights were either the cat’s eyes in the road or the reflective bollards infrequently placed at the side which lit up as you drove past. You can imagine the feeling, floating through darkness with an occasional blur of light contributing to the sci-fi nature of our setting… This tune manages to capture that feeling of being a small entity within a vast construct." Vangelis – Memories of Green [Blade Runner OST, 1982] "The piano and synthetic bleeping during the intro are like little signals that feel as though they’re being aimlessly projected throughout the vacuum of space. This intro, for me, is the coolest bit of the tune, as that short section conjures the most intense sensation of loneliness away from Earth that can be found on the soundtrack. The subsequent piano textures sound more human but for that brief period during the first 20 seconds, my mind truly feels lost within space." The Future Sound of London – Cascade [Lifeforms, 1994] "This tune is one of my favourites and again, introduced to me at the age when I was too young to fully appreciate it, I had to re-discover this later on in my life. The process was genuinely worth it. The alien noises and soundscapes as the main features of the music signal a change in attitude towards more abstract styles and combine them with dance-floor sensibilities. While many have gone further still, it’s more the coherence of the generated sounds that inspire me; everything you hear sounds convincingly like it came from the same alien planet." Orbital – Out There Somewhere (Part 1) [In Sides, 1996] "This one’s all about the analogue sound – it’s minimal and dark and, like the FSoL tune, everything sounds like it’s being made by a spaceship or something. I love how a lot of the percussive elements are also contributing to the melodic lines of the track as it gives it this organic, liquid feel – like the whole track is alive, moving as one despite the little parts doing different things. The pitch-

December 2016

bending melody is exactly what you want to hear when the tune peaks and it almost gives a screeching voice to the whirring alien creature." Amon Tobin – Goto 10 [ISAM, 2011] "Amon Tobin has been a long-time favourite for his sound and sonic sculpting. This sounds like an angry space ship destroying things and constantly winding up an even bigger weapon. It stands out in particular for its undulating density and extreme granulation, keeping its distance from the more easily located forms of dubstep by maintaining the essence of ‘the cutting edge’ with his adventurous approach to form. I think this album has been an inspiration for me in terms of compositional form and arrangement, but also a lesson in avoiding a formulaic approach…" Roly Porter – Mass [Third Law, 2016] "Another track that utilises the ‘bouncing ball’ effect, only a lot more rigidly than some of its counterparts such as Aphex Twin’s Bucephalus Bouncing Ball tune, which is a lot more sporadic. Mass has, more or less, all of the rhythms and even the reverberated pulsing locked with the bouncing rhythm which creates this bio-mechanical mess of bass and noise. Eventually this long, droning synth gradually fills the space outside the bouncing followed by this grinding melodic interval that just KILLS it for me, and then everything becomes a massive wash of huge, melodic sound design. It still hasn’t ceased to impress me on every listen." Oneohtrix Point Never – I Bite Through It [Garden of Delete, 2015] "I chose this one to represent the more sporadic, less predictable side of my concept and because it’s powerful and fairly tense. It’s also very unique in terms of how it approaches rhythm, in that it sounds like it could be mashed in on a midi keyboard or something like that… either way the ‘synth’ intro is huge and sounds very intergalactic. The whole texture to me sounds perfectly alien and futuristic, like the amazing flanged out vocal thing that hits during the larger sections." Sigur Rós – Takk... [Takk..., 2005] "Sigur Rós have one of the most ethereal and rich styles that I’ve come across. To me, this track is like the sun rising on a planet that we’ve never even heard of yet. Or some alien plant or life force blossoming. The droning-pad-like texture roots the piece throughout, subtly growing in intensity as more of the sound-world opens up around the listener. A beautiful example of unrecognisable textures being tempered and presented in a familiar way to invite the imagination to travel." Boards of Canada – Gyroscope [Geogaddi, 2002] "Gyroscope was selected for the impact it had on me when I first heard it, back when I was first getting in to electronic music actively. The sounds appear to be made from field recordings of everyday objects; predominantly Velcro, I think. The textures and rhythms seemed so natural yet evi-

dently electronic, creating this connection based on uncanny recognition – something horror films take advantage of quite regularly. For myself, that feeling of almost being able to recognise the universe presented, but not to the point of familiarity, is what gives this track its slightly unnerving sci-fi edge." Akira Yamaoka – Black Fairy [Silent Hill 2 OST, 2001] "Ending on a very dark note, the otherworldly nature of this piece focuses not on interstellar science fiction, but rather on the type of science fiction/horror from creators like H.P. Lovecraft,

CLUBS

where the beyond was not another solar system but a plane of existence fuelled by the terror of the unknowable. The metallic clanging sounds that introduce the piece create the industrial, filthy space for the dissonant harmonies to rise up and clash with each other, all the while trying to emulate a simple chord progression we think we’ve heard somewhere before but can’t recognise through the anxious distortions. This tune makes me feel slightly queasy – I think that’s why it’s important." Daniel Ruane’s Incandescent EP is released via Canadian label The Silent Howl on 2 Dec facebook.com/danielruanemusic

Feature

Clubbing Highlights This December, forget dull office Christmas functions and awkward family get-togethers – here’s where the banging festive season parties are to be found

GLASGOW

Charity begins at home this month, when The Black Madonna goes head to head with our boys Optimo (Espacio) on Fri 2 Dec, with a 4am licence in place. Sub Club is pitting the heavyweights from Chicago and Glasgow against each other in the name of a great cause – all profits from the night will be donated to Glasgow Food Banks. Dig deep and do your bit for those in need (no advance tickets/£12 before midnight/£15 after midnight/£8 unemployed with proof). If you’re wanting to make a real go of it, on the same night, La Cheetah celebrates Missing Person’s Club’s 4th Birthday with special guest DJ Nobu. A celebrated DJ and producer in his native Japan, he runs his own label Bitta as well as the legendary Future Terror parties in Chiba on the outskirts of Tokyo. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see this true master at work in Glasgow for his Scottish debut. Fancy yourself capable of being in three places at once? Fri 2 Dec also sees Animal Farm welcome German techno artist Kobosil for a headline slot at The Art School. He’s supported by PoleGroup’s Reeko, who will be making his Scottish debut, plus Animal Farm’s Quail and Turtle. Back at The Art School on Sat 3 Dec, there’s a huge night in store as Numbers round out 2016 with a massive end of year party. Jackmaster, Spencer, Avalon Emerson, Jayda G, Dukwa, Jon K, and David Barbarossa make up the mega lineup, with a 4am licence to top it off. Predictably, tickets for Dixon’s show on the same night were snapped up in no time. In a battle to beat the touts, Sub Club stated afterwards that anyone who has bought a ticket for Dixon at 10am and is now trying to sell them for more than face value 6/7 hours later...will have their tickets refunded in full. These tickets will then be added to the 100 tickets we have kept back for sale on the door on the night. Head down early to try your luck. Digging deeper into December, Return To Mono puts on a techno showcase at Sub Club on Fri 9 Dec with Slam, plus Shifted (aka Guy Brewer) and a live set from Perc. Down the road, La Cheetah are celebrating 30 years of Derrick May’s classic Detroit techno record label Transmat with a super special show by the man himself. The event is May’s first ever gig at La Cheetah, and it offers a chance to see the legendary DJ, producer and personality in a rare intimate setting. He’ll be playing a three hour

Preview

set on the night; trusty residents Wardy & Dom D’Sylva will be on hand to set the scene, with the whole party running through to 4am. Sub Club has a couple of mid-week belters in store this month too – not least the FLY Glasgow double-header of Joris Voorn and Theo Kottis. Dutch veteran Voorn is well known for his experimental forays through house and techno, while Kottis has been putting in consistently killer sets across the board, from FLY Open Air Festival to his recent support slot with Groove Armada (Wed 14 Dec). And on Tues 20 Dec, English electronic music duo and production team Simian Mobile Disco take over the Subbie decks for pre-Christmas special, on the back of their latest release Welcome to Sideways.

EDINBURGH The festive season kicks off in the capital with electro house guru Erol Alkan. A star of London’s club scene in the 90s and a celebrated producer, the Phantasy label boss and inimitable DJ will be playing Sneaky Pete’s all night long (Thurs 1 Dec). The following evening, FLY welcomes Leon Vynehall to Edinburgh; his latest album Rojus is surely one of 2016’s most lush house releases. Herd will also be on hand to warm up Cabaret Voltaire in suitable fashion (Fri 2 Dec). 10 Dec sees Nightvision present an all star cast at The Liquid Room – alongside the legendary Robert Hood, there’s also DJ Deep, Stephen Brown and Main Ingredient. Hood’s two 2016 releases Paradygm Shift Volumes 1 & 2 are crammed with techno bangers – expect more of the good stuff on the night. Two big school night options battle it out on Wed 14 Dec. Daniel Avery stops in at Sneaky Pete’s as part of his DJ Kicks tour, while over at The Mash House, new club night Overground hosts teen techno prodigy Happa. Similarly, choose between Pangaea at The Mash House on Fri 16 Dec, or Jasper James at Cabaret Voltaire the same night. The former (one of the mighty Hessle Audio trio) is touring in support of his techno and bass release In Drum Play, which came out in October, while Jasper James will be certainly raising the roof over at Cab Vol, if his mammoth sets at Phonox this year are anything to go by. Finally, here’s an early Christmas present

– Soma Recordings celebrate a huge 25 years in the game on Fri 23 Dec with a 5am licence at La Belle Angele. Soma is regarded as one of the top UK independent record labels, and one of Scotland’s best musical exports. The Glasgowbased techno and house label was co-founded in 1991 by Slam, so it’s only right that the duo head up the line-up, which also features Silicone Soul, a live set from Petrichor, plus Darrell Harding and Sean Laird.

DUNDEE (AND FURTHER AFIELD) Continually delivering the goods in Dundee, The Reading Rooms offer up two excellent club nights this month. The first is an All Good Xmas Special on Sat 17 Dec, featuring Julio Bashmore plus support from Van D, Callum and Addy. Then on Boxing Day, there’s a huge techno fest in store when Glasgow born producer and DJ Gary Beck takes to the decks. With The Club Paisley set to close for good at the end of the year, Denis Sulta will send the venue off in style on Sat 10 Dec, backed by Raymond and Lindsay Green. After two massive EPs on Dixon Avenue Basement Jams and an excellent Boiler Room set, Sulta is one of Glasgow’s most sought after DJs – here’s your last chance to catch him in The Club’s intimate basement space.

HOGMANAY 2016 Celebrations kick off early at Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s with a 10pm-12.30am set from ‘DJ’s DJ’ Gerd Janson (from £6). Edinburgh-based Telfort and Juice residents will keep the party going until the wee small hours of the morning as Edinburgh’s blanket 5am licence envelopes the capital. Elsewhere in Edinburgh, Nightvision Hogmanay at The Liquid Room features Jackmaster and Alan Fitzpatrick (from £29.50) while at La Belle Angèle, Karnival see in the New Year with a soundtrack from Marc Houle and Nick Dow (from £12.50). Studio 24 hosts Wee Dub Hogmanay 2016 – Scotland’s biggest NYE celebration for roots and soundsystem heads – featuring DJ Vadim (from £15), and over at The Basket Factory, The Black Madonna will be ringing in 2017 with a three hour set, with support from nd_baumecker and Bigfoot's Tea Party (from £35)

CLUBS

Words: Claire Francis Illustration: Sophie Freeman

– and for a few extra pennies, Glasgow clubbers will benefit from a bus service leaving the city centre at 8pm and returning at 5.30am, if you fancy making the trip through. If you’d rather keep the party in Glasgow, there’s plenty going on there as well with 4am licences galore to keep you dancing until your feet hurt. The Art School will be bringing in the New Year with the inimitable Jon Hopkins in the main room, plus Nathan Fake, Nightwave, Konx-OmPax, Bossy Love and more (from £23.50), while Subculture rings in 2017 at Sub Club with a six-hour long danceathon featuring Gerd Janson, Jackmaster and Harri & Domenic (from £29.50). La Cheetah are celebrating with Chicago disco don Rahaan, alongside Swiss crate digger Sassy J, Randomer, Spencer, Dom D'Sylva and more (from £20). So we hope you’ll agree, there are plenty of club options this New Year’s Eve to keep the most devoted of clubbers happy; and with several DJs opting to play both Edinburgh and Glasgow you shouldn’t have too far travel for the perfect party. Just be sure to check set times with your club night of choice to avoid disappointment on the biggest party night of the year.

Do Not Miss The Chemical Brothers SECC, Wed 7 Dec

They’ve put out some questionable later-years releases (The Salmon Dance, anyone?) and the atmosphere of the SECC is the notoriously antiseptic, but this is The Chemical Brothers, after all. Since their origins in Manchester in the late 80s, Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons became pioneers of the big beat genre, alongside other big-name acts like The Prodigy and Fatboy Slim. As part of their world tour supporting last year’s album Born In The Echoes, The Chemical Brothers have announced three live dates across the UK in December, with Glasgow to host the only Scottish show. Although the latest record was produced by both Rowlands and Simons, Rowlands will perform alone on the tour alongside long-term visual collaborator Adam Smith.

THE SKINNY

Ask Auntie Trash:

Fuck Christmas In her Christmas column, Auntie Trash consoles a reader who hates the festive season, and reveals a secret of her own Illustration: Stephanie Hoffmann

Dear Auntie Trash, I have a confession to make: I don’t like Christmas. I mean, it was great when I was a kid and it’s nice to give people presents and everything, but now I’m older I just don’t see the point in it. As soon as I mention this to people, however, they act like I’m a total weirdo. Am I a total weirdo? Love, Kissmyass

ello Kissmyass, You are not a total weirdo and I’m glad that you contacted me, because I don’t really like Christmas that much either. OH NO SHE DIDN’T OH YES SHE FUCKING DID. The fact is that this thing that we call Christmas comes with its own giftwrapped basket of hell, such as visiting relatives, buying gifts for difficult people, and even PANTO. Sure, going to the panto can be fun – sitting there, listening to loads of children screaming in delight/ terror, wondering where all these children came from and having a wee sing-song does have its moments, but it’s not exactly the highlight of my year. But, like you, when I share this interesting titbit, along with my usual follow up of “I prefer Halloween”, people don’t know what to do with me at all. Meanwhile I still maintain that Halloween is the superior pagan celebration. Anyone who doesn’t agree can fight me. I’ll be waiting. The message of Christmas is great, what with that ‘peace and goodwill to all men’ thing that we conveniently ignore if they aren’t from our country/a member of our religion/look just like us, and the encouraging giving to charity bit is also to be commended. I just feel it would be a better use of our time and energy if we looked out for

December 2016

each other during the remaining 364 days a year. You can call me grumpy, cynical (and you would be right). You could tell me that I’m just ‘not getting it’ (what is there to get?). You could point out that this is possibly all down to the fact that my birthday is in December, and I’m just annoyed that nobody ever remembers (you would be slightly right). But it’s not a crime to dislike something, and Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time for various people for a whole myriad of reasons that they shouldn’t have to justify to anyone. And these are the people that we have to look out for more than anyone. We may not like Christmas, but we probably don’t dread it like others do, so I would suggest that we use some of that pent-up rage and turn it into something good. Check out your local food bank’s website, see what they need, run to the supermarket, and buy something – canned food, sanitary products, etc. Make a donation to a local charity, volunteer your time for a cause that you really care about, because a lot of good can come out of this with very little effort on your behalf, and it will make it better for people who are really struggling. Then, once you’ve done all that, you can lie back in your underpants, grab a tub of ice cream and take part in the only good thing about this awful season: Christmas movies. Some of my personal favourites are: The Wizard of Oz, Gremlins, The Nightmare Before Christmas and, last but not least, Die Hard. Fuck Christmas, Your ever loving Auntie Trash xxx If you are struggling this Christmas, for whatever reason, then please don’t suffer alone. There are people who can and will help you – please call The Samaritans on: 116 123

THEATRE

Review

In Cinemas Chi-Raq

Director: Spike Lee Starring: Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris, Wesley Snipes, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson, John Cusack, Jennifer Hudson, David Patrick Kelly, D.B. Sweeney, Dave Chappelle Released: 2 Dec Certificate: 15

rrrrr The number of gun-related deaths in the United States has become impossible to ignore. No more so than in Chicago, where the homicide count has now surpassed the number of American soldiers killed in Iraq. This damming statistic provides the context for Spike Lee’s latest joint, a savage satire of the gang and gun violence that plagues America’s Second City. Chi-Raq sees Lee firing on all cylinders, combining outrage at the senseless loss of black lives with a degree of bravado that hits a near-operatic pitch. An adaptation of the play Lysistrata, Lee’s version transposes the action from ancient Greece to Chicago’s South Side, where women from opposite warring sides refuse their partners sex in their pursuit of peace. Lee adopts the play’s iambic pentameter prose, but updates its rhythms to match the cadence of modern rap music. This stylish touch,

combined with a title sequence indebted to the cinema of Jean-Luc Godard and a series of rousing soliloquys from Samuel L. Jackson, culminates in an invigorating piece of high-concept, political filmmaking that looks to unearth the roots of systemic ‘black-on-black’ violence. So after the disappointment of his Oldboy remake, does Chi-Raq mark a return to peak form for

The Son of Joseph

Director: Eugéne Green Starring: Victor Ezenfis, Natacha Régnier, Fabrizio Rongione, Mathieu Amalric, Maria de Medeiros Released: 16 Dec Certificate: 12A

rrrrr A riff on the Biblical nativity, Eugene Green’s The Son of Joseph follows Vincent (Ezenfis), a young boy determined to uncover the identity of his absent father. His investigation leads to Oscar (Amalric), an obnoxious publisher who’s clearly averse to shouldering the responsibilities of fatherhood. Realising this, Vincent instead gravitates towards Oscar’s brother, Joseph (Rongione), a far more suitable father figure. What ensues is a comic tale of misplaced paternity boasting one of cinema’s funniest sex scenes and a hilarious chase sequence completely devoid of suspense; after all, you can’t have a nativity story without a donkey! Green’s trademark adhesion to the alienating conventions of Baroque theatre (principally involving static compositions where characters look directly into the camera and recite their lines with flawless diction) is embellished with an endearing playfulness that culminates in a strange and beguiling experience. Layering the mythic and the prosaic with the intimate and the broad, The Son of Joseph is a quiet masterpiece from one of cinema’s most distinctive voices. [Patrick Gamble] Released by MUBI

Lee? Well, almost. His exuberance results in a frequently incoherent story, and the film’s reductive gender politics are somewhat problematic. Although the concept of women withholding sex from men provides ample opportunity to laugh at the ridiculous male egos on display, these women are defined purely by their appearance and it would have been nice if their bodies weren’t the only leverage they had.

Jet Trash

Director: Charles Henri Belleville Starring: Robert Sheehan, Osy Ikhile, Sofia Boutella, Jasper Pääkkönen, Craig Parkinson, Rajendranath Zutshi, Adelayo Adedayo, Mansoor Ahmed Khan, Sanjay Vichare, Angel Mani Released: 7 Dec Certificate: 15

rrrrr Jet Trash is Charles Henri Belleville’s adaptation of Simon Lewis’ page-turner Go, which tells the intertwined stories of Lee (Sheehan), Sol (Ikhile) and Vix (Boutella) as they try to outrun psychopath and small time gangster Marlowe (Parkinson), who’s aptly named for Jacobean levels of tragedy, betrayal, sex and violence. Belleville boils down the source novel’s globetrotting locations to create a dual narrative contrasting earlier events in a seedy London nightclub with the tropical haven of Goa, where the trio are hiding out from whatever went so wrong in London. This double narrative of time and location creates maximum suspense and intrigue. The result is perfectly gripping for the film’s nimble 80-minute run time. The film’s standout is Sheehan. His Lee is a charming Jack the Lad who’s nothing but trouble, with enough heartfelt pain in his eyes to seduce Sol, Vix or anyone else into helping him out ‘just this one last time.’ Lee’s Orientalist fairytale dreams ultimately give way to a nightmare, of course, and Belleville depicts his descent with Hitchcockian flair. [Rachel Bowles]

Bleed for This

The Pass

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Boxer Vinny Pazienza (Miles Teller, goofy and charming) is not much of a pugilist. Not at the start of Ben Younger’s by-the-numbers biopic, at least. We first see him taking a pounding in 1988 – he has heart, but as his scurrilous manager tells him, “you wear it on your chin.” Might another down-and-out, hard-drinking trainer Kevin Rooney (Eckhart, sporting an impressive method gut), be able to shine this rough diamond? What do you think? The chump does become a champ, but that’s just act one. What makes Pazienza’s career movie-worthy is what happened next: a car crash that left him with a broken neck and doctors telling him he’s not a hope in hell of getting back in the ring. As anyone who’s watched an inspirational sports movie before will know, this is catnip to the underdog. There’s little in Bleed for This that you haven’t seen before, and lots you’ve seen far too often (a lethal drinking game could be concocted from taking a swig on every cliché). The lead actors bring plenty of soul, but the script’s got no punch. [Jamie Dunn]

Russell Tovey plays Jason, a closeted professional footballer whose career we follow over three acts. The first, set in a hotel room, sees Jason and his roommate Ade – both fringe players – preparing for an away tie. Clad only in their underpants, they spend much of this sequence engaging in physical horseplay, and something else is clearly going on beneath their macho bravado. When we meet Jason again at the peak of his career five years later, he’s on a late-night rendezvous with a female dancer, and then we jump five years further ahead to his reunion with Ade, where the simmering sexual tension of part one has begun to boil over. Each act gives a different perspective on Jason, and the actors are given ample space to give engaging performances and generate a tangible chemistry. By the end of his career, Jason is an arrogant product of the environment he has grown up in, but Tovey also expresses a powerful sense of inner turmoil and vulnerability that draws us towards him even as he behaves in loathsome ways. It’s a knockout performance. [Philip Concannon]

Director: Ben Younger Starring: Miles Teller, Aaron Eckhart, Katey Sagal, Amanda Clayton, Ciarán Hinds Released: 2 Dec Certificate: 15

Director: Ben A. Williams Starring: Russell Tovey, Arinze Kene, Lisa McGrillis, Nico Mirallegro, Rory J. Saper Released: 9 Dec Certificate: 15

Lee’s take on American gun violence can be accused of many things, but a lack of passion isn’t one of them. Regardless of whether or not his hyper-didactic style strikes a chord, there’s no denying this is powerful and timely filmmaking, fuelled by the fires of injustice and told with an intoxicating exuberance. [Patrick Gamble] Released by Vertigo

Sully

Director: Clint Eastwood Starring: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Valerie Mahaffey, Delphi Harrington, Mike O’Malley, Jamey Sheridan, Anna Gunn, Holt McCallany, Ahmed Lucan, Laura Linney Released: 2 Dec Certificate: 12A

rrrrr Sully is Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial example of complex American mythmaking. Tom Hanks stars as Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot lauded for the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ in January 2009, when US Airways Flight 1549 lost both engines to a flock of geese and made a textbook-perfect water landing in the middle of New York City with zero loss of life. Rather than open with the event itself, Sully begins with a nightmare sequence of the manoeuvre going disastrously wrong and Sully awakening in a cold sweat. Without any establishment of the story as it happened, Eastwood dives into the stress of Sully unable to enjoy his hero status in the grip of the mandatory investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the personal self-doubt it caused. One wonders, in this opening, if Eastwood has gone too far this time in his dour deconstructions of American legends, but such misgivings prove just as unfounded as the cross-examination of Sully himself – Eastwood is a craftsman of exceptional, innate storytelling judgement, and this proves the most suspenseful, character-rich and ultimately redemptive angle to approach the Flight 1549 story. By the time the reenactment comes, we’re so wound up with a willingness to be surprised by the complications of this tale that it becomes an immediate human drama anew, with personalities we care about, a dense sense of physical danger and an inspiring study in individual professionalism, from the cockpit to the flight crew to the rescue teams and the passengers themselves. Eastwood remains an American master, and if some of the finer details lack finesse, like the plasticky, undergraded digital photography, and the occasional dopey crowd shot, such quibbles are subsumed by the overall emotional whomp. [Ian Mantgani] Released by Warner Bros

Review

FILM

THE SKINNY

Bard is a Four-Letter Word Our monthly poetry column reviews the events of 2016 – including Neu! Reekie! and Flint & Pitch – while offering up some lyrical gift options for Christmas

s another year ages, it’s always amazing to recap just how much can happen in such a short window. New Makar Jackie Kay has been in residence for 10 months, and (as far as I can see) has thrilled pretty much everyone with her warmth and enthusiasm for the role – an achievement in itself, when so much of the literary scene tends to be divided by opinion. It’s been a wonderful year for live events; I spent one of the best weeks of my year at the Edinburgh Books Festival last summer, imbibing all of Unbound’s free evening delights in the Spiegeltent on top of the ticketed shows, experiencing everything from combined spoken word and music to the art of printing poetry. What with the Ilkley Literature Fest flourishing as ever, StAnza in St Andrews taking on greater challenges every year in its efforts to connect the global poetry scene live over the web, and smaller festival stars like Dundee and the new-born Bradford rising ever higher, Scotland and the North of England are packing one hell of a punch on the festival scene. I mention not only to reminisce on 2016 but to encourage you to plot them into your 2017 diaries. It’s been especially pleasing to watch so many interesting new collaborations between poets and musicians this year. Neu! Reekie! recently came together to release Emelle’s new album, and we have also seen the beginning of new projects like Flint & Pitch, which is already making massive leaps and breaking down creative

barriers with revue shows at The Bongo Club and variety nights at The Lyceum. Speaking of rising stars, another starter brought to my attention this month was Orton – a new, free online community designed to offer a more accessible path to writing and publishing success, while giving members the feedback they need to get their written work to industry standard. An ideal opportunity to get your poetry out there in the public sphere. As CEO Beth Cleavy explains, it was born, like many projects, of frustration.

“ It’s all about letting the readers decide what they want to read, not the publishers” “I started with a group called Manchester Writer’s Circle,” she says. “We meet, chat about our work, share our frustrations, and inspire each other to get into the writing mindset. I found that I was not the only one struggling to be noticed. Most of them describe the writing industry

Words: Clare Mulley

as ‘luck’ and say they have received rejection letters from publishers, which give very little feedback on how they can improve their work. I then looked into more established writers, and couldn’t believe just how many authors had been rejected, from HG Wells to JK Rowling... It’s all about letting the readers decide what they want to read, not the publishers.” In print: As it’s the season of giving, and many of you will be scouting out poetry collections to gift to unsuspecting friends and relations, I thought now was the time to compile a list of my own personal favourite reads this year. Like toiletries, everyone will have their own preferred scents. Unlike toiletries, if given wisely these aren’t going to end up in the ‘present cupboard.’ Some are new on the scene, some rather less so, but I think they’re all definitely worth a read. Falling Awake by Alice Oswald [Vintage, £10] A gorgeous collection incorporating mythology and the everyday in nature, including a long poem about Tithonius written around the time lapse between sunrises. Oswald’s tone manages to both declare and haver around the ethereal – a rare and beautiful voice. Brother by Matthew and Michael Dickman [Faber & Faber, £10.99]

A moving tribute to a sibling and a harrowing exploration of grief through the eyes of two brothers, who take one half each of this collection. Fugitive Colours by Liz Lochhead [Birlinn, £9.99] I adore the sincerity of these poems, and their humorously plainspoken way of dealing with loss and love. This is the latest of Lochhead’s collections, after a long gap. Say Something Back by Denise Riley [Pan Macmillan, £9.99] Another tribute to a loved one who has passed on, this time to a son. Lyrical and haunting, these poems have a soft music which stays with you for a long time afterwards. I Must Be Living Twice by Eileen Myles [Profile, £14.99] A new compilation of vintage and fresh Myles, this is a fantastic voice for anyone who likes to tell life exactly like it is, using primary colours and a big dollop of laughs without skimping on the grit. The Map and the Clock compiled by Carol Ann Duffy and Gillian Clarke [Faber & Faber, £20] This year’s shiny box of delights does not disappoint, and is a must-read for anyone into their history and folk songs. www.orton.io

The Brilliant & Forever

Trials on Death Row in Pakistan

Infinite Ground

By Martin MacInnes

This Must Be The Place

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By Kevin MacNeil

Everyone on this Scottish island is an aspiring writer, even a talking alpaca called Archie. He wears a Stetson, and gave his best friend, our narrator, a jumper made from his own wool once. It’s these endearing details that bring the world of this book to life: mostly recognisable, with a few major quirks. Perhaps this is just what island life looks like to a mainlander. In any case, there’s a literary festival on: the Brilliant and Forever, and Macy, Archie and our narrator each have a spot on the line-up. And unlike most literary festivals, this one will be life-changing. Full of wry detail and satirical flourish, The Brilliant & Forever is a demonstration of virtuoso storytelling. There are 13 short stories in the book, each one startlingly different in pace and voice and tone. The structure alone is testament to MacNeil’s skill as a writer. Only clever plotting and a keen sense of timing keeps the momentum of the narrative on track. But it’s the frame narrative and its treatment of friendship, empathy and alpacas that are really touching. MacNeil atomises the process of othering by which communities define themselves – here are the alpacas, standing in for any number of minorities in the long shadow of Brexit and Trump. All of that makes it sound overly serious, which it isn’t: MacNeil’s prose style keeps things light, lyrical, and funny. [Galen O’Hanlon] Out now, published by Birlinn, RRP £9.99

December 2016

By Isabel Buchanan

Just because a book is worthy, it doesn’t necessarily make it worthwhile. There must be balance between weighty subjects and their treatment. Debut author Isabel Buchanan strikes this perfectly in her impressive debut. In 2011 this 23-year-old Scottish lawyer joined a unique female-led legal chambers in a male dominated culture, working to save lives due to end on the gallows. Buchanan takes on a subject both morally and technically complex; the plight of those accused of horrific crimes and a labyrinthine legal system, where religion flavours remnants of antiquated laws left behind by the British. One which believes in an eye for an eye. In many cases, however, it seems both a wrong and random eye they wish to pluck in return. The multiple murder cases the team face are almost everyday in comparison to the incendiary accusation of blasphemy. These illicit words endanger not only those accused, but any judge or legal representative voicing an opinion challenging the mob. Buchanan modestly removes herself from much of the action, focussing instead on her brave Pakistani colleagues, endangered by their association with such cases, and the often tragic backstories of the accused. She guides us through these stories with poise and respect, avoiding melodrama in cases which frankly need none to shock to the core. Buchanan has made her mark here as a reporter of hidden stories which desperately need to be heard. [Alan Bett]

Martin MacInnes’ aggressively postmodern detective tale takes place in an unnamed South American country, as an unnamed inspector tries to solve the case of a man named Carlos who has mysteriously disappeared. Probably. This Saltire Society-shortlisted debut plays with the seemingly simple question of what happened to a man who got up to go to the bathroom and never came back. As the hot summer days beat down on the investigating inspector’s mind, he finds even the most solid facts of his world begin to soften and warp. He delves into microbiology to try and solve the case at a molecular level, grows suspicious of the authenticity of even the victim’s grieving mother and develops ever weirder theories as his grip on reality starts to slide. By the story’s halfway point, trying to figure out what really happened becomes like trying to determine ‘up’ while floating in outer space. One of the great strengths of this novel is the empirical, terse language that it is delivered in: even as things grow hazier and the inspector’s logic grows visibly less coherent, his story is told with the same scientific certainty as any Sherlock Holmes case. With Infinite Ground, MacInnes delivers a Don DeLillo/Thomas Pynchon-esque piece of anti-detective fiction with enough style of its own to not get lost in their shadow. [Ross McIndoe] Out now, published by Atlantic Books, £12.99

Out now, published by Vintage, RRP £16.99

By Maggie O’Farrell

This Must Be the Place, the seventh novel from veteran chronicler of human emotion and relationships Maggie O’Farrell, follows the meandering life of Daniel Sullivan: erstwhile philanderer, fervent linguist and impulsive decision-maker. By examining a multitude of important moments from Daniel’s life as seen from a variety of viewpoints, O’Farrell expertly sketches a fully-formed human on the page, complete with all of his charms, foibles and, most importantly, flaws. Indeed, it is Daniel’s shortcomings and missteps which provide the main thrust of the plot. The effect these have on others around him are examined in detail, from old flames to current ones, from offspring to acquaintances. The resulting novel is one full of wit, empathy and resonance; the image of Daniel as an imperfect being can serve as a mirror in which we can all recognise certain darker elements of ourselves and (hopefully) accept them. Besides Daniel, the other central character in the story is Claudette Wells, a former movie star who gives up her glamorous lifestyle for the sweet bliss of anonymity in rural Ireland. Claudette’s marriage with Daniel is put under a sometimes unflattering, always unflinching microscope which, again, finds the threads common to almost all human relationships. It’s this ability to create such believable characters which strike so many chords with the reader that sets O’Farrell apart as an author, and makes her latest effort such an irresistibly enjoyable read. [Jonny Sweet] Out now, published by Tinder Press, £7.99

BOOKS

Review

The Future of Stand-Up? New streaming service NextUp offers a chance to access niche comedy from the comfort of your living room

tand up comedy in this country is going through a bit of a shake-up at the moment. With the roster of ‘seen ’em on the telly’ comics getting more compact, it is difficult to get folks to take a chance on the ever-growing number of new acts. The pinnacle of each performer’s year is often whether or not they take a show up to Edinburgh but they are often left wondering ‘what now?’ after the month of August ends. In America there has always been a different set-up in place with ‘stand-up specials’ often coming after an hour long show has toured. Though common in America with Comedy Central and now Netflix getting in on the act, the closest equivalent in the UK would be the ‘DVD recording’ but with sales of such a format dwindling there is a gap for where comics go next after success with a show they’re proud of. That they pour everything into their hour long performances for a month of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe only for them to disappear into the ether once September rolls around seems a great loss. Something that has inspired the new online streaming platform NextUp says co-founder Sarah Henley: “We found it exceptionally sad that we would come to the Edinburgh Fringe every year and see incredible, lovingly crafted shows, which would maybe tour, but then disappear completely, with only a small handful of comics getting DVD deals.” So teaming up with independent comedy producers Turtle Canyon they have set out to make the ‘Netflix of UK comedy,’ a pretty lofty claim but one backed up by the ease of service and the array of stand-ups on show. The first 30 days are free and there’s a £3.50 monthly charge, less than you might put in the bucket at the end of ‘pay what you want’ Fringe show (or more depending on what kind of terrible person you are) and gains access to an initial catalogue of shows new and old including a heap of specials from Canadian wildcard Tony Law. This base will expand as time goes on, making repeat subscription a must, but the key to the content is in the niche areas. Netflix may have the bigger names with the likes of Jimmy Carr recently releasing an hour long new show, but with NextUp there’s a chance to find hidden gems, or relive that smaller show you stumbled upon one night in Edinburgh. The likes of Brennan Reece, Jordan Brookes and Fern Brady are included and for those that couldn’t make the Fringe or live too far from any of the various touring spots that comics hit, this is an ideal place to catch all your favourites, old and new, filmed professionally. Some will dismiss the idea of putting stand-up online as expediting the death of live comedy, but as you can see from the shows that they have produced they thrive on the audience that packs out the venue. Live comedy will always be best experienced live, but the

Review

COMEDY

Interview: John Stansfield NextUp way comes a close second, exposing subscribers to acts they may not have heard of. “Audiences may be brought in by their favourite one or two big names but we hope they will quickly be encouraged to discover the breadth of great comedy the industry has to offer,” claims Henley.

“We found it exceptionally sad that we would come to the Edinburgh Fringe every year and see incredible, lovingly crafted shows, which would maybe tour, but then disappear completely” Sarah Henley

As consumers are driven more and more by online content it is refreshing also to see a brand that is looking to put the money directly back into the pockets of the performer and in showcasing stranger acts like Ben Target and Lou Sanders that might broaden the horizons of comedy fans who’ll only see someone live if they’ve ‘been on the telly’. Taking a chance on comedy and discovering something new is one of the greater joys of the live scene and has transferred perfectly with NextUp’s eclectic roster. It elevates the position of more comedians without having to appear on Live at the Apollo or one of the myriad panel shows. Henley also hopes acts can “be able to resurrect their favourite retired shows, or record their new ones as well as gain new fans from existing recordings.” Rather than being skeptical of the internet and its use in illegally streaming shows, NextUp are turning into the skid and hoping that folks will come with them for the ride. At the cost of less than a pint it’s well worth it, and may unearth a new favourite or two. NextUp is available now. Sign up for 30 days free (followed by a £3.50 monthly charge) landing.nextupcomedy.com

THE SKINNY

This Month in Scottish Art December brings with it Christmas markets, as well as performance from Marvin Gaye Chetwynd and events by the Rugged University and 16 Nicholson Street Words: Adam Benmakhlouf

House for an Art Lover

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For one night, House of an Art Lover resident painter Elinor Stanley’s work took ‘brief residence’ around the Mackintosh designed show home. Making themselves comfortable, there were portraits of bald heads, handmade ceramic and paintings of traversing figures. Though often gesturally marked, the works also operate without excessive detail. In one small portrait of a bald head, a white silhouette of a side profile is cut into a dark blue landscape background – suggested by a lighter upper section. A heavily lidded eye communicates tiredness in the nighttime landscape, or maybe drunkenness as it’s also spray painted on top with a bright, snaking and blurry peach pink. Set on the decorative and uneven wood panelling of the dining room’s dark wood walls, there’s an interesting and unusual contrast that allows

for the subtleties of the muted colour palette to be appreciated. Also emphasised by the straight ridges of the decorative wall paneling, there’s the bowed edge of one portrait that is kinked just above the top curve of a bald scalp, maybe suggesting an uneven pressure on that point, a pushing down onto the peak of the skull. As if being led through each of the three exhibition spaces, there is the repeated motif of two figures seen from behind and diagonally. With a horizon line set on the top right corner, the three works come to suggest being long outrun or eluded in a bad-natured torturing by long limbed angels on humble followers – through bright light in one, then dark graphite, then a screen of lush greens. Only open for two hours, an entire show run of visitors met together, made to visit simultaneously rather than punctuated over days and as strange and present to each other as the the unknown but readable faces and bodies depicted. [Adam Benmakhlouf]

The Inventors of Tradition II

The Inventors of Tradition II rrrrr A new publication and artist book incorporates documentary moments for each of the elements of The Inventors of Tradition II project. Conceived by the artist-design collaboration Atelier EB (artists Lucy McKenzie and Beca Lipsombe), the project originally took place around Glasgow during May 2015 with a design collection, exhibition and events programme. With a lush set of photographs of perfume bottles swapping lids with other cosmetics, a Glasgow-set script of time-travelling adventures by Lucy McKenzie and a fashion shoot of the IOT II line, the expanded monograph becomes an artist book in its own right and a crucial further dimension to the events and exhibition programme. It’s important to remember the context of the original exhibition, researched then taking place in the wake of the Scottish Referendum and the Commonwealth Games. This release comes before their tour of their IOT II collection, and gives a sense of some of the excitement of their different pieces that feature flourishes like

December 2016

Photo: Gordon Burnistoun

Elinor Stanley

ou can read about the DCA Thomson exhibition in Dundee in our features section (p29). Opening right at the start of the month (Fri 2 Dec), six artists from Scotland and beyond (Rob Churm, Rabiya Choudhry, Craig Coulthard, Malcy Duff, Hideyuki Katsumata and Sofia Sita) turn the iconic DC Thomson’s archive into a multimedia group show, with each artist giving different and personal responses to the unique output of the Scottish publisher. Keep an eye out for details of performances and events in the new year in the online weekly column. In Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, also on 2 December, there’s the opening for Open Storage from 6-8pm. Over the last two months, Edinburgh and Berlin based artists swapped locations and their familiar surroundings for exhibiting, networking and production opportunities in new environments. Returning from Berlin, the Edinburgh artists (Jessica Harrison, Bernie Reid and Yokollection) show their ceramics, fashion, textiles that are rigorously crafted while also bridging the gap between functionality and aesthetics. Until 17 December. More design from Many Studios as part of their Form and Balance Concept Store, open until 12 December, with limited edition fashion accessories, homewares, skincare and stationery. From 3 December in Collective Gallery, the latest show from their Satellites mentorship programme brings artist Anastasia Philimonos’ latest project Whole World Working. In it, she posits a world without borders with reference to theories on nation state politics and the rise in nationalist and isolationist movements since 2008. Ragged University comes to Rob Kennedy’s Acts of Display exhibition on 8 December. They’ll be leading discussion on his installation, which looks to disrupt usual modes of exhibition encounters. They encourage participants to bring along musical instruments, books to read from or sketchbooks to help understand the work. Kennedy’s exhibition continues until 17 December. On 9 December, recently opened space 16

Nicholson Street puts on a fundraiser exhibition with artists from across the city and beyond donating works to be exhibited and sold at a silent auction event from 7-10pm. Transmission brings Video Show to December, with screening events throughout the month. Day to day, there’s a temporary cinema installed in the upstairs space, with Transmission’s own VHS Archive, along with Glasgow’s Radical Film Archive, and until 3 December not for profit feminist film distribution organisation Cinenova. Later in December, there’s a Members’ Screening event spanning 10 & 11 December. Then on 16 December, Berlin-based artist and curator Vince Tillotson will present a special film event from 6pm. Tea Green market returns this Christmas, and this time to Dundee with over 40 makers exhibiting in the Old Flour Mill until 24 December. The event will showcase stunning and limited edition works of local designers, including textiles, jewellery, ceramics, glass, illustration, painting and much more, all set against the historical backdrop and features of the old mill. Alongside the works, many of which will be new to the Dundee market place, Tea Green will also have a programme of bookable workshops for the public to take part in and make something for themselves. Please see teagreen.co.uk for more information. Keeping Christmas art and design markets in mind, Summerhall present theirs on 11 December from 11-5pm. At 12-1pm and 2-3pm, the Summerhall Singers will be singing festive carols, amongst the huge range of gifts and unique finds for friends and family. All through December, Marvin Gaye Chetwynd’s exhibition Uptight Upright Upside Down continues and she and her family of performers will also be presenting her new performance work every Saturday in CCA. The opening brought with it high-energy choreography and audience participants being sacrificed to a sun goddess. There’s also a zine room and film work that can be visited through the week.

abstracted Neo Classical Glasgwegian architectural details, alongside a pixellated Scottish football strip crest. Resisting generalities, they nevertheless say it’s important that Scottish Style remain “uncommodified”, but not ignored. Lucy McKenzie conducts interviews with ‘Mockintosh’ jewellery designer Eric Michael, Jill Bryson of Glasgow art punk band Strawberry Switchblade and Ellen van Schuylenburch – a founding member of the renowned Michael Clark dance company. It’s throughout these encounters that McKenzie demonstrates Atelier EB’s extensive and comfortable knowledge, and idiosyncratic interest in the different references and quotations they make in their restaged performances, fashion collections and installations. In a library sleeve embossed with a detail from the exhibition’s accompanying clothing line, thoughtful design choices are integral to bring together subjects as diverse as favourite 80s teen fragrances, Glasgow cultural policy of the last three or four decades and Bernat Klein’s High Sunderland modernist abode. [Adam Benmakhlouf] The Inventors of Tradition II, £38

Tea Green Market

wearepanel.co.uk

ART

Review

Photo: Richard Clifford

Install View, House for an Art Lover

Win a pair of IOLLA lasses P

rescription lenses for £65? Anti-glare coatings and thinner lenses (usually) included as standard? There's just two reasons why IOLLA can claim to be leading a revolution in the way we buy eyewear, although with over 100 optical styles to choose from at their Finnieston showroom, there's plenty more reasons available to 'em. Promising "a completely different shopping experience from your usual opticians", IOLLA have swapped the traditional high-sales environments with an experience that is easy, effortless and affordable – view their full collection at their website, then pay them a visit to see for yourself? We’ve teamed up with the good folks at IOLLA to offer you the chance to win a pair of their glasses or sunglasses, including frame, single vision lenses and coatings to the value of £65. To enter, all you need to do is head to theskinny.co.uk/competitions with the correct answer to the following question: In which Glasgow district is IOLLA's showroom?

Win tickets to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party E

dinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party returns with four stunning fireworks displays and a stellar music line-up across four stages. Edinburgh city centre will come alive with festivities as party people from all over the world gather to bring in 2017 in style. Frederick Stage headliners Guilty Pleasures will broadcast a hit filled set of party anthems throughout the arena – providing the soundtrack to this year’s Street Party. The Waverley Stage is headlined by music legends The Charlatans, joined by Ayrshire trio Fatherson and Dundee popster Be Charlotte. Celtic crossover stars Salsa Celtica headline the Castle Stage, while Scottish funk outfit James Brown Is Annie top the bill on the Mound Stage. To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to the 2016 Street Party, simply go the

theskinny.co.uk/competitions and correctly answer the following question: Who will headline the Waverley Stage at this year’s street party? a) The Charlatans b) The Stone Roses c) Ocean Colour Scene Competition closes midnight Mon 12 Dec. No persons under 12 years old is permitted at the Street Party. Anyone under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult over 21 years old. Winners will be notified via email within two working days of closing and will be required to respond within 48 hours or the prize will be offered to another entrant. Winners’ tickets will be sent via post. Our Ts&Cs can be found at theskinny.co.uk/about/terms More info: edinburghshogmanay.com

a) Finnieston b) West End of Glasgow c) Shawlands iolla.com

COMPETITIONS

Photo: Chris Watt

Competition closes midnight 3 Jan. Winners will be notified via email within two working days of closing and will be required to respond within 48 hours or the prize will be offered to another entrant. Winners’ tickets will be sent via post. Our Ts&Cs can be found at theskinny.co.uk/about/ termsentrant. The names of the winner will be on the guest list. Our Ts&Cs can be found at theskinny.co.uk/about/ terms-and-conditions

THE SKINNY

Glasgow Music Tue 29 Nov DEACON BLUE

GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL, FROM 18:30, £30 - £40

The Glasgow-formed 80s popsters play tracks offa their eighth LP, The Hipsters, some 25+ years and still going strong. RIZZLE KICKS

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £20

Teenage talents Harley AlexanderSule and Jordan Stephens do their thing, mixing pop with some old-school hippity-hop. In baseball caps. Obviously. BIFFY CLYRO + BRAND NEW

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:30, £29.50 - £45

The Kilmarnock rock outfit tour with Jesse Lacey’s Long Island quartet Brand New. MYSTIC BRAVES

BROADCAST, FROM 19:00, £8

Psych rock from Echo Park, Los Angeles.

HAMSANDWICH (GRAEME GRAY)

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £10

Dublin indie rock band fronted by Niamh Farrell, making their Scotland debut at King Tut’s. MELPA-JOCKES JAM CLUB

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £8

A wonderfully merry band of Swedish folk rockers.

Wed 30 Nov DEACON BLUE

GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL, FROM 18:30, £30 - £40

The Glasgow-formed 80s popsters play tracks offa their eighth LP, The Hipsters, some 25+ years and still going strong. BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE

O2 ACADEMY GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £30

The Welsh metal titans return to the live stage. ELIZA AND THE BEAR

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:00, £12.50

Five piece euphoric indie pop/ rock lot hailing from London and featuring neither Eliza, nor indeed a bear. PSYCHIC ILLS

BROADCAST, FROM 19:00, £9

BOOK YER ANE PRE-FEST (WONK UNIT + MURDERBURGERS) BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

A special fringe show serving as a worthy precursor to the now established Book Yer Ane Fest ROADSTARS (AARON KEYLOCK + SIMO + FEDERAL CHARM)

O2 ABC, FROM 18:30, £14

Trio of blues and rock bands for your aural delectation. VELVETBOMB (SAINTS)

IVORY BLACKS, 20:00–12:00, £5

Glasgow two-piece hard rock band Velvetbomb headline Ivory Blacks to launch their vinyl EP, along with rock band Saints. ROCK IT! ROCK HARD (APATHY’S EDGE + AUDIODRIVER + THE ELEPHANT MEN )

BOX, FROM 20:00, FREE

Kick off the month right with four of Scotland’s hardest rocking underground bands.

Fri 02 Dec

JOOLS HOLLAND AND HIS RHYTHM AND BLUES ORCHESTRA

CLYDE AUDITORIUM, FROM 19:30, £37

The former Squeeze piano tinkler does his thing, accompanied by his live band ensemble and special guests. PLACEBO

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:30, £27.50 - £37.50

With six studio albums and more than 12 million records sales, Brian Molko and his band of alternative rockers return to mark the 20th anniversary of their eponymous debut album. YASHIN

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, FROM 18:30, £15

Scottish post-hardcore sextet who enjoy screaming, ear-splitting riffs and guitar arpeggios. Don’t we all. PIXIES

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £32.50

Heading out on a world tour in support of their sophomore postreunion album, Head Carrier, which also sees Paz Lenchantin officially join the permanent line-up. THE SUNSHINE UNDERGROUND

Spawned from electronic-centered home recording experiments, the NYC quartet continue to explore a variety of musical terrain, honed by plenty of time on the road.

You thought they’d stay partying like nu-rave never went away, but the Shrewsbury-via-Leeds group embark on a farewell tour.

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £8 - £10

STEREO, FROM 19:00, £10

CARLA REES

Carla Rees performs new music for contra-bass flute and electronics featuring a new work by Matthew Whiteside. MARILLION

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £28

Steve Hogarth’s longstanding band of rockers return. LEVELLERS

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £25

The longstanding Brighton rock ensemble celebrate 25 years of Levelling the Land.

Thu 01 Dec

GLENN TILBROOK: THE BEST OF TIMES

ORAN MOR, FROM 19:00, £18.50

Singer-songwriter Glenn Tilbrook stops by on his 36-date solo tour. THE DUNWELLS

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £8

Folk rock bunch hailing from Leeds, made up of brothers Joseph and David Dunwell and cousins Robert Clayton and Jonny Lamb. LITTLE BARRIE

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 20:00, £11

Nottingham-formed trio (since relocated to London) riding along on a mix of garage rock, R'n'B, surf and psychedelia sounds. ALTER BRIDGE

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:00, £30

Formed from the ashes of Creed, three of the original members continue to rock (with the added vocal skills of Myles Kennedy). MODERN RITUAL (FRAUEN)

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £5

Cali band who specialise in what they refer to as futurepop. PIERCE THE VEIL

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £14

JIM BOB (CARTER U.S.M.)

The Carter USM singer returns as a solo artist. ARKELLS (RYAN O’REILLY)

BROADCAST, FROM 19:00, £7

Canadian rockers who’ve a major label deal under their belts. ADAM SUTHERLAND (MARC CLEMENT)

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £10

Talented Scottish fiddle player, composers and teacher who has in his time been a part of The Treacherous Orchestra, Session A9, Peatbog Faeries, Babelfish and more. THE BUCKS CHRISTMAS PARTY!

THE GLAD CAFE, FROM 19:30, £10

Sammy’s Open Mic house band The Bucks host a festive jubilation. Bring shoes to dance in. MC LARS

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 19:30, £8

MC Lars is the answer to the widespread (?) problem of having too few Edgar Allen Poe references in hip-hop – making indie hip-hop with literary inspired lyrics. TWENTY FOUR (JUST HOPE)

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 19:00, £6

Four-piece indie band from Coatbridge / Glasgow.

THE HIGH FLIGHT LIVE (KATE TEMPEST)

SUB CLUB, 19:00–22:00, TBC

After their Burns Supper last year, The High Flight return to bring the triumph that is Kate Tempest into Subbie for an eve of poetry, storytelling and music. ADRIAN CROWLEY (PICASTRO + HOWIE REEVE )

PLATFORM, FROM 19:00, £5

Sat 03 Dec

JOOLS HOLLAND AND HIS RHYTHM AND BLUES ORCHESTRA

CLYDE AUDITORIUM, FROM 19:30, £37

The former Squeeze piano tinkler does his thing, accompanied by his live band ensemble and special guests. TEENAGE FANCLUB

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £20

Cherished and celebrated alt-rock band who formed in Bellshill in 1989. CHRISTMAS QUEENS

O2 ACADEMY GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £35

The cream of the local drag scene take to the stage for a festive bash. EL HOMBRE TRAJEADO

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £13

Chemikal Underground band who formed in 1995 and boast the wonderful RM Hubbert within their line-up. VÉLONIÑOS

THE GLAD CAFE, FROM 20:15, £8 - £10

Following a packed-out gig earlier this year, the Véloniños return to The Glad Cafe for another night of energetic rock’n’roll.

VENUS SLEEPS (HEADLESS KROSS + DEAD OTTER)

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 19:30, £5

Heavy doom from Dublin.

THE #ALSTARXMASPARTY 2016 TOUR (JOSH TAYLOR + ROBYN REGAN + CAL TURNER + HARRY OAKLAND + BRONNIE)

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 12:00, £20

Alstar Music bring a star studded concert to Classic Grand. THE GREASY SLICKS

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £5

The blues rock trio tour Europe in support of their debut release.

Sun 04 Dec DEACON BLUE

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £30

The Glasgow-formed 80s popsters play tracks offa their eighth LP, The Hipsters, some 25+ years and still going strong. BEN MONTAGUE

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £8

Tousle-haired acoustic singersongwriter blessed with an acute sense of melody. TEENAGE FANCLUB

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £20

Cherished and celebrated alt-rock band who formed in Bellshill in 1989. FOY VANCE

ORAN MOR, FROM 19:00, £15

PWR BTTM (THE SPOOK SCHOOL)

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

CHINA CRISIS

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, TBC

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:30, £50 - £80

ORAN MOR, FROM 19:00, £17.50

American queer punk duo, with Ben Hopkins on guitar and vocals and Liv Bruce on drums and vocals.

Tue 06 Dec THE HUMAN LEAGUE

GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL, FROM 19:00, £29.50 - £32.50

The Human League are ready for another tour of their oncepioneering new wave. GENGAHR

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 20:00, £11

Gengahr are a hypnotic North London quartet specialising in smooth melodic indie-rock. THE SO SO GLOS

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £7.50

Brooklyn punk rockers showcasing tracks from their new record, Kamikaze. THE BURNING HELL (BODYHEAT)

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £9

Canadian folk artist Mathias Kom returns to the UK with a full band in tow for this latest round of Burning Hell shows. ISASA + HOWIE REEVE

THE GLAD CAFE, FROM 19:30, £6

Guitarist and composer based in Madrid who’s been an active member of thecity’s underground music scene since the early 90’s. JULIE RUIN

THE ART SCHOOL, 19:00–23:00, £15

Due to overwhelming demand The Julie Ruin play The Art School on 6th December, rather than the previously advertised CCA. All previously purchased tickets remain valid for this change.

Wed 07 Dec THE SHIRES

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £22.50

Hertfordshire and Bedfordshirehailing duo riding the wave of country music’s recent success. DANIEL DOCHERTY

SAINT LUKE’S, FROM 20:00, £10

Acoustic folk-pop singer/songwriter from Glasgow. CHEMICAL BROTHERS

ORAN MOR, FROM 19:00, £20

Maxi Jazz returns with his fearsome live band The E-Type Boys. NE-YO

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £49

LA-based R'n'B artist, producer, actor and dancer who’s so sick of love songs; so tired of tears. Poor tyke. MICHAEL MCDERMOTT

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:00, £10

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 19:30, £6

ERIC13 (CRISBIE + SPLINTERED HALO + GABRIEL FALLS)

Hailing from Philly, Eric13 specialise in American underground and rock’n’roll.

STEREO, FROM 19:30, £8

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 19:00, £15

MONO, FROM 12:30, FREE

A disco designed especially for the wee ones. BLACK PEACHES

MONO, FROM 19:30, £8

Hot Chip/Scritti Politti’s Rob Smoughton unveils his new band. A GIANT DOG

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £7.50

Texan band influenced by The Velvet Underground and The Stooges.

Mon 05 Dec TRUCKFIGHTERS

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £12

The Swedish noise rockers tour off the back of their new LP, Universe. WILLIAM SINGE

ORAN MOR, FROM 19:00, £11.50

Australian singer, songwriter and producer with silly hair. One Direction are fans, we’re told.

ASHTON LANE

Scottish duo imbued with catchy radio hits and uplifting soulful melodies. They’re called Ashton lane because that’s where they first met (they’re now married). Cute. VASA & GUESTS

BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

Scottish post-rock band and a roster of guests get stuck in at Bloc. MARTIN REV (JD TWITCH + LEATHERETTE)

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £10 - £16

The Suicide multi-instrumentalist heads out one his own. RCS VOICES: A BOY WAS BORN

PAISLEY ABBEY, FROM 19:30, £7.50 - £10

STOCK MANAGER & LONG LIMBS

BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

Two DIY labels,GOLD MOLD and Sorbie Records Present showcase two bands in an evening of meandering but engaging band jams. THE AMITY AFFLICTION

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £15

Fast-rising Australian rabblerousers touring in support of new record, This Could Be Heartbreak. T BREAK SESSIONS (EDWIN ORGAN + FOREVER + SCHOLESY + FOREIGNFOX)

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £9

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like. HONEYBLOOD

ST LUKE’S, FROM 19:00, £11

Despite their minimal setup, Honeyblood’s songs are fully formed and perfectly assured. With nothing extraneous, their music is driven through tightly-bound instrumentals and laced with the sheer strength and beauty of Stina’s voice. THE CORAL

O2 ACADEMY GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £20

AGAINST ME!

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £16.50

90s punk rockers from Florida touring latest record Shape Shift with Me. KATHRYN JOSEPH

MONO, FROM 19:30, £11

The Scottish singer/songwriter and pianist does her lyrically compelling thing, still riding the wave of her 2015 SAY Award victory. BLACKWATERS (BITE. + POLARNECKS)

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £7

Hard rock and metal, hailing from Cardiff. THE REVELLERS (DJ LYALL)

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 20:00, £10

Ensemble band combining fiddle and banjo with a heavy rock middle section, as ye do. THE VASTERSAY BOYS

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £25

A Christmas ceilidh courtesy of acclaimed folk band named after their hometown. T BREAK SESSIONS (MIRACLE GLASS COMPANY + REDOLENT + BLOODLINES)

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £9

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like.

Sat 10 Dec ALABAMA 3

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £20

Thu 08 Dec

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £20

PASSENGER

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £22.50

Brighton born singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg’s pared back new guise (i.e. five-piece band becomes one).

December 2016

Find full listings at theskinny.co.uk/whats-on

Pop producer and singer/songwriter, aka Aleksandra Denton when she’s off stage.

Robin has a strong following and his songwriting has won him multiple awards. His albums are critically acclaimed, and he also released a collaborative album in July with everyone from Bonnie Prince Billy to Alasdair Robe. Get excited.

Legendary Brixton collective, best known from the theme tune of TV show The Sopranos. They combine techno beats with country instruments in a way that’s best sampled live.

The San Diego rockers play Barrowlands in support of new album, Misadventures.

SHURA

STEREO, FROM 19:00, £15

ROBIN ADAMS

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 19:30, TBC

In the glorious acoustic of Paisley abbey, RCS Voices is joined by the renowned trebles of the Paisley Abbey Choirto share a programme of English choral music for Christmas spanning some 400 years.

The Dublin-based singer-songwriter and Chemikal Underground signee plays a special set along with Toronto’s Picastro and Bolton boy Howie Reeve.

BARROWLANDS, 19:00–23:00, £20

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £6

A big bang of noisy-poppy-punk and grungey, riff laden slackerrock, with hooks and tunes aplenty.

MAXI JAZZ AND THE E-TYPE BOYS

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £10

MONO BABY DISCO

SLOWCOACHES (SAVAGE MANSION + BRIDAL SHOWER)

The Wirral five-piece make a comeback, now on their eighth album, Distance Inbetween, which was recorded at Parr Street Studio in Liverpool.

Norwegian rock ensemble led by Erlend Hjelvik.

Glaswegian songwriter and wordsmith Declan Welsh journeys to the southside, backed by his band and a catalogue of clever, clever songwriting.

The punk legend returns for another round of 1, 2, 3, 4.

Fri 09 Dec

The Chicago crooner and songwriter heads our way for a night of rock’n’roll.

DECLAN WELSH + THE DECADENT WEST

RICHIE RAMONE

STEREO, FROM 19:00, £12

SECC, FROM 19:00, £32.50

One of Manchester's most famous electronic acts, comprising Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons for one night only at the SECC.

Bangor-based musician influenced by the southern states of America, touring with his latest album, The Wild Swan. KVELERTAK

Anthony Kiedis et al return to pretty much wipe the floor in the funk-rock stakes, in support of their latest album.

THE FRATELLIS

The Glasgow indie-rockers, led by lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli, celebrate 10 years of Costello Music. BEARTOOTH

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £15

Fast and heavy riffs courtesy of the Columbus five-piece.

The new wave faves play two of their best-loved (and wordiest) albums in full.

TRASHMOUTH (MEATRAFFLE + BATBIKE + MADONNATRON + PASSION PUSHER)

BROADCAST, FROM 19:00, £7

Trashmouth Records throw on a right ol’ Christmas shindig.

PORTS OF ESSEN (BLACK & WHITE BOY + ALAN TENNIE)

THE GLAD CAFE, FROM 19:30, TBC

Glasgow four-piece formed in 2014, playing a mix of pop and classic rock songs. SKY VALLEY MISTRESS

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 19:30, £5 - £7

Heavy Blues rock from Blackburn outfit. NANASHI

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 16:00, £5

One for the fans of anime, Japanese culture and K-pop, Nanashi Dansu returns with its annual Christmas event. BEARDYMAN (MC LEEN)

THE ART SCHOOL, 19:00–22:00, £19

Beardyman: he’s the lovable beatboxing champion and the festival favourite last heard playing a charismatic stoner on Fatboy Slim’s Eat Sleep Rave Repeat, GALACTIC EMPIRE

O2 ABC, FROM 18:30, £10

Galactic Empire perform classic pieces from the iconic soundtrack of the Star Wars films written by John Williams.

T BREAK SESSIONS (INDIGO VELVET + SCOPE + THE NINTH WAVE) KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £9

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like.

Sun 11 Dec ESG

CCA: CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, 19:00–22:00, £22.50

New York funk pioneers ESG play live at CCA. BAY CITY ROLLERS

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 20:00, £29.50 - £35

The 70s Scottish pop band of Bye Bye Baby fame head to the Hydro in a show featuring Les, Alan & Woody. THE CHRISTMAS EFFECT

MONO, FROM 19:00, £10

After the roaring success of last year’s Girl Group Effect gigs, TeenCanteen and Last Night From Glasgow throw a Christmas Special, with a roster of guests performing Christmas covers in aid of Scottish Women’s Aid and The Scottish Refugee Council.

JAMES BREADNER (ROBBIE HUTTON + ERIN PONSONBY + MICKEY GARRY) THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £6

Tue 13 Dec ROD STEWART

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:30, £65 - £75

The husky-voiced, mullet-headed one is touring again – now five decades on with a staggering 27 studio albums under his belt, including most recent platinumselling albums Time and Another Country. SCHOOLBOY Q

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £22.50

Californian hip-hop artist, known to his mammy as Quincey Matthew Hanley. TWIN ATLANTIC

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £20

Glasgow’s own alt-rockers play a hell of a huge’un at Barrowlands.

BEERJACKET (BELLA AND THE BEAR + LAURENCE MADE ME CRY) THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:00, £6

The one-man alternative folk band that is Peter Kelly plays an intimate show at the Hug and Pint. DAMMIT & GHOST GIRL SOCIETY

BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

An evening with two of Glasgow’s up-and-coming promoters

Wed 14 Dec TWIN ATLANTIC

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £20

Glasgow’s own alt-rockers play a hell of a huge’un at Barrowlands. KING NO-ONE

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:00, £7.50

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £63 - £216

Mon 12 Dec YELLOWCARD

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £18.50

The Floridian indie rock lot head our way for the last time, armed with their 10th and final album. GRAEME QUINN & THE GRAEME QUINTET

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £8

Talented Southside songwriter Graeme Quinn plays a gig at Buff Club with the Graeme Quintet (A* punning there, Graeme). POSSESSED + BELPHEGOR

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 18:30, £20

Double heider from death metallers Possessed and Belphegor.

CEOL ‘S CRAIC: NA H-ÒGANAICH + BÀRD MHEALBOIST

CCA: CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, FROM 19:45, £10 - £12

Groundbreaking Gaelic group Na h-Òganaich forged a unique partnership with Murdo MacFarlane, the (Melbost Bard). The band reconvene to perform the classic songs which sprang from this collaboration.

Fri 16 Dec ROD STEWART

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:30, £65 - £75

O2 ACADEMY GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £25

The Irish collective of songwriters celebrate their country of origin through song, as is their way.

JACOB YATES AND THE PEARLY GATE LOCK PICKERS

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £8

Glasgow-dwelling quartet who describe their sound as ‘doom wop’: basically a bit rock’n’roll, a bit rockabilly and plenty dark vibes. ECHO MOON

STEREO, FROM 19:00, £8

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 19:00, £39.50 - £48.50

THE GLAD CAFE, FROM 19:30, £14.50

Californian nu-metallers Korn get back on the road for a jaunt with fellow rap-rock/metal heads Limp Bizkit.

A VERY JUTLAND CODEMAS: JUTLAND SONGS (CODIST + CAITLIN BUCHANAN)

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:00, £4

The Huggie celebrates Christmas with a four-part line-up and a charity ‘crispmas’ crisp raffle. NATHANIEL GOW DANCE

THE GLAD CAFE, FROM 19:30, TBC

Celebrate the roots of ceilidh dancing in tunes and dances from 18th centuryScotland. THE WILDHEARTS WISH YOU A MESSY CHRISTMAS

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £20

The British rock veterans head out on’t road, with Ginger reunited with his bandmates CJ, Jon and Ritch. LYDIA LUNCH’S RETROVIRUS

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £7 - £15

Another evening with Islington Mill regular Lydia Lunch, including music from Teenage Jesus and The Jerks, 8 Eyed Spy, Queen of Siam, 1313 and Shotgun Wedding.

THE GLAD CAFE, FROM 19:30, TBC

The tuxedo-clad crooner in debt to the classic Vegas lounge shows of yesteryear – with the ticket prices to boot.

Glasgow’s own alt-rockers play a hell of a huge’un at Barrowlands.

Glasgow-based five-piece, playing on home turf.

The longstanding Camden Town ska ensemble embark on their brand new UK tour.

A MATT GOSS CHRISTMAS

TWIN ATLANTIC

BARROWLANDS, 19:00–23:00, £20 £22.50

KORN & LIMP BIZKIT

Thu 15 Dec

A critically acclaimed musical partnership, blending worldwide influences through original compositions and improvisations with a perfectly natural Scottish cultural filter.

Struggletown Records return to the monthly grind of Struggle shows with a veritable ice cream sundae of fuzzy guitar-drenched punk.

Yorkshire indie rock quartet.

Musical comedian James Breadner plays a headliner at the H&P.

FRASER FIFIELD & GRAEME STEPHEN (GRAEME STEPHEN)

STRUGGLE BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

MADNESS

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:30, £35 - £47.50

THE FRATELLIS

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £20

The Glasgow indie-rockers, led by lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli, celebrate 10 years of Costello Music. ASH

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £25

The Irish Britpopsters play all the hits and live favourites of a 20+ year career, marking the anniversary of 1996 album, 1977. THE SISTERHOOD

ORAN MOR, FROM 19:00, £10

ROSE ROOM CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Scottish Jazz Awards finalists Rose Room have become one of Scotland’s leading ensembles influenced by the Gypsy Jazz genre. See them in a yuletide concert at The Gladdie. THE HIGH FLIGHT LIVE

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 19:30, £5

After their Burns Supper last year, The High Flight return to bring the triumph that is Kate Tempest into Subbie for an eve of poetry, storytelling and music. RICH COTTELL

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 18:00, £10 - £25

Southwestern pop singer and anti-bullying advocate out on his third tour. FRIGHTENED RABBIT

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £18.50

The mighty F’Rabbit take some time out from conquering the US-of-A – where they’ve spent the past two months – to play a series of UK dates, a selection of new tunes quite rightly in tow. SEAN NICHOLAS SAVAGE (HERBERT POWELL + LYLO + SPINNING COIN)

CCA: CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, FROM 19:30, £5

A charity gig and winter time celebration, all in aid of Glasgow Night Shelter and Glasgow Free Dinner. BABY STRANGE AND WHITE (THE NINTH WAVE + THE CUT)

O2 ABC, FROM 18:30, £12.50

Baby Strange, a three-piece punk band with a dash of grunge join electro-pop unit White for a double-whammy of Glaswegian talent. BAHOOKIE

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £10

Celtic rock foursome mashing fiddles with urban dance grooves, as you do. CHRISTMAS CHARITY GIG: SEAN NICHOLAS SAVAGE (HERBERT POWELL + LYLO + SPINNING COI)

CCA: CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, FROM 19:30, £5

An organic bled of the open melodies of classic West Coast folk and the magnetic swagger of timeless rock n’ roll, powered by Alyssa and Ruby’s soaring richly textured harmonies and effortless chemistry.

A winter time celebration in love and music. Head down, be merry and give generously! All money from ticket and cassette sales to be donated 50/50 between Glasgow Night Shelter and Glasgow Free Dinner.

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £10

Sat 17 Dec

THE TREATMENT

Classic rock sounds from the Cambridge quintet of young chaps.

NIGHT SCHOOL IS 5 (MOLLY NILSON + HAPPY MEALS + APOSTILLE)

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 20:00, £11

Sleazy’s quarter-century jubilee continues, tonight with a show in recognition of Night School’s fifth birthday. Headlined by Berlinbased pop artist Molly Nisson.

THE SAW DOCTORS

O2 ACADEMY GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £25

The Irish collective of songwriters celebrate their country of origin through song, as is their way. DEAD MAN FALL

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £10

Glasgow indie/electronica band signed to Deadman Recordings. RODDY WOOMBLE’S CHRISTMAS HOOTENANNY

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £16

Returning for a third year, Roddy Woomble lines up another Christmas Hootenanny with an evening of solo material, Idlewild classics and festive favourites.

Listings

PASTED BEYOND RECOGNITION (TOM MCRAE + BLUE ROSE CODE + JUSTIN CURRIE + WITHERED HAND + JILL JACKSON + KRIS DOLLIMORE + L’ACOUSTICA) ORAN MOR, FROM 19:00, £25

A gorgeous night of performances from a selection of acts who contributed covers of Del Amitri songs to an album in aid of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalous Scotland. THE RULERSOF THE ROOT (THE ALLEGED + ALLAN FRENCH)

THE GLAD CAFE, FROM 19:30, £5

Local roots-meets-blues outfit playing a fundraiser in aid of the HIV/AIDS Orphans Project in Ekwendeni, Malawi. HEADLESS KROSS (THISCLOSE + BRAIN FLUID + BRATAKUS + MANTILLA + HARDCORE BOYS) NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 19:30, £5

Glasgow-hailing doom metal outfit, visceral and ferocious in their approach. FRIGHTENED RABBIT

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £18.50

CCA: CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, FROM 19:30, £10

De Rosa recorded their acclaimed debut Mend with producer Andy Miller (Mogwai, Songs:Ohia). Now ten years old, the album stands as a unique document of their eclectic, passionate and proudly parochial early music. Hear it played in full tonight. FUZZKILL XMAS PARTY (DEATHCATS)

THE OLD HAIRDRESSERS , FROM 20:00, £4

Sun 18 Dec KULA SHAKER

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £22.50

The post-Britpoppers celebrate the 20th anniversary of K, performing the album in its entirety for the first time. THE TEMPER TRAP

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £15

The Australian rockers return with their new record, Thick As Thieves, released earlier this year. EVERY TIME I DIE

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £16.50

New York-hailing metalcore bunch FRIGHTENED RABBIT

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £18.50

STEREO, FROM 19:00, £13.50

Japanese experimental unit Boris perform their album Pink in full. JONAH TILCHIN

BROADCAST, FROM 19:00, £7

Americana singer-songwriter Jonah Tolchin beings his 2014 album Clover Lane on tour.

LOUISE MCVEY AND CRACKS IN THE CONCRETE (ROPEWALKER + GRAHAM MACK)

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £4

Musical collaborators Louise McVey and Graeme Miller launch their second vinyl,Under the Heart at the H&P.

MIKE HERON & TREMBLING BELLS (BRIGID MAE POWER + ALISTAIR OGILVY) THE GLAD CAFE, FROM 19:30, £14

BATTERIES

SISTER SLEDGE

CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £8

BARROWLANDS, 19:00–23:00, TBC

GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL, FROM 19:30, £29.50 - £34

Sci-Fi Steven of Bis brings his solo project Batteries to Glasgow’s King Tut’s. LIVING BODY (CURRENT AFFAIRS)

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £7

Living Body is the new project from Leeds-based Chicagoan Jeff T. Smith (formerly Juffage) featuring longtime collaborators Katie Harkin and Tom Evans. CATE LE BON

THE ART SCHOOL, 19:00–23:00, £15

The Welsh singer-songwriter returns with her fourth album, Crab Day, released in Spring.

Tue 20 Dec STATUS QUO

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:30, £48 - £55

Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt continue to tour the Status Quo name (aka prepare yourself for the easiest air guitaring in the world). SAINT PHNX

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £8

Two ‘wegie bros playing their upbeat rock sounds. INNES&MIKE&INNES&MIKE

BROADCAST, FROM 19:00, £10

Innes&Mike&Innes&Mike sees the coming together of two duos at the forefront of Scottish folk guitar music. WCS PAISLEY MUSIC XMAS SHOWCASE

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £7

2021 City of Culture candidate Paisley shows off its musical wares in Glasgow’s O2 ABC.

Wed 21 Dec TRAVIS

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:30, £30 - £35

Original Incredible String Band member Mike Heron teams up with Glasgow’s own kings and queens of modern folk, Trembling Bells, to perform new arrangements of some ISB classics.

The Glasgow-formed 90s mainstays make their live return, marking the release of their new album, Everything At Once.

Mon 19 Dec

Glasgow rock quartet with bombastic tracks that will shock, surprises and fail to satiate.

THE 1975

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:30, £23 - £28

Local indie rockers done ‘good’, depending on what you measure that by.

ROCKET REDUCER

BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

Sisters Debbie, Joni, Kim (sans Kathy) bring the classic D-I-S-C-O vibes through old favourites like Thinking of You, He’s the Greatest Dancer, All American Girls and, of course, We Are Family.

Thu 22 Dec

JOE STRUMMER TRIBUTE NIGHT

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £10

Annual fundraiser with various bands paying tribute to the late, great Joe Strummer. All proceeds go to the Strummerville charity.

SHELTER BENEFIT (THE PRIMEVALS + DUMB INSTRUMENT + RULERS OF THE ROOT) MONO, FROM 19:30, FREE

A by-donation charity gig in solidarity with Glasgow Night Shelter. PAWS

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £9

Glasgow noisemakers of the tropical thrash variety.

FIRST TEMPLE OF THE ATOM (FVNERALS) NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 19:45, £5

Doom DIY band from Glasgow. WOMPS

BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

Noisy and productive rockers deliver a large dose of fuzzy yet melodic garage rock

Fri 23 Dec FATHERSON

BARROWLANDS, FROM 19:00, £15

The Kilmarnock trio do their alternative rock-meets-powerpop thing. COLONEL MUSTARD AND THE DIJON 5

O2 ABC, FROM 19:00, £10

A ginormous blend of genres, from indie to flamenco, gypsy to hip-hop, new school to North Lanarkshire ska. And probably the best fun you’ll have this month. MILDRED’S DAIRY

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £8

Musical co-operative from Glasgow who claim to be ‘churning out the hits’. Are they milking it? Find out for yourself.

Sing along to all your faves.

THE GOOD OLD GIN (HANGSZERES + KATIE DOYLE)

BROADCAST, FROM 19:00, £6

Three acts at Broadcast, headed up by rock’n’roll, pop and soul band The Good Old Gin, showing off their brand new album. MICK HARGAN (PANIC ANCHOR + KATEE KROSS)

THE HUG AND PINT, FROM 19:30, £8 - £10

Glasgow singer-songwriter for whom no two shows are ever the same, depending on whether he plays a solo show with his loop pedal, a full band, or even as a string quartet. ALASDAIR ROBERTS

Edinburgh Music Tue 29 Nov

EDINBURGH BLUES CLUB (GUY DAVIS AND BROOKS WILLIAMS + JIM CONDIE)

THE VOODOO ROOMS, 19:30–01:00, £13

Edinburgh Blues Club is a Social Enterprise established to harness popular support for a regular blues events in Edinburgh to ensure that the city, bringing in a roster of quality touring blues acts. HOLY MOLY & THE CRACKERS

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–22:00, £7 - £9

The inimitable folk musician and songwriter plays tracks from his self-titled LP of 2015.

Seven-piece gypsy folk-rock band from the UK. Founders Conrad Bird, Ruth Patterson and ‘Squeezebox’ Rosie lead the band with compelling charismatic style.

Tue 27 Dec

Wed 30 Nov

BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

BANNERMANS, FROM 19:30, £10 - £12

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 19:30, £9

ATLAS RUN + HOLLOW ROOM + SWAY

Fresh, tightly honest, uplifting alt rock.

Wed 28 Dec

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA

GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL, FROM 15:00, £26.50 - £29.50

A nostalgic conert of 40s tunes and classic wartime chart-toppers, with bandleader Ray McVay. THE COSMIC DEAD

BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

Hard-touring psych rock champions and bona fide national treasures The Cosmic Dead jam out one last 2016 show. REVERIEME (MICHAEL TIMMONS + RHONA MACFARLANE)

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £10

Reverieme is Louise Connell. She writes and plays music that she describes as “melancholic and hopeful and dark and insular and inquiring and is much better communicated through sound waves than it is through adjectives”.

Thu 29 Dec THE TREND

KING TUT’S, FROM 20:30, £8

The Trend take inspiration from the Halcyon days of Britpop. See the play a headline show at the King Tut’s.

THE TELERMEN (THE DUNTS + DEAD COYOTES)

BROADCAST, FROM 19:00, £5

Applauded up-and-coming rock band from Glasgow. STRETCHED

BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

The secret meeting place of contemporary jazz-enthused savants.

Sat 31 Dec

ON THE HOUSE X BROKEN DISCO (ADESSE VERSIONS) BROADCAST, FROM 20:00, £10 - £20

Broadcast plays hostto On The House and Broken Disco for a NYE soiree featuring Adesse Versions in the headline slot. A SLEAZY HOGMANAY

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 20:00, TBC

Salute the shit-show that was 2016 in a party at Sleazy’s. DAMMIT ‘S NEW YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

A night of some with the best in DIY to round off one of the worst years in existence. EDINBURGH'S HOGMANY STREET PARTY

EDINBURGH CITY CENTRE, 19:00 - 01:00

The capital of Scotland throws its annual al fresco party, with a line-up including The Charlatans, Fatherson, Be Charlotte, Salsa Celtica, Guilty Pleasures and more. See edinburghshogmanay.com for full info.

STONE BROKEN (IDLEWAR + FLORENCE BLACK)

A special concert marking not only the opening Ross and Tom’s mini festival and teaching weekend Winter Trad but also the launch of their debut album. THE VALVES

WEE RED BAR, 19:00–22:00, £5

After an absence of over 30 years, the Edinburgh-based punk ensemble have made a steady return to the scene over the last year or so. Hear ‘em at Wee Red tonight.

Thu 01 Dec DEACON BLUE

USHER HALL, FROM 19:00, £30 - £40

The Glasgow-formed 80s popsters play tracks offa their eighth LP, The Hipsters, some 25+ years and still going strong.

SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: AN ORKNEY WEDDING

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 19:30, £11 - £32.50

Cellist William Conway joins Scottish Chamber orchestra to perform Maxwell Davies’ Strathclyde Concerto No 2. FIVE MINUTES OF FAME: BANDAOKE NIGHT

WEE RED BAR, 19:00–22:00, £4

A night of bandeoke at the Wee Red, giving everyone in attendance the opportunity to be the front-person of their very own band. THE WEDDING PRESENT

LA BELLE ANGELE, 19:00–22:00, £17.50 - £20

The Leeds indie rock group return with new album, Going, Going. A band that has, from its inception, stubbornly refused to play the record industry’s game. STEAKNIFE (JADE NOBLE + DAVIE MILLER + FRANK + VICKI SHE BANG)

PARADISE PALMS, 21:00–01:00, FREE

STEAkNIFE regular disc jockeys with FRANk &amp; Vicki She Bang. Join us in the illuminated living room for a domestic industrial discotheque headed up by Jade Noble Davie Miller. GREENLEAF (HAIR OF THE DOG + GAREEDA + ISAK)

BANNERMANS, 7:30PM, £9

A night of Heavy fuzzy riffs.

Fri 02 Dec LEWIS WATSON

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, FROM 19:00, £12.50

Fledgling young Oxford singer/ songwriter, best known for his stripped-down YouTube take on Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car.

FLINT & PITCH REVUE (J L WILLIAMS + THERESA LOLA + MALACHY TALLACK + TEENCANTEEN + HARRY HARRIS)

HOC WEEKENDER (OI POLLOI + SANCTION THIS + ZALU + BRATAKUS)

A punk-rock fundraising weekender in aid of an Edinburgh resident who’s recently been refused the right to reside in the UK.

HOC WEEKENDER (RAZORBLADE SMILE + THE FNORDS + LOINSTORM + SOCIAL INSECURITY + TEMPLE OF THE DEAD MOTH + KITUA)

HENRY’S CELLAR BAR, FROM 18:00, £6 - £10

A punk-rock fundraising weekender in aid of an Edinburgh resident who’s recently been refused the right to reside in the UK.

ROADSTARS (SIMO + AARON KEYLOCK + FEDERAL CHARM) THE MASH HOUSE, 19:00–22:00, £15.50 - £22

Trio of blues and rock bands for your aural delectation. ABSOLUTE BOWIE

THE LIQUID ROOM, FROM 18:30, £14

A five-piece tribute to the life and music of the dearly departed David Bowie.

VENUS SLEEPS (HEADLESS KROSS + A DREAM OF POE)

BANNERMANS, 7:30PM, £7

Heavy doom from Dublin

Sat 03 Dec THE FILTHY TONGUES

THE LIQUID ROOM, FROM 19:00, £11.50

Alt rock veterans The Filthy Tongues stop by for set, FRANK TURNER AND THE SLEEPING SOULS

USHER HALL, FROM 19:00, £26

The former Million Dead singer turned folk troubadour does his thing – full of his usual rockabilly charm – backed by his live band, the Sleeping Souls. AN EVENING WITH LAU

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 20:00, £14.50 - £18.50

The very last show of award-winning folk band Lau’s The Bell That Never Rang tour. THE VEGAS! CHRISTMAS PARTY

THE VOODOO ROOMS, 20:30–01:00, £6

Scotland’s award-winning retro club night hosts an evening of cocktails and cool, showgirls and swing, roulette and romance, with DJs Frankie Sumatra and Bugsy Seagull, along with Nikki Nevada & The Vegas Showgirls. LAU AFTERPARTY (ROZI PLAIN + LOST MAP DJS)

SUMMERHALL, 22:30–03:00, £7 - £10

The Lost Map Records label lass Rozi Plain headlines a late evening at Summerhall as part of Lau-Land.

BLUE ROSE (CODEZERVAS & PEPPER)

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–22:00, £2

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 20:00, £18.50 - £21.50

Edinburgh’s own jazzy folk talent Ross Wilson heads to Queen’s Hall, joined by his squad of talented multi-instrumentalists. 125 years since its first Scottish performance, Italian grand master opera Verdi Requiem gets the Carlos Miguel Prieto treatment, performed by RSNO.

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 15:00, £14

LEWIS WATSON

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–22:00, £12.50 - £14.50

THE BONGO CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £6

Flint & Pitch rustle up another beauteous eve of poetry and music for your delectation.

SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: CHAMBER SUNDAYS

USHER HALL, FROM 15:00, £12 - £32

HENRY’S CELLAR BAR, FROM 18:00, £6 - £10

Beloved worldwide as one of the finest traditional singers of all time, MBE Archie Fisher is recognised as Scotland’s foremost folk troubadour with a career spanning over four decades.

Sun 04 Dec

LA BELLE ANGELE, 19:00–22:00, £6 - £8

Perth alt rockers make a long awaited return to LBA.

SUMMERHALL, 20:00–23:00, £7 - £10

EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB: ARCHIE FISHER

Edinburgh band The Blueswater will be playing a hometown gig in Edinburgh as part of their UK tour. They will be playing new original songs, and laying down their usual mix of hard rhythm and blues. Expect loads of sweat and dancing.

SCO brighten up your Sunday with a little Mozart and Beethoven.

WE CAME FROM WOLVES

The UK rockers return after an (almost) sell-out earlier this year.

RSNO VERDI REQUIEM

Listings

THE BLUESWATER LEITH DEPOT, 20:00–23:00, £7 - £8

Fledgling young Oxford singer/ songwriter, best known for his stripped-down YouTube take on Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car.

USHER HALL, FROM 19:30, £12.50 - £39

ROSS COUPER + TOM OAKES SUMMERHALL, 19:30–22:30, £10 - £12

MATT GLOSS & THE EMULSIONS

They may be young, but with 50 years’ experience between them in performing and touring, The Emulsions are more than prepped to soundtrack an wicked night out. Expect the greatest hits of the past 6 decades and tonnesae jiving. BEN MONTAGUE

SNEAKY PETE’S, 19:00–22:00, TBC

Tousle-haired acoustic singersongwriter blessed with an acute sense of melody.

SUNDAY CLASSICS: ZURICH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Alison Balsom is joined by Latin Grammy winner and Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero for a performance of Hummel’s Trumpet, Mozart’s Symphony No. 33 and more.

Mon 05 Dec GENGAHR

SNEAKY PETE’S, FROM 19:00, £11

Gengahr are a hypnotic North London quartet specialising in smooth melodic indie-rock. JOSHUA RADIN

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 19:00, £20 - £25

Ohioan sweetheart who taugh himself to play and write guitar songs after moving to New York. See his delicate, passionate music live at Queen’s Hall. CHAMPAGNE FLUTES: EMERGING ARTISTS

USHER HALL, FROM 10:15, £0 - £3

Punnily named band Champagne Flutes (they’re a trio of flautists, geddit?) play festive faves at Usher Hall. KATIE MAC

WEE RED BAR, 19:00–22:00, £5

Singer-songwriter Katie Mac brings her psychedelic-tinged folk-rock and sturdy vibrato to Wee Red. SOUNDHOUSE: CAM PENNER (JON WOOD)

TRAVERSE THEATRE, FROM 20:00, £11

Continuing its weekly gig residency at Trav, Soundhouse welcomes accomplished Canadian duo who’ll showcase songs from the new album plus a few of our old favourites.

Tue 06 Dec

DOLLAR ACADEMY ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

USHER HALL, FROM 19:30, £10

Annual round-up of festive tunes featuring a variety of new arrangements and origin carols. DANCING ON TABLES (LOST IN VANCOUVER + AKROBAT)

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–22:00, FREE

To celebrate the release of EP Don’t Stop, Dunfermline indie pop boys Dancing on Tables chuck a big ol’ launch party ERIC 13 (CRISBIE + GABRIEL FALLS)

BANNERMANS, 7:30PM, £8-10

Combichrist guitarists promotes solo album Devils Highway

Wed 07 Dec PASSENGER

USHER HALL, FROM 19:00, £22.50

Brighton born singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg’s pared back new guise (i.e. five piece band becomes one). SUMMERHALL SINGERS WINTER CONCERT

SUMMERHALL, 19:30–20:30, £5

Join the Summerhall Singers community choir for their annual Winter Concert. Expect an eclectic mix of songs, a live band, mulled wine, minced pies and some Christmas carols thrown into the mix. EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB (REAL TIME)

SUMMERHALL, FROM 20:00, £7 - £10

Scottish Borders based band formed in 2002 by Kenny Speirs and Tom Roseburgh (both ex John Wright Band) and Judy Dinning (ex Bad Pennies and Lucky Bags). CONCRETE KINGDOMS (PAINTING ROCKETS + BELTUR)

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–22:00, £6 - £8

Meet Concrete Kingdoms, an electrifying foursome from Fife formed by frontman Neil and lead guitarist Ben in the summer of 2014.

THE SKINNY

RICHIE RAMONE (KLAMMER + HEAVY DRAPES) BANNERMANS, 7:30PM, £10-13

Punk legend returns for another round of 1-2-3-4.

Thu 08 Dec

SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: KRISTIAN BEZUIDENHOUT PLAYS MOZART

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 19:30, £11 - £32.50

Conductor Robin Ticciati leads SCO and Kristian Bezuidenhout in a rendition of Mozart’s E-flat Major and D minor concertos. GEORGE HERIOT’S SENIOR SCHOOL: COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

USHER HALL, FROM 19:00, £10.50 - £14.50

George Heriot’s School return to the Usher Hall for their annual Senior School Christmas Concert. CLAY

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–22:00, £6 - £8

Leeds export and serious up-andcomer Clay create a fusion of Factory Records-style indie with a falsetto groove. THIS SECRET IS OUT (THE SOCIAL ORDER + MIKE MACFARLANE)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 19:00–22:00, £5

Debut from the new Scottish indie band.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT IN ASSOCIATION WITH LORETTO SCHOOL

GREYFRIARS KIRK , FROM 19:00, £20

Enjoy a drink on arrival, festive treats and fantastic entertainment from The Orchestra of the Canongait conducted by Robert Dick. Special guests this year are the Junior and Senior choirs of Loretto School and host BBC Radio Scotland’s Jamie MacDougall. OUTBLINKER (DTHPDL + HOSTEL FREAKS)

LEITH DEPOT, 19:00–23:00, £5

Electro Rautrock four piece Outblinker come to Edinburgh as part of their extensive European tour. Support comes from synth pop weird grunge heroes DTHPDL and electronic madman Hostel Freaks. OLIVER/DAWSON SAXON

BANNERMANS, 7:30PM, £15-17

Saxon founder members take their own version on the road to play the classics

Fri 09 Dec

EMILY SMITH’S SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 19:30, £10 - £16

Following the success of her annual Christmas concert, Emily Smith crafted an album of original and traditional festiv folk – see it live tonight. RSNO VOGT PLAYS BEEHOVEN

USHER HALL, FROM 19:30, £12.50 - £39

Pianist Lars Vogt joins musical forces with the RSNO to perform a programme of Rachmaninov, Kodály and Beethoven under the watchful baton of Rafael Payare.

404 INK + INTERROBANG: THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS (CHRISTINA NEUWIRTH + CHRIS MCQUEER + STEPHANIE WORTEL-LONDON + PAUL WALKER + JACQUES TSIANTAR) THE BONGO CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £5

Beth Cochrane and Ricky Monahan Brown host the launch party for the first issue of 404 INK’s house magazine. TRASHMOUTH XMAS PARTY: MEATRAFFLE (BAT-BIKE + MADONNATRON)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 19:00–22:00, £7

A showcase from the south London label that brought us Fat White Family, ft. the off-kilter postpunk Meat Raffle plus wonk-pop vs grungegaze vs popthrash act Bat-Bike and fourpiece female triumph Madonnatron.

Sat 10 Dec

MALCOLM MARTINEAU AND FRIENDS

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 19:30, £11 - £32.50

Renowned pianist and accompanist Malcolm Martineau unites peers and collagues for a tribute gala in honour of the life of Hester Dickinson SOUL SUPREME

USHER HALL, FROM 20:00, £20 - £24

Vocal Powerhouse Maryam Ghaffari leads the Got Soul choir in a belter of a night, featuring 300 singers, a 14-piece band and and guest performer Mica Paris. THE CARVELLES

LA BELLE ANGELE, 19:00–22:00, £6 - £8

Toe-tapping indie goodness tops this local bill.

December 2016

THE CANDIDATES ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–03:00, £2

The Candidates are back for an evening of sweet soul music and floor-filling tunes. Top Edinburgh party band. BURNING BRIDGES (FLYING BATTERIES + LYNDSEY CRAIG + CHEYNE HALLIDAY)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 19:00–22:00, £6

Local indie band line-up. THE PHANTOMS

THE MASH HOUSE, 19:00–22:00, £7

Glasgow-based rock ensemble Phantoms, build on a diet of soaring dual lead vocals and three part harmonies, guitars and piano. THE BARSTOOL PREACHERS (MURDABALL + ROYAL OI + PANIC ATTAK) BANNERMANS, 7:30PM, £7

A mix of punk and ska at Bannermans.

Sun 11 Dec MAGNUM

THE LIQUID ROOM, FROM 19:00, £22.50

The five piece rockers tour in support of their 18th (that’s right) studio album, Escape From the Shadow Garden.

HARPS OF GOLD CHRISTMAS CONCERT

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 14:30, £10 - £12

The Clarsach Society hosts an afternoon of carols at Queen’s Hall, courtesy of Na Clarsairean harp players and the young voices of the George Watson’s College Caritas Choir. OWEN AND OLLY’S CHRISTMAS SWINGALONG

USHER HALL, FROM 15:00, £9 - £43

The e’er mischievous Owen and Olly lead a special Christmas bash, underscored by the RSNO.

BLUES FOR ROWAN ALBA (LAURENCE MURRAY PROJECT + BECKY PILCHER’S BLUES BAND + LOGANS CLOSE + DEAD BROKE AND DIRTY + NOBODYS BUSINESS)

THE VOODOO ROOMS, 18:30–01:00, £10

An Edinburgh Blues Club fundraiser show featuring five emerging blues acts. All proceeds to Rowan Alba.

BIG FISH LITTLE FISH: RAVIN’ AROUND THE XMAS TREE (BUNF)

LA BELLE ANGELE, 14:00–18:00, £0 - £8

Edinburgh’s favourite family partythrowers host a Christmas special featuring a DJ set from Super Furry Animals’ very own Bunf. THE DERELLAS (BUZZBOMB + THE NO-THINGS + CRIMEDESK)

BANNERMANS, 7:30, £7

Glam rock punks make a welcome return.

Mon 12 Dec SUPER FURRY ANIMALS

USHER HALL, FROM 19:00, £30

A welcome return from The Welsh psychedelic rockers, who’re back to celebrate the reissue of their fourth LP Mwng. SOUNDHOUSE @ THE TRAVERSE: DEAN OWENS AND THE WHISKY HEARTS

TRAVERSE THEATRE, FROM 20:00, £11

Continuing its weekly gig residency at Trav, Soundhouse welcomes Dean Owens and the Whisky Hearts. Dean is one of Scotland’s finest singer-songwriters, armed with a searingly soulful voice and a neat line in memorable heart-twisting melodies. GALACTIC EMPIRE & STAR WARS TATTOO DAY

THE MASH HOUSE, FROM 19:00, £10

Galactic Empire perform classic pieces from the iconic soundtrack of the Star Wars films written by John Williams.

Tue 13 Dec MAXIMO PARK

THE LIQUID ROOM, FROM 19:00, £17.50

The North Eastern indie lot celebrate their 10th anniversary for a second time, having sold out Albert Hall so quickly first time round. SLOW CLUB

THE CAVES, FROM 19:00, £12.50

Rather lovely alternative folkiness from Sheffield duo Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor, returning to the touring circuit with their latest album, One Day All of This Won’t Matter Anymore. EDINBURGH CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT

ST GILES’ CATHEDRAL, FROM 19:00, £5 - £10

A family friendly Christmas Carol Concert taking place in the spectacular surroundings of St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

Wed 14 Dec

CLIC SARGENT CAROL CONCERT

USHER HALL, FROM 19:30, £12 - £20

Annual charity concert in aid of CLIC Sargent Scotland. EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB: ALASTAIR MCDONALD

SUMMERHALL, FROM 20:00, £7 - £10

Banjo playing, storytelling maverick Alastair McDonald is a prolific recording artist and can be heard on a variety of labels, most notably CORBAN RECORDINGS, situated in his native Scotland. BROKEN RECORDS

BANNERMANS, 7:30PM, £TBC

A special 10th anniversary show where it all began.

Thu 15 Dec

STEVIE CREED LA BELLE ANGELE, 19:00–22:00, £6 - £8

Hip-hop, dance and soul vibes, with local support. NIPPLES OF VENUS’ CHRISTMAS HOOTANANNAY

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–22:30, £2

With Nipples of Venus, it’s always Saturday Night. Playing funk and salsa versions of 90s party classics, get ready to dance like it’s Christmas 1995 again.

SPINNING COIN (ANDREW R BURNS & THE TROPICANAS + PASSION PUSHER)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 19:00–22:00, £6

Spinning Coin, currently on tour after being selected to support Teenage Fanclub. THE POOCHES (AGONY AUNT)

LEITH DEPOT, FROM 19:00, £5

An evening of Christmas-themed song and dance performed by a collective of over 250 young students from The MGA Academy of performing Arts. Raising funds for Barnardos.

Four-piece Glaswegian pop group The Pooches promote their excellent self titled debut album with a journey through to the capital, at the Leith Depot, supported by exciting new Edinburgh band Agony Ant fresh faced post-punkers of the riot grrrl variety.

WEE RED BAR, 19:00–22:00, £6

ST VINCENT’S CHAPEL, FROM 14:00, £6

A CHRISTMAS WISH 2016

USHER HALL, FROM 19:30, £13.75 - £19.25

MAYFLOWER MADAME

Mayflower Madame is a band from Oslo that specializes in a dark and distinctive blend of psychedelia, shoegaze and post-punk. MT. DOUBT (ACRYLIC + REBEL WESTERNS)

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–03:00, £5 - £7

An evening of live music as Edinburgh-based musician Mt Doubt brings his dark, pop sound to Eleccy C. THE QUIREBOYS

BANNERMANS, 7:30PM, £7

Another intimate show from the UK rock legends.

Fri 16 Dec DAVID GRAY

USHER HALL, FROM 19:00, £35 - £45

It’s been over 20 years since the release of his first studio LP, though no doubt it’ll be the likes of Sail Away and Babylon from later record White Ladder that give Mr Gray his loudest cheers as he plays us through his back catalogue. SNJO: A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF JAZZ WITH TSYJO

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 19:30, £0 - £24

Sink into the Christmas spirit as SNJO and the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra perform a double bill of jazz and swing.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (WITHERED HAND + MEURSAULT + BALLBOY + WOLF + BOOK GROUP + EAGLEOWL + SPOOK SCHOOL)

SUMMERHALL, 19:00–01:00, £10 - £20

To celebrate the release of Shelter’s Christmas Songbook, Summerhall parties for two days straight. MIKE HERON + TREMBLING BELLS

SNEAKY PETE’S, 19:00–22:00, £8

Double bill with a full Trembling Bells show before they play as Mike Heron’s Band.

MASSIVE WAGONS (CLOURS OF NOISE + THE KING LOT) BANNERMANS, 7:30PM, £7

Three outstanding UK bands keep the rock alive.

Sat 17 Dec

SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: STRAUSS WIND CONCERTOS

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 19:30, £11 - £32.20

Robin Ticciati conducts an evening of music all about the horn (no, seriously, Strauss’s music is full of it...). THE FESTIVE FROLICS CABARET SHOW AND DINNER

THE VOODOO ROOMS, FROM 19:00, £50

A cabaret adding a lil’ sparkle to your Christmas, with high-kicking can-cans, ethereal fan dancers, circus performers and comedy entertainers. THE FESTIVE FROLICS CABARET SHOW AND DINNER

THE VOODOO ROOMS, 19:00–01:00, £50

A cabaret adding a lil’ sparkle to your Christmas, with high-kicking can-cans, ethereal fan dancers, circus performers and comedy entertainers.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (WITHERED HAND + MEURSAULT + BALLBOY + WOLF + BOOK GROUP + EAGLEOWL + SPOOK SCHOOL)

SUMMERHALL, 13:00–01:00, £10 - £20

To celebrate the release of Shelter’s Christmas Songbook, Summerhall parties for two days straight.

MILLY HODDO

An acoustic event featuring Emily Hoddo playing the handpan (or ‘hang’ as it’s sometimes known).

Sun 18 Dec EMBRACE

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 19:00, £21

Purveyors of stadium-filler songs Embrace (comprising brothers Danny and Richard McNamara) return with their first album in eight years – and it’s a dark affair... THE RSNO CHRISTMAS CONCERT

USHER HALL, FROM 15:00, £17 - £35

Nothing better than a bit of The Snowman at Christmas, especially when it’s underscored by the esteemed RSNO with sing along interludes.

Fri 23 Dec

THE APPLEBEGGARS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY (THE POLICE)

THE CAVES, FROM 20:00, £11

Collaborative songwriting project between Kenny Herbert and Rab Howat, out hosting their annual Christmas party night.

Dundee Music Fri 02 Dec

BOOK YER ANE FEST X BUSKERS, 20:00, £25

A nostalgic conert of 40s tunes and classic wartime chart-toppers, with bandleader Ray McVay.

Fri 30 Dec

Sat 03 Dec

I AM: (MIDLAND) (MIDLAND + BETA & KAPPA)

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 19:00, £25

CAIRD HALL, FROM 19:00, £20

Midland?s sound blends tribal drums with disco, with techno, with rubbery house, always finding sounds out of left field and make them sound deadly familiar on the dance floor. A true DJ talent – and apparently also a pretty pleasant dude indeed.

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA

VINTAGE TROUBLE

R'n'B and soul project of Canadian duo Ty Taylor and Nalle Colt, brought to life in their basic home studio in Venice Beach. THE SCOTTISH FIDDLE ORCHESTRA: HOGMANAY CELEBRATION

USHER HALL, FROM 19:30, £12 - £22

Treat yourself to a hogmanay jam-packed with fiddles, pipes, song and dance with the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra.

SCOTS TRAD AWARDS

A showcase of Scottish traditional music, aka known as the Folk Oscars.

Sun 04 Dec NYCOS

CAIRD HALL, FROM 18:30, £5 - £8

NYCoS Dundee Choir returns to the Caird Hall for its annual winter concert.

Tue 06 Dec MAXWELL QUARTET

MARRYAT HALL, FROM 19:30, £1 - £14

NIGHT AFORE CONCERT (PAOLO NUTINI + FRIGHTENED RABBIT + VEGAN LEATHER)

Four talented musicians united by RCS, playing Haydn, Brahms and Beethoven.

PRINCES STREET GARDENS, 18:00–22:45, £55 - £66

Thu 08 Dec

An extra show in celebration of the Night Afore. Frightened Rabbit will be there, supporting croon-maestro Paolo Nutini with Vegan Leather, and there’ll be all sorts of bars and food stalls to keep you extra merry and full to the brim. CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE

BANNERMANS, 7:30PM. £25-30

The AC/DC drummer plays Scottish exclusive NYE show. BAD MANNERS

THE LIQUID ROOM, 19:00–22:00, £20 - £22.50

CLIC SARGENT CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT

Living Body is the new project from Leeds-based Chicagoan Jeff T. Smith (formerly Juffage) featuring longtime collaborators Katie Harkin and Tom Evans.

CAIRD HALL, FROM 19:30, £5 - £12

Mon 19 Dec

DUNEDIN CONSORT: CHILDREN’S MESSIAH

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 14:30, £0 - £5

A bring-yer-kids version of Handel’s Messiah – all thriller, no filler. DUNEDIN CONSORT: HANDEL’S MESSIAH

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 19:00, £10 - £25

John Butt directs Dunedin Consort in a performance of everyone’s fave Handel number.

SOUNDHOUSE @ THE TRAVERSE: THE BEVVY SISTERS

TRAVERSE THEATRE, FROM 20:00, £11

Soundhouse welcomes The Bevvy Sisters return for a repeat run of the fun at the Traverse. The evening will be introduced by the regular band of Heather Macleod, Gina Rae, Cera Impala and David Donnelly plus The Bad Boys.

Tue 20 Dec

JAMES GILLESPIE’S HIGH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

USHER HALL, FROM 19:00, £6 - £10

Annual carol concert from James Gillespie’s High and primary school, and six associated primaries.

Wed 21 Dec

EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB: WENDY WEATHERBY & FRIENDS

SUMMERHALL, FROM 20:00, £7 - £10

Wendy’s wide musical interests have led her to sing and play at folk and jazz events worldwide. She has composed music for theatre and film and has vast recording experience.

Thu 22 Dec STARSAILOR

THE LIQUID ROOM, FROM 19:00, £18.50

Greatest hits set from the turn of the Millennium indie tear duct botherers.

GIRLS ROCK SCHOOL

WEE RED BAR, 19:00–22:00, £5

A kickass evening of riot grrrl music brought to you by the infamous Girls Rock School Edinburgh!

Find full listings at theskinny.co.uk/whats-on

HISTVILLE HOGMANAY SOUL REVUE (SOUL FOUNDATION) SUMMERHALL, 21:00–03:00, £30 - £35

Get Up Offa That Thing and get down to Summerhall’s third edition of its sell-out soulful Hogmanay, hosted by The Soul Foundation. CONCERT IN THE GARDENS (PAOLO NUTINI + VEGAN LEATHER + THE LIGHTNING SEEDS)

PRINCES STREET GARDENS, FROM 21:00, £55 - £65

Paolo Nutini underscores your New Year jubilations in the pleasant surrounds of Princes St Gardens.

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 19:30–03:00, TBC

Thu 01 Dec MAGGIE MAY’S, FROM 03:00, £3 - £5

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

KASHMIR CROWS

KATHRYN JOSEPH

Sat 10 Dec

BOOHOOHOO (STEPHEN SOLO + DJ SCOTT KELSO)

BEAT GENERATOR LIVE!, FROM 19:00, £5 - £6

THE QUEEN’S HALL, FROM 21:00, £5 - £45

VEGAS! THE GRAND HOGMANAY BALL

JELLY BABY

O2 ABC, FROM 00:00, £6

Thursday nighter of chart, disco and party tunes. Can’t say fairer.

Indie rock’n’roll from the 60s to 00s with resident tune-picker DJ Jopez.

2015 SAY winner Kathryn Joseph stops by Clarks on a Scottish tour.

THE VOODOO ROOMS, FROM 21:00, £25

Wed 30 Nov

Scottish Ensemble musicians join nine promising NYOS players for a festive show at Caird Hall.

AFORE THE BELLS: HOGMANAY AT THE QUEEN’S HALL

Whisky, champagne, ceilidh dancing and highland pipers at the Queen’s Hall, anyone? Thought as much.

SUB CLUB, FROM 23:00, 8

JAMMING FRIDAYS

ACCENT: CONCERTS BY CANDLELIGHT

THE BONGO CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £20

LIVING BODY

Indoor hot tubs, inflatables as far as the eye can see and a Twitter feed dedicated to validating your drunk-eyed existence.

Fri 09 Dec

CAIRD HALL, FROM 19:30, £6 - £10

CLARKS LINDSAY STREET, 7:30, £11

SNEAKY PETE’S, 19:00–22:00, £6

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £0 - £4

A night of choral and orchestral music to warm the cockles, all in aid of CLIC Sargent.

Sat 31 Dec

Polish hip-hop legend stops at the Bongo on UK tour.

#TAG TUESDAYS

After supporting The Little Kicks in this very venue last month, electro pop band BooHooHoo return to release their, er, debuthoo-hoo EP.

Six-piece band from Dundee who emit an eclectic mix of rock, soul, blues and funk.

KEKE TRZECIE RZECZ

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

Eclectic midweeker playing the best in house, techno and electronic – or, in their words ‘casually ignoring shite requests since 2005’.

USHER HALL, FROM 15:00, £39.50 - £44.50

The Leicester-born blues guitar legend does his thing.

THE CAVES, FROM 19:00, £13

KILLER KITSCH

Prepare for a double-whammy rammy as BYAF returns for its eighth year and tenth edition. DIY punk, hardcore, emo and more. Continues until 4 Dec in venues across Dundee: Buskers, The Vestry, Cerberus Bar and Conroy's Basement

Thu 29 Dec

More in the way of party ska hits, with the larger-than-life Buster Bloodvessel still gurning away at the helm.

AYNSLEY LISTER

Tue 29 Nov

THE COCKNEY REJECTS

BEAT GENERATOR LIVE!, FROM 20:00, £14

English punk rock band behind the song Oi Oi Oi – you could say they named an entire generation of music.

Sun 11 Dec

GALACTIC EMPIRE & STAR WARS TATTOO DAY

BUSKERS, FROM 19:00, £10

Galactic Empire perform classic pieces from the iconic soundtrack of the Star Wars films written by John Williams.

Fri 16 Dec

RSNO CHRISTMAS CONCERT

CAIRD HALL, FROM 19:30, £15 - £25

Christopher Bell leads the RSNO and its junior chorus in a rendition of The Snowman to accompany a large-scale screening. We’re walking in the aaair...

Sun 18 Dec MESSIAH

CAIRD HALL, FROM 19:30, £5 - £15

Derek Clark leads the Scottish Opera Orchestra in a performance of Handel’s Messiah. SLOW SESSIONS

HIP HOP THURSDAYS

Euan Neilson plays the best in classic R'n'B and hip-hop. ELEMENT

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, TBC

Ross McMillan plays chart, house and anthems with giveaways, bouncy castles and, most importantly, air hockey. SECRET RENDEZVOUS (2000 AND ONE + QUAIL)

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £6 - £10

House and techno pioneer 2000 And One (aka Dylan Hermelijn) has been on the forefront of electronic dance music since the late eighties. He makes his first appearance at La Cheetah tonight.

ALTER BRIDGE/PTV AFTERPARTY

CATHOUSE, 23:00–03:00, FREE

After party funtimes – free entry with stubs from Alter Bridge & Pierce The Veil. VICIOUS CREATURES: FRIEND WITHIN + KDA

SUB CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £10

House artist Friend Within (aka Lee Mortimer) is joined by KDA for a big one at Subbie.

Fri 02 Dec OLD SKOOL

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

Connoisseur’s mix of old-school jazz, funk and soul for your jivin’ pleasure. THE ROCK SHOP

MAGGIE MAY’S, FROM 03:00, £3 - £5

Traditional Scottish, English and Irish folk music sessions at a slower pace.

Rock, indie and golden indie classics with resident DJ Heather McCartney.

Fri 23 Dec

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £5

ROSEANGLE ARTS CAFE, FROM 17:00, FREE

MODEL AEROPLANES (ST MARIINS)

READING ROOMS, FROM 20:00, £8

A four man unit hailing from Dundee who’ve been pals and bandmates since the age of thirteen. ROCK THE HALLS

WHITEHALL THEATRE, FROM 19:30, £15

Dundee’s Christmas rock tribute show returns for a third shot, with a 10-piece band, singers and dancers.

Wed 28 Dec SINDERINS

WHITEHALL THEATRE, FROM 19:30, £14 - £15.50

Surreal folk and crafted pop from a band who take their name from a well-known junction in Dundee.

Sat 31 Dec HOGMANAY CEILIDH

BONAR HALL, FROM 20:00, £35

Throw your loved ones across the room in celebration of a brand new year, with a Scottish supper, a glass of fizz and a whole load’a stripping the willow.

PROPAGANDA

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like. SUGO

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

Shake what you got to the sound of the best of the worst Italo / Euro trash from the last four decades. GLITTERBANG

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, £3

Exactly what it says on its sparkly tin – a dazzling night of disco Europop. WTF FRIDAYS

SHED, 22:30–03:00, £4 - £6

Student-friendly Friday night party, playing (as one might expect) cheesy classics of every hue.

FRESH BEAT THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £6

Dance, chart and remixes in the main hall with Craig Guild, while DJ Nicola Walker keeps things nostalgic in G2 with flashback bangers galore. PARTY LIKE GATSBY

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 20:00, £23 - £34

Enjoy all the wonderment and hedonism of Gatsby without the crushing isolation and misery, courtesy of a roaring 20s party at SWG3! MISSING PERSONS CLUB 4TH BIRTHDAY (DJ NOBU)

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £10 - £12

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Revered DJ Nobu at work in Glasgow for his Scottish debut. SACHA MAMBO (SACHA MAMBO + MR TC + SEXY DAN + EUGENE)

THE ART SCHOOL, 23:00–04:00, £5 - £6

For their December edition, Night of the Jaguar welcome the Sacha Mambo for his Scottish DJ debut appearance. ANIMAL FARM (KOBOSIL + REEKO)

THE ART SCHOOL, 23:00–04:00, £8 - £10

Animal Farm round off a belter of a year in their second home of The Art School with two fairly explosive artists, Ostgut’s Kobosil & Pole Group’s Reeko. SHIKARI SOUND SYSTEM DJ SET

CATHOUSE, 22:30–03:00, £8

The electronic alter-ego of English rock band Enter Shikari get stuck in at Gaqrage. OPTIMO: THE BLACK MADONNA VS OPTIMO

SUB CLUB, FROM 23:00, £8 - £15

A fundrasier for Glasgow Food Banks with The Black Madonna and Optimo on selection duties.

MAGIC CITY: IT’S SO ICY (MULLY KUSH + KEOMA + SWEENEY + HIBI BLISS)

THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, £5

The temperature may be creeping lower, but expect fire tonght. This December not only will the resident selectors be in house, but they’ll be teaming with the dawgs at on top to bring tonnes of hip-hop heaters.

Sat 03 Dec NU SKOOL

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

Nick Peacock spins a Saturdayready selection of vintage disco, soul and funk. CATHOUSE SATURDAYS

CATHOUSE, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

Or Caturdays, if you will. Two levels of the loudest, maddest music the DJs can muster; metal, rock and alt on floor one, and punky screamo upstairs. LOVE MUSIC

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £5

Saturday night disco manned by your man Gerry Lyons and guests. SUPERMAX (DJ BILLY WOODS)

THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, TBC

As always, DJ Billy Woods spinning tracks all night.

NUMBERS (JACKMASTER) (SPENCER + AVALON EMERSON + JAYDA G + DUKWA + JOHN K + DAVID BARBAROSSA) THE ART SCHOOL, 22:00, £14

Numbers round out 2016 with a massive end of year party and a MEGA line-up. HARSH TUG

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, £3

Hip-hop and rap brought to you by Notorious B.A.G and pals. SUBCULTURE (DIXON)

SUB CLUB, 23:00–04:00, TBC

Top billing from Visionary Innervisions man Dixon at Subbie’s (and Scotland’s) longest running house night. KARENN

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 22:30, £10 - £12

Collaborative outing from two of the most consistent and fresh new producers to recently emerge from London: Pariah and Blawan, playing under their Karenn guise. KARENN

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 22:30, £10 - £12

Collaborative outing from two of the most consistent and fresh new producers to recently emerge from London: Pariah and Blawan, playing under their Karenn guise.

Listings

Glasgow Clubs DEFECTED IN THE HOUSE SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 22:00, £16 £19.50

Showcase evening from respected house music label, Defected Records at SWG3. I LOVE GARAGE

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £5 - £7

Garage by name, but not by musical nature. DJ Darren Donnelly carousels through chart, dance and classics, the Desperados bar is filled with funk, G2 keeps things urban and the Attic gets all indie on you.

Wed 07 Dec

ON LOOP (MOXIE) (JOSEY REBELLE + GENERAL LUDD) SUB CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £5

Radio 1’s ‘In New DJs We Trust’ star Moxie takes the Subbie booth.

Thu 08 Dec JAMMING FRIDAYS

MAGGIE MAY’S, FROM 03:00, £3 - £5

Indie rock’n’roll from the 60s to 00s with resident tune-picker DJ Jopez. HIP HOP THURSDAYS

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

ISLAM CHIPSY & EEK (CUCINA POVERA + FLAME BOI THREE DJS + BECKY MARSHALL DJ + GEN LUDD DJS)

Euan Neilson plays the best in classic R'n'B and hip-hop.

STEREO, FROM 22:30, £10

Thursday nighter of chart, disco and party tunes. Can’t say fairer.

Islam Chipsy and his band EEK are a three-way force of nature from Cairo, Egypt described by those who’ve been caught in the eye of their storm as one of the most exciting live propositions about. APACHE (TENNAR DUNTZ)

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 23:00, £3 - £5

The final Apache of 2016 ushers in Tennar Duntz to play with their newest resident, wee_dancer. I AM A RAVER (GARY M)

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 22:00, £6 - £15

Gary McF takes the reins in an I Am a Raver festive special. DJ BONZAI

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

A hefty stoater four-hour soundtrack to your Saturday night with Bonzai Bonner.

LET’S GO BACK… TO THE 80’S (BOSCO + ROB MASON)

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £5 - £8

Let’s Go Back to the 80’s returns for a festive stormer. New wave,new beat and new romantic.

MELTING POT CHRISTMAS PARTY (AL KENT) (ANDREW PIRIE + SIMON CORDINER) THE ADMIRAL, 23:00–03:00, £8

Melting Pot go head to head with homegrown disco legend Al Kent, for the final hurrah for 2016.

Sun 04 Dec SUNDAY SCIENCE

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £4

As scientific as a club filled with tipsy Sunday night partiers can get, really. LED lights, glow in the dark wands, ‘Science’ cocktails and cannons. Unlikely to instigate any eureka moments, but it’ll do.

FLY GLASGOW (LEONVYNEHALL) (BIG MIZ) SUB CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £10

The FLY residents welcome Aussie producer Leon Vynehall to their lair.

Mon 05 Dec

JELLY BABY

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £6

ELEMENT

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, TBC

Ross McMillan plays chart, house and anthems with giveaways, bouncy castles and, most importantly, air hockey. UNHOLY

CATHOUSE, 23:00–03:00, £2 - £4

Cathouse’s Thursday night rock, metal and punk mashup. ELECTRIC SALSA (BURN THE ELASTIC)

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £5

Electric Salsa residents go head to head with the Burn The Elastic for their final party of the year. OLIVER HELDENS

SECC, FROM 19:00, £27.50

Dutch DJ and electronic music producer from Rotterdam who got his break when he caught Tiësto’s attention and landed a spot on the Musical Freedom label.

THE GLAD CAFE OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY

THE GLAD CAFE, FROM 19:30, £25

An office party for those who don’t have an office to have a Christmasparty in. Expect Christmas grub and live entertainment. KEEP FIT (ROMEO TAYLOR)

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, FREE

Romeo Taylor gets on the ones at Sleazy’s for a midweek disco.

Fri 09 Dec OLD SKOOL

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

Connoisseur’s mix of old-school jazz, funk and soul for your jivin’ pleasure. THE ROCK SHOP

MAGGIE MAY’S, FROM 03:00, £3 - £5

Rock, indie and golden indie classics with resident DJ Heather McCartney. PROPAGANDA

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £5

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £4

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like.

BURN MONDAYS

Screamy, shouty, post-hardcore madness to help you shake off a week of stress in true punk style.

BARE MONDAYS

Lasers, bouncy castles and DJ Gav Somerville spinning out teasers and pleasers. Nice way to kick off the week, no? BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

CATHOUSE FRIDAYS

CATHOUSE, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

DEATHKILL4000

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

Long-running trade night with Normski and Mash spinning the disco beats.

Ultra-cutting edge dark electro, hip-hop and post punk.

Tue 06 Dec

THE SSE HYDRO, FROM 18:30, £35 - £40

KILLER KITSCH

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

Eclectic midweeker playing the best in house, techno and electronic – or, in their words ‘casually ignoring shite requests since 2005’. SOULJAM

THE ART SCHOOL, 23:00–03:00, £4 - £6

One of the UK’s premier touring soul, funk and disco parties, currently bringing the best in boogie to thousands of students every month. #TAG TUESDAYS

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £0 - £4

Indoor hot tubs, inflatables as far as the eye can see and a Twitter feed dedicated to validating your drunk-eyed existence.

Listings

FATBOY SLIM

The Brighton-based DJ and producer (aka Norman Cook) plays a rare appearance at the Hydro.

RETURN TO MONO (SLAM) (SHIFTED + PERC) SUB CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £10

Monthly night from Soma Records taking in popular techno offerings of all hues, this month welcoming Slam for a set. WTF FRIDAYS

SHED, 22:30–03:00, £4 - £6

Student-friendly Friday night party, playing (as one might expect) cheesy classics of every hue. BONGO’S BINGO

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 18:00, £5

After continued success in NW England and Edinburgh Fringe, Bongo’s Bingo makes its way to SWG3, with dance-offs, rave sounds, bingo and semi-decent prizes.

FRESH BEAT THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £6

Dance, chart and remixes in the main hall with Craig Guild, while DJ Nicola Walker keeps things nostalgic in G2 with flashback bangers galore.

I LOVE GARAGE

UNHOLY

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £5 - £7

CATHOUSE, 23:00–03:00, £2 - £4

THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, £5 - £7

HOT HOUSE

Bigfoot strikes 8.

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, £3

Sun 11 Dec

Cat Reilly spins the best in joyous party magic. MISS K8

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 23:00, FREE

Ukranian Masters of Hardcore’s star Miss K8 rustles up a night at Classic Grand following the release of her first solo album MAGNET back in March.

LA CHEETAH CLUB PRESENTS… 30 YEARS OF TRANSMAT (DERRICK MAY + DOM D’SYLVA & WARDY)

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £12 - £15

La Cheetah Club welcome Detroit techno icon Derrick May to celerate 30 years of Transmat.

SUNDAY SCIENCE

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £4

BARE MONDAYS

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £4

BURN MONDAYS

For the second part of their birthday celebrations, Cold Sweat invite brothers Ben and Louis Helliker-Hales, known as Chaos in the CBD, to travel up north for the first time in a few years.

Long-running trade night with Normski and Mash spinning the disco beats.

Sat 10 Dec

Eclectic midweeker playing the best in house, techno and electronic – or, in their words ‘casually ignoring shite requests since 2005’.

CATHOUSE, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

Or Caturdays, if you will. Two levels of the loudest, maddest music the DJs can muster; metal, rock and alt on floor one, and punky screamo upstairs. LOVE MUSIC

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £5

Saturday night disco manned by your man Gerry Lyons and guests. DENIS SULTA

THE CLUB PAISLEY, 23:00 £10

With The Club Paisley set to close for good at the end of the year, Denis Sulta will send the venue off in style on Saturday 10 December, backed by Raymond and Lindsay Green. 2MANYDJS

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 22:00, £17 £19.50

Still keeping up a prolific touring schedule, the Belgian mash-up artists continue to splice records together like t’were 2002. 2MANYDJS

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 22:00, £17 £19.50

Still keeping up a prolific touring schedule, the Belgian mash-up artists continue to splice records together like t’were 2002.

SUBCULTURE (LIL LOUIS) (HARRI & DOMENIC) SUB CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £10

Subculture residents Harri & Domenic host a special outing from house DJ, producer, writer, filmmaker (and all-round talented bugger), Lil’ Louis.

WE SHOULD HANG OUT MORE (RAYKO)

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £5 - £7

Rayko is deeply influenced by the artists and sounds of the 70s and 80s and is a producer with a deep love for boogie and disco. MONSTER HOSPITAL

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

Botch meets Beyoncé DJ smash. HARVEY MCKAY (AMBIVALENT)

THE ART SCHOOL, 23:00–03:00, £8 - £12

Don’t Label return to The Art School with an luscious line-up for their December outing, with a welcome return visit for Harvey McKay. DOMESTIC EXILE

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, £3

A mixed bag of acts getting stuck into new Glasgow-based party Domestic Exile.

DJ Adidadas brings vaporbeat and Eurowave hits to Sleazy’s. FESTIVE ZOMBIE NIGHT

CLASSIC GRAND, 18:00–02:00, £10

For those of a less festive persuasion – welcome to St. Nick’s Slaughterhouse. BELTERS

OLD SKOOL

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

CATHOUSE SATURDAYS

SMALL TALK (DJ ADIDADAS)

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, FREE

Mon 12 Dec

THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, £5 - £9

Nick Peacock spins a Saturdayready selection of vintage disco, soul and funk.

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £49

The alternative office Christmas party night in a themed ski lodge setting with a festive menu from Ox and Finch. DJ until 2am.

A club night like no other – an OAP soundsystem playing the coolest tunes of the 80s and early 90s.

COLD SWEAT 2ND BIRTHDAY (CHOAS IN THE CBD)

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

ON THE PISTE

Lasers, bouncy castles and DJ Gav Somerville spinning out teasers and pleasers. Nice way to kick off the week, no?

NU SKOOL

Cathouse’s Thursday night rock, metal and punk mashup.

Tue 13 Dec KILLER KITSCH

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

I AM (DANIEL AVERY)

SUB CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £10

Resident young guns Beta & Kappa play the usual fine mix of electronica and bass, this edition joined by Daniel Avery and his acid-flecked tunneling soundscapes. #TAG TUESDAYS

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £0 - £4

Indoor hot tubs, inflatables as far as the eye can see and a Twitter feed dedicated to validating your drunk-eyed existence.

Wed 14 Dec KRIS BREAZY

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, FREE

House, techno and merrymaking vibes.

INFRASTRUCTURE (ANDREW ESTERHUIZEN + JUNGLEHUSSY + MEFTAH + DJ FEMME FRESH)

THE ART SCHOOL, 23:00–03:00, £5

Four jockeys head up a night at The Art School that promises not to stop until you do. Or, at least, till the bar closes. FLY GLASGOW (JORIS VOORN + THEO KOTTIS)

SUB CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £15 - £20

Edinburgh and Glasgow-straddling night, with a powerhouse of local residents joined by a selection of guest talent – this time in the form of Joris Voorn.

Thu 15 Dec JAMMING FRIDAYS

MAGGIE MAY’S, FROM 03:00, £3 - £5

Indie rock’n’roll from the 60s to 00s with resident tune-picker DJ Jopez. HIP HOP THURSDAYS

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

Fri 16 Dec BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

Connoisseur’s mix of old-school jazz, funk and soul for your jivin’ pleasure. THE ROCK SHOP

MAGGIE MAY’S, FROM 03:00, £3 - £5

Rock, indie and golden indie classics with resident DJ Heather McCartney. PROPAGANDA

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £5

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like. CATHOUSE FRIDAYS

CATHOUSE, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

Screamy, shouty, post-hardcore madness to help you shake off a week of stress in true punk style. WTF FRIDAYS

SHED, 22:30–03:00, £4 - £6

Student-friendly Friday night party, playing (as one might expect) cheesy classics of every hue. FRESH BEAT

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £6

For Stereotones’ second Tunnel Vision party they focus on the sound of UK dance music. Hardcore, rave, jungle, dubstep and garage will all be represented. ELEMENT

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, TBC

Ross McMillan plays chart, house and anthems with giveaways, bouncy castles and, most importantly, air hockey.

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £5

Alex Bau is an accomplished techno producer, having released tracks on the likes of Cocoon, CLR, Sleaze and his own Credo imprint. LANCE VANCE DANCE

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, £3

Multi-hued adventure travelling through 70s funk, motown and 80s R'n'B, highlighted with glorious rays of disco sunshine. Or summat. I LOVE GARAGE

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £5 - £7

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

Celebrating the very best in contemporary and classic hip-hop with a keen emphasis on the left-of-field. INCEPT WINTER SPECIAL

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 21:00, £10 £12.50

iNCEPT are back with a winter special, bringing in Frazier & NickMcPheat and Raymond & Lindsay Green, plus a headliner TBA. PSYZ (VINI VICI)

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 21:00, £10 - £20

Iboga Records champ Vini Vici headlines Psyz at Classic Grand.

SUBCULTURE (TAMA SUMO) (HARRI & DOMENIC) SUB CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £10

Two of our huge disc-spinners in the form of the DABJ head honchos.

A club night dedicated to the best of motown, funk and soul. ANUNJABEATS

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 22:00, £15 £24.50

Following a brisk sellout of their London label showcase, Anunjabeats brings festive shenanigans up north to Glasgow for their omly Scottish label event of the year.

ULTIMATE BELTERS (DJ TEACHERZ)

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, £3

Suzie Rodden melts the ego and burns the flag of inhibitions. COONE

CLASSIC GRAND, 23:00–04:00, £12.50

Hard dance specialist Coone takes the lead at Hardstyle Heroes.

SENSU (JEREMY UNDERGROUND) (IGGIE) SUB CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £10

Jeremy Underground plays host to some of the finest house music you could hope to come across on his My Love Is Underground imprint.

YELLOW DOOR CHRISTMAS PARTY (IAIN KERR + PAUL DEY) THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, £0 - £5

Sat 17 Dec

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £3 - £5

SLEAZE (ALEX BAU + HANS BOUFFMYHRE)

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

MASTER BLASTER

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £6

STEREOTONE (DJ 59 + YAN & WHEELMAN)

Andrew Weatherall and Sean Johnston’s rather ace London night takes a trip to the North, with the mighty duo playing back-to-back over an all-night takeover of the Mill.

Berlin DJ, signed to Ostgut Ton and a celebrated Berghain regular.

Mark it in your disco diary: five hours of dancefloor mayhem.

Thursday nighter of chart, disco and party tunes. Can’t say fairer.

THE ART SCHOOL, 23:00–03:00, £9

Dance, chart and remixes in the main hall with Craig Guild, while DJ Nicola Walker keeps things nostalgic in G2 with flashback bangers galore.

Euan Neilson plays the best in classic R'n'B and hip-hop. JELLY BABY

A LOVE FROM OUTER SPACE (ANDREW WEATHERALL + SEAN JOHNSTON)

NU SKOOL

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

Nick Peacock spins a Saturdayready selection of vintage disco, soul and funk. CATHOUSE SATURDAYS

CATHOUSE, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

Or Caturdays, if you will. Two levels of the loudest, maddest music the DJs can muster; metal, rock and alt on floor one, and punky screamo upstairs. LOVE MUSIC

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £5

Saturday night disco manned by your man Gerry Lyons and guests.

DABJ DECEMER RESIDENCY (DIXON AVENUE BASEMENT JAMS)

THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, TBC

Sun 18 Dec SUNDAY SCIENCE

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £4

SUB CLUB, 22:00–04:00, £15

Oliver Dene Jones AKA Skream is a British electronic artist hailing from Croydon. See him at Sub Club as part of his Open To Close tour this month. FENIX & NIGHT OF THE JAGUAR’S WINTER WARMER (FENIX RESIDENTS + NOTJ RESIDENTS)

THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, £5

Two Glasgow party-starters come together for the first time to warm the city’s socks.

Mon 19 Dec BARE MONDAYS

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £4

I AM (SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO) (BETA & KAPPA) SUB CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £10

Resident young guns Beta & Kappa play the usual fine mix of electronica and bass, joined for a special guest slot by electronic duo par excellence Simian Mobile Disco. #TAG TUESDAYS

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £0 - £4

Indoor hot tubs, inflatables as far as the eye can see and a Twitter feed dedicated to validating your drunk-eyed existence.

Wed 21 Dec NOT MOVING

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, FREE

After releasing his debut effort over ten years ago, The Game is back to share the fruits The Documentary 2. Three whole discs full of it. THE GAME

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £30

After releasing his debut effort over ten years ago, The Game is back to share the fruits The Documentary 2. Three whole discs full of it. SILVER DOLLAR CLUB (DJ BEV & G.ELLIOTT)

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £3

La Cheets dig up two of Glasgow’s finest residents, DJ Bev and G. Elliott to mix you into a vinyl bliss till 3am.

Thu 22 Dec JAMMING FRIDAYS

MAGGIE MAY’S, FROM 03:00, £3 - £5

Indie rock’n’roll from the 60s to 00s with resident tune-picker DJ Jopez. HIP HOP THURSDAYS

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

Euan Neilson plays the best in classic R'n'B and hip-hop. JELLY BABY

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £6

Thursday nighter of chart, disco and party tunes. Can’t say fairer. HAVEN

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £0 - £5

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, FREE

Funky house vibes for charity. THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, TBC

Sat 24 Dec NU SKOOL

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

Nick Peacock spins a Saturdayready selection of vintage disco, soul and funk. CATHOUSE SATURDAYS

CATHOUSE, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

Or Caturdays, if you will. Two levels of the loudest, maddest music the DJs can muster; metal, rock and alt on floor one, and punky screamo upstairs. GONZO

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

The quest to bring epic nostalgia back in the form of all things MTV2 (pre-trash) and 120 Minutes continues. The return of Indie Disco. I LOVE GARAGE

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £5 - £7

Sun 25 Dec BLOXING DAY

BLOC+, FROM 21:00, FREE

Haven residents and friends party.

Beckoning you off the couch, playing the best of music that is good and just.

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, TBC

Mon 26 Dec

ELEMENT

Ross McMillan plays chart, house and anthems with giveaways, bouncy castles and, most importantly, air hockey. UNHOLY

CATHOUSE, 23:00–03:00, £2 - £4

Cathouse’s Thursday night rock, metal and punk mashup. BOTANICS

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, FREE

A new dawn for a new generation of dancers.

Fri 23 Dec OLD SKOOL

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

Connoisseur’s mix of old-school jazz, funk and soul for your jivin’ pleasure. THE ROCK SHOP

MAGGIE MAY’S, FROM 03:00, £3 - £5

Rock, indie and golden indie classics with resident DJ Heather McCartney. PROPAGANDA

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £5

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like. CATHOUSE FRIDAYS

CATHOUSE, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £0 - £5

Eclectic midweeker playing the best in house, techno and electronic – or, in their words ‘casually ignoring shite requests since 2005’.

4 SHORT HOURS FOR 1 GOOD CAUSE

A lustful Christmas party with Shane.

OFFBEAT (BIG MIZ + JOE MCGHEE + JORDON COLMAN)

KILLER KITSCH

THE ART SCHOOL, 22:00–03:00, £7 - £10

Live bands and DJs across two rooms, featuring a full band set from The Girobabies and a host of special guests

SWG3 GLASGOW, FROM 19:00, £30

BURN MONDAYS

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

LATE NIGHT SKETCHY ALTERNATIVE XMAS PARTY (THE GIROBABIES + MICKEY 9S + THE TWISTETTES)

BRUT CHRISTMAS CRACKER (SHANE)

THE GAME

Screamy, shouty, post-hardcore madness to help you shake off a week of stress in true punk style.

Tue 20 Dec

Dance, chart and remixes in the main hall with Craig Guild, while DJ Nicola Walker keeps things nostalgic in G2 with flashback bangers galore.

Golden Teacher and Dick 50 DJs spinning outer-national sounds.

Lasers, bouncy castles and DJ Gav Somerville spinning out teasers and pleasers. Nice way to kick off the week, no? Long-running trade night with Normski and Mash spinning the disco beats.

FRESH BEAT THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £6

Offbeat celebrate their fifth birthday and their final party. ENJOYABLE MOMENT

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

Cosmic Dead-curated avanteelectro psyche-out DJs. WTF FRIDAYS

SHED, 22:30–03:00, £4 - £6

Student-friendly Friday night party, playing (as one might expect) cheesy classics of every hue.

DARKSIDE

CLASSIC GRAND, FROM 21:00, TBC

Escape the leftovers and sneak out for a night of uptempo hardcore from Darkside, with support from industrial / techno act Industrialise. BARE MONDAYS

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £4

Lasers, bouncy castles and DJ Gav Somerville spinning out teasers and pleasers. Nice way to kick off the week, no? BURN MONDAYS

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

Long-running trade night with Normski and Mash spinning the disco beats. COLOURS WINTER PARTY 2016

O2 ABC, FROM 21:30, £16 - £24.50

Hold off on the post-Christmas blues at a Colours Winter Party featuring the likes of Eddie Halliwell, Maro Picotto, Will Atkinson and more...

SUPERMAX BOXING DAY PARTY (DJ BILLY WOODS)

THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, TBC

A taste of the decadent sound systems of NYC’s disco era with yer main man Billy Woods.

Tue 27 Dec KILLER KITSCH

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

Eclectic midweeker playing the best in house, techno and electronic – or, in their words ‘casually ignoring shite requests since 2005’. I AM (MIA DORA) (BETA & KAPPA)

SUB CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £10

Resident young guns Beta & Kappa play the usual fine mix of electronica and bass, this edition joined by local heroes Mia Dora.

THE SKINNY

#TAG TUESDAYS

CATHOUSE SATURDAYS

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £0 - £4

CATHOUSE, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

Indoor hot tubs, inflatables as far as the eye can see and a Twitter feed dedicated to validating your drunk-eyed existence.

Or Caturdays, if you will. Two levels of the loudest, maddest music the DJs can muster; metal, rock and alt on floor one, and punky screamo upstairs.

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 21:00–03:00, TBC

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 23:00, TBC

AMORPHUS

25 years of Sleaze brings in Amorphus for a session.

CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL

O2 ABC, FROM 22:00, £14 - £17

BBC 6 Music regular Craig Charles hosts his funk and soul party at the ABC.

Wed 28 Dec DRUG STORE GLAMOUR

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, FREE

Trashy, tacky, glamorous and ridiculous. Oh, and fun, too. Very fun. SPACE IBIZA

O2 ABC, FROM 21:30, £15 - £19

Celebrating its final year, Space Ibize throws a giant party for their Scottish friends. BRAIN DANCING V

THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, TBC

This month’s edition of Brain Dancing, as always featuring a secret guest.

Thu 29 Dec JAMMING FRIDAYS

MAGGIE MAY’S, FROM 03:00, £3 - £5

Indie rock’n’roll from the 60s to 00s with resident tune-picker DJ Jopez. HIP HOP THURSDAYS

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

Euan Neilson plays the best in classic R'n'B and hip-hop. ELEMENT

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, TBC

Ross McMillan plays chart, house and anthems with giveaways, bouncy castles and, most importantly, air hockey. UNHOLY

CATHOUSE, 23:00–03:00, £2 - £4

Cathouse’s Thursday night rock, metal and punk mashup.

BREAKFLAST CLUB (GERRY LYONS)

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, FREE

80s party with era-specific costume HEARTILY encouraged.

ANIMAL FARM 12TH BIRTHDAY (BEN KLOCK) (QUAIL + LAMB + TURTLE) SUB CLUB, FROM 23:00, £20

Birthday blow-out featuring the one man techno wrecking machine that is Ben Klock for a four-hour deck takeover.

Fri 30 Dec OLD SKOOL

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

Connoisseur’s mix of old-school jazz, funk and soul for your jivin’ pleasure. THE ROCK SHOP

MAGGIE MAY’S, FROM 03:00, £3 - £5

Rock, indie and golden indie classics with resident DJ Heather McCartney. CATHOUSE FRIDAYS

CATHOUSE, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

Screamy, shouty, post-hardcore madness to help you shake off a week of stress in true punk style. SHAKE APPEAL

BLOC+, FROM 23:00, FREE

Five decades of rock’n’ roll on under one roof, hosted by the ultimate DJ trivium. LANCE VANCE DANCE

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 23:30–03:00, £3

Multi-hued adventure travelling through 70s funk, motown and 80s R'n'B, highlighted with glorious rays of disco sunshine. Or summat. WTF FRIDAYS

SHED, 22:30–03:00, £4 - £6

Student-friendly Friday night party, playing (as one might expect) cheesy classics of every hue. FRESH BEAT

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £6

Dance, chart and remixes in the main hall with Craig Guild, while DJ Nicola Walker keeps things nostalgic in G2 with flashback bangers galore.

Sat 31 Dec NU SKOOL

BUFF CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

Nick Peacock spins a Saturdayready selection of vintage disco, soul and funk.

December 2016

SINGLES NIGHT

Pop, disco and rock action at Sleazy’s Singles Night. I LOVE GARAGE

THE GARAGE GLASGOW, 23:00–03:00, £5 - £7

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, 22:00–03:00, TBC

Trashy, tacky, glamorous and ridiculous. Oh, and fun, too. Very fun.

HOGMANAY AT THE GLAD CAFE

THE GLAD CAFE, 19:30–01:00, £6

The Gladdie stays open until 1am with tunes provided by Save As Collective crate digger, Jay Rolex and friends. CLUB NOIR: HOGMANAY BLAST

CLASSIC GRAND, 21:00–04:00, £19 - £22

Two sparkling cabaret shows – one before and one after the stoke of midnight.

LA CHEETAH CLUB PRESENTS… NYE 2016 (RAHAAN + SASSY J + RANDOMER + SPENCER)

LA CHEETAH CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £15 - £20

Annual La Cheetah Club NYE blowout taking place over two floors.

MAGIC NOSTALGIC NYE EXTRAVAGANZA (PRIDES + CLUB FONTAINE)

O2 ABC, FROM 23:00, £8 - £15

Rammy your way towards the new year at a Magic Nostalgis NYE special, featuring a live set from Glasgow synthpop trio Prides. SUBCULTURE NYE (GERD JANSON) (JACKMASTER + HARRI & DOMENIC) SUB CLUB, 22:00–04:00, £29.50

Another year gone in the blink of an eye, another incredible line up to try and vaguely remember it by.

NYE @ THE BERKELEY SUITE (DABJ + LOOSE JOINTS + OOFT + THE REVENGE) THE BERKELEY SUITE, 23:00–04:00, TBC

A special evening in a special club with local spinners to bring in the new year.

Edinburgh Clubs Tue 29 Nov TRASH

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Alternative Tuesday anthems cherrypicked from genres of rock, indie, punk, retro and more. TUESDAY NIGHT TV

LA BELLE ANGELE, 23:00–03:00, FREE

ELECTRIKAL: WALL OF BASS #3 (DAVE SKYWALKER) (ROADHYPE) THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £4 - £6

Bongo’s monthly house, bassline, grime and jungle night brings in Dave Skywalker to build that wall of bass. PULSE 7TH BIRTHDAY (KARENN)

An eclectic mix of underground house, techno and breaks for your dancing pleasure, featuring David Magowan, Flouche Records Nottingham and special guests.

LA BELLE ANGELE, 23:00–03:00, £13.50 - £15

Wed 30 Nov

HOT MESS (EAST COAST) (SIMONOTRON)

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Resident midweek student rammy of chart, club and electro hits.

WITNESS (ROSS BLACKWAX + FAULT LINES + SKILLIS + SQUELCHY)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £0 - £2

House, garage and bass adventures with Blackwax and Faultlines. LOCO KAMANCHI

THE BONGO CLUB, FROM 23:00, £4 - £5

Hella fun midweek throwdown playing soul, funk, jazz, ska, disco and more.

Thu 01 Dec HI-SOCIETY

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Early weekend-welcoming (y’know, for students) chart anthems, bolstered by hip-hop, R'n'B and urban in the back room. JUICE (EROL ALKAN)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £10

Erol keeps kids dancing. Erol keeps coming back to Sneaky’s. One of the biggest DJ’s loves the club so much he’s back for the fourth time! SHAKE YOUR TITS

WEE RED BAR, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

An LBGTQ+ safe space for tit shaking. BASS BELLY (DJ PIED PIPER + MC DT)

LA BELLE ANGELE, 23:00–03:00, £5 - £8

Bass Belly’s back, bringinging the UK garage, disco funk and Chicago house that Edinburgh has to offer.

Fri 02 Dec PLANET EARTH

CITRUS CLUB, 23:30–03:00, £5

Distinctly retro selections from 1960 to 1999, moving from Abba to ZZ Top. PROPAGANDA

THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:30–03:00, £3 - £5

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like. EVOL

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 22:30–03:00, £0 - £5

Edinburgh’s original rock’n’roll bash, mixing indie, pop, electro, hip-hop and alternative styles to make one hell of a party playlist. COSMIC

STUDIO 24, 21:00–03:00, £7

Edinburgh’s longest running night of full spectrum psytrance. Features special guest DJs, VJs, colourful décor and a thumping sound system. STACKS

THE MASH HOUSE, 23:00–03:00, £5

Deep funk and rare soul music, featuring live percussion. FLIP

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, £0 - £3

Yer all-new Friday at Hive. Cheap entry, inevitably danceable, and novelty-stuffed. Perrrfect. GLOBAL ROOTS

PARADISE PALMS, 21:00–01:00, FREE

Pulse’s Birthday celebrations bringing two fresh producers from London, Pariah and Blawan, playing under their Karenn guise. SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–05:00, £0 - £5

Hot Mess is a queer dance party for friends and lovers. Simonotron plays the music all night long: disco, house, acid, synth, techno and all that jazz. If you’re into energy, chaos, deviance, transcendence, sweat and wild abandon, this is for you. BIG BIG CHRISTMAS

CORN EXCHANGE, FROM 20:00, £50

Welcome drinks, a four course feast, live cabaret, cocktails, piano and karaoke bars and a live gigs programme at Corn Exchange’s Christmas parties.

FRACTAL CLUB (HI + SABERHÄGEN + E.WAN & CHRIS G) THE MASH HOUSE, 23:00–03:00, £7

A second edition of Fractal Club at The Mash House, headed up by H&P faves Hi + Saberhägen.

Sat 03 Dec TEASE AGE

CITRUS CLUB, 22:30–03:00, £0 - £5

Long-running indie, rock and soul night, traversing the spectrum of classic and modern. MUMBO JUMBO

THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £7

Funk, soul, and birthday beats and bumps from the Mumbo Jumbo regulars and pals. BUBBLEGUM

THE HIVE, 21:00–03:00, £0 - £4

Saturday mix of chart and dance, with retro 80s classics thrown in for good measure. SPEAKER BITE ME

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £7

There’s a fine line between poptimism and cheese. Speaker Bite Me is a club night that values good party music for dancing, drinking and having fun. This is pop music with bite and attitude. REWIND

THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:30–03:00, £4 - £5

Classic garage and a dash of bass. SAMEDIA SHEBEEN

THE MASH HOUSE, FROM 23:00, £3 - £7

Travelling tropical club night which uses immersive set design and a sizzling soundtrack that fuses Afrobeat, Latin beats, samba, salsa, Middle Eastern rhythms and reggae with fresh house, garage and bass flavours. MUMBO JUMBO HOGMANAY

THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £12 - £15

Funk, soul, and birthday beats and bumps as the Mumbo Jumbo regulars usher in the new year.

The Lionoil pride return to make some delicious noise at the Wee Red.

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, FREE

Weekly bass institution hosted by DJ Believe and friends. THE CLUB

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Two rooms of all the chart, cheese and indie-pop you can think of/handle on a Sunday.

Mon 05 Dec MIXED UP

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Monday-brightening mix of hiphop, R'n'B and chart classics, with requests in the back room. MINDSET (GARETH SOMMERVILLE)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £3

Strictly house grooves from Edinburgh house DJ don Gareth Sommerville.

Tue 06 Dec TRASH

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Alternative Tuesday anthems cherrypicked from genres of rock, indie, punk, retro and more. NOTION (DUKWA)

THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3

I Love Hip Hop is dead. This is Bongo’s brand spangling new Tuesday night house and techno party featuring TLFT boss, DJ and producer Telfort, Greenman and H&P faves Hi & Saberhägen.

Wed 07 Dec COOKIE

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Resident midweek student rammy of chart, club and electro hits.

WITNESS (ROSS BLACKWAX + FAULT LINES + SKILLIS + SQUELCHY)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £0 - £2

House, garage and bass adventures with Blackwax and Faultlines.

Thu 08 Dec

JUICE (KA MI + DAN JUICE + DECLAN)

METALHEADZ boy who proudly makes ‘music your mum and dad wouldn’t like’. 131

STUDIO 24, 19:30–03:00, £2.50 - £5

Get stuck into the punk vibe, with DJs Dayl and Shauny D bringing their usual fusion of rock, metal and hip-hop. Plus, free pizza! SOULBRASIL

WEE RED BAR, 20:30–03:00, £10 - £12

HEAL YOURSELF & MOVE #6 (SADY CITY + BRIAN NOT BRIAN)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £7

Find full listings at theskinny.co.uk/whats-on

Studio 24’s eclectic club night celebrates another candle in the cake with help from residents Jonrax, Zerksis, Dru Oid and Wonksie. FLIP

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, £0 - £3

Yer all-new Friday at Hive. Cheap entry, inevitably danceable, and novelty-stuffed. Perrrfect. ROUGH CUT (CANOH BASSLINI + SOME CHICK CALLED BOB)

HENRY’S CELLAR BAR, 23:00–03:00, £5

Live cuts from the flipside of electronics. An alternative electronic music night showcasing live electronic acts and top up-and-coming DJs. ELECTRIC CIRCUS’ CHRISTMAS CAVALCADE

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–03:00, £0 - £3

Add a little sparkle to your Christmas party this year and head to the Electric Circus for wicked DJs, tribute bands and poptastic club nights. Private party options also available. BIGFOOT’S TEA PARTY 8TH BIRTHDAY (WRICK + CHRIS + GEORGE + JAMES)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £5

Big techno from up North, celebrating yet another year of greatness. BIG BIG CHRISTMAS

CORN EXCHANGE, FROM 20:00, £50

Welcome drinks, a four course feast, live cabaret, cocktails, piano and karaoke bars and a live gigs programme at Corn Exchange’s Christmas parties.

Sat 10 Dec TEASE AGE

CITRUS CLUB, 22:30–03:00, £0 - £5

Long-running indie, rock and soul night, traversing the spectrum of classic and modern. BUBBLEGUM

CABARET VOLTAIRE, FROM 22:00, £8 - £10

Belfast chap Ejeca plays a trademark set of genre-hopping beats – inspired by the 90s garage house he grew up listening to.

Add a little sparkle to your Christmas party this year and head to the Electric Circus for wicked DJs, tribute bands and poptastic club nights. Private party options also available.

Fri 09 Dec FOUR CORNERS

THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5

DJs Simon Hodge, Astrojazz and Johnny Cashback bring tunes from all over the globe to your Edinburgh based eardums. PLANET EARTH

CITRUS CLUB, 23:30–03:00, £5

Distinctly retro selections from 1960 to 1999, moving from Abba to ZZ Top. PROPAGANDA

THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:30–03:00, £3 - £5

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like.

Sun 11 Dec

COALITION (BELIEVE + GAV MILLER + STU + JORDAN COCHRANE. GED & SKANKY B) SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, FREE

Weekly bass institution hosted by DJ Believe and friends. THE CLUB

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Two rooms of all the chart, cheese and indie-pop you can think of/handle on a Sunday.

Mon 12 Dec MIXED UP

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Monday-brightening mix of hiphop, R'n'B and chart classics, with requests in the back room.

MINDSET (GARETH SOMMERVILLE) (GARETH SOMMERVILLE) SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £3

Strictly house grooves from Edinburgh house DJ don Gareth Sommerville.

Tue 13 Dec TRASH

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Alternative Tuesday anthems cherrypicked from genres of rock, indie, punk, retro and more. NOTION (ANYTHING DISCO)

THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3

I Love Hip Hop is dead. This is Bongo’s brand spangling new Tuesday night house and techno party featuring TLFT boss, DJ and producer Telfort, Greenman and H&P faves Hi & Saberhägen.

Wed 14 Dec COOKIE

FLIP

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, £0 - £3

Yer all-new Friday at Hive. Cheap entry, inevitably danceable, and novelty-stuffed. Perrrfect.

HEADSET: 2ND BIRTHDAY X PULSE (DVS1) THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £1 - £5

A birthday celebration, with Pulse and Headset together are bringing DVS1 back to Bongo.

UNITY (ED SOLO) (CAPITOL 1212)

LA BELLE ANGELE, 23:00–03:00, £8 - £12

Unity returns, with part II powered by Electrikal Sound System. ELECTRIC CIRCUS’ CHRISTMAS CAVALCADE

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–03:00, £0 - £3

Add a little sparkle to your Christmas party this year and head to the Electric Circus for wicked DJs, tribute bands and poptastic club nights. Private party options also available. TOM BLIP FOR NICK’S DRUM WORKSHOP (TOM BLIP + NICK STEWART)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £0 - £5

Blip Discs is one of Sneakys boss Nick’s favourite new labels. With lots of emphasis on drums, it was clear that label head Tom Blip had to come to the club to duke it out with the rebel drum sounds. BIG BIG CHRISTMAS

CORN EXCHANGE, FROM 20:00, £50

Welcome drinks, a four course feast, live cabaret, cocktails, piano and karaoke bars and a live gigs programme at Corn Exchange’s Christmas parties. LEZURE (PANGAEA)

THE MASH HOUSE, 23:00–05:00, £5 - £8

BIG ‘N’ BASHY

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, TBC

CABARET VOLTAIRE, 23:00–05:00, £10

THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £4 - £6

Mighty mix of reggae, grime, dubstep and jungle played by inimitable residents Brother Most Righteous, Skillis, Tekkerz and Deburgh. MESSENGER

STUDIO 24, 23:00–03:00, TBC

Conscious roots and dub reggae rockin’ from the usual beefy Messenger Sound System. DR NO’S SKA CLUB

HENRY’S CELLAR BAR, FROM 23:00, £5 - £6

STUDIO 24, 22:30–03:00, £2 - £5

ODYSSEY. 004 (EJECA) (KHALID HUSSAIN+ CHECKETTS)

Fill your lugs with the sound of Detroit courtesy of Nightvision.

A late night utopian getaway, featuring music from DJ Yves and M. Favors, plus performance and installation ard curated by Anna Danielewicz.

Resident midweek student rammy of chart, club and electro hits.

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Early weekend-welcoming (y’know, for students) chart anthems, bolstered by hip-hop, R'n'B and urban in the back room.

THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:30–03:00, £15 - £20

RHYTHM MACHINE STUDIO 24, 23:00–03:00, £6

THE HIVE, 21:00–03:00, £0 - £4

Saturday mix of chart and dance, with retro 80s classics thrown in for good measure.

Dan, Declan and Kami make weird waves through house and techno. HI-SOCIETY

NIGHTVISION (ROBERT HOOD) (DJ DEEP + STEPHEN BROWN + MAIN INGREDIENT)

Solid party starters Lezure bring in integral HessleAudio producer Pangaea to help out the residents.

Baz and Dave spin out some belters under a strictly vinylonly policy.

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £0 - £2

ELECTRIC CIRCUS’ CHRISTMAS CAVALCADE

Sad City makes deep, subtly deconstructed house music, with its feet in a classic tradition and its head lost in reverie. Brian Not Brian runs the Brixton based Going Good label and is a complete vinyl enthusiast. See ‘em both at Sneak’s.

LION OIL

COALITION (BELIEVE + GAV MILLER + STU + JORDAN COCHRANE + GED & SKANKY B)

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 22:30–03:00, FREE

CABARET VOLTAIRE, FROM 23:00, £10

WEE RED BAR, 23:00–03:00, £5

Sun 04 Dec

TEMPO (DETBOI)

A batizado party with Group Senzala Scotland, celebrating capoeira and brazilian culture at its finest.

The FLY residents welcome Aussie producer Leon Vynehall to their lair.

CORN EXCHANGE, FROM 20:00, £50

Welcome drinks, a four course feast, live cabaret, cocktails, piano and karaoke bars and a live gigs programme at Corn Exchange’s Christmas parties.

LA BELLE ANGELE, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £8

Palms resident Andrea Montalto is joined by DJ Darkmatter, selfproclaimed turntable wizard and regular guest at the legendary Strictly Niceness parties in Brussels. FLY (LEON VYNEHALL) (HERD)

BIG BIG CHRISTMAS

ANYTHING GOES STUDIO 24, 23:00–03:00, £5

DECADE EDINBURGH

Decade returns for a Christmas special, with all the usual pop punk, 90s, alternative and party tracks. Also, Santa’s gonna be there.

BEEP BEEP, YEAH! ROCKING AROUND THE XMAS TREE (BEBOPA-TALLAH + AT THE HOP DJS)

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

Expect only the best pop tunes from the 50s, 60s and 70s at this retro pop club night. TEESH 3D WORLD CLUB (THE MAGHREBAN) (DJ CHEERS)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £5 - £7

Ayman Rostom, aka The Maghreban’s been producing music for years, but until 2014 the sounds were a long way from his current crumbling house flavour. Since embarking on a stylistic shift, he has emerged as one of the most interesting producers around. BIG BIG CHRISTMAS

CORN EXCHANGE, FROM 20:00, £50

Welcome drinks, a four course feast, live cabaret, cocktails, piano and karaoke bars and a live gigs programme at Corn Exchange’s Christmas parties. SLVR X ALTITUDE (MODINI)

THE MASH HOUSE, 23:00–03:00, TBC

Modini, a collaborative effort between Scottish producer Hostage and Techno veteran Neil Landstrumm takes the lead at a night celebrating Altitude’s second birthday.

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

DANIEL AVERY

Dan’s back, this time touring his DJ Kicks mix with a 4 hour set. OVERGROUND (HAPPA)

THE MASH HOUSE, 23:00–03:00, £6.50 - £8.50

Techno innovator Happa leads affairs at Overground.

Thu 15 Dec

JUICE (KA MI + DAN JUICE + DECLAN)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–03:00, £0 - £2

Dan, Declan and Kami make weird waves through house and techno. HI-SOCIETY

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Early weekend-welcoming (y’know, for students) chart anthems, bolstered by hip-hop, R'n'B and urban in the back room. ELECTRIC CIRCUS’ CHRISTMAS CAVALCADE

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 22:30–03:00, FREE

Add a little sparkle to your Christmas party this year and head to the Electric Circus for wicked DJs, tribute bands and poptastic club nights. Private party options also available.

Fri 16 Dec PLANET EARTH

CITRUS CLUB, 23:30–03:00, £5

Distinctly retro selections from 1960 to 1999, moving from Abba to ZZ Top. PROPAGANDA

THE LIQUID ROOM, FROM 22:30, £3 - £5

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like. JACKHAMMER: MACHINE SHOWCASE

THE LIQUID ROOM, FROM 22:30, £8

Jackhammer presents a Machine showcase featuring Ben Sims, Kirk degiorgio plus support from Wolfjazz & Keyte. SAMEDIA SHEBEEN

PARADISE PALMS, 21:00–01:00, FREE

FLY (JASPER JAMES)

The Fly Clubbers hand over the decks to bright young Glasgow house music talent Jasper James for the evening.

Sat 17 Dec TEASE AGE

CITRUS CLUB, 22:30–03:00, £0 - £5

Long-running indie, rock and soul night, traversing the spectrum of classic and modern. BUBBLEGUM

THE HIVE, 21:00–03:00, £0 - £4

Saturday mix of chart and dance, with retro 80s classics thrown in for good measure. THE GREEN DOOR

STUDIO 24, 22:30–03:00, £2 - £5

The Tropical tiki club night playing the hottest old-school rock’n’roll, rhythm & blues, doo wop, garage, surf and soul. And there’s cake. SOULSVILLE

THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £5

Raw, high energy R'n'B from DJs Francis Dosoo and Cameron Mason. THE EXPLOITED

STUDIO 24, FROM 19:00, £10 - £15

Scottish punk pals The Exploited are joined by Billyclub and Critikill, with a punk rock’n’roll afterparty on ‘til late.

YIP YAP REUNION (HUGGY + CRAIG SMITH + GARETH SOMMERVILLE + DAVY BROWN)

LA BELLE ANGELE, 23:00–03:00, £8 - £10

After the success of last year’s party Yip Yap returns. A night of classics brought to you by some of the capital’s finest selectors who’ll take you back to a halcyon time in Edinburgh’s clubbing history. PERCY MAIN SOCIAL CLUB

PARADISE PALMS, 21:00–01:00, FREE

A monthly social with Percy Main and pals spinning shakin’ disco, balearic boogie, gareish gospel and hermetic haus. Bring your friends, your mum and your dancing boots. POP BINGO DISCO (ANDY JUMANJI AND THE MASSIVE HEID)

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 22:30–03:00, £5

Clubbing-meets-bingo (finally, right?). 240 minutes of crazy, bawless bingo banter, prizes and foot-stomping tunes all rolled into one.

Listings

BIG BIG CHRISTMAS

KEEP IT STEEL: ANTI-CHRISTMAS

CORN EXCHANGE, FROM 20:00, £50

STUDIO 24, 23:00–05:00, £5

Welcome drinks, a four course feast, live cabaret, cocktails, piano and karaoke bars and a live gigs programme at Corn Exchange’s Christmas parties. NIGHTVISION (KÖLSCH) (RICHY AHMED + THEO KOTTIS + JAMIE ROY)

THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:30–03:00, £15 - £20

A Musika date with Nightvision, bringing in man of the mo Kölsch along with Richy Ahmed and Theo Kottis.

Sun 18 Dec

COALITION (BELIEVE + GAV MILLER + STU + JORDAN COCHRANE. GED & SKANKY B) SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–05:00, FREE

Weekly bass institution hosted by DJ Believe and friends. THE CLUB

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Two rooms of all the chart, cheese and indie-pop you can think of/handle on a Sunday. SUCH A DRAG

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 22:30–03:00, FREE

Queen, queer or just straight up crazy, it matters not to Such A Drag’s groundskeeper Fanny (nor to her friends). Leave your judgements and dignity at the door and get involved in the live acts and dancing.

Mon 19 Dec MIXED UP

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Monday-brightening mix of hiphop, R'n'B and chart classics, with requests in the back room.

MINDSET (GARETH SOMMERVILLE) (GARETH SOMMERVILLE) SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–05:00, £3

Strictly house grooves from Edinburgh house DJ don Gareth Sommerville.

Edinburgh’s unholiest metal night brings together the capital’s residents for a merry celebration of the great horned beast of the underworld.

PULSE: 25 YEARS OF SOMA (SLAM + SILICON SOUL + PETRICHOR) LA BELLE ANGELE, 23:00–05:00, £10 - £12

La Belle celebrates 25 years of Soma recordings here in Edinburgh with special event ft. Slam, Silicon Soul and Petrichor. ELECTRIC CIRCUS’ CHRISTMAS CAVALCADE

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–03:00, £0 - £3

Add a little sparkle to your Christmas party this year and head to the Electric Circus for wicked DJs, tribute bands and poptastic club nights. Private party options also available. BEAT LAUNDRY

PARADISE PALMS, 21:00–01:00, FREE

The Beat Laundry rinse out festive bangers with bags of disco nuts and Christmas cheer. BYO washboards and soap subs as this yin will get messy.

Sat 24 Dec TEASE AGE

CITRUS CLUB, 22:30–03:00, £0 - £5

Long-running indie, rock and soul night, traversing the spectrum of classic and modern. BUBBLEGUM

THE HIVE, 21:00–03:00, £0 - £4

Saturday mix of chart and dance, with retro 80s classics thrown in for good measure. MESSENGER

THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £6 - £7

Conscious roots and dub reggae rockin’ from the usual beefy Messenger Sound System. LIQUID ROOM XMAS PARTY

THE LIQUID ROOM, FROM 22:00, TBC

Tue 20 Dec

Make for a memorable Christmas Eve at Liquid Rooms’ festive soiree.

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Sun 25 Dec

TRASH

Alternative Tuesday anthems cherrypicked from genres of rock, indie, punk, retro and more. NOTION (ARIOSE)

THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3

I Love Hip Hop is dead. This is Bongo’s brand spangling new Tuesday night house and techno party featuring TLFT boss, DJ and producer Telfort, Greenman and H&P faves Hi & Saberhägen.

Wed 21 Dec COOKIE

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Resident midweek student rammy of chart, club and electro hits.

WITNESS (ROSS BLACKWAX + FAULT LINES + SKILLIS + SQUELCHY)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–05:00, £0 - £2

House, garage and bass adventures with Blackwax and Faultlines.

Thu 22 Dec

JUICE (KA MI + DAN JUICE + DECLAN)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–05:00, £0 - £2

Dan, Declan and Kami make weird waves through house and techno. HI-SOCIETY

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Early weekend-welcoming (y’know, for students) chart anthems, bolstered by hip-hop, R'n'B and urban in the back room. ELECTRIC CIRCUS’ CHRISTMAS CAVALCADE

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 19:00–03:00, FREE

Add a little sparkle to your Christmas party this year and head to the Electric Circus for wicked DJs, tribute bands and poptastic club nights. Private party options also available.

Fri 23 Dec PLANET EARTH

CITRUS CLUB, 23:30–03:00, £5

Distinctly retro selections from 1960 to 1999, moving from Abba to ZZ Top. PROPAGANDA

THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:30–03:00, £3 - £5

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like. FLIP

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, £0 - £3

Yer all-new Friday at Hive. Cheap entry, inevitably danceable, and novelty-stuffed. Perrrfect.

Listings

THE CLUB

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Two rooms of all the chart, cheese and indie-pop you can think of/handle on a Sunday.

Mon 26 Dec MIXED UP

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Monday-brightening mix of hiphop, R'n'B and chart classics, with requests in the back room. MADCHESTER

THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:30–03:00, £5 - £6

Long running Edinburgh club night celebrating the baggiest beats from the late 80s and early 90s.

HARRI & DOMENIC’S BOXING DAY BELTER (HARRI & DOMENIC)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–05:00, £5 - £7

Subculture, now 21 years old, with Harri and Domenic at the helm, is the longest running weekly house night in the U.K. Treat yourself while it’s making a vacation from its regular host, Sub Club.

Tue 27 Dec TRASH

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Alternative Tuesday anthems cherrypicked from genres of rock, indie, punk, retro and more. NOTION (BLEAKER)

THE BONGO CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £3

I Love Hip Hop is dead. This is Bongo’s brand spangling new Tuesday night house and techno party featuring TLFT boss, DJ and producer Telfort, Greenman and H&P faves Hi & Saberhägen.

Wed 28 Dec COOKIE

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Resident midweek student rammy of chart, club and electro hits.

WITNESS (ROSS BLACKWAX + FAULT LINES + SKILLIS + SQUELCHY)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–05:00, £0 - £2

House, garage and bass adventures with Blackwax and Faultlines.

Thu 29 Dec

SNEAKY PETE’S NYE (GERD JANSON) (TELFORT, TEESH AND JUICE DJS)

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–05:00, £0 - £2

Using odd music to turn parties inside out is a Gerd Janson speciality. He’s known as a DJ’s DJ but what you’re really getting is a smiling guy playing all your favourite records you didn’t know existed.

JUICE (KA MI + DAN JUICE + DECLAN)

Dan, Declan and Kami make weird waves through house and techno. HI-SOCIETY

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, FREE

Early weekend-welcoming (y’know, for students) chart anthems, bolstered by hip-hop, R'n'B and urban in the back room.

Fri 30 Dec

SNEAKY PETE’S, 23:00–05:00, £10

NIGHTVISION HOGMANAY

THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:00–05:00, £24.50 - £39.50

CITRUS CLUB, 23:30–03:00, £5

Musika and Snowbombing’s on the bill at Nightvision’s Hogmanay party, ft. Alan Fitzpatrick, Jackmaster, Butch and Boxia.

PROPAGANDA

PARADISE PALMS, 21:00–01:00, FREE

PLANET EARTH

Distinctly retro selections from 1960 to 1999, moving from Abba to ZZ Top. THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:30–03:00, £3 - £5

Clubber’s favourite of indie classics and baggy greats, from Primal Scream and the like.

JACKHAMMER (DJ ROLANDO) (STEPHEN BROWN)

THE MASH HOUSE, 23:00–05:00, £8

Jackhammer goes H.A.M for its 15 year anniversary, enlisting DJ Rolando and Stephen Brown to do the honours. SURE SHOT

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 22:30–03:00, £0 - £3

Golden age Hip Hop and R'n'B night hosted by two bearded men with an equal love of food and music; The Skinny’s Food Editor Peter Simpson and one half of Edinburgh’s Kitchen Disco, Malcolm Storey. DILF

STUDIO 24, 23:00–05:00, £8

The December edition of DILF (you know what it stands for). FLIP

THE HIVE, 22:00–03:00, £0 - £3

Yer all-new Friday at Hive. Cheap entry, inevitably danceable, and novelty-stuffed. Perrrfect.

FRACTAL CLUB(SECRETSUNDAZE) (HI + SABERHÄGEN) THE CAVES, 23:00–04:00, £7.50 - £14

NYE MIAMI STREET

Join residents NikNak and Jacuzzi General for an end of the year finale. Imagine Miami Vice through the eyes of Elmo and you’re somewhere close. Dress to digress: 80s Miami, Cops ‘n’ Robbers, felt puppets.

GASOLINE TWEAK_ MACHINE: NEW YEAR’S EVE (CHEAP PICASSO + SIMON BAYS +KIERAN APTER) CABARET VOLTAIRE, 21:00–05:00, £5 - £15

Two unstoppable forces collide to wreak havoc and destruction on Cabaret Voltaire in honour of a Saturday night Hogmanay.

Dundee Clubs Thu 01 Dec

INTERGALACTIC FUNK SMUGGLERS

READING ROOMS, 22:30–02:30, TBC

They say you can’t hear anything in space. They obviously weren’t listening to the right music. Intergalactic Funk Smugglers send funk waves across the galaxy in their quest for the ultimate supersonic groove.

Fri 02 Dec EROL ALKAN

READING ROOMS, FROM 22:30, £12.50

The Trash founder, Bugged Out resident and all-round DJ extraordinaire takes control for the evening, well-kent for his tight productions and damn good remixes.

Sat 03 Dec

AUTODISCO (PETE HERBERT)

READING ROOMS, 22:30–03:00, £8 - £10

Electro-funk, house and disco, with your regular hosts joined for a special guest slot by Maxi Discs’ Pete Herbert.

Sat 10 Dec LOCARNO

READING ROOMS, FROM 22:00, £5 - £7

A night dedicated to the 50s and 60s that’s been running for over half a decade.

Thu 15 Dec RECKLESS KETTLE

READING ROOMS, FROM 22:30, £3.50 - £5

Party-throwers Reckless Kettle follow up their African Dance Party with their debut club at Reading Rooms.

Sat 17 Dec

ALL GOOD XMAS SPECIAL (JULIO BASHMORE)

For their third party, Fractal Club invite up Londoners Giles Smith and James Priestley for a four hour set in the sumptuous surrounds of the caves.

One of the biggest names on the UK house music scene (erm, that’d be Julio Bashmore) stops by All Good for a Christmas knock-out.

Sat 31 Dec

Mon 26 Dec

TEASE AGE

CITRUS CLUB, 22:30–03:00, £0 - £5

Long-running indie, rock and soul night, traversing the spectrum of classic and modern. HOGMANAY HOOT

CORN EXCHANGE, 19:00–02:00, £55

Celebrate the turn of midnight (and plenty more) at The Corn Exchange, with a three course meal, welcome drinks, a ceilidh, photobooths and live entertainment.

WEE DUB HOGMANAY (DJ VADIM + KING YOOF & MC SPEE + ELECTRIKAL SOUND + J-MAN + ESCAPE ROOTS & TOM SPIRALS+ NEM B2B ASTROJAZZ + SAMEDIA SHEBEEN) STUDIO 24, 22:00–05:00, £10 - £20

A roots and soundsystem NYE celebration featuring a heavyweight line-up covering reggae, jungle, dancehall, tropical and beyond. Good vibes, nice people, cheap drinks and heavy bass guaranteed. THE HIVE NYE

THE HIVE, 21:00–03:00, £8 - £50

Chuck yourself into 2017 with the help of your good friend, Hive. VIP tickets available. THE CAVES EDINBURGH HOGMANAY PARTY

THE CAVES, 22:00–05:00, £15

Enjoy floor fillers past and present and a bit of good old Scottish Ceilidh earlier in the night. KARNIVAL NYE (MARK HOULE + NICK DOW)

LA BELLE ANGELE, 23:00–05:00, £12.50 - £15

Karnival & Kapital join forces for a Hogmanay special to welcome Windsor, Ontario’s second most famous techno artist; Marc Houle. MAGIC NOSTALGIC’S HOGMANAY

ELECTRIC CIRCUS, 22:30–05:00, £10

At Magic Nostalgic every half an hour a crowd member is invited up on stage to spin a wheel. Wherever it lands determines what kind of music gets played for the next 30 mins, be it Brit pop, power ballads or Prince vs MJ. Oh, the delicious spontaneity.

READING ROOMS, FROM 22:00, £15 - £16

RRP + HEADWAY (GARY BECK) (ANDY BARTON + GRAEME BINNIE + NEIL CLARK) READING ROOMS, 21:30, £12

A boxing day treat from Glasgowborn techno boy Gary Beck

Sat 31 Dec

BOOK CLUB (ISKILL + MARC JD)

READING ROOMS, 22:00, £20

Book club polish off a stellar year with a house disco and techno from Is Kill and Marc JD.

Theatre

Festival Theatre

Glasgow Theatre

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

CCA: Centre for Contemporary Art

8-17 DEC, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY

THE SNOW QUEEN

BUZZCUT: DOUBLE THRILLS

14 DEC, 7:00PM, £6 - £8

Buzzcut celebrate the end of the year, the end of Double Thrills and the beginning of something new with a fun-time finale of amazing performance from Daniel Oliver and Ultimate Dancer, and a hilarious Christmas party. FICTIONAL MATTERS

2-4 DEC, 11:00AM, £20 - £25

The first edition of Fictional Matters, curated by choreographer Colette Sadler, which opens up a field of enquiry around the perception of the inanimate and its fictional potentialities through mediation and transformation. ST MUNGO’S MIRRORBALL SHOWCASE 6

8 DEC, 7:00PM, £5

A wonderful evening with some of the UK’s leading poetic voices, including Kathrine Sowerby, William Letford and Mark Russell reading from new collections. ABBY IN SPECIAL LAND

17 DEC, 11:00AM, £0 - £3

Abby in Special Land is devised by the children attending the Acting Up workshops and scripted by Clare Hemphill. Think Alice in Wonderland but with a twist. UNFIX FESTIVAL: REBIRTH!

18 DEC, 12:00PM, £8 - £12

A communal experience urging cultural, social, economic, environmental and pyschic renewal. A sequel to aCOPalypse Now!. FICTIONAL MATTERS

2-4 DEC, 11:00AM, £20 - £25

The first edition of Fictional Matters, curated by choreographer Colette Sadler, opens up a field of enquiry around the perception of the inanimate and its fictional potentialities through mediation and transformation. It seeks to create a platform for exchange and discussion on the expanded notion of choreography and performance with and beyond bodies. The weekend will include work by Miranda Pennell, Daria Martin and Adam Linder as well as presentations from Glasgow school of art MFA and doctoral students. ST MUNGO’S MIRRORBALL SHOWCASE 6

8 DEC, 7:00PM, £5

A wonderful evening with some of the UK’s leading poetic voices, including Kathrine Sowerby, William Letford and Mark Russell reading from new collections.

Citizens Theatre HANSEL & GRETEL

6 DEC-7 JAN 17, 7:00PM, £5 - £22

A twist on the Grimm classics, with the witch happening to be pretty adept at tango dancing as she lures two children into her edible house.

Oran Mor

A BOTTLE OF WINE AND PATSY CLINE

19-30 DEC, 7:00PM, £25

Back by popular demand – a regular musical favourite about the life of Patsy Cline and the songs that made her famous.

Platform RAPUNZEL

8-23 DEC, 7:00PM, £5 - £12

The Platform team’s Christmas show of 2016, featuring an updated Rapunzel who spends her life locked up in the animal grooming salon where she works with her mother, Gloria. Matinees available.

Edinburgh Theatre

A fun, thrilling and magical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s wintery tale. Directed by Dougie Irvine.

The Garage Glasgow STEVE-O

4 DEC, 7:00PM, PRICES VARY

More stunts and general daftness from the Jackass chap.

The Glad Cafe WRITE IT XMAS PANTO

21-22 DEC, 7:30PM, TBC

Write It! the team that brought you News Review return for a script reading night with a festive flavour.

The King’s Theatre CINDERELLA

1 DEC-14 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY

Downfield Musical Society bring a slapstick-ridden, choreographypacked and SFX-rammed panto

Theatre Royal TRAILER PARK BOYS

10-11 DEC, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY

The Hangover meets Elf, live on stage at Theatre Royal. THE COMMITMENTS

5 DEC-21 JAN 17, 7:30PM, PRICES VARY

Based on the BAFTA awardwinning film, following a young working class music fan produce the finest soul band Dublin’s ever seen. Matinees available.

Tramway

PLAN B FOR UTOPIA

2-3 DEC, 8:00PM, £8 - £12

Magical storytelling creates a space where audience and performers can come together to reimagine the world. BROCADE

2-3 DEC, 6:30PM, £7 - £9

A celebration of energetic alliances between unique female dancers and musicians.

Tron Theatre THE SNAW QUEEN

1 DEC-7 JAN 17, 7:30PM, £10 - £19

Join Kristine Cagney Kringle and her toy workshop as they embark on a quest to save the pantosphere from the evil Snaw Queen and to keep Weegietown in a state of Christmas-celebrating joy.

HANSEL AND GRETEL: SCOTTISH BALLET

10-31 DEC, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY

The champs at Scottish Ballet perform their sparkling rendition of The Brothers Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel. BILLY BUDD

1-3 DEC, 7:15PM, £47 - £67.50

One of Britten’s greatest operas, in which the journeys of the titular young sailor from Melville’s novel of the same name are brought to life by evocative and powerful new staging. OPERA NORTH: IL TABARRO / SUOR ANGELICA

2 DEC, 7:15PM, £17.50 - £67.50

An evening of vintage Puccini, where a double bill of intense one-act dramas takes audiences from the darkly atmospheric music of Il Taborro to the ethereal beauty of Suor Angelica.

King’s Theatre Edinburgh JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

1-31 DEC, 7:00PM, £16 - £33

King’s Theatre stages their good ol’ Christmas panto, this year featuring Allan Stewart, Andy Gray, Grant Stott and a fuck-off massive beanstalk (we imagine).

Royal Lyceum Theatre ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND

UNTIL 31 DEC, 7:00PM, £10-90

Lewis Carroll's scintillating children's story is realised in a new production by Anthony Neilson and with music composed by Nick Powell. Matinees available. PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK

28 DEC, 2:30PM, £10-30.50

A brand new play adapted by Tom Wright from Joan Lindsay's novel. Set in summer of 1900, three Australian schoolgirls escape from school on an 'adventure', never to be seen again

Summerhall

ANATOMY #14: 2016 NUKE IT FROM ORBIT

9 DEC, 8:00PM – 10:30PM, £7

Quarterly live art cabaret that crosses mediums and disciplines with a cheeky and playful attitude. ANATOMINIS #3: MY FIRST WARP DRIVE

11 DEC, 11:00AM – 2:00PM, £5

Quarterly live art cabaret that crosses mediums and disciplines with a cheeky and playful attitude.

The Banshee Labyrinth POETS AGAINST HUMANITY

4 DEC, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, FREE

A Creative Commons remix of Cards Against Humanity, where poems are ruined and no one likes Eddie Redmayne.

The Edinburgh Playhouse MAMMA MIA!

1-30 DEC, TIMES VARY, £15 - £54.50

One of the biggest grossing musicals of ever returns, featuring the songs of everyone’s favourite Swedish pop group, Abba.

Traverse Theatre WORDS, WORDS, WORDS

6 DEC, 8:00PM, £4.50 - £6.50

Trav’s scratch platform for writers to test, experiment and discover, offering selected writers slots of up to ten minutes each. LAST CHRISTMAS

13-23 DEC, 8:00PM, TBC

Returning home for Christmas, Tom is confronted with the ghosts of his past. Forced to face his demons, can he rescue his family and his future in time? Forget panto, this one-man show will make you leave the theatre wanting to call your loved ones. BLACK BEAUTY

3-23 DEC, 7:00PM, £8 - £14

In a stable yard, with pitchforks and straw bales at the ready, Patrick and Hamish tell the classic tale of Black Beauty. Saddle up, jump on and gallop headlong into a story where loneliness gives way to hope. Matinees available.

THE SKINNY

Dundee Theatre Dundee Rep

GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE

1-31 DEC, 7:00PM, £10 - £12

George lives a peaceful life on the farm owned by his parents. That is, until the arrival of his nasty ol’ Grandma. See Roald Dahl’s 1981 triumph realised by the Dundee Rep. Matinees available.

Whitehall Theatre CINDERELLA

1 DEC-14 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY

Downfield Musical Society bring a slapstick-ridden, choreographypacked and SFX-rammed panto

Comedy Mon 05 Dec

Tue 13 Dec

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:00, £4 - £6

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £12

MONDAY NIGHT IMPROV

Two teams of comics battle it out for the biggest laughs under the watchful eye of ‘Improv Warlord’ Billy Kirkwood.

Tue 06 Dec RED RAW

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £3

Open mic-style beginners showcase, plus some old hands dropping by to road test new material. NEW MATERIAL COMEDY NIGHT

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £3 - £9

Glasgow Comedy Tue 29 Nov RED RAW

THE STAND GLASGOW, FROM 20:30, £3

Open mic-style beginners showcase, plus some old hands dropping by to road test new material.

Wed 30 Nov

NEW MATERIAL COMEDY NIGHT

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £3 - £9

Resident host Julia Sutherland introduces a variety of stand-up comedians from the Scottish circuit delivering all new material.

Thu 01 Dec THE THURSDAY SHOW

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £5 - £10

Weekend-welcoming selection of handpicked headline acts and newcomers over a two-hour showcase. YESBAR VIRGINS

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £3 - £9

Graham Barrie introduces a selection of fledgling comedy talent handpicked fae Scotland.

Fri 02 Dec THE FRIDAY SHOW

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £6 - £12

Prime stand-up from the Scottish and international circuit, hosted by a rotating selection of Stand stalwarts. LAUGHTER EIGHT

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £10

Resident host Julia Sutherland introduces a variety of stand-up comedians from the Scottish circuit delivering all new material.

Wed 07 Dec COMEDIAN RAP BATTLES

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:00, £4 - £6

Ro Cambell and The Wee Man’s comedian rap battle-off, where a select batch of comics compete to see who’s got the most swagger when it comes to hippity-hop wit. ROMESH RANGANATHAN: IRRATIONAL

THEATRE ROYAL, FROM 20:00, £19.75

The maths-teacher-turnedcomedian (and 2013 Edinburgh Festival Best Newcomer) tours his new show, Irrational, which explores the rationality of his world view. Or perhaps lack thereof…

Thu 08 Dec THE THURSDAY SHOW

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £5 - £10

Weekend-welcoming selection of handpicked headline acts and newcomers over a two-hour showcase. YESBAR VIRGINS

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £3 - £9

Graham Barrie introduces a selection of fledgling comedy talent handpicked fae Scotland.

WEST BREWERY COMEDY CLUB (XMAS SPECIAL) ( SCOTT GIBSON + JAMIE DALGLEISH + CHRISTOPHER MACARTHUR-BOYD ) WEST, 20:15–22:15, £10

With West Brewery Comedy Club you’re in for a proper brew ha-ha. Hop on down for some of the best stand-up in Scotland.

Regular comedy slot kicking off at, aye, 8pm? Manned by a selection of hot talent from the local circuit.

Fri 09 Dec

Sat 03 Dec

Prime stand-up from the Scottish and international circuit, hosted by a rotating selection of Stand stalwarts.

THE SATURDAY SHOW

THE STAND GLASGOW, 21:00–23:00, £17.50

Packed Saturday evening bill of stand-up headliners and resident comperes to jolly along your weekend. LAUGHTER EIGHT

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £10

Regular comedy slot kicking off at, aye, 8pm? Manned by a selection of hot talent from the local circuit. DANIEL SLOSS: SO?

GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL, FROM 20:00, £15.50

The award-winning comedian and internationally acclaimed halfman-half-Xbox brings the laughs once more with new show, So?

THE FRIDAY SHOW

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £6 - £12

LAUGHTER EIGHT

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £10

Regular comedy slot kicking off at, aye, 8pm? Manned by a selection of hot talent from the local circuit.

Sat 10 Dec THE SATURDAY SHOW

THE STAND GLASGOW, 21:00–23:00, £17.50

Packed Saturday evening bill of stand-up headliners and resident comperes to jolly along your weekend. LAUGHTER EIGHT

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £10

MICHAEL REDMOND’S SUNDAY SERVICE

Regular comedy slot kicking off at, aye, 8pm? Manned by a selection of hot talent from the local circuit.

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:00, £1 - £6

Sun 11 Dec

Sun 04 Dec

Chilled Sunday comedy showcase manned by resident Irish funnyman Michael Redmond and his handpicked guests. STAND COMEDY KIDS CLUB CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2016

THE STAND GLASGOW, 15:00–16:30, £4

Daft comedy session suitable for little ears (i.e. no swearies), for children aged 8-12 years-old.

MICHAEL REDMOND’S SUNDAY SERVICE

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:00, £1 - £6

Chilled Sunday comedy showcase manned by resident Irish funnyman Michael Redmond and his handpicked guests.

Mon 12 Dec

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £12

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas.

December 2016

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas.

Wed 14 Dec

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

YESBAR VIRGINS YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £3 - £9

Graham Barrie introduces a selection of fledgling comedy talent handpicked fae Scotland.

Fri 23 Dec THE FRIDAY SHOW

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £6 - £12

Prime stand-up from the Scottish and international circuit, hosted by a rotating selection of Stand stalwarts. LAUGHTER EIGHT

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £10

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas.

Regular comedy slot kicking off at, aye, 8pm? Manned by a selection of hot talent from the local circuit.

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £3 - £9

Sat 24 Dec

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £12

NEW MATERIAL COMEDY NIGHT

Resident host Julia Sutherland introduces a variety of stand-up comedians from the Scottish circuit delivering all new material. SOME LAUGH

NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, FROM 20:00, £3

LAUGHTER EIGHT

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £10

Regular comedy slot kicking off at, aye, 8pm? Manned by a selection of hot talent from the local circuit.

A comedy night for the truly discerning...

Tue 27 Dec

Thu 15 Dec

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £8 - £15

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £12

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas. YESBAR VIRGINS

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £3 - £9

Graham Barrie introduces a selection of fledgling comedy talent handpicked fae Scotland.

Fri 16 Dec

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £17.50

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas.

Sat 17 Dec

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE STAND GLASGOW, 21:00–23:00, £17.50

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas.

Sun 18 Dec

MICHAEL REDMOND’S SUNDAY SERVICE

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:00, £1 - £6

Chilled Sunday comedy showcase manned by resident Irish funnyman Michael Redmond and his handpicked guests.

YESBAR VIRGINS: COMEDY SUNDAY SCHOOL

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £3 - £9

A selection of five fledgling comedians do their best to win over the audience and graduate Yesbar’s ‘Comedy Sunday School’.

Mon 19 Dec SCRAM!

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:00, £2 - £3

Sketch comedy from Scotland’s brightest young comedians. MERRY CHUNXXXMAS

MCPHABBS, 20:30–22:30, FREE

CHUNKS ain’t yer traditional comedy night. CHUNKS is a big night out entirely comprised of variety acts, sketches, monologues, character bits, animations, inanimations, contemporary dance, readings, or just anything silly, alternative and funny.

Tue 20 Dec RED RAW

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £3

Open mic-style beginners showcase, plus some old hands dropping by to road test new material.

Wed 21 Dec

DEAD SHEEP COMEDY’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:30, £8 - £10

Scott Gibson hosts a Dead Sheep Christmas Special.

Thu 22 Dec THE THURSDAY SHOW

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £5 - £10

Weekend-welcoming selection of handpicked headline acts and newcomers over a two-hour showcase.

HOOTFEST!

Get yourself through the most boring week of December with a roster of five wicked comedians.

Wed 28 Dec HOOTFEST!

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £8 - £15

Get yourself through the most boring week of December with a roster of five wicked comedians.

Thu 29 Dec HOOTFEST!

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £8 - £15

Get yourself through the most boring week of December with a roster of five wicked comedians.

Fri 30 Dec LAUGHTER EIGHT

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £10

Regular comedy slot kicking off at, aye, 8pm? Manned by a selection of hot talent from the local circuit. HOOTFEST!

THE STAND GLASGOW, 20:30–22:50, £8 - £17.50

Get yourself through the most boring week of December with a roster of five wicked comedians.

Sat 31 Dec LAUGHTER EIGHT

YESBAR, FROM 20:00, £10

Regular comedy slot kicking off at, aye, 8pm? Manned by a selection of hot talent from the local circuit. HOOTFEST!

THE STAND GLASGOW, 21:00–02:00, £27.50

Get yourself through the most boring week of December with a roster of five wicked comedians.

Edinburgh Comedy

Tue 06 Dec

Wed 30 Nov

Richard Melvin brings another night of radio recordings to Edinburgh’s comedy haunt The Stand.

GARY LITTLE: A LITTLE BIT OF PERSONAL

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, FROM 20:30, £10

The charming Gary Little returns, telling tales of paranoia, hillwalking and having prison pen pals. JAPES

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:00–22:30, £0 - £2

A new material night featuring comedy featuring the impeccably named comedy competition Top Banana.

Thu 01 Dec THE THURSDAY SHOW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–22:50, £5 - £10

Weekend-welcoming selection of handpicked headline acts and newcomers over a two-hour showcase. ALBERT

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £3 - £5

Monkey Barrel Comedy’s resident sketch group take to the stage with a brand new hour of skits and sketches.

Fri 02 Dec THE FRIDAY SHOW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–22:50, £6 - £12

Prime stand-up from the Scottish and international circuit, hosted by a rotating selection of Stand stalwarts. THE IMPROVERTS

BEDLAM THEATRE, FROM 22:30, £5 - £6

Long-standing improv comedy troupe made up of an ever-changing line-up of local students, whose rather fine show is built entirely on (oft daft) audience suggestions.

RICHARD MELVIN PRESENTS: MORE RADIO RECORDINGS!

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:00–22:00, FREE

Wed 07 Dec VIVA LA SHAMBLES

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:15, £4 - £5

The Stand hosts a monthly evening of total joke-pandemonium as Edinburgh’s top comics join forces. JAPES

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £2

A new material night featuring comedy featuring the impeccably named comedy competition Top Banana.

Thu 08 Dec THE FRIDAY SHOW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–22:50, £6 - £12

Prime stand-up from the Scottish and international circuit, hosted by a rotating selection of Stand stalwarts. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Festive laughs and fripperies at Monkey Barrel’s Christmas comedy show.

Fri 09 Dec THE SATURDAY SHOW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–22:50, £17.50

Packed Saturday evening bill of stand-up headliners and resident comperes to jolly along your weekend. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW

Festive laughs and fripperies at Monkey Barrel’s Christmas comedy show.

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Sat 10 Dec

Festive laughs and fripperies at Monkey Barrel’s Christmas comedy show.

Sat 03 Dec THE SATURDAY SHOW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–22:50, £17.50

Packed Saturday evening bill of stand-up headliners and resident comperes to jolly along your weekend. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Festive laughs and fripperies at Monkey Barrel’s Christmas comedy show.

Sun 04 Dec

THE SUNDAY NIGHT LAUGH-IN

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:15, £1 - £6

Chilled comedy showcase to cure your Sunday evening backto-work blues. STU & GARRY’S FREE IMPROV SHOW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 13:30–15:00, FREE

Long-running improvised comedy show with resident duo Stu & Garry weaving comedy magic from off-the-cuff audience suggestions. PROGRESS!

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £5

Rick Molland presents four of the best up-and-coming acts in Scotland in a weekly rising star showcase.

Mon 05 Dec RED RAW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £3

Open mic-style beginners showcase, plus some old hands dropping by to road test new material.

STU & GARRY’S FREE IMPROV SHOW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 13:30–15:00, FREE

Long-running improvised comedy show with resident duo Stu & Garry weaving comedy magic from off-the-cuff audience suggestions. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Festive laughs and fripperies at Monkey Barrel’s Christmas comedy show.

Sun 11 Dec

THE SUNDAY NIGHT LAUGH-IN

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:15, £1 - £6

Chilled comedy showcase to cure your Sunday evening backto-work blues. PROGRESS!

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £5

Rick Molland presents four of the best up-and-coming acts in Scotland in a weekly rising star showcase.

Mon 12 Dec

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12 - £20

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas.

Tue 13 Dec

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12 - £20

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas.

Wed 14 Dec

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12 - £20

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas.

JAPES MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £0 - £2

A new material night featuring comedy featuring the impeccably named comedy competition Top Banana.

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Festive laughs and fripperies at Monkey Barrel’s Christmas comedy show.

Thu 15 Dec

Fri 23 Dec

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12 - £20

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–22:50, £6 - £12

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Festive laughs and fripperies at Monkey Barrel’s Christmas comedy show.

Fri 16 Dec

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £17.50 - £25.50

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Festive laughs and fripperies at Monkey Barrel’s Christmas comedy show.

Sat 17 Dec

THE STAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–23:00, £17.50 - £25.50

Five banging comedians stir up a little festive fun to tickle your ribs in time for Christmas. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Festive laughs and fripperies at Monkey Barrel’s Christmas comedy show.

Sun 18 Dec

THE SUNDAY NIGHT LAUGH-IN

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:15, £1 - £6

Chilled comedy showcase to cure your Sunday evening backto-work blues. STU & GARRY’S FREE IMPROV SHOW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 13:30–15:00, FREE

Long-running improvised comedy show with resident duo Stu & Garry weaving comedy magic from off-the-cuff audience suggestions. PROGRESS!

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £5

Rick Molland presents four of the best up-and-coming acts in Scotland in a weekly rising star showcase.

Mon 19 Dec RED RAW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £3

Open mic-style beginners showcase, plus some old hands dropping by to road test new material.

Tue 20 Dec BONA FIDE

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:00, £5 - £6

THE FRIDAY SHOW

Prime stand-up from the Scottish and international circuit, hosted by a rotating selection of Stand stalwarts. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG CHRISTMAS SHOW

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Festive laughs and fripperies at Monkey Barrel’s Christmas comedy show.

Tue 27 Dec HOOTFEST!

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £5 - £7

Get yourself through the most boring week of December with a roster of five wicked comedians.

Wed 28 Dec HOOTFEST!

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £8 - £15

Get yourself through the most boring week of December with a roster of five wicked comedians.

Thu 29 Dec HOOTFEST!

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–23:00, £8 - £15

Get yourself through the most boring week of December with a roster of five wicked comedians. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG NEW YEAR PARTY

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Lol your way into 2017 with a little help from the Monkey Barrel squad.

Fri 30 Dec HOOTFEST!

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–23:00, £8 - £17.50

Get yourself through the most boring week of December with a roster of five wicked comedians. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG NEW YEAR PARTY

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Lol your way into 2017 with a little help from the Monkey Barrel squad.

Sat 31 Dec HOOTFEST!

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–23:59, £27.50

Get yourself through the most boring week of December with a roster of five wicked comedians. MONKEY BARREL COMEDY’S BIG NEW YEAR PARTY

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £12

Lol your way into 2017 with a little help from the Monkey Barrel squad.

A brand new night which welcomes a stellar line-up of Scotland’s comics to perform material specially written for the theme of the night.

Wed 21 Dec TOPICAL STORM

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:00, £5 - £7

Radical satire from Keir McAllister, Vladimir McTavish, Stu Murphy and Mark Nelson. JAPES

MONKEY BARREL COMEDY CLUB, 20:30–22:50, £0 - £2

A new material night featuring comedy featuring the impeccably named comedy competition Top Banana.

Thu 22 Dec THE THURSDAY SHOW

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB, 21:00–22:50, £5 - £10

Weekend-welcoming selection of handpicked headline acts and newcomers over a two-hour showcase.

Listings

Art Glasgow Art CCA: Centre for Contemporary Art VOICING THE ARCHIVE

NO UPCOMING DATES, TIMES VARY, FREE

MAP presents a series of audio recordings of past MAP contributions, voiced by their authors and installed at a listening station in the CCA foyer and Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop.

MARVIN GAYE CHETWYND: UPTIGHT UPRIGHT UPSIDE DOWN

1 DEC-8 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

For her first full solo show in Scotland, Marvin Gaye Chetwynd revisits and extends some of her earlier works transforming the exhibition spaces in CCA into a set. Proposing ideas and sharing information on what might liberate people, in an interactive live cinematic proposal Uptight upright upside down attempts not to shape the world, but rather to visually offer an extension to it. GENEVA SILLS: CONES & EGGS

1-18 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

A showcase of photographic history and technique with an emphasis is on the autonomous practice of the artist as well as the connection between photography and painting. Large still lifes, presented as mural silver gelatin prints will act as sexually-charged stand-ins amplified by smaller accompanying colour prints. The artist hopes that her work will renew and simplify appreciation for the materiality of photography and the female form. AZIMUTH: SOUND/IMAGE

7-11 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

An exhibition and associated programme of events exploring the creative tension and interplay between sound and image. Artists engage with possible ways of narration whether guided or enhanced, altered or disrupted through the Sound/Image interface or explored solely through a sense of hearing or a sense of sight. The Symposium features screenings, talks and live demonstrations.

Cyril Gerber Fine Art

THE WINTER COLLECTION 2016

1 DEC-31 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

Specially selected paintings, drawings and sculptures collected for this seasonal exhibition, including work by Scottish Masters, Glasgow School, Modern British, St.Ives, Cadell, Colquhoun & MacBryde, Eardley, Fergusson, Kay, Knox, McLauchlan Milne, Paterson, Reeves, Sandeman, Vaughan, Watt and a selection of Scottish Contemporaries.

David Dale Gallery and Studios

TESSA LYNCH: WAVE MACHINE

1-10 DEC, 12:00PM – 5:00PM, FREE

Tessa Lynch, who usually works with sculpture and performance to mimicking objects and scenarios brings a new exhibiton to Glasgow.

Gallery 23

WISHES//FEARS: GALLERY 23’S WINTER EXHIBITION

1-13 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

For many, the holidays are a time of heightened emotions, some happy but for others a bit darker. It is a time of family and friends, while also a period of reflection and nostalgia. Gallery 23 hosts a winter exhibition to explore feelings associated with the holidays.

Listings

Glasgow Print Studio ACADEMICIANS IV

1 DEC-22 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

GPS present the fourth in a series of exhibitions combining the work of Royal and Royal Scottish Academicians. Features Christopher le Brun, Annie Cattrell, Stephen Chambers & Kate Downie.

Glasgow Sculpture Studios

ZOFIA KULIK: INSTEAD OF SCULPTURE

1-3 DEC, 11:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

A debut UK exhibition from Polish artist Zofia Kulik, in which she investigate the reinvention of sculpture as a medium via serialised photographic works that are grouped as narrative tableaux.

GoMA

PLEASE TURN US ON

1 DEC-22 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

A group exhibition placing Glasgow at the core of a dialogue between early video art and international counterculture. Features What’s It To You?, a seminal work from Elsa Stansfield and Madelon Hooykaas, among other videographic works. JOHN SAMSON: 1975 - 1983

1 DEC-17 APR 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

A showcase of the complete works of enigmatic Scottish filmmaker John Samson (1946–2004), exhibiting the five films made during his lifetime.

Hunterian Art Gallery

WILLIAM HUNTER TO DAMIEN HIRST: THE DEAD TEACH THE LIVING

1 DEC-5 MAR 17, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY

An exhibition curated by students on GSA / University of Glasgow’s students of Curatorial Practice, featuring objects and art which explore moments of synergy between the fields of art and science.

RENAISSANCE PRINTS: MANTEGNA, MARCANTONIO AND PARMIGIANINO

1 DEC-22 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

A collection of prints by three major figures in Italian Renaissance art: Andrea Mantegna, Marcantonio Raimondi and Parmigianino.

Mary Mary JESSE WINE

1 DEC-7 JAN 17, 12:00PM – 6:00PM, FREE

Jesse Wine is a sculptor who works primarily with ceramics. See an ambitious body of sculptural work based on deconstructed classical form in his second exhibition at Mary Mary.

New Glasgow Society ADAM QUINN: DIORAMA

9-15 DEC, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

Diorama is a new installation of work by Glasgow based artist Adam Quinn, creating a pseudo avant-garde public space of the recent past within the New Glasgow Society gallery.

Street Level Photoworks TABULA RASA II

3 DEC-5 FEB 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

Five Glasgow artists, Alan Knox, Kotryna Ula Kiliulyte, Frank McElhinney, Stephen Healy, Julia Bauer, respond to the notion of the Passage of time and its effects on place, self, memory, and history.

The Briggait

A DISTURBANCE OF MEMORY

16-23 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

Collaborative show supported by Creative Scotland and Hope Scott Trust combining print, drawing, film and sculpture.

The Common Guild

SHARON HAYES: IN MY LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD, ANYONE WOULD LOVE YOU

Edinburgh Art

1-3 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

An exhibition by the American artist Sharon Hayes, whose work explores the voice of the individual within wider political history. This exhibition draws from feminist and queer archives from the UK and the US to examines how political discourse is formed.

Arusha Gallery MARGARETANN BENNETT: THE UNTOLD

1-4 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

The Hidden Lane Gallery

Arusha exhibits the culmination of three years spent working with Margaretann Bennett – over twenty paintings including three of her popular ‘twin or mirrored’ figures and a collection of small portraits.

1 DEC-1 FEB 17, 11:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

City Art Centre

THE CLASSIC IMAGES

Canadian born Margaret Watkins spent the second half of her life in Glasgow, dying in obscurity. But before her demise she gifted a mysterious sealed box to her neighbour, Joe Mulholland, to thank him for his help. This exhibition showcases 60 of her classic images, left inside that very box.

The Lighthouse KATHY HINDE: LUMINOUS BIRDS

1 DEC-15 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

Kathy Hinde brings her musical flock of luminous birds inspired by the flight-paths of migrating birds to The Lighthouse. JENNIFER KENT

1 DEC-5 FEB 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

Glasgow-based knitwear designer and GSA grad Jennifer Kent presents a new collection manufactured in Scotland, created after Kent’s collaboration with knitters based in Sanquhar and Shetland. A LIFE IN LETTERPRESS

9 DEC-5 FEB 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

A retrospective of Alan Kitchin’s work, spanning six decades of his letterpress typographic design and printmaking. His work is presented alongside artefacts, proofs, sketchbooks and equipment from his studio.

DRAWING ATTENTION: RARE WORKS ON PAPER 1400-1900

1 DEC-3 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

An exhibition spanning 500 years of draughtsmanship, platforming rare, quirky and lesser-known treats from the National Gallery’s drawings collection.

The Modern Institute SHIO KUSAKA

PAPER TRAIL: DRAWINGS, WATERCOLOURS, PRINTS

1 DEC-21 MAY 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

An exhibition exploring some of the many ways artists create works from the starting point of a fresh sheet of paper, including work by celebrated figures like Anne Redpath, Joan Eardley, Eduardo Paolozzi and Paul Sandby. A SKETCH OF THE UNIVERSE: ART, SCIENCE AND THE INFLUENCE OF D’ARCY THOMPSON

1 DEC-19 FEB 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

City Art Centre showcases the highlights of a collection of artworks inspired by pioneering Edinburgh-born biologist D’Arcy Thompson. PETER RANDALL-PAGE: WORKS ON PAPER

3 DEC-12 FEB 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

THE BIG PICTURE SHOW

1-11 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

For the first time Tramway presents a season of artists’ films for children, programmed by LIX Scotland. ELLA KRUGLYANSKAYA

1-11 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

An exhibition of work from the past decade along with new pieces from 2016 by New York-based painter in collaboration with Tate Liverpool.

Transmission Gallery VIDEO SHOW

1-17 DEC, 11:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

During November and December, Transmission will be transformed into a cinema, with a custom-built screen and seating structure by Amelia Bywater. Screenings and events will be presented in collaboration with the Radical Film Archive, Cinenova, Bisan Abu Eisheh, Generation Revolution and Vince Tillotson.

The only Scottish showcase for the 51st Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition, which will feature 100 awe-inspiring images, from fascinating animal behaviour to breathtaking wild landscapes.

Royal Scottish Academy RSA UNREALISED: ARCHITECTURAL IMAGINATION FROM THE RSA COLLECTIONS

1 DEC-13 FEB 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

RSA showcases the architectural plans, sketches and competition entries detailing plans for buildings that never came to be. Have a wander and wonder ‘what if?’. THE DAVID MICHIE GIFT

1 DEC-13 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

The RSA exhibits a collection of over twenty works gifted to them by artist, exhibitor, tutor and avid supporter of the RSA, David Michie. THE ARTIST TRAVELLER

1 DEC-29 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

Coinciding with RSA’s The David Michie Gift exhibition, The Artist Traveller is a showcase of work created via travel sponsored by the Academy itself. Exhibiting artists include Kate Fahey, Stephanie Mann, Rebecca Milling, Kyle Noble and Murray Robertson.

Long-term loan from one of the finest private collections of 19thCentury Norwegian and Swiss landscape paintings, American collector Asbjörn Lunde, taking in 13 works by artists including Johan Christian Dahl, Alexandre Calame and Thomas Fearnley.

W.W.W. (WHOLE WORLD WORKING)

3 DEC-5 FEB 17, 10:00AM – 4:00PM, FREE

W.W.W. (Whole World Working) is an exhibition devised by Anastasia Philimonos that brings together artworks and writings considering the possibilities of a world without border demarcation. Examining the tensions between geopolitical restraints and information technologies, the exhibition includes work by Michel De Broin, Alessandro Di Massimo, Buckminster Fuller and Ben Russell.

Dovecot Studios COLOUR AND LIGHT

Edinburgh Printmakers

Tramway

1 DEC-28 MAY 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

Collective Gallery

JIM LAMBIE: ELECTROLUX

The 2005 Turner prize shortlisted artist brings a new exhibition to Modern Institute.

1 DEC-19 FEB 17, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

51ST WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR EXHIBITION

Scottish National Gallery

1 DEC-25 FEB 17, 10:30AM – 5:30PM, FREE

1-16 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Renowned sculptor Randall-Page’s interest in order and chaos is explored in a series of his large-scale drawings, created using controlled pouring of ink.

1-16 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

A new exhibition from Japanese artist Shio Kusaka, who primarily works in the creation of mesmerising ceramics.

National Museum of Scotland

Dovecot exhibits a selection of recent projects which share in common a creative relationship between colour and light.

TIME IS ALL AROUND

1-23 DEC, 10:00AM – 6:00PM, FREE

Life, death, hope, redemption, tragedy, beauty. Edinburgh Printmakers’ upcoming Members’ Exhibition wrestles with big themes. Many of the artists have been working closely with St. Columba’s Hospice, a provider of special palliative care for patients with terminal illness.

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop OPEN STORAGE

3-17 DEC, 11:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

Over the last two months, Edinburgh and Berlin based artists swapped locations and their familiar surroundings for exhibiting, networking and production opportunities in new environments. Returning from Berlin, the Edinburgh artists (Jessica Harrison, Bernie Reid and Yokollection) show their ceramics, fashion, textiles that are rigorously crafted while also bridging the gap between functionality and aesthetics.

ROCKS AND RIVERS: THE LUNDE COLLECTION

1 DEC-30 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

THE GOLDFINCH

1-18 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

Carel Fabritius’ iconic depiction of a goldfinch – one of his few surviving works after an explosion in a gunpowder took his life and destroyed many of his paintings – makes a visit to Edinburgh. It is the painting’s debut exhibition in Scotland.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art BRIDGET RILEY: PAINTINGS,1963-2015

1 DEC-16 APR 17, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

A focused display of selected paintings from the works of Bridget Riley, born in 1931. The exhibition chronicles her earlier, iconic use of monochrome, her transition into using a grey palette, before an expansion into using an array of colour. 20TH CENTURY: MASTERPIECES OF SCOTTISH AND EUROPEAN ART

1 DEC-18 FEB 18, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

An exhibition of works offering a historical overview of some of the most significant artistic contributions made during the last century. The exhibition also aims to place Scottish modern art within an international context. KARLA BLACK AND KISHIO SUGA: A NEW ORDER

1 DEC-19 FEB 17, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

Karla Black and Kishio Suga share in common their knack for taking ordinary everyday materials and using them to create beautifully complex sculptural works. Their exhibition at Modern One combines their work for the first time.

THE TWEEDDALES: POWER, POLITICS AND PORTRAITS

Artwork featuring and commissioned by the Tweeddale family, a highly influential dynasty at the heart of Scottish society in the latter half of the seventeenth century who were known best for contributions to politics and the military. SCOTS IN ITALY

1 DEC-5 MAR 19, TIMES VARY, FREE

A showcase of the Scottish experience of Italy in the eighteenth century, a time when artistic, entrepreneurial and aristocratic fascination with the country was reaching boiling point. OUT OF THEIR HEADS: BUILDING PORTRAITS OF SCOTTISH ARCHITECTS

COUP DE THÉÂTRE 10 DEC-8 JAN 17, 11:00AM – 6:00PM, FREE

A group exhibition of contemporary sculpture featuring new work from Hans K Clausen, Clare Flatley, Despina Nissiriou, Paulina Sandberg, Kjersti Sletteland and Chloe Windsor.

Talbot Rice Gallery

STEPHEN BRANDES: PARC DU SOUVENIR

1-17 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

A new body of work fixating on interests from modern European history to Enlightenment, architectural expressions of ideology in the rural and urban environment to the Northern Romantic Landscape tradition; Dada and Constructivist collage and beyond. THE TORRIE COLLECTION

1-17 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

An opportunity to peer into the minds of some of Scotland’s greatest architects via The Scottish National Portrait Gallery’s collection of portraits and designs.

The Torrie Collection represents the University’s founding art collection and features Dutch landscape paintings of the ‘Golden Age’ and Italian Renaissance bronze sculptures in the tradition of Michelangelo. It was given to the Talbot Rice in 1836.

1 DEC-30 APR 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

1-17 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

1 DEC-5 FEB 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Taking the theme of landscape through photographs from the 1840s to the present day, this exhibition is drawn completely from the National Galleries of Scotland’s permanent photographic collection and aims to explore the techniques and processes of landscape photographers far and wide. THE MODERN PORTRAIT

1 DEC-27 OCT 19, TIMES VARY, FREE

A display collating paintings, sculptures and works from the Portrait Gallery’s twentiethcentury collection, ft. a variety of well-known faces, from Ramsay Macdonald to Alan Cumming, Tilda Swinton to Danny McGrain. BP PORTRAIT AWARD 2016

1 DEC-26 MAR 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

Now in its thirty-seventh year at the National Portrait Gallery and one of the most prestigious international portrait painting competitions of its kind, the BP Portrait Award 2016 makes its way to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Stills

JILL TODD PHOTOGRAPHIC AWARD 2016

ROB KENNEDY: ACTS OF DIS PLAY

An installation featuring a new video work, weekly performances, detritus, found objects, philosophical texts and a selection of contemporary and historical artworks by the likes of Merlin James, Conor Kelly, Julian Kildear, Tony Maas and David Tenier.

The Fruitmarket Gallery CONVERSATIONS IN LETTERS AND LINES

1 DEC-19 FEB 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

The Fruitmarket presents an exhibition combining the works of South African artists William Kentridge (animated filmmaker, opera director, performer and draughtsman) and Vivienne Koorland (painter, printmaker and maker of objects).

Whitespace

SUSAN SMITH & JOHN WILLIAMS: DANDER & OTHER MEANDERINGS

3-8 DEC, 12:00PM – 6:00PM, FREE

Whitespace presents an exhibit of figurative and landscape paintings by Susan Smith & John Williams.

1 DEC-22 JAN 17, 11:00AM – 6:00PM, FREE

Stills showcases the works of three victorious entrants into the Jill Todd Photographic Award 2016, an annual award promoting early career in photography open to photography graduates in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

Summerhall

ROSS FRASER MCLEAN: CEIBA CASA DE TODOS LOS MUERTOS

1-23 DEC, 11:00AM – 6:00PM, FREE

Photographer-artist Ross Fraser McLean’s exhibition of works created when carrying out research trips into Mexican culture, investigating Mexico’s relationship with death and dying. THANA FAROQ: WOMEN LIKE US

1 DEC-9 JAN 17, 11:00AM – 6:00PM, FREE

Thana Faroq is a street photographer and visual storyteller based in Sana’a, Yemen. In Women Like Us, she opens a window into the lives of 15 women and their experience of the war in Yemen: their struggles, their aspirations, and their ambitions.

Dundee Art Cooper Gallery

OF OTHER SPACES: WHERE DOES GESTURE BECOME EVENT? CHAPTER ONE

1-16 DEC, 11:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

A contemporary art exhibition and rolling event programme comprising live performances, screenings, collective readings, participatory dance and an international symposium; 12-Hour Action Group. Referencing art works, artist collaborative groups and activism by women from the 1970’s to the present day, the project looks at the contemporary relevance and cogency of feminist thinking on power as it is enacted through bodies, institutions and systems of representation.

DCA: Dundee Contemporary Arts DCA THOMSON

3 DEC-19 FEB 17, 11:00AM – 6:00PM, FREE

A group exhibition in partnership with DC Thomson featuring murals, prints, drawings, sculpture and videos created by a group of six artists: Rob Churm, Rabiya Choudhry, Craig Coulthard, Malcy Duff, Hideyuki Katsumata and Sofia Sita.

Generator Projects

LUDICROUSLY IDEAL AND BEAUTIFULLY PLACED

1-4 DEC, 12:00PM – 5:00PM, FREE

An exhibition of new works by Amy Boulton and Laura Yuile. Through observing the ways that digital and physical architectures serve to control and manipulate their residents, Yuile and Boulton comment on the imposed standards of idealistic living and the tasks we are encouraged to fulfill in order to achieve these ideals of success, happiness and financial well being.

Hannah Maclure Centre ALL WATCHED OVER BY MACHINES OF LOVING GRACE

1 DEC-24 FEB 17, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE

A NEoN festival exhibition by Miyu Hayashi, Ruth Kerr, Willy Lemaitre and Tom Sherman, interrogating the idea of whether machines now recognise and understand the spaces they inhabit.

The McManus REFLECTIONS ON CELTS

1-5 DEC, TIMES VARY, FREE

A delightfully pun-based name for an exhibition featuring two Iron Age mirrors – the British Museum’s Holcombe mirror and National Museums Scotland’s Balmaclellan mirror – in a partnership between National Museums Scotland and the British Museum. OUT OF THE FRAME: SCOTTISH ABSTRACTION

1 DEC-23 APR 17, TIMES VARY, FREE

A collection of works celebrating the artistic freedom afforded by abstraction, including art by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham and Calum Innes, plus a major new acquisition by Victoria Morton.

INVISIBLE

3 DEC-3 JAN 17, 11:00AM – 6:00PM, FREE

Painter Alexander Mackenzie presents a Christmas exhibition featuring an array of large oil paintings, a collection of small moments in time and some bright children’s book illustrations of a big hearted bear. IDEAS OF BEAUTY

7-17 DEC, 11:00AM – 6:00PM, FREE

An exhibition organised by Edinburgh’s Democratic Camera Club inviting artists to investigate, subvert and celebrate ‘Ideas of Beauty’ in their own style.

Find full listings at theskinny.co.uk/whats-on

THE SKINNY

Travelling as a gay couple Travelling to different cultures can present a wide array of challenges, particularly if your basic rights change in your destination of choice. One writer considers the difficulties of travel as part of a gay couple Words: Joe Hallas Illustration: Louise French

middle-aged gay couple I know recently toured the southern states of the US. In a Floridian bar they encountered a formerly-homeless man to whom they gave a considerable amount of money many years ago. The gentleman had turned his life around. With the couple’s money he had bought himself a suit and got himself a good job. He had since met a woman and settled down comfortably in the Orlando suburbs with his OJ and white picket fence to match. They reminisced and chatted enthusiastically until the man’s devout Christian wife realised the two men who helped her husband were gay. Her smile dropped quicker than the pound. “Y’all are going to hell!” she exclaimed. Charming. Travelling as a gay couple can be a little daunting. I mean – the prospect of being imprisoned, taunted, or chucked off a building half way through your piña colada doesn’t really sit well with most of us. Of course that’s the extreme; but you need only fly east of Germany to start running into some very varied attitudes towards homosexuality that can make the UK’s ‘not arsed’ mentality seem miles away. Travelling to less progressive corners of the world suddenly presents a ream of anxieties: If we’re at a romantic restaurant together, will we be stared at? If we book a double bed at the hotel will we be looked down upon? If we act too effeminately will we be abused in the street? Will devout Christian women shout at us too? So the inevitable question then begins to present itself: is it worth travelling to exotic countries if we constantly have to pretend we’re just ‘friends’ and not boy-friends? I wish there was a simple answer. Denying my sexuality has at times kept me safe both abroad and here in the UK. I can apparently ‘pass for straight’ (whatever that entails) but my LGBT ancestors didn’t march on Stonewall to only be proud sometimes. That cognitive dissonance is a struggle – home and away. A part of me feels ridiculous for writing this article because I have no satisfying answers to anything I’m putting forward. I’m really just musing and venting my frustration that I must frantically google what the public opinion and local laws say about my sexuality in countries X, Y and Z. The antiquities of the Ottoman Empire may be beautiful, but the antiquated laws and values are not. The most recent time I felt weary about my flamboyance was when my boyfriend and I visited Budapest. Hungary is pretty divided on the gay rights issue – with the government once taking the stance of ‘you can be gay, just don’t parade it about’ and the Pride parade being repeatedly attacked by hooligans. Eastern European friends of mine told me that we would be fine because it’s a metropolitan city – yet I have experienced homophobic abuse in Manchester, a ‘metropolitan’ city in the more progressive half of Europe. A lack of embrace of LGBT rights is hardly surprising for Hungary. This was a country occupied by the Nazis and then stuck with the bloody Soviet Union. I don’t picture ‘em waving rainbows about too soon. If you’re gay then hand-holding and public displays of affection seem to be simply out of the question. It adds a level of consideration that

December 2016

straight people just don’t have to worry about. Luckily we were fine in Budapest, and we enjoyed the ‘Paris of the East’ without hassle. We didn’t cross the Danube in heels, which probably helped. What us LGBT travellers really have to ask ourselves is this: why do we travel? Some say it is to learn and enrich the mind – but I disagree. I don’t need to stare at an old castle to feel enlightened. Renaissance cathedrals are beautiful – but I don’t feel the omnipotence of God. I travel to have experiences and to make memories. I recently visited Rome with some friends, and although the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel were breath-taking, my friend comically falling down the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica (to our loud and inappropriate amusement) is the memory I will treasure most. The disapproving glances I got in the Vatican for wearing my Faith No More top were even more memorably amusing. Who knew that band names could be offensive, eh?

“ I wish I could tell you to strut your stuff down the Nile and sashay your way through the bazaars of Morocco but to do so may be foolish” The point I’m trying to make here is this: will you allow conservative countries to hinder your memories? To hinder your experiences? I wish I could tell you to strut your stuff down the Nile and sashay your way through the bazaars of Morocco but to do so may be foolish. A lack of respect for the local culture is going to end badly, even if it’s a culture you don’t have any respect for. My partner is much more c’est la vie about the intolerance of some parts of the world – whereas I’m far too proud (in both senses of the word) to want to play up to it. The only compromise I can suggest is to think about taking two different types of holidays – the ‘romantic couple’ sightseeing holiday and the ‘we’re just mates’ sightseeing holiday. There are plenty of places in Europe and the Americas where you will not be judged for your sexuality. Historically-rich countries like Spain, Canada and the Netherlands frequently top the polls of the most gay-friendly places in the world. Towns like Spain’s Sitges feature more same-sex couples holding hands in the street than opposite-sex couples. This is in a Catholic country! The Netherlands famously doesn’t give a toss about anything. Dutch tolerance doesn’t just extend to prostitution and drugs – it includes sexual minorities too. I could skip down the streets of Amsterdam with a rainbow-coloured Mohawk singing the entire sound-

track of Cabaret and I’d probably struggle to get a disinterested glance. There are numerous progressive and inclusive countries my partner and I are looking forward to visiting. I feel invigorated that we can share a dip in Reykjavík’s thermal lagoons. I feel excited that we can ascend Toronto’s CN tower. I feel blessed that we can relax on the beaches of Copenhagen. All without looking over our shoulders. Alas – if you are an LGBT couple and you really want to visit countries like Egypt, Russia, and Kenya then you should. However you should take into account that you are going to have to pretend to be ‘just friends’ sometimes and perhaps you will find yourself having to book a twin room in your hotel rather than a double room. If playing

TRAVEL

your sexuality down won’t greatly affect your experience then go for it. No one wants to pay all that money to be self-conscious. Perhaps though you should do as I have – and prioritise the more enlightened and progressive parts of the world for your travels. Visit countries where you can enjoy your experiences without fear of backlash and hatred. Visit countries that celebrate your rights and your love rather than vilify it. Visit countries that are living in the 21st century. It’s all down to you really – but I know where I’d rather spend my money. Now pass me that Stroopwafel. theskinny.co.uk/travel

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