Entry posted by JasonU ·
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I grew up in Edinburgh. I was continually told that I should be glad to live in the city that hosts the world's largest art festival. It may well be the world's largest arts festival but it has always been elitist. There was never really anything there for me, especially in music terms. There has been the odd exception. Orbital playing the Ross Bandstand being one. This was when they drowned out the lone bagpiper at the Military Tattoo with Satan.
This is the first year that I can remember there being more than one decent act playing at the Festival. St Vincent is one of the headliners this year, Mogwai are playing and Scottish indie legends the Pastels and the Vaselines are doing shows. Ok, considered among a month long festival that has 1000s of acts this does not even constitute a drop in the ocean it is still after all these years a start.
As well as the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe we have the smaller but continuing to grow nicely Hidden Doors festival. They have managed to line up Nadine Shah, Dream Wife, Honeyblood, Slyvan Esso and the Young Fathers among others.
Edinburgh has a real shortage of music venues, most have been closed down either to become student accommodation or because new build houses complained about the noise. If you buy a house next to a music venue what do you expect? The live music scene is dying up here. It is looking increasingly likely the only time that we will attract decent acts is as part of one of our cities festivals. A sad state of affairs.
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