thursday 1st june
CRIME VIRAL: Serial killers and psychopaths Night
SOLD OUT
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Hosted by serial killer expert and research psychologist Cheish Merryweather. Featuring the stories of Dennis Nilsen, Jeffrey Dahmer, Mary Ann Cotton, Joanna Dennehy, Richard Kuklinski, Beverly Allitt, Richard Chase, Ted Bundy and more.
Based on psychiatric evaluations, courtroom transcripts, witness testimonies, crime scene evidence and criminal profiles; Merryweather details what goes on in the mind of the most notorious cold-blooded killers. Topics include: - Serial killer motivations - Serial killer couples - Where are you on the psychopath spectrum? - How to defend yourself against a psychopath - Your brain on true crime! - Where did all the serial killers go? - Seven Stages of evil Doors: 7pm / 7.30pm start Tickets: £18 / £8 NHS workers and students Recommended 16+ |
sunday 4th june
Gary meikle: 2.5. SOLD OUT
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'Most blurbs are written in the 3rd person so they’ll be like ‘Gary is this, Gary is that, you can expect this from Gary’ well I’m writing this myself so, this will be MY 3rd show, or 2.5 as I’m calling it.
I’ve had several top professionals and industry people tell me over the years that I shouldn’t swear as much on stage, that I shouldn’t be as crude or as edgy as I am but guess what, they likely don’t know that as a kid growing up in the care system I was told that I’d be either dead or in jail by the time I was 30 so I tend not to listen to others and do things my way, it’s gotten me this far after all. So, this show will be a continued celebration of me being me which in the current climate of cancel culture we find ourselves in could be seen as risky but f*** it.' Doors: 7pm / 8pm start Tickets: SOLD OUT Over 18s only |
wednesday 7th June
BC CAmplight
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Is there a curse that says Brian ‘BC Camplight’ Christinzio cannot move forward without being knocked back? That the greatest material is born out of emotional trauma? Whilst making his new album, The Last Rotation Of Earth, Christinzio’s relationship with his fiancé crumbled after nine inseparable years. The album follows this break-up amid long-term struggles with addiction and mental health. The outcome is an extraordinary record, with Christinzio describing it as “more cinematic, sophisticated and nuanced than anything I’ve done before.” He goes on to describe how the separation altered his creative focus and caused him to “scrap 95% of what I’d already recorded”, finishing The Last Rotation Of Earth in two months and making what he believes is his most vital album.
Doors: 7.00pm / 8pm start Tickets: £16.00 in advance / £20 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
FRiday 9th JUne
Hamish Hawk
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Vivian Comma paints the Madonna, visibly on the verge of fainting. Christopher Wren walks amongst us once more, forswearing designing cathedrals for singing them. One half of the 1973 Mauritian Badminton Doubles Champions has a perfect serve. The boy who inhabits track three of John Lennon’s 'Imagine' repeat-dials, passive-aggressively, to Tiree. A funeral, swinging to the Gay Gordons. A latter-day Paul the Apostle is offended by the sight of Edinburgh Castle – and, infinitesimally worse, can’t finish a beer.
These are the people and places, scenes and scenarios of the songs of Hamish Hawk. Rich of voice and even richer of imagination, the singer-songwriter from Edinburgh creates musical pen-portraits as vivid in lyric as they are in melody. In all the wholly best ways, these are chamber pop songs that have swallowed both a dictionary and a compendium of modern urban (and island) fairy tales. And, on Heavy Elevator, his first fully-formed album, this prolific artist presents a perfect ten tracks packed with characters, incident, emotion, geographical/artistic references and tunes to hang your coat on. Hawk does all this with considerable wit, inspired by artists like Leonard Cohen, Morrissey (the olden days version), Jarvis Cocker, Randy Newman, and Stephin Merritt of Magnetic Fields. Doors: Open 7pm Tickets: £15 / tickets only available from Gigs in Scotland Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
thursday 15th june
SKIDS
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Due to unprecedented demand, the Skids are making a return to MacArts. The band are celebrating the launch of Destination Dusseldorf.
Recorded in 2022, the brand new studio album from Scotland's legendary Skids, will be released in March 2023. Collaborating with incredible artists like Youth, Hugh Cornwell and Martin Metcalfe - all fans of the band. Creativity born from friendship and respect lies at the heart of this new album which we think will be one of our finest recordings. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £25.50 in advance / £28 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 16th june
An evening with romeo of the magic numbers
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Romeo Stodart is a British musician and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of the indie rock band The Magic Numbers. He was born on March 25, 1981, in Trinidad and Tobago and grew up in Hanwell, West London, UK.
Stodart started playing music at a young age, inspired by artists such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Kinks. He formed The Magic Numbers in 2002 with his sister, bassist and vocalist Michele Stodart, and two school friends, drummer Sean Gannon and keyboardist Angela Gannon. The band's distinctive sound, which blends indie rock, folk and pop influences, quickly gained attention, and they signed with Heavenly Records in 2004. Their self-titled debut album, released in 2005, was a critical and commercial success, topping the UK album charts and earning them a Mercury Prize nomination. Stodart's songwriting on the album was praised for its emotional depth, catchy melodies and intricate harmonies, with highlights including "Love Me Like You", "Forever Lost" and "I See You, You See Me". The Magic Numbers went on to release several more albums, including "Those the Brokes" (2006), "A Little Bit of Love" (2010) and "Alias" (2014), as well as touring extensively and collaborating with other artists such as Ed Harcourt and Duke Special. Stodart also worked on solo material, releasing his debut album "The Moon and You" in 2011, which showcased a more introspective and acoustic side. The Magic Numbers remain a beloved and respected band in the indie rock scene, with Stodart's songwriting and vocals playing a key role in their enduring appeal. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £15 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 17th june
Darren Mcgarvey
The social distance between us
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If all the best people are in all the best jobs, why is Britain such a f*cking bin fire?
Orwell prize-winning author, BAFTA nominated broadcaster and celebrated hip-hop artist Darren McGarvey poses this awkward question and more in a new show centred around his recent book, The Social Distance Between Us. With its unpredictable ask-me-anything format, audience members shape the performance and no two nights are the same. McGarvey’s 60-minute high-wire act confronts the scandal of class-inequality with passion, humility and an optimal dose of humour. Book Signing + Meet and Greet with Darren after the show NOTE EARLY START TIME Doors: 6:30pm / 7pm start Tickets: £15 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
THURSDAY 22ND JUNE
PECHAKUCHA VOLUME 12
CREATIVE ARTS BUSINESS NETWORK EVENT
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Creative Arts Business Network (CABN) are holding a midsummer networking party and Pechakucha Volume 12 evening.
This is an event for creatives, artists & makers in the Scottish Borders and is an opportunity to reconnect, meet new people and hear what people have been up to with their practice via a series of PK presentations (20 slides of 20 seconds each). FREE EVENT, BUT YOU MUST REGISTER VIA EVENTBRITE Doors: 6:30pm / 7pm start Tickets: FREE Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 23rd june
the silencers
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Silent Highway is the first studio album in over a decade by The Silnecers and arrives in summer 2023. In anticipation of its release, The Silencers would like to share something else new and different.
Join Jimme, Aura, James and Conor O’Neill for an acoustic evening inspired by their family parties, expect stories, questions, renditions of the old favourites and an exclusive introduction to the new album they are so excited to share with everyone. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £22.50 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 24th june
Dressed to kill (KISS TRIBUTE)
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Watch out, The D2K guys are back in Galashiels!!
DRESSED TO KILL go to the nth degree in terms of attention to detail - ALL 4 members are dressed in exact replica costumes, play authentic make and model or exact replica instruments (and have received endorsements from KISS' instrument manufacturers), and spend 2 hours before the show perfecting the look of their respective member - that’s BEFORE spending the following 2 hours moving and sounding exactly like KISS (including the between-song chatter, in character and with authentic New Yorker accents). No other KISS tribute in the world has done what DRESSED TO KILL has done- deliver an unrivalled lookalike, soundalike and actalike KISS tribute show! PRIZE FOR BEST DRESSED :) Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £14 advance (price on door will be £17) Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 30th june
INCUBATOR SESSION with YARIS + more tba
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Another installation from the Mac Arts' INCUBATOR SESSIONS - supporting young musicians from the Scottish Borders.
Always a great night and only £5 a ticket, come and see the next Glastonbury / TRNSMT headliners! Yaris A hard-hitting up-and-coming rock band who perform innovative, original tracks alongside renditions of classic rock/metal hits. With all the energy they bring, expect a cracking show! ...more acts tbc Doors: 7pm / 7:30pm start Tickets: £5 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
SATURDAy 8th JULY
GARY FAULDS: FRONTIER
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Frontier is Gary’s journey into the unknown, will we find aliens on Mars? Can I get Turkey teeth? Will I ever call my Mum’s boyfriend Da? Can I do yoga without farting? Will the yoga lassie let me back after fart gate?
An action-packed hour of relatable comedy from Gary who just wants to be a better version of himself, but what steps need to be taken for that to happen? How do normal people live the life of these six pack Spartan gods on Instagram who have never have bad days or bits of donner meat stuck to their teeth? Buy tickets now, come to the gig, turn off your phone and get lost in his madness. You never know, you too could one day be an 18 stone morbidly obese scheme boy, crippled with anxiety and stretch marks. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £25 Recommended 18+ |
saturday 5th august
Callum beattie
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Callum has been hard at music for almost half his life, making his own chances, taking chances and, for sure, being a chancer.
The Edinburgh-born singer-songwriter has progressed from bad gigs in pubs, to where he is now: a singer-songwriter with a punchy, rousing, emotive and gloriously catchy debut album that scored a No.1 in The Official Scottish Albums Chart. After residing in London and Berlin for a few years, Callum has decided to move back to Scotland. His new material is a collection of songs clawed from the raw stuff of existence, nostalgic patriotism and bleeding love. Doors: 7pm / 8pm start Tickets: SOLD OUT Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
wednesday 16th august
Madama Butterfly performed by OPERA bohemia
'Opera Bohemia are Opera's perfect evangelists as they sound their song around Scotland' The Student Newspaper
'This company is a wealth of extraordinary fresh talent' The List 'A breath of fresh air on the operatic circuit' The Courier |
Opera Bohemia, Scotland’s professional touring company, returns to MacArts with John Leo Wilkie’s acclaimed chamber production of Puccini’s masterpiece, Madama Butterfly. A star cast is led by Scottish soprano Catriona Clark, a favourite with Opera Bohemia audiences and already highly acclaimed in the role of Cio-Cio-San.
Other cast members include former Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Louise Collett, Alexander Gibson, Opera School graduates Cameron Mitchell and Seumas Begg, and American baritone Whitaker Mills, who recently made his Metropolitan Opera debut. This tale of love, sacrifice and heartbreak promises to be a memorable night for opera lovers and newcomers alike. The production is performed in a special arrangement for piano (Andrew Brown) and violin (Colm O Braoin) and sung in Italian with English surtitles. Running time approximately 2 hours including interval. Doors: 7pm / 7:30pm start Tickets: £18 general admission / £16 concession (over 60) / £8 student or low income Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 19th august
megan black + blackbirds + more tba
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Scotland’s ‘Hippy-Dippy Drag Queen’, Megan Black, is an award-winning musician, vocalist, and songwriter. After being picked up as ‘one of the finest singer-songwriters working in Britain today’, Megan’s music holds nothing back – writing ‘sad, yet funky, feminist anthems’, Megan explores themes of gender, sexuality, and mental health through music – creating a sonic bridge between a ‘70’s inspired sound with a contemporary view on feminism and the LGBTQ+ community.
Megan has won best original song at the Independent short film awards in LA, been nominated for best original track and best live performance at the Youth Music Awards 2022, as well as being nominated for best single, album, song of the year, and breakthrough artist of the year at the Weekender Magazine Awards. Megan also made the top 20 list for Snack Magazine Scotland’s ‘Single of the Year’ and made the top 10 BBC singer-songwriters of the year. Megan continues to break down barriers through music in order to create a more diverse and inclusive space'. Blackbirds are Glasgow-based four-piece rock outfit. Formed in early 2021 by guitarist Aaron Currie and drummer Callum McAllister, they were soon completed with the addition of vocalist Andy Campbell and bassist Adam Breslin. Their first single 'ControlFreak' arrived in April 2022 and was featured on the succesful Brits and Pieces III compilation album. The release of 'ControlFreak' was followed by a headline shows at Glasgow's King Tut's and Audio. The band followed up with a new single, fan favourite 'Schizophrenia'. Doors: 7pm / 7:30pm start Tickets: £10 / £8 concessions Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
tuesday 22nd august
ClanN an DRUMMA
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Clann An Drumma are welcoming the arrival of their newest studio album with a run of Scottish tour dates.
Prepare for an extraordinary Celtic music experience that promises to transport you back in time to the heart of Scotland's rugged landscape. Feel the spirits awaken within you as historic tales accompany an extended and dynamic headline show that rises and falls between primal energy and inspiring traditional songs. Expect a truly powerful and uplifting experience. Doors: 7pm / 7:30pm start Tickets: £14 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
wednesday 23rd august
Clearwater creedence revival
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Selling out at venues all over the world, Clearwater Creedence Revival feature road-hardened players who, collectively have performed with – Stax legend Steve Cropper, Big Country, Denny Laine (Wings, Moody Blues), Eric Haydocks Hollies, Animals and Friends, Alan Silson (Smokie), Wayne Fontana’s Mindbenders and more.
Together, they are the best celebration of the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival and Fogerty you’re ever likely to see – and a band selling out all over the world, as audiences in Germany, Israel, Russia, Holland, Scandinavia, UK and more will attest! A tribute band like no other. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £20 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
THURSDAY 24th august
fleetwood bac
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FLEETWOOD BAC are the world’s first and best Fleetwood Mac tribute band, endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself, the only Mac tribute to authentically replicate the classic Rumours line-up.
The sound, the look, the mystical atmosphere and on-stage chemistry are all portrayed with the passion and energy that got the seal of approval from ‘Big Daddy’ Mick, and built up an excellent reputation amongst Mac fans through numerous tours, festival appearances, corporate events and TV and radio slots all over the UK and Europe. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £18 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 1st september
SLEEPER
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"Tickets are on sale NOW for our #UnitedByMusic show
LUKE LA VOLPE with The National Lottery @TNLUK and @MusicVenueTrust. Buy a ticket to any of the shows and bring a friend for FREE (with any Lotto Product). T+C’s apply. Support your grassroots venues. Be united by music Sleeper had eight UK Top 40 hit singles and three UK Top 10 albums during the 1990s. The band’s debut release Smart became one of the first notable Britpop albums and won a gold disc for sales of over 100,000 copies. It was followed by the platinum-selling release The It Girl which yielded four singles and airplay chart hits What Do I Do Now, Nice Guy Eddie, Sale of the Century and Statuesque. The band also recorded a cover of the Blondie song Atomic, which was used in the film Trainspotting. *Please note that the Free Ticket must be "purchased" along with your General Admission Ticket. The price you pay per ticket will display.* The General Admission + Free Ticket option admits 2 people only, you will receive 2 x e-tickets (one per person). One ticket will not gain entry for 2 people. The free ticket holder must be able to demonstrate they are a National Lottery player by showing either a physical ticket or one on the app at the door. This could be a weekly draw ticket or a scratch card and they must be over 18 to purchase and hold a National Lottery product. The original ticket holder must adhere to the age restrictions of the venue. Doors: 7pm / 8pm start Tickets: £25 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
SUNDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER
LUKE LA VOLPE
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Tickets are on sale NOW for our #UnitedByMusic show
LUKE LA VOLPE with The National Lottery @TNLUK and @MusicVenueTrust. Buy a ticket to any of the shows and bring a friend for FREE (with any Lotto Product). T+C’s apply. Support your grassroots venues. Be united by music Scottish Music Awards 2020 Breakthrough Artist, 24-year-old Bathgate singer Luke La Volpe has a uniquely deep and sonorous voice, heartfelt songs and a growing live following. After landmark supports with the likes of Tom Grennan, Lewis Capaldi, The Snuts and Tom Walker and a sold-out Scottish Tour in February 2020, Luke sold a King Tut’s headline gig in 12 hours and had a summer of festivals lined up During the enforced hiatus of lockdown 2020, Luke organised the Sofathon Singalong online festivals in aid of the Music Venue Trust, helping grassroots music venues through the crisis and the charity invited him to become a patron alongside legends including Sir Paul McCartney and Billy Bragg. Doors: 7pm / 8pm start Tickets: £25 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 *Please note that the Free Ticket must be "purchased" along with your General Admission Ticket. The price you pay per ticket will display.* The General Admission + Free Ticket option admits 2 people only, you will receive 2 x e-tickets (one per person). One ticket will not gain entry for 2 people. The free ticket holder must be able to demonstrate they are a National Lottery player by showing either a physical ticket or one on the app at the door. This could be a weekly draw ticket or a scratch card and they must be over 18 to purchase and hold a National Lottery product. The original ticket holder must adhere to the age restrictions of the venue. |
friday 8th september
BIG COUNTRY Sold out
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Formed in 1981 by guitar playing founder members, the late Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson, both native of the band’s hometown Dunfermline in Scotland.
Initially driven by a shared vision of widescreen guitar melody, harmony and lyric, the classic Big Country sound was further enhanced later that summer by the arrival of drummer Mark Brzezicki and bass player Tony Butler. This is the Big Country that, with Producer Steve Lillywhite, recorded the classic debut album The Crossing in 1983. '40 years on Big Country are back and firing on all cylinders' Northern Echo Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £30 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 9th september
Stories of scotland with bruce fummey
'This man exudes infectious warmth and humour' Chortle
'Put simply, he is a very, very funny man' The Skinny 'His timing is split second and his ad-lib ability is amazing' Daily Record |
Bruce spent 15 years performing Scottish history-themed stand-up shows around the world. He’s spent the last years asking YouTube audiences to "Let me tell you his story” as his hugely popular YouTube channel, Scotland History Tours, amassed an incredible 170,000 subscribers.
Film and TV have followed, and in 2023 he’ll be coming to The Borders with stories and jokes in a live show, Stories of Scotland. Nominated for many comedy awards and named Scottish Comedian of the year in 2014, Bruce brings his chirpy, occasionally near-the-bone but self-deprecating style to spice up stories from Scotland’s past. Doors: 7pm / 8pm start Tickets: £15 Recommended for ages 18+ |
sunday 10th september
WILD SWIMMING ESCAPADES
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Wild swimming Escapades - An afternoon of stories from the watery world of wild swimming.
Lynda Stoddart from Take to the Water will share some of the memorable the events from her 122km 'swim' in the Tweed from Lyne Station to Berwick Upon Tweed. Calum Maclean (TV and Broadcaster) will recall snippets from his numerous wild swimming adventures. Raffle to raise funds for Border Water Rescue Team Doors: 1:30pm (last entry 1:45pm) Tickets: £15 Over 18s Only |
thursday 14th september
martin mcaloon of prefab sprout
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A Selective Agency Presentation...
Martin McAloon will be performing a large selection of hit songs from Prefab Sprout's extensive archive celebrating over 40 years of his brother, Paddy McAloon's writing. This will be a rare opportunity to hear these incredible songs performed in their natural state. Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £22.50 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
thursday 21st september
THE ANIMALS + FRIENDS
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In 1964 a wave of new energetic rock and roll swept over the youth of the world. On the crest of this wave was The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and of course The Animals. From the banks of the River Tyne came the North East's offering: a brand of rhythm ‘n blues that the whole world seemed to grasp greedily.
2017 marked founder member John Steel’s 60th year as performing musician. Back in 1957, John Steel along with fellow Animals co-founder Eric Burdon began playing their trade in and around their native Tyneside with not even the slightest inkling that they would, in few years, find themselves part of a group that would be forever bracketed with the very best of British music. Respected all over the world. The Animals were also the second British band after The Beatles to top the American charts with their multi-million selling anthem, 'House of the Rising Sun'. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £20 (Seated) Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 22nd September
Hayseed dixie
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Hayseed Dixie began one innocent Summer day in 2000 when John Wheeler and Mike Daly drank roughly enough whiskey to float a battleship from the Florida Coast over to Portugal and back and decided to play around in John’s studio. Having spent the previous few years touring around with assorted country hat-acts, John had assembled a proper pile of recording equipment. Thus when he and Mike discovered in their drunken epiphany that the Lost Highway of Reverend Hank Williams and the Highway to Hell of Bishop Bon Scott were indeed the same identical stretch of tarmac, they were well and truly prepared to document this revelation in situ. Ten AC/DC songs were suddenly reimagined and recorded forever anew, entirely reinvented as Appalachian Mountain hillbilly rave-ups. Everyone danced (oh how they danced!) around the studio room and out onto the porch and drank more whiskey.
Now, functioning well as “Exhibit A” in the demonstration of how one’s beginnings rarely know one’s ends, Hayseed Dixie have evolved into a proper force, one that most people either love, hate, or have never heard of. There isn’t really any middle ground, nor should there be. With over 1,200 live shows in 31 different countries testify: Hayseed Dixie are the undisputed creators of the musical genre, Rockgrass. There are many copycats, converts, and disciples out there. Accept no imitations. Doors: 7pm / 8pm start Tickets: £19.50 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 23rd september
The complete stone roses
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The Complete Stone Roses are one of the UK’s most well-known, most seen and most successful tribute bands. Selling out venues across the UK and Ireland regularly, they have helped carry on the music of one of the UKs most influential bands- The Stone Roses.
The Stone Roses played a pivotal role in the history of the UKs indie music scene. Famous hits like 'Fool’s Gold', 'I Am The Resurrection' and 'I Wanna be Adored' are as recognisable now as they were in the heyday of Madchester and the Hacienda, the cultural icons from which the original band were born. The Complete Stone Roses play to acclaim from fans themselves, the press, and even original Stone Roses band members. Stone Roses bass player Mani says 'they do our songs real justice. At times, they play even better than we did.' Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £15 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
thursday 5th october
Kathryn williams & POLLY PAULUSMA
'Sombre, majestic, extravagant'
Uncut Magazine on Kathryn Williams '...complete, pure and personal' MOJO Magazine on Polly Paulusma |
As labels buddies on One Little Independent Records, Kathryn Williams and Polly Paulusma met on a song writing retreat. Their friendship developed and strengthened, supporting each other over lockdown. Being fans of each other’s work, it seemed a foregone conclusion that they would get on the road at some point. Finally, after many years of talking about their Thelma and Louise tour dreams, they have pulled together a beautiful intimate month-long tour up and down the country, both playing headline solo sets and also coming together for a few songs together. Lucky audiences will get two concerts for the price of one from two of the most respected British singer-songwriters this country has to offer.
Kathryn Williams is a Liverpool-born, Mercury Music Prize nominated singer-songwriter with 16 albums under her belt. Before her last release, Night Drives, which entered the official folk album charts straight to number two, the label OLI celebrated her career thus far with a 20 CD two book box set anthology strewn with her art. She has written a novel The Ormering Tide which debuted to critical acclaim and she hosts her own popular podcast Before the light goes out which was put in the top ten best music podcasts by The Guardian. Kathryn writes songs with many diverse artists around the world including Paul Weller, Ed Harcourt, Beth Neillson Chapman and Michele Stodart. Polly Paulusma’s shed-recorded debut Scissors In My Pocket received international critical acclaim upon its 2004 release by One Little Independent. She toured the USA, supported Bob Dylan, Jamie Cullum, Divine Comedy and Marianne Faithfull and played Glastonbury. In 2012, she founded Wild Sound, now an OLI folk imprint, and signed nine artists. She completed her PhD in 2020, which informed her eighth album Invisible Music — folk songs that influenced Angela Carter (**** The Guardian) and her book (Bloomsbury, 2022). Her ninth and tenth albums The Pivot Upon Which the World Turns and its sister, 2023's When Violent Hot Pitch Words Hurt were recently released to critical acclaim. Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £14 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
thursday 12th october
Weegie hink ae that
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From sketches to songs aboot aw things Scottish, come see these wee comical dafties dae what they dae best! Fast-paced, witty comedy with clever twists on Scottish culture! The Weegie Boys will have ye creasing yersel from start to finish!
Starring Gregor Mackay, Conor Hardie and Elliot Hanigan, the Glasgow based comedy sketch trio Weegie Hink Ae That? have proved an undeniable hit both on stage and online, having sold out Edinburgh Fringe runs, headlined numerous comedy clubs and venues across the country and launched numerous viral sketches via BBC Scotland. 'Original, and frequently hysterically funny... these are highly intelligent writers and performers.' The Reviews Hub Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £15 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 13th october
wrest
'Fans of Frightened Rabbit and The National will love Edinburgh's wrest' Jim Gellatly
'Scotland's most exciting emerging live act' BBC Radio Shetland An emotional adventure you have to experience Independent Music News |
xfire live presents...
After sold-out shows across Europe and at iconic venues St Lukes and Liquid Rooms in Scotland, wrest return to MacArts in Galashiels for a special headline show. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £14 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 2oth october
Martin stephenson & The daintees
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Such a genuine pleasure to be announcing MS & the Daintees' 2023 You Belong To Blue tour, taking in some of the UK’s most beautiful cities and some quirky venues off the beaten track too (step forward, MacArts, Galashiels!)
The boys will be playing a bunch of songs old and new from their vast 40+ year repertoire and new album You Belong To Blue. The tour features brothers Anth and Gary Dunn on guitar and bass duties, along with 22 year-old drummer Charlie Smith. Charlie’s grandfather Paul Smith was the Daintees' original drummer, playing on seminal albums such as Boat to Bolivia, Gladsome Humour & Blue and The Boy’s Heart! At the end of 2022, Martin booked three days in Blank Recording Studios, Newcastle Upon Tyne, with a mission to nail a new Daintees' album. Keep the quality high and the bills low was his motto and on the first day both he and Charlie had all drums, rhythm guitars and guide vocals done and dusted. On the second day Anth Dunn had completed all his bass parts by 4pm and was off home to wash the dishes. The third day was just as lucrative when brother Gary appeared, bearing Les Paul, Telecaster and a tiny Fender Princeton amp and proceeded to nail all guitar parts by 5pm. Martin’s partner Anna added some subtle backing vocals then young Liam Fender rounded the project off, providing some gorgeous Hammond organ and Wurlitzer piano and that was them out of the studio in a flash, giving birth to one of their finest albums to date. Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £16 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
sunday 22nd october
An evening with richard jobson (THE SKIDS) and
Martin Metcalfe (goodbye mr mackenzie)
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Richard Jobson & Martin Metcalfe back in action in 2023
An amazing evening of songs and stories by two artists with over 110 years in the arts between them. Apart from writing the worldwide number one chart song 'The Saints are Coming', Richard is renowned as a great storyteller and raconteur, has directed six movies and hosted the Film Show for MTV. Martin has been around the block too with his bands Goodbye Mr Mackenzie & The Filthy Tongues and worked with the Talking Heads, written songs for Angelfish (Shirley Manson), The Skids, The Rezillos and others. He has been on tour with the likes of Blondie, The Ramones and Stiff Little Fingers. There will also be an FAQ and no question is off limits (apart from that one about Richard Jobson and Pans People and the one about 'rock stars in their underpants'. Martin's band The Filthy Tongues' new album In These Dark Places was released in January and went to number 3 in the Official Scottish vinyl chart. The Skids have a new album released in June 2023 Destination Dusseldorf (Half the album co-written between Martin & Richard ) a Skids tour is ongoing. Richard Jobson also has a new novel "The Kreuzberg Sonata" out this year. Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £15 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
thursday 26th october
withered hand
'As life-affirming as music gets'
The Herald 'He records like Billy Childish and mixes like the Blue Nile' Darren Hayman (Hefner) 'Killer melodies …tunes full of warm, woozy sing-song charm' Rolling Stone |
Edinburgh based cult-indie songwriter Withered Hand (Dan Willson) makes a welcome return to the stage in support of his new album How To Love.
Recorded with (Mogwai and Belle & Sebastian producer Tony Doogan in Glasgow, the new record features guests King Creosote and Kathryn Williams - both of whom are long standing collaborators. Withered Hand full band shows feature drums, brass, keyboards and electric guitar as the backdrop for Dan’s insightful songs. A rare chance for concert goers to get lost in and celebrate some of the most immediate, intimate, heart tugging - yet- hook-laden indie-folk this side of Willson’s musical influences: Daniel Johnston, Lemonheads and Sparklehorse. Doors: 7pm / 8pm start Tickets: £18.50 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 4th November
PYGMY TWYLYTE PERFORM THE SONGS OF FRANK ZAPPA
+ THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY EXPERIENCE
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So prolific was Frank Zappa's output, that it is nearly impossible to present a representative sample of his work in just one concert. Over the course of his life, and since his death in 1993, over one hundred official Zappa albums have been released, alongside countless bootlegs. These range from 60’s psychedelia with the Mothers of Invention, Jazz and Rock material tinged with Zappa’s own inimitable spin, through to orchestral compositions performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, among others.
Navigating the vast Zappa oeuvre then is no mean feat, but Scotland’s Pygmy Twylyte have embraced the challenge with gusto. Since their inception in 2018, the band have selected a core body of classic material, complemented with a rotating offering of more obscure cuts, and blasted this to delighted audiences across the UK. Special guests opening the show will be The Sensational Alex Harvey Experience, the UK's number one tribute to the legendary The Sensational Alex Harvey Band! Hailing from Alex's home town of Glasgow, the band have gained a reputation for their authentic high energy show, with original SAHB guitarist Zal Cleminson noting 'Best SAHB tribute by far!'. Two outstanding bands playing the music of two of rocks most unique icons in an evening not to be missed! Doors: 7pm / 7:30pm start Tickets: £13 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
Thursday 9th November
Karine Polwart
Light Beyond the Window Solo Tour 2023
'Long established as a glorious singer, enquiring songwriter and enlightened mind'
MOJO ★★★★ 'There are few songwriters sharper' Financial Times ★★★★ 'One of the finest singer-songwriters in Britain' The Guardian ★★★★★ |
TICKETS ON SALE 10am
WEDNESDAY 24th MAY KARINE POLWART is a multi-award-winning Scottish songwriter, folk singer, and storyteller. Her songs evoke a richness of place, hidden histories, scientific curiosity and folklore. Trees and rocks speak. Birds flit in and out of vision. And the stars know everything. She conjures the beauty and magic, the sorrow and complexity of the world out of the corner of her eye, with lyricism and tenderness. Karine’s many collaborative projects include - Still as Your Sleeping, a duo with pianist Dave Milligan; a longstanding trio with brother Steven Polwart and multi-instrumentalist Inge Thomson; her Scottish Songbook re-imaginings of classic Scottish pop; Spell Songs, a multi-artist response to environmental loss; and Wind Resistance, her peatbog-inspired theatre show for The Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh. Her commissions over the past two years include new work for both the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. 2023 will see her host and write for Seek the Light, a poetic three-part BBC Radio 4 series combining science, music and folklore. This is a rare chance to enjoy Karine in intimate, conversational solo performance. Expect a clutch of new songs and wonder tales, and an evening suffused with light. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £22.50 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 11th November
JUST RADIOHEAD
So authentic … not a beat missed.'
'Amazing set … your performance was the highlight of my weekend' 'Having never seen Radiohead live I was really excited to catch your set … and wasn’t disappointed!' |
Just Radiohead are the UK’s leading Radiohead tribute band, replicating and performing the astonishing music of one the nation’s most influential, versatile, and talented bands. Showcasing tracks from the explosive post-grunge debut of Pablo Honey through to the beautiful and most recent art-rock album release A Moon Shaped Pool, the band captures a memento at each stop along the entire majestic journey ensuring that every minor detail is respected and authentic, while leaving the audience feeling like they are once again revelling ‘back in the day’ accompanied by Radiohead.
A back catalogue now spanning four decades means fans have rarely had the opportunity to see Radiohead perform their favourite songs live … … step forward Just Radiohead!!! Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £13 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 18th november
Callum Easter and the roulettes
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Callum Easter has always been a force of nature. The Edinburgh-based singer and multi-instrumentalist thrives on impulse and spontaneity, balancing that with an impeccable song writing craftsmanship that makes even the more outré moments of his current batch of mutated soul punk / rock‘n’roll instantly arresting. Released in late November 2021, Lost Map Records and Moshi Moshi Records are proud to present his irresistible second album, System. Like his debut album Here Or Nowhere – which was released on Lost Map in 2019 and went on to be shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year Award by popular vote – System was recorded largely alone in Callum’s Edinburgh studio, but bustles with a brash, maximalist vigour, that draws a line under his previous work and charges exhilaratingly forwards – beginning a journey that he describes as a “descent into ordinary madness”.
His love of rock ‘n’ roll has long been baked in – but there’s a new fervour to where he’s taken this source. Now there is an outward fire; a raging – albeit with the sort of wryly humorous delivery only he can provide – against the general noise of everyday living and a longing for something else, something more, something that looks you straight in the eye. System is careful to balance protest with positivity; it’s accentuated on the album’s stirring opener and first single ‘What You Think?’ which sees Callum urge the listener via his steely growl that “there’s no point crying, what’s the use? No more hiding, what’s the use?” to focus on living and the positive changes we can make as individuals and collectively. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £13 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
thursday 23rd november
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Warm up those tonsils it's time for a spot of yodelling! With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the ’70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports.
Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits “Hocus Pocus”, “House of The King” and “Sylvia”, as well as critically acclaimed albums ‘Moving Waves’, ‘Focus 3’ and ‘Hamburger Concerto’, the iconic Dutch music masters are back with their tenth album, which is guaranteed to please their legions of fans! After a comeback in the early 2000’s, which resulted in the well-received albums ‘Focus 8’ and ‘Focus 9’, the band regrouped with a fantastic new line-up. Along with Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is famed Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album ‘Moving Waves’ in 1972. Recently, Focus’s biggest hit “Hocus Pocus” was used in a 4-minute Nike commercial before the World Cup broadcast. Focus music can be regularly heard on Top Gear and Saxondale on TV in the UK. A new Focus era has arrived! There is a rejuvenated passion amongst the band as it enters the studio to record Focus 11 and prepares to go out on the road again for a World Tour, in support of the new album, and as it builds up to its 50th Anniversary. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £22 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 2nd december
TRUCKER DIABLO
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Their fourth visit to Mac Arts - the Irish Rockers and all-round top blokes Trucker Diablo are back in town!
Described by Classic Rock Magazine as 'stadium pub rock', the band have shared the stage with Foo Fighters, Black Stone Cherry, Ricky Warwick, Thunder and many more. The one thing you do expect from Trucker is big riffs, big choruses and big performances, and their most recent album Tail End of a Hurricane doesn’t disappoint! From the sing-along 'Rock Kids of the 80s', the energy of 'Insects', the short sharp punch of 'Slow Dance' or the laid-back tale, 'Woodstock to Vietnam', you’ll know you’ve opened your front door to see the Big Truck parked up outside, engine running, exhaust fumes pumping out the pipe, door laying open invitingly... Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £13 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 16th december
killer instinct (tribute to the killers)
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Join us for a big Christmas night out with Killer Instinct, Scotland’s #1 tribute to The Killers!
After the live show we will keep the party going, playing the biggest indie hits from 1990s/2000s Doors: 7pm / 8pm start (disco after gig until 12am) Tickets: £12.50 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 16th march 2024
Moving pictures - a tribute to rush
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A trio-piece tribute to Canada's finest musical exports Rush. Hailing from Scotland and the Lake District, Moving Pictures play classic Rush using a serious amount of equipment including progtastic double-neck guitars!
RUSHfest Scotland fan convention headliners — performed for and with Rush producer Terry Brown — appeared on the tribute albums Songs For Neil Vol.1, 2 and the forthcoming Vol.3. 'That was the 3rd best Rush show I’ve ever seen. The first 2 were Rush.' Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £15 Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
