Living On The Edge

The generic Edinburgh Festival experience consists of stand-up comedians, student theatre and crazed Australian jugglers terrorizing the Royal Mile on unicycles. When it comes to musical entertainment at the Fringe, most people seem content to spend a few idle moments watching one of the dozens of buskers cemented to every street corner knocking out the same repertoire of tired old blues covers. If however you want to fully enjoy all that Edinburgh has to offer, save your loose change and spend it on a ticket to see one of the many worthy gigs happening in the city this August.

For one glorious month, Edinburgh is home not only to the great and good of the comedy and theatrical worlds, but to dozens of the best bands and musicians as well. Indeed, the array of musical talent on display during this year's Festival is as every bit diverse as anything the Fringe itself has to offer. Plus, nothing blows away the pain of seeing another terrible Shakespeare adaptation quite like a blast of quality live music.

Following the demise of T on the Fringe, this year marks the launch of the Edge Festival. With a line up that's almost as exciting as its name, the Edge runs for the duration of August, and features over 50 artists performing at four different venues across the city. Whether you get your rocks off to introspective folk, or prefer to bust a gut to some serious Dn'B, there will be a gig happening somewhere in Edinburgh to suit. Remember this next time you pass a busker.

The Fest guide to the best live music in town

If XFM is your radio station of choice and you don't mind a trip out to the Corn Exchange, be sure to catch Scouting for Girls, who will be peddling their sunshine indie rock come August 7th. Speaking of damn catchy pop songs, wipe down those Adidas Gazelles and look out that Kappa track-suit, because Britpop will be back with a vengeance at the Corn Exchange on August 14th when a recently reformed Shed Seven hit town. Whether they'll play the theme to The Link TV advert remains to be seen. Also playing down Slateford way will be Kate Nash, the chirpy London songstress whose star is still burning bright from the success of her debut album Built of Bricks.

There's only so much cheery guitar music one can take, so three cheers for the inclusion of Digitialism on the Edge lineup. The German electro house duo is scheduled to play the Liquid Room on August 23rd, a Saturday night none the less, which promises to be massive. Best to buy tickets early as this will no doubt sell out fast. The same applies for drum n' bass upstarts Pendulum. They might have moved more towards a more rock sound with their new album, but you can still expect a night of high octane excitement at the Corn Exchange on August 21st.

There's a glorious chance to see two of Scotland's best young bands on August 14th, when The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit play the Liquid Room. They might be friends off stage and share the same record label, but that's where the similarities end. Expect tortured lyrics and roaring guitar soundscapes from the 'Sad and delightfully off-kilter pop from the Rabbits. If you have to sell your granny to get a ticket, then do it. However, if pawning off elderly relatives isn't your bag, perhaps consider seeing Jackie Leven, Fife's finest folk singer, and chronicler of the downbeat. His Cab Vol gig on August 8th will sooth any pre-Festival blues.

Keeping the folk torch lit are Broken Records, an Edinburgh based seven piece ensemble whose modern take on traditional music and intense live performances have created a serious stir in music industry circles this past year. Head to the Liquid Room on August 17th and you'll soon realise what all the fuss is about.

If you can't drag yourself away from the comedy circuit to take in some music, why not combine both. Stephen Lynch, sometime actor and full-time comedian/singer, will be mocking all and sundry at the Liquid Room on August 24th with his unique brand of guitar-backed humour.

One man who probably won't be smiling on stage is local lad and new-wave pioneer Paul Haig, who makes a rare live appearance at the Cab Vol on the 4th August. The ex Josef K front man is touring for the first time since 1989, promoting his new solo LP Go Out Tonight.

If you're looking for something a bit different to the standard gig experience, then it's advised you try and catch ex Throwing Muses front woman Kristin Hersh, whose playing a six night stint at St. Cecilia's Church. Her show Paradoxical Undressing is a live spoken word project which incorporates film, essays and music as well as excerpts from her forthcoming autobiography of the same name. If the show is anywhere near as thought-provoking and unorthodox as her band, a thoroughly original performance is guaranteed.