Live music returns to Edinburgh thanks to the International Festival‘s inclusion of a set of outdoors gigs among its programming.

Running pretty much nightly for three weeks in August, the bulk of the shows will take place in a specially-constructed open air (but covered) venue in Edinburgh park, on the western outskirts of the city.

Kathryn Joseph opens proceedings on Sunday 8th, with Highland rockers Tide Lines at the same venue the following night.

Other highlights include a special edition of Neu! Reekie on Thursday 12th with Edwyn Collins and band, Darren McGarvey with Becci Wallace, and poet Victoria McNulty, hosted by Michael Pedersen and Kevin Williamson.

And Anna Meredith and band perform sophomore album ‘Fibs’ on Friday August 20th, again at Edinburgh Park, while Malian actress, musician and activist Fatoumata Diawara plays the following Friday, August 27th.

A wide range of acts performing also include Damon Albarn, Black Country New Road, Richard Dawson, and Caribou, while there is a similar lineup from the classical and folk scenes at the Old College Quad in the city centre.
Shetland fiddler Jenna Reid and pianist Harris Playfair join string ensemble Mr McFall’s Chamber, Karine Polwart appears with jazz pianist Dave Milligan, plus there are shows from folk act Breabach, classical pianist Steven Osborne, Siobhan Miller and Alan Cumming are all on the bill while Nicola Benedetti will perform in the grounds of Edinburgh Academy Junior School.

A full list of (cough) indie-friendly August shows is listed below.

Kathryn Joseph Sunday 8th
Tide Lines Monday 9th
The Staves Tuesday 10th
The Snuts Wednesday 11th
Neu! Reekie feat. Edwyn Collins Thursday 12th
Richard Dawson Friday 13th
Floating Points Saturday 14th
Erland Cooper Sunday 15th
Moses Boyd Tuesday 17th
Nadine Shah Wednesday 18th
Black Midi Thursday 19th
Anna Meredith Friday 20th
The Unthanks Sunday 22nd
Black Country New Road Monday 23rd
Damon Albarn Tuesday 24th
The Comet is Coming Wednesday 25th
Fatoumata Diawara Friday 27th
Caribou Saturday 28th
Laura Mvula Sunday 29th

Full details including ticketing at www.eif.co.uk.