Following its recent indie rock opening, the Scottish Parliament is hosting its annual Festival of Politics and the World Press Photo Exhibition. This year, it has turned the Members’ Restaurant into a venue for 5 nights, hosting gigs in partnership with Burnsong.

On Tuesday 23rd, the parliament hosts a UK Songwriting Festival showcase with Boo Hewerdine, Iain Archer, Sophie Madeleine and Heidi Berry.
On Wednesday 24th contemporary tenor Martin Aelred will perform a selection of arias, before a Burnsong Gathering where former residents of the Burnsong Songhouse perform some of their songs and talk about their work.
Thursday 25th August sees a debate entitrled: Protest Songs? Who Cares?, where Burnsong creative director Ronnie Gurr will chair a discussion featuring Live Aid founder and trustee Midge Ure OBE and Guardian music writer Dorian Lynskey, and former MSP Lloyd Quinan.
That evening sees a live show by Midge Ure.

On Friday 26 August, it’s a Burnsong Political Songhouse featuring Grace, Patricia Panther, Aly Macrae, Stevie Palmer, Lisa Rigby and Tim London. And finally, on Saturday 27 August, Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire round off the week.

More details including ticket details at the Scottish Parliament website.