Draw your breath, gird your loins, and take the chance to prepare yourself for a wek of rock…

Things kick off on Wednesday, when XpoNorth starts, and aside from the daytime panels offering advice to up-and-coming musicians, there’s – we presume – bands who heeded said advice last year and are now part of the massive selection of free showcases in the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday – around 35 acts on each night. Mt. Doubt, Fat Goth, Vasa, Wojtek The Bear, Hamish Hawk and Garden of Elks are among the lineup.

Also on Wednesday 7th, at Dundee’s Bar 15 – Macclesfield’s finest, Cassia. They’re also at Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s on Thursday.

And on Thursday, the Eden Festival kicks off – based in Raehills Meadows near(ish) Dumfries, Cat Power and Gogol Bordello join Boney M in what can only be described as an ‘eclectic’ lineup.
In Glasgow, Why? are at Glasgow’s CCA, as Yoni Wolf performs excerpts (we assume) from excellent current album ‘Moh Lhean’.

In Aberdeen at the Lemon Tree, it’s Roddy Hart with his Lonesome Fire. In Edinburgh, big’nnbrassy good times as Orkestra Del Sol play the Voodoo Rooms, while Richard Dawson brings his marmite folk stylings to Edinburgh’s Summerhall. At the Corn Exchange, Arcade Fire.

Deathly sounds from Rob Zombie at the O2 Academy on Friday while at St Luke’s, Kathryn Joseph, this time without an orchestra.
Kraftwerk (in 3D) are at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on Friday, at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Saturday, while in Kirkcaldy, Duke Special play the Adam Smith Theatre.

Friday also has former Crass frontman in somewhat less shouty mood, with Steve Ignorant and his Slice Of Life. Also in Edinburgh, St Etienne play the Queen’s Hall, and Posable Action Figures are at Sneaky Pete’s.

Steve Ignorant at Glasgow’s Hug and Pint on Saturday while Static Union punt ‘Turn Out The Lights’ at Edinbburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s, and in Dunfermline, at PJ Molloy’s, Callum Beattie.

Finally, there’s Japanese noise rock from Melt Banana are at Edinburgh’s Caves on Sunday.