It’s August. Good news for music fans in Edinburgh, bad news for, well, people in Edinburgh who don’t want their normal lives disrupted by an ‘orgy of self-indulgence‘.

First things first though – another less pretentious festival, the Tartan Heart at Belladrum. James and Twin Atlantic headline for the 10th version of the event which is on Friday August 2nd and Sat 3rd. Also playing: The Horrors, Noisettes, Dougie Maclean, Admiral Fallow, Rick Redbeard, Fatherson, King Charles, Seasick Steve and Alama 3, among a plethora of great names. Full details, including confirmation that it’s sold out (!) at www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk.

But on the upside, Stanley Odd are playing a one-off show with Electric String Orchestra at Edinburgh’s Queens Hall in on Friday August 2.

Edinburgh music social club (that always sounds odd, but I’m sure it’s right) Born to Be Wide uses the Festival as an excuse for a gig, thus putting the month of August in the capital to some use.
At the Electric Circus, on Sunday Aug 4, they have Admiral Fallow, A.J Roach, Donald Macdonald and the Islands, Grand Laddie (Bart from Eagleowl with friends), Gastric Band, Jellyman’s Daughter, Nasty P, Randolph’s Leap, Teklo, and Alba Roma play at the Electric Circus, on Sunday 4th. £3 in, but free entry if you share the gig info via Facebook now and post your favourite 3 Edinburgh-related tunes on the wall (or something like that).

A Band Called Quinn launch the soundtrack album to their Edinburgh Fringe multimedia performance Biding Time (remix) at Edinburgh’s Avalanche Records in The Grassmarket on Sunday 4th (the day of their first performance) at 2pm.
The actual festival show runs for three dates – 4th, 11th & 12th of August – more info at www.abandcalledquinn.com.

Also in the capital on Friday 2nd, Pumajaw are at Summerhall, while Capitals have a show at Cabaret Voltaire

On Friday 2nd, Shambles Miller has a gig at – and I think it’s fair to use the phrase “of all places” – Ayr’s Gaiety Theatre

More conventionally on Friday, The Damned are at Glasgow’s O2 ABC, while Trembling Bells play in the same city, at Oran Mor.

Elsewhere, Little Kicks are out and about, launching their single ‘Girl’ which is taken from their forthcoming third album. They’ve got a show at Glasgow’s King Tuts on Friday 2nd August (with Nevada Base), followed by a hometown gig on Saturday 3rd August at the Lemon Tree, Aberdeen.

Clashing but contrasting, Galoshins are also in Aberdeen on Saturday 3rd – at Cellar 35.

We’re torn about listing the Saturday Them Beatles show at Glenrothes’ Greenside… oh, we’ve done it… of course it’s a tribute act (replicating the Fab 4 in all their gory glory), but we like the Greenside and the band contain former members of the Owsley Sunshine, so…

Also on Saturday 3rd, Fifer (see, seamless) King Creosote has a headline show at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall

Another of those unfortunate clashes of shows – on Sunday 4th, Bis are at Mono, while Errors play Nice’n’Sleazy.

Harking back to the Stanley Odd show, expect to see something a bit like this on Friday…