As Thousands of people flock to Scotland’s capital city to enjoy one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture across the globe, Edinburgh’s award-winning tram network is a reliable, cost-effective way to travel to and from most festival venues. With services running from every seven minutes from the airport to St Andrew Square, trams will also continue to operate until 1:30 am on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the festival season this month to help you make the most of a packed programme of events, concerts, exhibitions, poetry, street performances, and many more. Here are the highlights of the next few days as well as the nearest tram stops.
Friday, August 19
Various times
Sneaky Pete’s 73 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JW
A 10-minute walk from St Andrew Square tram stop.
You’ll need your earplugs for this one! Known for their manic live shows and raucous post-punk, Beige Banquet return to Edinburgh once again following a sold-out tour. With a blueprint inspired by krautrock and art-punk, the band’s sound is one of dissonance, repetition, and simplicity.
Jumping on the support they’ve got local heavyweights The Wife Guys of Reddit along with dazzling newcomers The Thaw. It’s going to be one hell of a show.
Saturday, August 20
15:00
Riddles Court, Edinburgh, EH1 2PG
A 15-minute walk from Princes Street tram stop.
An American divorcee, a besotted Prince, and a constitutional crisis - sound familiar? But it was 1936. Focusing on her six weeks staying incognito in Felixstowe on the Suffolk coast as she waited for her divorce - this play looks at Wallis Simpson’s doubts and indecision through her letter to her husband Ernest and the explosive circumstances that rocked the monarchy and ultimately led to the King’s abdication and Princes Elizabeth eventually becoming Queen. It features film footage of the places she stayed and live music from the time.
Saturday, August 20
17:30
Ukrainian Community Centre, 14 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5AB
A 15-minute walk from St Andrew Square tram stop.
Scottish songwriter-guitarist, based in Sweden, finally back home. New original songs, old favourites. From a catalogue spanning 60 years, it includes folk-n-country, rock-n-blue, and roll-up. Billy’s accompanying himself with his inimitable guitar playing, and the two shows feature recent original material written during two years of restrictions which will be Billy’s 11th appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and his 7th at the AMC.
Saturday, August 20, Monday, August 22
Various times
Festival Theatre, 13-29, Nicholson St, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT
A 15-minute walk from St Andrew Square tram stop.
No novel has captivated and moved millions of readers during the past few years like A Little Life by American author Hanya Yanagihara. How does one live with immense trauma and pain? How can you help someone who doesn’t want to be helped? In A Little Life, we follow four men, bound tightly together by friendship, over a period of more than thirty years.
Acclaimed director Ivo van Hove adapts Yanagihara’s novel for the theatre into a deeply moving performance of epic proportions. Dutch actor Ramsey Nasr won the Louis d’Or (Best Male Performance) for his portrayal of central character Jude.
Thursday, August 25 - Sunday, August 28
Various times
Festival Theatre, 13-29, Nicholson St, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT
A 15-minute walk from St Andrew Square tram stop.
Following the success of 2018’s XENOS, internationally celebrated choreographer and International Festival favourite Akram Khan makes his return to the Festival Theatre, with a magical dance retelling of Kipling’s family classic.
Jungle Book Reimagined brings together a stellar creative team, with a script by Tariq Jordan dramaturgy by Sharon Clark and the original score by Jocelyn Pook. With sound design by Gareth Fry, lighting by Michael Hulls, visual stage design by Miriam Buether and video design and animation by Yeast Culture, the visual technology will turn the stage into a magical world that dives into the myths of today.
Friday, August 26
19:00
Edinburgh International Conference Centre, The Exchange, 150 Morrison St, Edinburgh, EH3 8EE
A 15-minute walk from Haymarket tram stop.
Think of the Cramps meeting Johnny Cash in unholy alchemy of country, punk, and gospel. Four-piece band, including drums, bass, guitar, and original songs, in the intimate Lammermuir Theatre. Fay’s glorious vocals -rich, dark, and powerful- combine with Allan (So You Think You’re a Cowboy) and McDowall’s singing guitars and harmony vocals to create a perfect storm to play with your emotions. Previewing songs from their upcoming debut studio album, Star of the Sea.
Edinburgh Trams is the award-winning operator of the city’s tramway and information about current travel deals can be found here.
