Long summer days, hanging out with friends, all accompanied by live music. Does summer in Scotland get any better?
We’re really lucky to have so many great musical events taking place throughout July and August. And ok, the weather doesn’t always play ball but that doesn’t ever seem to dampen anyone’s spirits.
So, what’s happening over the next couple of months?
TRNSMT, Glasgow, 12 - 14 July
First up, over the weekend of 12 -14 July, the hugely popular TRNSMT festival is back at Glasgow Green. With three days of incredible music featuring headliners such as Stormzy, George Ezra and the man of the moment, Lewis Capaldi, it’s bound to be an awesome weekend of music.
Closest station: There are five stations within a fifteen minute-walk of Glasgow Green – Bridgeton (the closest), Glasgow Central, Queen Street, High Street and Argyle Street.
Concerts at the Castle, Edinburgh, 11 - 14 July
Set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the summer concerts are always great fun. This year, two musical stalwarts are performing – Paul Weller on 11 July, and fresh from her brilliant Glastonbury set, Kylie Minogue on the 14 and 15 July. All concerts are bound to be evenings of memorable music. Here’s hoping the sunshine comes along too!
Closest station: Edinburgh Waverley
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, 12 - 21 July
For a slightly more chilled out affair, the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival is back this July. With 120 artists playing at numerous venues around the city, there’s sure to be something to everyone’s tastes. It’s an exciting year for young Scottish musicians as the festival contains the largest line up of homegrown talent – causing one critic to compare Scotland to New York’s epic jazz proportions.
Closest station: Edinburgh Waverley with the furthest venue being a 15-minute walk away
RSNO, Edinburgh International Festival, Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 10 August
Find yourself moved by the sounds of Scotland’s National Orchestra as they take on Sir James MacMillan’s epic cantata and Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben. An evening of powerful music inside the Usher Hall shows off the brilliance of the RSNO and conductor, Edward Gardner. They’re joined by the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, the RSNO Junior Chorus and the critically acclaimed King’s Singers. It’s bound to be a powerful and moving evening of music.
Closest station: Both Waverley and Haymarket are within a 15-minute walk of the Usher Hall
World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow, 16 – 17 Aug
Head down to Glasgow Green and immerse yourself in a truly Scottish tradition with this global celebration of all things piping. Over 8000 pipers and drummers descend on Glasgow from all over the world to compete for the coveted title of World Pipe Band Champions 2019. In the week leading up to the Championships it’s not unusual to catch impromptu performances all over the city as the bands get lots of practice in.
Closest station: There are five stations within a fifteen minute-walk of Glasgow Green – Bridgeton (the closest), Glasgow Central, Queen Street, High Street and Argyle Street.
Edinburgh International & Fringe Festivals, 2 – 26 August
When the Edinburgh Festivals hit the Capital in August, there will be no shortage of live music to enjoy. From epic classical concerts to impromptu intimate gigs in unusual spaces, there’s a lot going on. If you’re arriving into Waverley for your festival experience, you can collect your performance tickets from a dedicated pick-up point within the station.
Closest station: Both Waverley and Haymarket are well situated for reaching all of the festival venues.
Take the music with you…
If it all gets too much, hop on the train to another, perhaps quieter part of Scotland, with some beautiful music to accompany the journey. The RSNO are currently curating playlists timed to journeys around our beautiful country. We’ll let you know as soon as these are available to download from Spotify.