New wave, American indie poppers Nation of Caves fill up The Caves at the back end of November. A year on since the release of their synthy second album, A Way Forward, The Caves is the perfect venue for a band which are pleasantly situated on the right side of popular, wherein a stadium would be much less fun. If they’re good enough for full marks in the NME, they’re good enough for you. Tickets and info.

Wordsmith, legend of hip hop, and founding member of Wu-Tang Clan, GZA’s tour to celebrates 25 years since the release of his ground-breaking album, Liquid Swords. The marriage of the intimate Queen’s Hall with GZA’s hip hop should be brilliant. Tickets and info.

The sombre melodies of Fleet Foxes will fill the Usher Hall in August. With their delicate harmonies, indie style and intricate arrangements, the band will be sure to fill the venue, yet retain the Foxes’ personal brand of intimacy. Critical darlings, they are not to be missed. Tickets and info.

Your Dad’s favourite band land in the Scottish capital in late August. Never easily labelled, governed or quantifiable, Rage and their devout following have been nobly trying to change the world through their original line-up, their reformation, and, surely, at The Royal Highland Centre. Tickets and info.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their seminal album, Up the Bracket, The Libertines are coming to the O2 in August. Pioneers of early-century garage rock, part poetry, part punk, this is a rare chance to see the original line up. Tickets and info,

The hip hop legend leaves the Super Bowl in his dust as he comes to Edinburgh this summer. Taking place at The Royal Highland centre, this is a chance to see one of the most influential acts of the 20th century in the flesh, landing on Scottish shores with tens of millions of records sold in his wake. Tickets and info.

A new project headed by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, The Smile sees the legendary pair team with jazz drummer Tom Skinner. The trio will appear at the Usher Hall as part of their first ever tour, which will take in dates across the UK and Europe. Having already debuted to excellent reviews, The Smile will surely prove another feather in the cap for these eclectic music mainstays. Tickets and info.

The Unfolding, composed by and performed with Hannah Peel, conducted by Charles Hazlewood, will surely, majestically fill the Assembly Rooms. Sitting at number one in the classical albums chart, The Unfolding is an existential piece of work which aims to break down and unfurl the human experience. With a 14-piece ensemble to take you through a mesmeric performance, this is a unique musical opportunity for aficionados and laymen alike. Tickets and info.

April rounds off with arguably the highlight of the month - the symphonic, melancholy, sweeping sounds of Low at the Queen’s Hall. A former church, with punters sat in pews, is the perfect place to see Low. Their choral harmonies, slow and low-fi production, will undoubtedly lead to a reflective, emotional band from a band unlike anything on thus far in 2022. Tickets and Info.

Musician and writer Kae Tempest brings their show to the Assembly Rooms, quick on the heels on the release of their latest album The Line Is A Curve’, to be released 8th April. A unique and thoughtful performer, Tempest will fit in perfectly amid the majesty of the venue. Tickets and info.

The original punk poet, John Cooper Clarke brings his ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ show to the Queen’s Hall. From Salford to opening for punk acts in the 80s to Cats Does Countdown, JCC, having just turned 73, is still commanding rapt attention for his brusque, funny, insightful anthologies. Tickets and info.

Bass legend Jah Wobble and his band will rock Voodoo Rooms in mid-April. Reggae, punk and fusion, with a global influence, is sure to bring a little bit of magic to the venue. A must for fans of fusion on just the right side of indulgence. Tickets and Info.

The acclaimed and effortlessly cool Lorraine James comes to the Fruitmarket this Friday. Part of a lineup of genderfluid, eclectic artists including DjRum and object blue, Friday night will be alive and electric, sound beaming out from this unique gallery venue in the centre of town. Tickets and info.

Artful indie-rockers The Howl and the Hum played a special stripped-back set for EML in 2019 in the intimate setting of The Pianodrome in Leith Theatre. This brilliant band from York deliver gorgeous twisting sets and intricate lyrics for a show that is riveting. Tickets and info.

Black Country, New Road (BCNR, to the layman) will showcase their sprawling, frenetic, post punk, beautiful noise at The Liquid Rooms. They might look like they just poured out of a philosophy tutorial and are marching towards the vegan wrap stand, but make no mistake: this lot can, and will, rock The Liquid Rooms, Tickets and Info.

Celebrating the sounds of contemporary Scotland, Amplifi will be a night for Scottish rappers, R&B and hip hop artists to show off. Curated by Arusa Qureshi and Halina Rifai, the night will feature a bevy of performers, featuring:
Bemz: a no frills, honest rapper from Glasgow.
Washington: Paisley-based rapper, as heard on BBC1Xtra.
AiiTee: showcasing soul, R&B and Afrobeat, originally of Aberdeen.
Clarissa Woods: a personal body of work, expressing her key hardships and influences.

Tickets and info.

Kokoro appear at The Queen’s Hall with their melodic baselines, enchanting harmonies and guitar riffs this Friday. The band won ‘Best Group’ at the Urban Music Awards 2020 and were placed on the NPR Austin 100 list. They have appeared at festivals throughout the UK and Europe, including Glastonbury, Meltdown Festival, We Out Here and BBC6 Music Festival. Tickets and info.

Hip hop outfit Shabazz Palaces are coming to the Voodoo Rooms in March. Originating in Seattle, the group have a unique, conceptual sound and style which will blend perfectly with the intimate venue. Tickets and info

Aria Wells, aka Greentea Peng, brings her neo-soul and self-styled R&B psychedelia to The Caves. Wells’ deep vocals, paired with understated beats, gives the set an edge and immediacy that will marry perfectly with this subterranean venue. Tickets and Info.

Scottish electro-pop heroes CHVRCHES bring their acclaimed live show to the O2 for what will surely be a frenetic, on your feet night. Tickets and info.

Constant Follower, hailing from Stirling, are a thought-provoking act. Their gentle sound will suit this evening at Crew 2000 perfectly. Recent album 'Neither Is, Nor Ever Was’ was featured 17 ‘Best Album of the Year’ lists. The band play at SXSW in Austin, Texas soon but this free gig is an awareness-raiser for Crew2000, an important drug-harm reduction project in Edinburgh. The event is free, and you can find more information here.

Leeds-based gobby rockers Yard Act haven’t been on the circuit very long, but they already have a big buzz about them. With clever, acerbic storytelling, combined with a low-fi sound and no small amount of expletives, Yard Act have the swagger and confidence of far more established bands. Keep an eye on them, and see them when you can - you’ll want to tell your mates you were there in a few years. Tickets and info.

Dry Cleaning are an EML fave - their previous gig at Sneaky Pete’s was magic. This one has been rescheduled and now takes place at Summerhall. If you like arty punky choppy new wavey indie, this is for you. Tickets

Edinburgh-based Cyrano, aka James Vettese, brings his electro melancholia to Sneaky Pete’s for his first live show. The latest in promising, vibrant acts rising from the city, Cyrano (read all about him here) will be appearing on the bill supporting Lewis Ross. Tickets and info.

RESCHEDULED. Our vote for the Mercury Music Prize went to Porridge Radio for their absolutely beautiful album, Every Bad. Cannot wait for this gig at The Mash House. Grab your tickets while you can, this could be one of the most intense and brilliant gigs of the year. Tickets & info

The wonderfully talented Arlo Parks, a guest on our #ThatMusicFeeling podcast (listen here), brings her melancholic poetic fusion of pop/R&B/hip hop/indie styles to Edinburgh fir the first time. This is a critically acclaimed artist on a massive rise, go see her in a small venue while you can. For info & tickets visit https://www.arloparksofficial.com.