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📸 credit - Mihaela Bodlovic When the nights are fair drawing in, a night at the opera is perfect to take your mind off such things and transport you to a world of wonder, music, theatre and song. This Autumn, Scottish Opera offers a revival of the 2017 production of Puccini's La bohème , which began its run at Glasgow's Theatre Royal on Saturday before it moves around the country ( dates below ). As the curtain rises on Act I (and later Act III) we are in present day Paris, with families of tourists roaming the streets and markets where the bohemians used to live and work. As one tourist reflects on what the life would have been like, we seamlessly find ourselves in that time and place where we are introduced to artist Marcello and writer Rodolofo, along with their comrades the philosopher Colline and musician Schaunard. They are each working out how best to work, eat, pay rent, and survive - and if they can do it with a sense of style, all the better. The staging is a love letter to Paris (almost literally as events are framed by an Air Mail envelope), and adverts from the city's past - some reminiscent of the work of Toulouse-Lautrec, another featuring Josephine Baker - ascend. This is at times a big and busy production, with large numbers often on stage, including a brass band, children, market sellers, waiters, and even papier-mâché soldiers, and it would be all too easy to get distracted by the bright lights and big city, but it's in the more intimate moments that the power of La bohème is felt. The Bohemians are eccentric characters who all leave their mark, with Roland Wood's Marcello and Mario Chang's Rodolfo particularly stand out as they try to work out what it means to love and be loved (often with no small amount of self-pity, it has to be said). But it's the two lead women who dominate proceedings, and command the stage every time they appear. Rhian Lois as the coquettish and charismatic Musetta who 'hates her lovers behaving like husbands' plays with her admirers' affections, who include the cuckolded Marcello, and who has a lust for life which hides her own turmoil. Hye-Youn Lee is astonishing as Mimi, who has to endure wonderful highs and terrible lows, and every emotion is conveyed with such strength and passion what no one can be left unmoved by her plight. Mention should also be made of the younger members of the cast. Often a number of children on stage can act as one, but here there were individual performances of real character which came across strongly and helped add moments of levity to proceedings. Add to the performances the attention to detail across the boards, from costume, set, lighting, and of course the music of Scottish Opera's peerless orchestra, and you have an assault on the senses which is at times breathtaking. This production of Pucinni's classic is a timely one, with parallels between the present and past implicit. Decisions such as whether to burn furniture, or art, to stay warm, or deceive the landlord when they ask for rent, are all too believable. Such parallels are strengthened by subtle touches on stage, such as some Banksy-esque graffiti reminiscent of 'Girl With A Balloon', alongside the slogan 'No Future'. This is an opera about love and loss, but also about poverty, and what one can mean for the other. And as you walk back into the cold city night, that is what stays with you. Below are images from the production (📸 credit - Mihaela Bodlovic): Future Performances of La bohème: Theatre Royal Glasgow: 11, 15, 21, 23 & 25 October 2025, 7.15pm 19 October 2025, 3pm 24 October 2025, 3pm (Access performance) His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen: 30 October 2025, 7.15pm 1 November 2025, 3pm Eden Court, Inverness: 6 November 2025, 7.15pm 8 November 2025, 5pm Festival Theatre Edinburgh: 14, 18, 20 & 22 November 2025, 7.15pm 16 November 2025, 3pm 21 November 2025, 3pm (Access performance)

Iain Forbes For the latest podcast Ali spoke to Scottish-Norwegian filmmaker Iain Forbes to hear all about his award-winning, and Oscar-qualified, short film After Dark . Iain talks about his Scottish roots, gives a brief summary of the film, the critical reception, how and where it was shot, the casting of his two leads, and the personal nature of the story. The two also discuss the themes which underpin events, including the battle between the desire to help others versus the fear of possible consequences, and how audiences might react to the central relationship. After Dark is a thought-provoking film which packs more into its 10 minute running time than many features manage, and it was fascinating to be able to talk it over with Iain. Hopefully it will be available for everyone to view soon, but for now enjoy this chat with the writer/director which is bound to whet your appetite. If you aren’t yet a subscriber to the Scots Whay Hae! podcast  you can do so, (or simply listen) at iTunes , on Podbean  and Pocket Casts , with Spotify , by signing up to our Substack , or wherever you get your podcasts. Or, if you want it right here, right now, you can listen on SoundCloud … ..or on YouTube … Click here to follow Iain Forbes on Instagram Click here to follow After Dark on Instagram Click here for our back catalogue of over 390 interviews  with some of the most interesting names in and around Scottish culture.

📷 - credit Euan Anderson For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to returning guest Graeme Macrae Burnet about his new book Benbecula , which is the next entry in Polygon Books ' excellent Darkland Tales series of novellas which have quickly become essential reading. Graeme tells us how he came to write his Darkland Tale, why it was this story, the brutal true crime which is at its heart (and it is true, no matter what regular readers of Graeme's might believe!), the research undertaken, creating a sense of place, understanding your central characters, the importance of visiting the island of Benbecula and the scene of the crimes, and the challenges of writing to a specific format. The two also discuss the gothic tradition, unexpected reactions, how historical fiction speaks to the present day, and how Benbecula links to His Bloody Project , Graeme's Booker shortlisted 2016 novel. One of the most interesting and insightful writers around, it's always a pleasure to have Graeme as a guest on the podcast, and this latest episode shows just why that is. If you are at all interested in the world of books, then this is the podcast for you... Graeme will be in conversation with Sara Sheridan to launch Benbecula at the Sauchiehall Street Waterstones on October 9th. Ali will be talking to Graeme and fellow author Francine Toon at this year's Aye Write. If you aren’t yet a subscriber to the Scots Whay Hae! podcast  you can do so, (or simply listen) at iTunes , on Podbean  and Pocket Casts , with Spotify , by signing up to our Substack , or wherever you get your podcasts. Or, if you want it right here, right now, you can listen on SoundCloud … ..or on YouTube … Click here to learn more about Graeme Macrae Burnet Click here to order a copy of Benbecula Click here to get tickets for the launch of Benbecula at Waterstones on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow Click here to get tickets for Graeme Macrae Burnet and Francine Toon at Aye Write. Click here to learn more about Darkland Tales Click here to learn more about Polygon Books Click here for our back catalogue of over 390 interviews  with some of the most interesting names in and around Scottish culture.

New music review, ahoy! At the time when voting for this year’s SAY Award opened (and you can nominate your favourites here ) it’s heartening to reflect on just how much good music there is at the moment, in all shapes, forms and sounds. But before you head off to add to the list, here’s the latest review of the best new music to reach SWH! in recent recent weeks. There’s a nice balance this month – at least we like to think so – not just in terms of the return of well-loved regulars and warm welcomes to the new-to-us, but also in the way that, as with the best stories, it has a beginning, middle, and an end. The perfect soundtrack to your weekend? It’s that and so much more, starting with… .. The Pearlfishers – and a long-awaited new album in the form of Love And Other Hopeless Things , the first since 2014’s Open Up Your Colouring Book. If you aren’t familiar with their music, boy are you in for a treat as this is a band steeped in classic pop. You can detect the influence of Bacharach, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Kinks, Paul Simon, The Carpenters, Steely Dan, Prefab Sprout, and – well, you get the idea with that. Suffice to say that this is a band whose standards are set sky high. This is in no small part down to David Scott, one of the finest songwriters/arrangers around. He appears to live and breathe music, as anyone who has listened to his essential BBC Radio Scotland series Classic Scottish Albums will know. Scott is the main driving force behind The Pearlfishers, and from the opening chord to the last his influence is clear in every note. Have I convinced you yet to investigate further? Then perhaps this will seal the deal. From Love And Other Hopeless Things this is ‘Could Be A Street Could Be A Saint’. Sit back, relax, and enjoy: While we’re on the subject of Scotland’s finest, there’s a new single from Tenement & Temple , who are Monica Queen and Johnny Smillie. It’s called ‘ Loving Arms ‘ (the second single from their forthcoming album which can’t come quickly enough) and it is a thing of fragile beauty with Queen’s heartbreaking vocals and Smillie’s understated guitar proving the perfect partnership. This is appropriate as, while the two regularly collaborate and work with others (to great effect), Tenement & Temple feels intensely personal, a statement of who they are individually, but, more importantly, who they are together – making music, and creating an ambience, which is theirs alone. ‘Loving Arms’ is a song which can’t fail to move you. Are you ready to be heartbroken…? Andrew Howie contacted SWH! last month to suggest we listen to his latest music, and we couldn’t be happier that he did as his new single ‘ Fragile ‘ is really something special. That slightly unwieldy term ‘folktronic’ sprang to mind on first listen, but the song needs further explanation. As its title suggests, it’s a song which is delicate, but it’s also insistent – creating an atmospheric sound which demands repeated listening. For SWH! regulars I’ll go with some familiar references. It’s the place where Blue Rose Code meets OK Button, or if Findlay Napier were remixed by L-Space – and hopefully you’re beginning to get the idea as to what Andrew Howie is about. Of course, the easiest way to do that is to listen to ‘Fragile’ right here, right now: Also new to SWH! are HYTTS , whose single ‘ Car Crash Carnivore ‘ is one of those dance tracks that has the people who say they don’t dance out of their seats and on the floor before they even realise it. It’s a belter of a tune – falsetto vocals, finger clicks, disco beats, and a pop production which is pitch perfect. It was then no surprise to find out that Gary Clark (of Danny Wilson/King L/Sing Street fame), has been a musical mentor to HYTTS as few know their way around a pop song like he does. ‘ Car Crash Carnivore ‘, like much of the best electronic music (and the best clubs, come to that), hints that something dark is going on, and is all the better for it. Are you dancing? With each release wojtek the bear get better and better, adding new ingredients to an already winning formula. The latest single is ‘tonic youth’, a wry reflection on, and ironic paean to, so called wasted youth and the long-lasting influence of those ‘wonder years’. There are few bands better at marrying acerbic lyrics to a deceptively upbeat and melodic soundtrack, in the long and fine tradition of Jimmy Webb, Elliot Smith, The Beta Band, and far too many others to mention here. Prick up your ears – while you were looking elsewhere wojtek the bear have become one of the best bands around. This is ‘tonic youth’. This review sees the return of many of SWH!’s favourites from through the years, and that certainly applies to PAWS , who initially won us over with their 2012 album Cokefloat! . Last month saw the release of Joanna ‘, the first single from their new album Your Church On My Bonfire – also out now. It can be double-edged to suggest that a band have ‘matured’ in terms of their lyrics and music, but believe me when I say that in the case of PAWS it is absolutely meant as a compliment. If their first three albums were the riotous soundtrack to the mother of all parties, Your Church On My Bonfire is something different altogether as it picks up the pieces and reflects upon what comes after, with Phillip Taylor’s songs examining life’s more sombre and sobering challenges and the way we try, and often struggle, to deal with them. It’s a record which reveals more with each listen, and it’s shaping up to be one which will stay long in the hearts and minds of those who hear it as it makes you reflect upon your own lives, loves, and losses. In all honesty, I can’t recommend Your Church On My Bonfire highly enough. This is ‘Joanna’. Discovery of last month for me was the music of Glasgwegian composer Richard Luke, his collaboration with Scottish Chamber Orchestra violinist Amira Bedrush-McDonald , and the album Glass Island (and thanks to the legendary Jockrock for bringing them to my attention). It’s an achingly beautiful record where classical meets electronic music and they make each other better – the perfect late-night/early morning listen when you want to immerse yourself in sound that makes everything in the world seem alright, despite contrary evidence. Out now on Canadian label Moderna Records , Glass Island could just be the record we need right now. If you’re a fan of the likes of Murcof, Nils Frahm, and Ryuichi Sakamoto, (and if you’re not, you should be) then this is your next favourite album. From it this is ‘Everything a Reason’, but believe me one track is not enough – you need the whole for full effect. Long terms visitors to SWH! will know the high esteem in which we hold Siobhan Wilson and her music. After the well-deserved critical success of her 2017 album There Are No Saints she is back with new songs which prove she isn’t going to stop now. She is one of those musicians who carry with them a guarantee of quality and confidence in her music and songs. Exhibit A is ‘Marry You’ with understated grungey guitars and drums supporting Wilson’s effortless vocals, reminiscent of Kristin Hersh or early Cat Power. It suggests that the forthcoming album, The Departure , is going to cement Siobhan Wilson’s reputation as one of those musicians whose records are essential – with no collection worth its name truly complete without them. While you wait for its release on May 10th, this is ‘Marry You’. Meet you here next month for more of the best in new Scottish music. But while you wait – SWH! now has a regular radio show on LP Radio on Monday nights, 7-9pm. You can catch up with the previous shows , along with all the other fantastic LP Radio shows, by following the relevant links in the sidebar. #RichardLuke #TenementampTemple #ThePearlfishers #PAWS #SiobhanWilson #WojtekTheBear #AndrewHowie #HYYTS #SAYAwards #AmiraBedrushMcDonald

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is our latest collaboration with Bloody Scotland - Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival  - where Ali spoke to the five shortlisted authors for this year's McIlvanney Prize which is awarded for the best Scottish crime book of the year. They include Tariq Ashkanani ( The Midnight King ) , Liam McIlvanney ( The Good Father ) , Callum McSorley ( Paperboy ) , Denise Mina ( The Good Liar ) , and Ian Rankin ( Midnight And Blue ) . All the writers give a brief synopsis of their shortlisted novels before explaining a bit more about why they chose to write them, the levels of research involved, how they feel Scottish crime writing has changed over their time writing (and reading), and much more. They also talk about the role crime book festivals, and Bloody Scotland in particular, have helped in shaping those changes, and have encouraged a greater variety of styles, genres, and writers, to be part of the conversation. The McIlvanney Prize is one of the most significant literary prizes around, and a great guide as to the best crime fiction on offer, so it was such a pleasure, and a privilege, to be able to talk to these great authors. This is a podcast which will be of interest to readers, writers, and book lovers of all kinds, but especially if crime is your thing. Bloody Scotland  is on between 12th - 14th September. Tickets are on sale now. If you aren’t yet a subscriber to the Scots Whay Hae! podcast  you can do so, (or simply listen) at iTunes , on Podbean  and Pocket Casts , with Spotify , by signing up to our Substack , or wherever you get your podcasts. Or, if you want it right here, right now, you can listen on SoundCloud … ..or on YouTube … Click here to learn all about this year's Bloody Scotland and get tickets Click here to order a copy of Tariq Ashkanani The Midnight King Click here to order a copy of Liam McIlvanney The Good Father Click here to order a copy of Callum McSorley Paperboy Click here to order a copy of Denise Mina The Good Liar Click here to order a copy of Ian Rankin Midnight And Blue Click here for our back catalogue of over 390 interviews  with some of the most interesting names in and around Scottish culture.

As we move towards Autumn (and the nights fair draw in), thoughts turn to chestnuts, cardigans, and crime with the Bloody Scotland festival - Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival - running between 12th - 14th September. One of SWH!'s favourite festivals, Bloody Scotland manages to cram an incredible amount of events into just three days, and, as always, the quality matches the quantity. With many events online as well as in situ across Stirling, it can be daunting trying to work out who to see and when, so we have put together a tight ten of our picks of this year's festival. Click on the highlighted event titles to learn more and get tickets. Click on the book titles to order copies. In the Shadows of War: Alan Parks, Dominic Nolan, David F Ross Friday 12th September - 14:00 - Golden Lion Hotel The psychological scars of war are felt far from the frontline, and long after the final shot is fired, in three terrific and insightful novels Gunner , the first in a gripping new series from Alan Parks, sees Joseph Gunner back from the front and fighting the war on the streets of 1941 Glasgow. Dominic Nolan’s highly-acclaimed White City is an extraordinary tale of gangsters and violence, poverty and dreams in the ruins of post-war London. David F. Ross’s The Weekenders is a fearless tale that rages from war-torn Italy to debauched 60s Glasgow in search of a dark truth. Click here to listen to Alan Parks on the SWH! podcast Click here to listen to D.F. Ross on the SWH! podcast Deadline News: Douglas Skelton, Phillip Miller, Charlotte Philby Friday 12th September - 14:00 - The Holy Trinity Church Hot off the press: Three terrific writers, all of whom have journalists as their central protagonists, set the standard as they create page turning thrillers perfect for these troubled times. The Other Side of Fear is the latest thrilling outing for Douglas Skelton’s investigative journalist Rebecca Connolly as murder haunts the island of Stoirm. The Diary of Lies sees the return of Phillip Miller’s defiant reporter Shona Sandison to an insidious conspiracy within the UK’s most powerful institutions. Charlotte Philby’s stylish Dirty Money introduces journalist turned private investigator Ramona Chang in a plot shimmering with menace and effortless cool. Click here to hear Douglas Skelton on the SWH! podcast Click here to hear Philip Miller on the SWH! podcast Bloody Scotland Debut Prize Panel Friday 12th September - 15:30 - Central Library Meet the five finalists for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year as they’re interviewed by festival co-founder Alex Gray. See the stars of tomorrow today. David Goodman’s ingenious espionage novel A Reluctant Spy features arms dealers, elite hackers, and a rogue Russian general. There are bodies in the barrels of a Kintyre distillery in Natalie Jayne Clark’s hilarious debut The Malt Whisky Murders . Foday Mannah’s The Search for Othella Savage is a compelling tale of corruption set among Scotland’s Sierra Leonean community. Claire Wilson’s assured debut, Five By Five , is an unbearably tense and claustrophobic prison drama. Richard Strachan's The Unrecovered is a richly atmospheric gothic tale of madness, war and all-encompassing obsession set in Scotland. Click here to listen to all the shortlisted Debut Prize authors on the SWH! podcast Always on my Mind: Daniel Aubrey, Sean Watkin, Trevor Wood Friday 12th September - 19:00 - The Holy Trinity Church Meet three authors of intriguing and powerful novels whose protagonists excel despite – and sometimes because of – their brains working differently from what is considered “typical”. Freya Sinclair, Daniel Aubrey’s autistic and fearless journalist, returns in The Dying Light , set against the unrelenting sunshine of an Orkney summer. DCI Win de Silva is suffering from PTSD but must catch the killer of teenage girls in Liverpool in Sean Watkin’s compelling Black Water Rising . Trevor Wood’s sensitive portrayal of Early Onset Dementia sufferer DCI Jack Parker gets a reprise in the enthralling new thriller The Inside Man . The Whisky Knight: Sir Ian Rankin, James Yorkston, Natalie Jayne Clark, Colin MacIntyre Friday 12th September - 22:00 - Golden Lion Hotel Join us for a late-night dram with a blend of lively banter and songs – or some cratur, some craic and some chantin’ – in the company of Sir Ian Rankin and guests. Singer-songwriter James Yorkston and Mull Historical Society’s Colin MacIntyre have both turned their hand to crime novels with Tommy the Bruce and When the Needle Drops respectively. Natalie Jayne Clark’s hilarious debut The Malt Whisky Murder s sees bodies in the barrels of a distillery in Kintyre. There will be whisky for the audience too (from an exclusive single cask bottling courtesy of Fib Whisky ), so leave your car keys at home and get into the spirit of things. Click here to hear James Yorkston on the SWH! podcast Click here to hear Natalie Jayne Clark on the SWH! podcast Click here to hear Colin MacIntyre on the SWH! podcast Female Leads, History Follows: Ambrose Parry, Lesley McDowell, SJ Parris Saturday 13th September - 10:00 - Golden Lion Hotel Three tremendous writers; three forceful and fascinating female protagonists who changed the world around them; three riveting reads of historical crime fiction. Would-be doctor Sarah Fisher uncovers the systematic and brutal exploitation of young women in Ambrose Parry’s harrowing new novel The Death of Shame . Lesley McDowell’s Love and Other Poisons is a beautifully crafted reimagining of the later life of Madeleine Smith, 50 years after her sensational murder trial acquittal. S.J. Parris unveils dazzling new heroine Sophia de Wolfe who investigates the murder of an heiress in Traitor’s Legacy , set late in the reign of Elizabeth 1. Click here to hear Ambrose Parry on the SWH! podcast Watching the Detectives: Alex Gray, Neil Lancaster, John Sutherland, Graeme Macrae Burnet Saturday 13th September - 10:00 - The Albert Halls Police detectives form the bedrock of the crime novel. Meet four of the best. In Acts of Malice , the latest in Alex Gray’s hugely popular Lorimer series, rivalries and ambition lead to the death of a wealthy actor. DS Max Craigie hunts the killer who’s committed the perfect crime in Neil Lancaster’s bone-chilling When Shadows Fall . Hostage negotiators must use all their skills to keep guests and themselves alive in the edge-of-your-seat thriller The Castle by John Sutherland. A Case of Matricide is the concluding part of Graeme Macrae Burnet’s wonderful Chief Inspector Gorski trilogy set in smalltown France. Click here to hear Graeme Macrae Burnet on the SWH! podcast Dangerous Minds: Tariq Ashkanani, Carole Hailey, RD McLean Saturday 13th September - 16:00 - The Holy Trinity Church Take a trip through the dark, broken minds of psychopaths, safe in the company of three authors who know the way. A serial killer’s unpublished manuscript is key to the frantic search for a missing child in Tariq Ashkanani’s dark masterpiece The Midnight King . A journalist seeks answers to a fatal plane crash in Carole Hailey’s compulsive thriller Scenes from a Tragedy but instead finds monsters living in plain sight. RD McLean’s The Friday Girl , set in 1970s Dundee, tells of the hunt for a killer whose progression from family pets to larger prey terrorises a city. In Conversation: Richard Armitage & Denise Mina Saturday 13th Sept - 19:00 - The Albert Halls What more could you ask for? Two gifted writers, two entertaining raconteurs, and an hour to enjoy listening to them. Actor and author Richard Armitage, the star of Spooks , The Hobbit Trilogy and Obsession , topped the bestseller chart with his sensational debut thriller Geneva and his new cold case novel, The Cut , has already earned rave reviews. Denise Mina has collected a shelf load of awards in a glittering career, including the McIlvanney Prize, CWA Daggers, and two Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year awards. Her new novel, The Good Liar , is a chilling and highly intelligent thriller. Click here to hear Denise Mina on the SWH! podcast Scotland the Grave: Marion Todd, Foday Mannah, Callum McSorley Sunday 14th September - 13:30 - Golden Lion Hotel Scottish crime fiction is the broadest of churches, albeit often awfy sacrilegious. We round off the 2025 festival with three very different but excellent books to prove the point. The murders of several young men form the grim premise of Dead Man’s Shoes , the ninth instalment of Marion Todd’s hugely popular DI Clare Mackay series. Scotland’s Sierra Leonean community is shocked by a callous murder in Foday Mannah’s compelling tale of corruption The Search for Othella Savag e . Paperboy , the eagerly awaited follow-up to Callum McSorley’s fabulous McIlvanney Prize winning debut Squeaky Clean , is a darkly comic tour-de-force. Click here to hear Callum McSorley on the SWH! podcast Follow Bloody Scotland on Twitter , Instagram , and Facebook .

For the latest, and last, of this year's Scots Whay Hae! Fringe Preview podcasts Ali spoke to musician and storyteller Kirsty Law about Scotland Unsung , which is going to be at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile from the 20th-24th August. Kirsty talks about the structure of the show, why she picked the songs she has, the happy accident of having an Edinburgh focus, the influence of Virginia Woolf's classic novel Orlando: A Biography and why she considers The Scottish Storytelling Centre a home from home. The two also discuss the chequered and complex history of how Scottish ballads and songs have been regarded over the years (and why), and look at perceptions of Scottish culture more widely. It's always a pleasure to talk to Kirsty, and this conversation should whet your appetite for what sounds like a magical musical show, one which looks at the rich tradition of Scottish folk music, songs, and stories, with a fresh eye. If you aren’t yet a subscriber to the Scots Whay Hae! podcast  you can do so, (or simply listen) at iTunes , on Podbean  and Pocket Casts , with Spotify , by signing up to our Substack , or wherever you get your podcasts. Or, if you want it right here, right now, you can listen on SoundCloud … ..or on YouTube … Click here to get tickets for Scotland Unsung Click here to learn more about Kirsty Law Click here to learn more about Scottish Storytelling Centre LINKS Click here for our back catalogue of over 380 interviews  with some of the most interesting names in and around Scottish culture.

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer and musician Andy Bollen about his latest book Definitely Maybe: The Birth, Death and Resurrection of Oasis , a timely publication - out now with Polygon Books . Although this book is ostensibly about the band, it's actually part-memoir concerning Andy's life in and around music, as well as an overview of British, and particularly Scottish, culture in the '90s. The two talk about public perceptions of Oasis, their own initial thoughts, the pros and cons of Britpop, the changing face of indie, the lost art of A&R, their own musical memories across that decade, and much, much more. At the heart of this story is the infamous night at Glasgow venue King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - 31st May 1993 - where, to over simplify hugely, Oasis were spotted by Creation Records' Alan McGee. It's one of those occasions where if everyone who said they were there actually was it would have broken the laws of physics, and a number of myths and legends have been told over the years as a result. To capture that sense of uncertainty there are five separate chapters dealing with that evening giving various points of view (think Rashomon , classic film fans) and Andy (who was definitely there) talks about the reasons for this, and his attempt to get to some form of truth. This is an engaging conversation about a time in popular culture which was in part shaped by Oasis and the hype around them, but which acknowledges and celebrates the fact that there was so much more going on. It's also touches on the nature of storytelling itself. Whether you were there or not this is a podcast you'll be sure to enjoy. If you aren’t yet a subscriber to the Scots Whay Hae! podcast  you can do so, (or simply listen) at iTunes , on Podbean  and Pocket Casts , with Spotify , by signing up to our Substack , or wherever you get your podcasts. Or, if you want it right here, right now, you can listen on SoundCloud … ..or on YouTube … Click here to order a copy of Definitely Maybe: The Birth, Death and Resurrection of Oasis Click here to learn more about Andy Bollen Click here to follow Andy Bollen on Twitter (X) Click here to learn more about Polygon Books Click here for our back catalogue of over 380 interviews  with some of the most interesting names in and around Scottish culture.

This year's Edinburgh International Book Festival returns to Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) for the second year, and once again it offers a varied and extensive programme. This year the key theme is that of Repair , and there are close to 700 events featuring 641 writers from 35 countries. Taking place from 9-24th August the EIBF is set to continue to be a welcome literary oasis in the city as the pandemonium that is Edinburgh in August rages all around. You can find all the details of who, what, when, and where at edbookfest.co.uk , but, with so many events to choose from, here is Scots Whay Hae!'s guide to 10 things to see at this year’s festival. Click on the highlighted titles to learn more and get tickets... 1995: Grrrls Aloud Sun 10 Aug 21:00 - 22:30 Spiegeltent For music lovers of a certain age - actually, of any age - this promises to be an unmissable event, with broadcaster and journalist Nicola Meighan the perfect host for a panel which includes writer and musician Carrie Marshall, journalist and author Chitra Ramaswamy, theatre director, playwright, actor, and musician Cora Bissett, and musician and co-founder of the Chemikal Underground record label Emma Pollock, and there's also going to be live music from Little Acres', and member of the Hen Hoose Collective , Cariss Crosbie. 1995 was one of the most culturally significant years in living memory, and it'll be great to hear the stories and anecdotes from just a few of those who played their part and contributed to what was going on. Leila Aboulela & Karen Campbell: Watch Me Begin Again Mon 11 Aug 11:30 - 12:30 Venue NW Leila Aboulela and Karen Campbell, two of the finest writers around, will be talking about their latest novels, A New Year and This Bright Life respectively . Both share a rare ability to write with an honesty and insight about human nature, often presenting and representing people who rarely appear in fiction. Both novels deal in part with growing old, grief, often complex cross-generational relationships, and the emotional upheaval of unexpected life changes. Chaired by Claire Urquhart, expect a warm and thought-provoking conversation full of empathy and understanding. Click here to hear Leila Aboulela on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast Click here to hear Karen Campbell on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast Carrie Marshall & Gary West: God Save the Scene Mon 11 Aug 18:30 - 19:30 Venue NW There are lots of great music related events at this year's festival, and this promises to be one of the most interesting. Carrie Marshall's Small Town Joy explores the past, present, and future of queer music in Scotland and its influence both at home and aboard. Musician, broadcaster and academic Gary West's book Brave New Music , looks at the life and work of the late, great, Martyn Bennett - a musician who would change the face and identity of Scottish music before his untimely death in 2005. Chaired by Scots Whay Hae's Ali Braidwood, this promises to be a discussion which is not simply about the music but our culture more widely and how the former is central to the latter. Click here to hear Carrie Marshall on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast Michael Pedersen, Hollie McNish, Gordon Buchanan & Lomond Campbell: Dynamic Earth Mon 11 Aug 20:30 - 21:30 Dynamic Earth There's a game, I'm sure you know it, which asks who you might pick as your perfect dinner guests, and this panel includes four individuals who could easily make my list. Taking place in Dynamic Earth's planetarium, this event will be hosted by Edinburgh Makar and novelist Michael Pedersen, with guests, fellow poet Hollie McNish, wildlife photographer Gordon Buchanan, and musician Lomond Campbell. Together they will celebrate and explore the natural world through poetry, imagery, and music. A magical evening is guaranteed. You can hear Michael Pedersen on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast Scottish Writing is Thriving: A Sparkling Showcase Wed 13 Aug 13:45 - 15:00 Spiegeltent This event is a justified and welcome celebration of Scottish writing today, and features the talents of Eilidh Akilade, Cal Flyn, Katie Goh, Victoria Mackenzie, Callum McSorley, and Graeme Macrae Burnett, with playwright, poet and performer Imogen Stirling in the role of Chair. You may know these writers, you may only know a few, but even if they are all new to you this is an event which will showcase the diversity of voices and ideas which abound across Scotland's literature today. This will be a distilled and detailed version of a conversation which is ongoing, and will give audiences, and the writers themselves, plenty to ponder. Click here to hear Callum McSorley on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast Click here to hear Graeme Macrae Burnett on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast Esa Aldegheri, Linda Cracknell, Alice Tarbuck & Amanda Thomson: The Road She Travelled Thu 14 Aug 18:00 - 19:00 Spiegeltent Travel writing has a long and celebrated tradition, but one which has all too often been written from a male perspective. There She Goes: New Travel Writing by Women (published by Saraband Books) is an anthology of travel tales which celebrates the stories of women is a brilliant and at times achingly beautiful collection of essays which look to offer alternative narratives and a more complete picture overall. Join editor Esa Aldegheri and contributors Linda Cracknell, Alice Tarbuck & Amanda Thomson who will share their insights and some of the stories in the collection, and most likely others which didn't make it. Click here to hear Esa Aldegheri on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast Click here to hear Linda Cracknell on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast Saba Sams & Alessandra Thom: Exciting New Forms Mon 18 Aug 17:30 - 18:30 Venue B It's important for new talents to have their place at the Edinburgh Book Festival, and two of the most exciting come together to discuss their debut novels and their experiences of the process of being published for the first time. A winner of the BBC National Short Story Award, Saba Sams' novel Gunk has been selected as a "book of the summer" across a number of publications. Winner of 2023's Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award, Alessandra Thoms' Summer Hours (set against the backdrop of a sweltering Edinburgh summer) has received rave reviews. Both novels look at love and friendship, and the complex nature of both, and announce the arrival of two exciting literary voices. This event is Chaired by Beth Cochrane. Beyond the Archives with Doug Johnstone & Ewan Morrison Tue 19 Aug 15:45 - 16:45 Venue B Two of the most respected and diverse writers of the 21st Century, Doug Johnstone and Ewan Morrison have covered, between them, crime, cults, science fiction, sex, malls, malts, and so much more. For this event they celebrate 100 years of the National Library of Scotland and its literary archives, which include material about and from contemporary writers. Chaired by fellow novelist Mary Paulson-Ellis, this promises to be a fascinating conversation about documenting the life and work of 'living writers', the reality of just what that means, and what is relevant in terms of cataloguing creativity. Click here to hear Ewan Morrison on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast Click here to hear Doug Johnstone on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast Dylan Jones, Miranda Sawyer & Arusa Qureshi: Music Across the Decades Sat 23 Aug 14:45 - 15:45 Spiegeltent Music journalism can shape our tastes and identity arguably more than any other form, and this event brings together three of the best writers from different, yet interwoven, times. Dylan Jones has been one of the chief chroniclers of popular culture for decades, editing (among others) The Face, Arena, i-D, GQ as well as a number of newspaper titles. His new book 1975: The Year the World Forgot makes a claim for it to be considered a vital year in the narrative arc of post-war music. Miranda Sawyer was a key commentator on the music and culture of the 1990s in particular, and her book Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs looks in-depth at that period. Arusa Quershi is a writer, editor and music programmer whose book Flip the Script: How Women Came to Rule Hip Hop also looks beyond the music to examine the wider culture and how one effects the other. Ali Braidwood from Scots Whay Hae! chairs this event, and is very excited about it! Foday Mannah: The Search for Othella Savage Sat 23 Aug 20:00 - 21:00 Venue B Foday Manah's debut novel The Search for Othella Savage (published by Quercus Books) has won the Mo Siewcharran Prize-winning debut, been shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Crime Debut Prize, and named one of The Times' "best crime books of 2025 so far". Set in Scotland’s Sierra Leonean community, based on real events, and drawing on the writer's own life-experiences, the novel ask questions of morality, responsibility, (on an individual and communal level) and the limits of both. Foday will be Chaired by Halla Mohieddeen. Click here to hear Foday Mannah (and the other shortlisted authors for the Bloody Scotland Crime Debut Prize) on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast, You can keep up with all the news and events at the EIBF by following on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , and flickr , and subscribe to the YouTube channel .

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is the third of our Edinburgh Fringe Festival  Previews, where Ali talks to a few of the artists who will be appearing at the Fringe this year. First of all actor, writer and theatre maker James Clements tells us all about The Burns Project where we are promised " An immersive theatrical Burns experience like no other.". Without any spoilers, James talks about the research undertaken, how the show came together, working with director Cora Bissett, the extraordinary setting of The Drawing Room at The Georgian House, collaborating with the National Trust for Scotland, and much more. Then writer, performer (and regular guest on the SWH! podcast over the years) Alan Bissett talks about his show When Billy Met Alasdair where, using a photo of the occasion as the inspiration, Alan imagines the conversation between Billy Connolly and Alasdair Gray when they met at the launch of Alasdair's novel Lanark at the Third Eye Centre (now the CCA). He talks about creating a script from that initial premise, being in the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and the perilous nature of finally making it to the stage. These shows take on three Scottish icons with a global reach who have changed the face and very nature of Scottish culture, and it was fascinating to hear about both, which happen to feature in the SWH! Top 10 Picks Of The Edinburgh Fringe 2025. These podcasts are always a joy to record and get just a taste of what's happening in Edinburgh this August, and we hope these discussions get you in the mood for this year's Fringe. If you aren’t yet a subscriber to the Scots Whay Hae! podcast  you can do so, (or simply listen) at iTunes , on Podbean  and Pocket Casts , with Spotify , by signing up to our Substack , or wherever you get your podcasts. Or, if you want it right here, right now, you can listen on SoundCloud … ..or on YouTube … Click here to learn more about The Burns Project Click here to learn more about When Billy Met Alasdair Click here for the full Fringe programme Click here for the SWH! Edinburgh Fringe Preview Podcasts (Part One) Click here for the SWH! Edinburgh Fringe Preview Podcasts (Part Two) Click here for the SWH! Top Ten Pick of the Fringe 2025 Click here for our back catalogue of over 380 interviews  with some of the most interesting names in and around Scottish culture.

As The Edinburgh Fringe kicks off for another year, you may be unsure as to what to see, or what to see next, so we thought you might find some inspiration from Scots Whay Hae!'s pick of the Fringe. Below are our Top Ten (in alphabetical order). Click on the highlighted links for more info and tickets. Anatomy of Pain - 13:50 - 1st-9th Aoife Parr Stephenson Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall Anatomy of Pain is a powerful and unflinching exploration of the dysfunctional healthcare system, following Alex’s journey to seek a diagnosis for the rare and debilitating condition, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Through an intimate and emotional performance, the show explores the impact of clinicians’ unfamiliarity and lack of empathy when faced with rare conditions. Audiences are invited to witness the devastating impact this has on every facet of Alex’s life, from identity to relationships. Beautifully crafted and deeply moving, this interdisciplinary performance is a must-see for anyone seeking to understand the human cost of systemic failings. Click here to listen to hear Aoife Parr and Tom Baines talking about Anatomy of Pain on Part Two of the SWH! Edinburgh Fringe Preview podcasts Balfour Reparations - 16:30 - 14th-25th Farah Saleh TechCube 0 at Summerhall This performance lecture examines the UK's colonial legacy in Palestine, focusing on Arthur James Balfour, Prime Minister (1902-1905) and Foreign Secretary (1916-1919), and his role in denying Palestinian political rights. Utilising speculative choreography and Afrofuturism, Saleh intertwines history, fiction, and fantasy, drawing inspiration from archival materials. Set in 2045, the lecture reflects on a fictive apology letter issued by the UK in 2025, promising reparations to the Palestinian people. The audience become members of the reparations' evaluation committee created on the 20th anniversary of the apology and are invited to participate in the performance. MadeInScotlandShowcase.com The Burns Project - 18:30 - 2nd-16th James Clements Drawing Room at The Georgian House An immersive theatrical Burns experience like no other. Given unprecedented access to Burns’ private letters, we explore the man behind the legend in all his brilliance and contradictions. Through a captivating blend of his letters, poems and live music – masterfully brought to life from the archives by Scottish performer James Clements – this play invites audiences to experience Burns unfiltered, laying bare a complicated and contradictory icon. Co-created with The National Trust for Scotland and multi award-winning Fringe director Cora Bissett (June Carter: The Woman, Her Music, and Me / What Girls Are Made Of). James Clement will be a guest on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast soon to talk about The Burns Project Colours Run -18:10 - 1st-25th 4PLAY Red Lecture Theatre at Summerhall It's Derby Day. A violent Hibs football casual returns home to tell his brother something bad has happened. But has something far worse happened in their past? A new gritty dark comedy by BBC Scottish Voices writer Mikey Burnett. Directed by Grace Ava Baker. Produced by Staci Shaw. Starring Ruaraidh Murray and Sean Langtree. Supported by Traverse Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre. Click here to listen to hear Ruaraidh Murray talking about Colours Run on Part Two of the SWH! Edinburgh Fringe Preview podcasts FLOAT - 18:00 - 1st-25th F-Bomb Theatre Other Yin at Gilded Balloon Patter House Join Astronaut Indra on a nine-month mission to the moon... but not all missions are successful. A new autobiographical solo show by Indra Wilson about the lonely, turbulent journey of experiencing pregnancy loss as a queer young person. A black hole forms when a star dies, explodes into tiny little pieces until it returns back to the dust it once was – as if it never even existed in the first place. With dynamic sound and projections, be immersed in this unique, heartfelt and hopeful debut. Produced by award-winning feminist company, F-Bomb Theatre (Fringe First, Sit-Up Award). MadeInScotlandShowcase.com Click here to listen to hear Indra Wilson talking about FLOAT on Part One of the SWH! Edinburgh Fringe Preview podcasts MUO Live - 18:00 - 1st-23rd Lomond Campbell Salle Emilienne Moreau-Evrard at French Institute in Scotland Join Scottish artist and musician Lomond Campbell for a unique live performance of MUO, an audiovisual experience powered by the universe itself. Using muon detectors, MUO captures cosmic radiation from deep space, transforming it into reactive sound and entrancing live visuals. Performing with his one-of-a-kind handmade instrument, the Muonophone, Lomond creates a constantly evolving sonic landscape, joined by special musical guests throughout the festival. Blending art, science and sound in a way you've never seen before, MUO is a cosmic journey not to be missed. Presented in partnership with Sonica and the University of Glasgow. MadeInScotlandShowcase.com Scotland Unsung - 12:00 - 20th-24th Kirsty Law Netherbow Theatre at Scottish Storytelling Centre Beneath the Scotland you think you know lies a deeper story waiting to be told. Meet Scotia – a character travelling through time, place, class and gender, inspired by Virginia Woolf's Orlando. Join them to experience different moments in Scotland's past and challenge the dominant narrative with tales of queer desire, women's rebellion and interrogation of supernatural myths. Far from a nostalgia trip, this is a reclamation: folk traditions telling difficult truths, creating safe spaces, and exploring radical ideas, resilience and transformation. An antithesis to tartan tat performed in the heart of the Royal Mile. These Mechanisms - 17:15 - 1st-20th Christine Thynne and Robbie Synge DB3 at Assembly @ Dance Base In her eightieth year, Christine wondered if she might create her first show. Who says an octogenarian shouldn't be working with stepladders, electronics... and water? A performance of persistence and joy, celebrating the beautiful functions and limits of a human body and the desire to make things happen. Assisted by her helper, Calum, Christine manipulates and raps her way along a precarious journey of movement and sound, taking us to surprising places. This is real, what happens along the way we can't be sure. Just got to keep going! Programmed by Dance Base in collaboration with Assembly. MadeInScotlandShowcase.com Click here to hear Christine Thynne and Robbie Synge talking about These Mechanisms on Part One of the SWH! Edinburgh Fringe Preview podcasts Trauma Industrial Complex: The Live Show - 13:30 - 1st-12th Darren McGarvey Stand 1 at The Stand Comedy Club Scotland's original and world famous purpose-built comedy club (30 Years), The Stand, is not only at the heart of the Fringe, but open all year round, it's not to be missed. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, with cabaret-style seating and standing room. All tickets are general admission. First come, first served, queuing advised. Venue is down 9 steps through courtyard at basement level. Latecomers may not be admitted. When Billy Met Alasdair - 20:30 - 2nd-23rd Alan Bissett Netherbow Theatre at Scottish Storytelling Centre 'Allow me to give you some advice, Billy...' Alan Bissett, award-winning creator of Fringe hit The Moira Monologues, takes on the dual roles of two Scottish cultural giants, speculating what (might’ve!) happened when Billy Connolly attended the launch for Alasdair Gray’s 1981 masterpiece, Lanark. Bissett unearths the origin stories of these Glasgow geniuses, exploring their struggles and their art in an ultimately uplifting tale of triumph against the odds. 'An absolute classic of Scottish working-class comedy' (Scotsman, on the Moira Trilogy). Longlisted for the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award 2025. Directed by Kirstin McLean. Alan Bissett will be on the Scots Whay Hae! podcast soon to talk about When Billy Met Alasdair Check out the full Fringe festival programme here - edfringe.com You can follow what's happening at the Fringe on Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram Click here for the SWH! Edinburgh Fringe Preview Podcasts (Part One) Click here for the SWH! Edinburgh Fringe Preview Podcasts (Part Two)

Aoife Parr and Tom Baines, Ruaraidh Murray, and Connor McKenna The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is the second of our Edinburgh Fringe Festival Previews, where Ali talks to a few of the artists who will be appearing at the Fringe this year. First of all writer/director Aoife Parr and composer and sound designer Tom Baines talked about their show Anatomy of Pain which is "An unflinching look at the NHS through the eyes of a young person’s struggle with a lifelong medical condition". That condition is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Aoife talks about the personal story which inspired this show before Tom and Aoife talk all about how they work together. Actor and writer Ruaraidh Murray then tells us about Colours Run , which "is a gritty dark comedy two-hander about a troubled Hibs casual Pongo and his brother Pete", written by Mikey Burnett. It's theatre company 4PLAY ’s first Edinburgh Fringe Festival production and Ruaraidh details not only the play, but the work of 4PLAY as well. Connor McKenna is the writer/performer behind one-man show Seltzer Boy and he details the inspiration behind it, and the themes he wanted to explore. He also discusses some of the differences he has found between eating and drinking in his native America and his now home of Scotland. These podcasts are always a joy to record and get just a taste of what's happening in Edinburgh this August, and we hope these discussions about three very different shows get you in the mood for this year's Fringe. Click here for the SWH! Edinburgh Fringe Preview Podcasts (Part One) If you aren’t yet a subscriber to the Scots Whay Hae! podcast  you can do so, (or simply listen) at iTunes , on Podbean  and Pocket Casts , with Spotify , by signing up to our Substack , or wherever you get your podcasts. Or, if you want it right here, right now, you can listen on SoundCloud … ..or on YouTube … Click here to learn more about Anatomy Of Pain Click here to learn more about Colours Run & here to learn more about 4PLAY Theatre Company Click here to learn more about Seltzer Boy Click here for the full Fringe programme Click here for our back catalogue of over 380 interviews  with some of the most interesting names in and around Scottish culture.