Live Music Edinburgh: Madonna | Jools Holland | Toots & The Maytals

By WILL COOPER
Published on 07/08/2012 21:59

ALONG with Elvis, Pele and Wogan she only needs one name and Madonna continues Murrayfield’s tradition of huge stadium shows.

Her latest album hasn’t been too well received by critics, but Madge live should be spectacular at the very least. Her continuous evolution and willingness to change with the times is all fine and good, but most people will be there for her Eighties hits, right?

Murrayfield Stadium, 21 July

JOOLS HOLLAND AND HIS RHYTHM & BLUES ORCHESTRA

Everyone’s favourite TV-presenting pianist comes to town as part of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. As good at discovering talent on his long-running Later... With show as he is at banging out the boogie-woogie, Jools has played and recorded with some of the all-time greats, as well as cutting out a fine and distinguished career all of his own.

Edinburgh Playhouse, 29 July

NANCI GRIFFITH

Whether it be her self-penned songs or covers, Nanci has been touching souls since 1978 with a charming Southern style and achingly heartfelt vocals. Winner of the BBC Folk Awards lifetime achievement award in 2010 and inventor of the folkabilly sound, she is one of those legendary artists that is so much better on stage than on stereo.

Queens Hall, 30 July

TOOTS & THE MAYTALS

Toots Hibbert is well into his 60s, but the legendary reggae/ska man is no dinosaur. He and the Maytals were founding fathers of the reggae scene in the mid-1960s. Toots’ stage presence is as dynamic as it ever was, his voice has matured instead of ageing, and he still moves like a 20-year-old.

Liquid Room, 9 August

ALBUM: LIANNE LA HAVAS

Her debut LP, Is Your Love Big Enough, is one of the most exciting of the year, not just the month. Her celebrity fans include Gary Barlow and Fearne Cotton – but don’t let that put you off, she is really good. The young Londoner has a voice that seems to stop time, comparable to Norah Jones or Lauryn Hill but way more fun. She also plays her own music and there’s not an auto-tuned chorus anywhere to be found.

Out Now