Radar weekly: The latest from the Scottish music scene

Published on 11/12/2012 13:53

This week: SAMAs return; Is This Music? Turns 10; T takes shape; the Tinderbox Fest takes over Edinburgh’s Summerhall venue and the Glasgow music scene gears up for Christmas.

SAMAS begin search for new sounds

The Scottish Alternative Music Awards are set to return for a fourth year. The awards, which focus on 42 regional nominees in seven categories, will also launch a new project called #DiscoverNewMusic on December 10 via their official website. Each week five new Scottish acts will be showcased online and will be supported by a national poster and flyer campaign.

Is This 10 Years?

Indie stalwarts who find the commercialism of T in the Park too much to stomach can find solace in the 10th birthday party of indie magazine/website Is This Music?. The gig takes place at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus on Thursday (13 Dec), with Ballboy, Adam Thompson of We Were Promised Jetpacks and We See Lights all on the bill and a DJ set from Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit.

CHVRCHES on BBC watchlist

Glasgow’s CHVRCHES have created an impressive amount of buzz in Scotland and beyond this year on the back of just a couple of songs, and now their shiny electro pop has gained them a place on the BBC’s Sound of 2013 longlist.

Tinderbox opens

Tinderbox Fest is a new all-day event happening at Edinburgh’s Summerhall venue. Over 20 established bands including Foxgang, Broken Records (solo) and North Atlantic Oscillation, plus a whole host of up and coming musicians and artists will be taking over the former Dick Vet building, as well as a market and exhibitions.

Glasgow gears up for Christmas

Meanwhile the Glasgow music scene is gearing up for Christmas with a variety of festive happenings. Hear Glasgow continue to put on their ‘Music Monday’s events in George Square in the run-up to Christmas, with acts like St Deluxe, Teen Canteen and Jo Mango. Mango also appears on a Christmas EP from her label Olive Grove Records with all proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House Charities, and she will also be playing at their Christmas party at The Glad Café on the 14th December, along with Randolph’s Leap, and The State Broadcasters.

Frightened Rabbit tour film streaming

Frightened Rabbit recently announced a new tour film covering their trip around the Highlands, which took in tiny venues in places like Aviemore, Ullapool and Dunoon and consisted largely of songs from their upcoming album Pedestrian Verse. The result, titled Here, can now be watched in full online.

T takes shape

T in the Park has announced that Rihanna, The Killers and Mumford and Sons will be headlining the 2013 event. Also playing will be Azaelia Banks, The Script, Alt-J, Jake Bugg, Paloma Faith, Of Monsters And Men and Two Door Cinema Club. Tickets are on sale now for the event, which takes place at Balado on July 12-14.