Open-air summer concerts for Glasgow and Edinburgh

Kenny Anderson, better known as King Creosote. Picture: Graham Jepson

Veteran singer Joan Armatrading, who is currently on her farewell tour, indie darlings Glasvegas and Aztec Camera frontman Roddy Frame will be among the acts playing at the revamped Kelvingrove Bandstand.

The recently-restored venue in Glasgow’s west end will be hosting its second year of “Magners Summer Nights” in August.

The Flaming Lips, The Waterboys and James will all be appearing at the Ross Theatre in the capital after the series of shows were expanded to Edinburgh following the sell-out success of the first year in Glasgow.

They will be the first acts to perform outdoor shows in the historic venue in Princes Street Gardens during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for almost a decade.

The line-up in Glasgow also includes singer-songwriter King Creosote, who will be performing the acclaimed “From Scotland With Love” show originally commissioned for last year’s Commonwealth Games, Echo & The Bunnymen and Ben Folds.

Alison Moyet, Teenage Fanclub, Squeeze and Steve Earle all performed at Kelvingrove last year, just months after the bandstand reopened following a multi-million pound refurbishment.

Promoters Regular Music, who are behind the nine concerts, have previously staged shows by the likes of Bryan Ferry, BB King and Tony Bennett at the Edinburgh venue, which has only really been used for concerts at the capital’s Hogmanay festival in recent years.

Mark Mackie, managing director of Regular Music, said: “Building on the success of the 2014 Magners Summer Nights, we are delighted to be returning to the beautiful Kelvingrove Bandstand.

“This year will also see us travel east to Edinburgh where the Ross Bandstand will also play host to a series of unique concerts during the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe.”

Richard Lewis, Edinburgh City Council’s festivals and events champion, said: “In the heart of Princes Street Gardens and against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle during festival season, the Ross Theatre will be the ideal site to sit down and soak up the sounds of the Magners Summer Nights festival.”

Paul Condron, marketing director at Magners, added: “The first festival in Glasgow was a huge success with sell-out sessions across both weekends.

“We’ve got a brilliant line-up again this year and we are excited to be extending the festival to Edinburgh to give even more opportunities to enjoy great music and Magners with mates.”

Tickets for all six Magners Summer Nights shows, which are being staged over three weekends in August, go on sale on Friday.