Fringe big hitters singing from same sheet

The organiser of the music side of the Fringe is to join the four main venue operators to promote shows under a single banner.

DF Concerts, which also organises T in the Park, will invest resources in the programme published by Assembly, Gilded Balloon, Pleasance and Underbelly.

The move will seek to end controversy and confusion over the four promoters claiming they were running the "Edinburgh Comedy Festival".

DF Concerts booker Dave Corbet said the move would help to persuade people buying tickets for one show to try something different.

Meanwhile more details of this summer's line-up have been revealed, including the return of Neil and Christine Hamilton, and shows by Tim Vine, Rich Hall and Phill Jupitus.