Gary Flockhart - Music Matters

It’s often said that Edinburgh is the poor cousin of Glasgow when it comes to attracting the biggest musical acts (and yes, there’s truth in that), but with one of the biggest bands on the planet set to play the Castle tonight, this is a night for music fans in the city to savour.

They won’t disappoint, that’s for certain. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the uber-talented collective a few times over the years - supporting Franz Ferdinand at Princes Street Gardens in 2005; at Glasgow University Student Union the same year; at a windswept T in the Park in 2007 - and they never fail to thrill on the live stage.

If Arcade Fire aren’t your bag, there’s always Bryan Ferry at the same venue just a few days later. Surely everyone loves at least one Roxy Music song, right?

Ferry I’ve never seen live, though I did have the pleasure of meeting the man at Edinburgh Castle a couple of weeks back (see interview on Pages 10-11). He was sharp-witted and as sharp-suited as you’d expect from one who has been voted Britain’s Best Dressed Man on many occasions.

The downside is that he makes you look like a tramp standing beside him.

Never mind, Ferry is a seasoned performer with a voice as smooth as one of his silk ties - not to mention another act who is guaranteed to be brilliant live.

Sadly, that’s the last of the big summer outdoor gigs in the Capital for another year.

No matter, this week’s news that Primal Scream are booked to headline Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is music to the ears, literally.

Hearing the band’s seminal Screamadelica album in its entirety before the bells, followed by a greatest hits selection after midnight... what’s not to like?