Edinburgh Songwriters Showcase
Tuesday nights
The
Caz Rock (the Pubic Triangle) West Port, just off the Grassmarket
The mother of open mics kicks off at 9 o'clock. This is the hub of
my circuit, the showcase incepted six years ago in what was a pub
called Oblomov's (then Misty's then The Carwash). The venue changed
to the Tron Tavern after a year and this new millennium moved to the
Caz. I like the Caz, it's a bit more edgy than the Tron, you get drunk
hecklers and a bunch of pool players who don't give a toss about the
music. Pulling them is hard work, but when you do, you are really
playing. The Tron didn't have that challenge. It was a bit cosy.
The Wednesday Music Club
The Cannonsgait, Cannongate, the Royal Mile.
Wednesday night
Been running for about two years, very noisy and lots of fun. This
is an open band night, run by a bloke called Andy Turner, turn up
chat to some people, form a band, get up and play. Good bands hang
out there and take the piss out of each other. I don't have a band
at the moment, but I do have a girl. Going out regularly on Wednesday
would probably change both those states.
Folk @ The Tique
The Antiquary St Stephen street Stockbridge.
Thursday, 9pm till midnight
Diddly session in my local. It took a long time to believe I was good
enough to play in a session. Now I do, I think that a lot of guitar
players don't take enough time to learn how to play their instrument.
It can be quite frustrating for the fiddles to cope with a bunch of
drunk strummers who have no knowledge of the music they are playing.
When the session kicks it burns, but recently it hasn't had the thing.
Lanachan Blackfriars Street, the Holly Tomas Experience.
Friday, 7-10pm
The amount of time Holly has spent encouraging others to perform,
is uncountable. Lanachan is tight, small, packed, with great fresh
organic juices and killer coffee. It is the night of the great acoustic
moments, no PA to worry about, just get on and do it. So people do.
For quiet quality this is the night.
The Fiscal and Firkin, Hunter Square (top of the Mound, just
off the High Street)
Sunday's 8:30 pm
Bad sound at this the newest open mic night. Trying for the Cannonsgait
experience, but failing so far.
