Article Source: Forever Edinburgh
Last Updated: 8 July 2022 16:03
A new music map of Edinburgh has been launched to encourage visitors and residents to explore the city’s venues, live music bars, record shops and ‘musical’ places of interest.
Acclaimed local band swim school, who recently signed a record deal with LAB Records, took a break from playing festivals across the UK to help launch the map at Sneaky Pete’s, one of Edinburgh’s most vital music venues.
The Edinburgh Music Map, which features a selection of around 50 music destinations across the capital, has been created by Forever Edinburgh, the city’s destination marketing brand, in collaboration with local music site Edinburgh Music Lovers.
The map lists around 20 of the city’s main music venues which regularly host gigs such as Sneaky Pete’s, a recent winner of the UK’s Grassroots Music Venue of the Year; former Veterinary School, Summerhall; 5-star flagship venue The Usher Hall; and the recently rebranded O2 Academy Edinburgh.
Also included are the city’s numerous independent record shops such as newcomer Thorne Records in Bruntsfield and stalwart shops such as Underground Solu'shn, Avalanche and Assai Records. A selection of music bars across Edinburgh that host traditional live music sessions, such as Whistle Binkies, Bannermans and Sandy Bell’s, are also featured.
The map features a link to a specially curated all-Edinburgh playlist featuring music by a new wave of exciting Edinburgh bands and artists including swim school, Hamish Hawk and Callum Easter, as well as established names such as Young Fathers and The Proclaimers.
The launch of The Edinburgh Music Map, which is available to download from Forever Edinburgh’s website with a printed version expected to follow, comes at a time when the story of the city’s eclectic and evolving live music scene is entering an exciting new chapter as it emerges from the pandemic.
Edinburgh has a new venue in the pipeline, with the development of the Dunard Centre in the New Town. This 1,000-capacity concert hall will be the city’s first purpose-built venue in more than 100 years when it opens in 2026. In addition, an old venue, Leith Theatre, is being gradually brought back to life – in August, it will host a series of gigs as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.
The city is also playing host to a number of largescale events this summer such as the Connect Music Festival at the Royal Highland Centre and the Summer Sessions in Princes Street Gardens.
Alice Johnson, singer and guitarist for swim school, said: “Sneaky Pete’s is one of our favourite venues in Edinburgh. We have played the venue multiple times and also been to watch so many of our favourite bands there - whether you are on stage or in the audience, the energy and atmosphere is always amazing. You can tell it's a highly loved venue the moment you step foot in the door so we hope this map helps encourage more musicians and fans to come to Edinburgh.”
Nick Stewart, owner of the Sneaky Pete’s venue and a leading campaigner for live music in Edinburgh, said: "Edinburgh is a music city with a rich history of great gigs by outstanding touring and local acts. Its nightlife is built around music culture, and it's great to see it recognised in this map of hotspots."
Karl Chapman, Head of Heritage, Cultural Venues, Museums & Galleries at City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s exciting to see the launch of Edinburgh’s music map. I’m sure this will become an invaluable resource for music fans both for those who want to visit the city and also residents.
“Our music scene was hard hit by the pandemic, and it needs support to bounce back even bigger and better. I’m sure the new music map will play a key role in raising awareness of and encouraging visitors and residents to explore our eclectic music scene, along with other Forever Edinburgh initiatives, such as the recently appointed music reviewer.”
The map is part of Forever Edinburgh’s The Story Never Ends campaign which promotes the capital’s ever-evolving stories and array of experiences that are always developing, just like its music scene, to both visitors and residents. It is also part of a drive by Forever Edinburgh to encourage visitors to explore the city’s exciting music scene by promoting it to new audiences via its website and social media channels which are viewed by millions each year.
In May, Forever Edinburgh appointed an official music reviewer to write reviews of gigs in the city that help encourage more music fans around the UK to visit Edinburgh. The reviewer, Stuart Niven, 37, a learning and development consultant from Leith with a passion for music and an interest in writing, is reviewing gigs each month by local artists and touring performers across Edinburgh venues.
More info: https://edinburgh.org/things-to-do/live-music-in-edinburgh/the-edinburgh-music-map/
Image credit: Greg Macvean
Image: Local band swim school at leading venue Sneaky Pete’s
Sloth bears will call the capital home for the first time ever as Edinburgh Zoo works to build a new habitat for the vulnerable species.
READ MOREEdinburgh's hospitality scene has a new landmark... Moment George IV Bridge isn't just another Aparthotel - it's a reimagination of what a city stay can be.
READ MOREUK charity Hospitality Action’s annual fundraising event, Walk for Wellbeing, continues to grow in its sixth year by welcoming Edinburgh to the initiative.
READ MOREThe sculpture, by acclaimed artist Kelly Anna, represents engineer Alice Kan who played a key role in the manufacture of the Covid-19 vaccine and will be displayed at City Art Centre.
READ MORESomewhere by Nico is launching its highly anticipated new food and cocktail menu, transporting guests through the vibrancy, spirit, and soul of Latin America.
READ MORELoch Lomond Springfest, one of Scotland's biggest FREE food festivals, is back on the 5th and 6th April at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORETo mark World Sleep Day, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is introducing the Sleep Retreat Essential Spa Break, designed to help guests prioritise rest and relaxation.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Festival Breaks Boundaries in a Year Exploring ‘The Truth We Seek', with 24 days of world-class opera, dance, music and theatre!
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns next month and looks set to be the biggest yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before.
READ MOREThe world’s fastest land animal is back at Edinburgh Zoo as the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) welcomed four-year-old Billy the cheetah.
READ MOREFighting off stiff competition from around the globe and coming in at a lucky number 13 on the list, Civerinos’ New Haven-style pizza grabbed the food critics’ attention for all the right reasons.
READ MOREFrom Rugby to Mother's Day, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events this March!
READ MOREThe Aga Khan Music Programme (AKMP), one of the most extensive music preservation and education programmes in the world, and the Edinburgh International Festival will collaborate once again in 2025.
READ MOREOver 2,000 years of history will be celebrated this summer as Historic Environment Scotland announces its 2025 summer events programme!
READ MORECasting is announced as rehearsals are underway for the first ever World Tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the multi-award-winning hit stage show, which opens in Edinburgh in April 2025.
READ MOREIf you're looking for something a bit different for Mother's Day that is also loads of fun, an activity bar like Flight Club is a great option!
READ MOREProducers, Michael Harrison and David Ian, are delighted to announce the return of the award-winning smash hit musical THE BODYGUARD to the Edinburgh Playhouse from 18th to 23rd May 2026.
READ MOREGet ready, Scotland! Ideal Home Show Scotland sponsored by EcoFlow is back at Glasgow's SEC from 23rd - 26th May 2025 and we're delighted to offer free tickets to our followers!
READ MORECineworld, the UK's leading cinema chain, will be holding its eighth annual IMAX Film Fest on Saturday 15th March, with tickets on sale for only £5!
READ MOREA beautiful city with a rich history, high street favourites, independent boutiques and a giant adventure to explore around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible experiences to be had!
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is welcoming applications for Dobbies Community Gardens, offering local schools, charities and community groups the opportunity to receive support for their green spaces.
READ MOREJohnnie Walker, the world’s leading Scotch Whisky1, announces the global launch of Johnnie Walker Vault in the brand’s most ambitious expression of blending artistry yet.
READ MORESix by Nico's Road Trip, inspired by Chef Nico Simeone's Italian heritage and travels, will take you on a culinary journey through Italy!
READ MOREThe Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh has revealed its plans to open a new world-class visitor centre and retail experience to elevate their visitor journey from spring 2025.
READ MOREPizza Pilgrims is excited to bring their signature Neapolitan-style pizza to the heart of the Scottish capital, opening its much-anticipated debut in Edinburgh on Rose Street from 14th April.
READ MORECUPP, an established boba tea brand renowned for their innovative boba tea and cult following are opening a brand new store in the heart of historic Edinburgh
READ MOREAn array of action films is screening at Vue venues in Scotland throughout the month of March, kicking off with the king of the genre, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
READ MOREAfter 200 years, John’s Coffee House and Tavern is returning to Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile following a £500,000 investment from CoDE Concepts.
READ MORETo mark International Women’s Day the National Galleries of Scotland is celebrating the acquisition of a painting by one of Scotland’s most accomplished female artists, Olive Carleton Smyth.
READ MORERoss J. Barr, one of London’s most sought-after wellness experts is bringing his transformative acupuncture treatments to Edinburgh for the first time.
READ MORE