Andrew Maxwell - Reality, Corn Exchange, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

 Lateral flow tests on the door, meaning they felt comfortable abandoning social distancing inside.  Not sure everyone felt that way...

Yet there was also some joy in being part of a packed out audience once again.  It was clearly even more of a joy for Maxwell, who came on and spent the first minute rejoicing in a situation he'd felt he might never see again!

The past eighteen months of pandemic world provided the bulk of his material, and his sharp and slanted observations gave a fresh take on an already well worn subject.  Maxwell remains as funny and twisted as ever, and was a pleasure to watch.  

Sona Jobarteh, Edinburgh Academy Junior Scholl, Edinburgh International Festival

 An even larger 'polytunnel' for this performance, but just as well organised and socially distanced as the one at Old College, and a fine place to watch live music.  

A four piece band to back up virtuoso kora player Jobarteh, on drums, electric bass, guitar and percussion.  The latter played by one of the world's happiest and most engaging musicians!  West African rhythms, some excellent solos, notably from the guitarist, and Sona's soothing vocals, with a mix of tempos from ethereal to rousing. and with encouragement from the stage for the audience to clap along, and even join in the singing (phonetically of course!).  

The band were joined by Jobarteh's fourteen year old son, already well steeped in the traditions of Gambian music history, and a considerable talent in his own right.  His lead solo playing a kind of wooden xylophone was extremely impressive.

A refreshingly different and inspiring gig, which left the audience buzzing.

Leah MacRae : My Big Fat Fabulous Diary, Multistory, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

 As if the castle backdrop and sparkling sunshine weren't enough, here's MacRae bursting on to the stage to a bit of raucous pop, resplendent in tight fitting pink tartan suit and big grin.  While the framework of the show is hung around entries from her childhood 'diary', that structure is simply a vehicle for her big personality.  Stories, jokes and songs, interacting with the audience, being herself.  It's very funny at times, and, not having heard her before, her singing voice is a big and very pleasant surprise.  A fun and resolutely silly way to spend an hour.

Drever, McCusker, Woomble, Brunton Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

 The trio reunited, and accompanied by McCuskers Irish cousin on harmonium, fiddle and vocals.  They looked delighted to be back together, back in front of a live audience, and joked about their lack of practice time.  You wouldn't have known...

They mostly stuck to weel kent material from their magnificent album Before The Ruin, but each had a chance to perform some of their own solo work too.  Drever on his own sang a couple of songs from his own recent albums, McCusker played a few tunes with his cousin, and Drever joined them to add his accompaniment, while Woomble sang a song from his first solo album.

Great music, plenty of laughs, lots of self deprecating humour.  McCusker is a good storyteller, Woomble laid back, Drever sharp.  A wonderful gig.