Leave your troubles at the doors of The Famous Spiegeltent and step into Edinburgh's own mélange of cabaret and circus, the international Olivier Award-winning sensation, La Clique. Come raise a glass to the 21st Birthday of this trailblazing icon of entertainment! Sexy, funny, dangerous, this special edition of the show, with its ever-changing cast of legacy meets latest, is a triumphant celebration showcasing visceral, ethereal and in-your-face acts. Over your head, under your skin, below the belt – hang onto your hat and strap yourself in – we present… La Clique!

La Clique

Performed entirely by very talented students, Captivate’s production has been seen by an estimated 22,000 people, with sell-out crowds, standing ovations and multiple five-star reviews. Les Mis is the story of love, compassion and redemption, featuring hit songs I Dreamed A Dream, Bring Him Home and many more. Don’t be put off by School Edition. 'From beginning to end, the show is faultless... Captivate's production of Les Misérables blows every other musical at the Fringe completely out of the water. A musical masterpiece – book your tickets now before it's too late' (TheReviewsHub.com).


Les Misérables (School Edition)

Captivate Theatre is thrilled to bring Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd to the Edinburgh Fringe: a show that extends the stage to the audiences and draws them into its storytelling in a way that is as much felt and shared as it is enjoyed and appreciated. Its ghoulish coaxing draws us into an unforgettable experience. The dark streets of Victorian London come to life in this thrilling production of Sweeney Todd by Captivate Theatre. ‘With so little, Captivate creates so much spectacle’ (TheWeeReview.com). ‘Bloodily brilliant’ (AllEdinburghTheatre.com).


Sweeney Todd

The Paris icon and the Glasgow girl. This is not a tribute show! Christine Bovill established her reputation as one of Europe's finest interpreters of French song with her smash-hit Piaf. With a fresh take on this self-penned work, she now returns with Piaf Revisite, and to the venue of her original triumphs, looking back on her remarkable journey. At the heart of the story is a young Glasgow girl, reluctant in school French until she heard No Regrets. Her journey is interwoven with Edith Piaf's life and those incredible songs.

Christine Bovill: Piaf Revisited

Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Niki King returns to The Famous Spiegeltent for two nights only with acclaimed show TIME. Named 2024 Scottish Jazz Vocalist, King is hailed 'the outstanding Scottish female vocalist of our times' (List). Following a sell-out Fringe debut, this powerful version draws from her latest album, described as 'positively cathartic' (Scotsman) and 'a cosmic masterpiece' (List). Blending a
powerhouse, straight from the soul, jazz-infused ensemble with new immersive voice recordings, TIME explores universal themes of love, loss and connection, hailed 'a truly miraculous experience…for music lovers and deep thinkers alike.' ***** (EdFestMag).

TIME

What are synths? Where did they come from? And why are they synonymous with cats in space? Laurie’s got answers. Part live gig, part TedTalk, 'original and groundbreaking' (Kryztoff.com) synthstar Laurie Back tells the history of the sound of the future through seven decades of synth tunes.

Laurie Black: Deadly Synths

Introducing The Unfair Advantage: an intimate, unique and unprecedented hour-long theatrical event. Take a seat at the card table, sign a legal contract of secrecy and Australia's leading sleight-of-hand magician Harry Milas will reveal the secrets behind the skill that saw him become a security weapon for the world's top casinos.

The Unfair Advantage

A double bill of the best African sounds from Scotland – an evening of exuberant afrobeat, mbalax, ska, reggae dance grooves. Samba Sene and Diwan is an eclectic mix of musicians, led by charismatic Dakar-born singer Samba Sene. The music is a thrilling fusion of funky mbalax/afrobeat grooves, with undercurrents of ska, rock and Senegalese soul. **** (Scotsman). **** (BroadwayBaby.com). Makossa is a long-standing Edinburgh institution, a feel-good band, led by Peter Akyeampong, with influences from African to Latin, funk, reggae and classic rock. All with a West African flavour.

Samba Sene and Diwan + Makossa

Black Cat Bone bring their raw, raucous, blues-infused rock 'n' roll back to the Famous Spiegeltent after their sell-out show in July. Fresh off the release of their electrifying album Tales of the Amplified, mixed and mastered by legendary Oasis producer Owen Morris and released by Assai Records. When you see Black Cat Bone live, you'll feel the primal force of their music: thunderous guitar riffs, pounding drums, prowling, fuzzy basslines and a haunting voice that carries the ecstasy and agony of a lifetime. 'Soaked in soul, sweat and unapologetic swagger' (Edinburgh Evening News).

Black Cat Bone (+ Special Guests)

Award-winning troubadour Dean Owens occupies the unlikely common ground between post-industrial Scotland, America’s desert states and the lush Italian hills. The Sinners make a glorious, brass-infused, driving sound with electric guitar, trumpet and double bass, with Dean’s searingly soulful voice upfront. A thrilling, unique blend of Scottish roots and rocky Americana, with added desert noir. Expect a joyous, melancholy mix of songs and stories from Dean’s 12-album career, including his Calexico collaborations.  The heart of a rock’n’roller combined with the spellbinding delivery of folk’s best storytellers. **** (Rolling Stone). **** (Mojo).

Dean Owens and The Sinners 

Spawned from the core of indie faves Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, led by the menacing presence of Martin Metcalfe, their live show is a darkly magnetic experience: gothic blues meets alternative rock in a cinematic descent through Edinburgh’s shadowy underbelly. Pounding rhythms, brooding melodies and razor-sharp storytelling will leave you spellbound. With four critically acclaimed albums under their belt, including 2024’s Black Valentine (storming to number 3 (Scottish chart), number 37 (official UK)), this is a band at the peak of their powers. Catch them now – before the city swallows you whole.


The Filthy Tongues

Award-winning singer/songwriter Kirsten Adamson (daughter of rock legend Stuart Adamson (Big Country, Skids)) summons the same heart-stopping purity as Sandy Denny, by way of Emmylou Harris and Kate Bush, with an engaging mix of Americana Country Pop. Having recently finished recording Dreamviewer (follow-up to 2023’s critically acclaimed Landing Place), with award-winning producer/multi-instrumentalist Joe Harvey-Whyte and impressed audiences and critics with sellout tours, festivals (including British Country Music Festival), and tours with Horse and Nazareth, 2025 is set to be the year Adamson creates some big waves. Support: The Marriage (Duo with Kirsten and Dave Burn).

Kirsten Adamson and The Tanagers

A stunning double bill. Broken Windows are a group of original rootsy and wild creations, taking their tones dynamically from blues, folk-rock and psychedelia for a classic stage buzzing live performance featuring some of Scotland’s finest players led by force of nature singer Liz Jones. 'As nifty as it is exuberant' (Rock-N-Reel.co.uk). Multi-instrumentalist, singer Steve Ray Ladson (sometime member of Blind Boys of Alabama) specialises in what he calls Blackgrass Brothercana – which blew away the audience and judges when he recently performed on America’s Got Talent. 'Love it!' (Simon

Liz Jones and Broken Windows + Steve Ray Ladson CANCELLED

Popular tribute to the three Blues greats, by one of Edinburgh’s most accomplished Blues bands, showcasing many of the greatest and best-known Blues songs ever written and performed by BB King, Albert King and Freddie King.  Including The Thrill Is Gone, Born Under a Bad Sign, See See Baby, Let the Good Times Roll and many more, all performed with Main Street’s trademark high energy and flair. 'Simply first class' (PAndJLive.com). 'A groove so solid you could drive a ten-tonne truck over it' (BritishBluesArchive.org.uk). **** (BroadwayBaby.com).


Kings of the Blues

SAY Award nominee and twice shortlisted for BBC Young Musician of the Year, acclaimed Edinburgh singer-songwriter Adam Holmes is one of the brightest stars on the UK roots music scene. An old soul on young shoulders, he combines masterful songwriting and a mellifluous, enchanting voice, mixing traditional and contemporary folk songs with his own brand of folky soul and Americana. Joined by some very special guests for this one-off show, musical medicine for the soul! 'The balm of John Martyn and the yearning of Neil Young' (Scotsman). 'Best male voice of his generation' (Courier).


Adam Holmes (+ Special Guests)

Championed by Steve Earle, Roseanne is a BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award nominee, and the daughter of Proclaimer Craig Reid. Two well-received albums – Trails (produced by Teddy Thompson) and Lawside – have cemented her reputation as a songwriter of remarkable maturity, with a distinctive, self-assured, sweetly melancholic delivery. Support: the inimitable Fay Fife (Rezillos), performing with her alt country Countess of Fife band member, guitarist Brian McFie (ahead of her full band run at The Voodoo Rooms later in the month). 'Outstanding songwriter' (Steve Earle). 'A talent and maturity awesomely beyond her years' (Sue Wilson).

The Famous Spiegeltent

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