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Edinburgh Reporter

Free music festival at St James Quarter this August

St James Quarter Sessions is coming back for the third time from 15 to 24 August. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe at St James Quarter includes more than 60 acts performing in the canopied development, including the Level 6 rooftop, which has panoramic views of the city, on one of the most unique festival stages. Hot on the heels of the band's 30th anniversary tour, 90s icons The Brand New Heavies, will be bringing acid-jazz hits such as 'You Are The Universe' and 'Midnight At The Oasis' to Edinburgh. Fans can expect a stacked set of classic tunes, heavy bass lines and hypnotic rhythms from one of the band's that helped to establish acid-jazz in popular culture in the 90s. Winner of the Scottish Music Awards' Sound of Scotland award and previously BBC Introducing's Scottish Act of the Year, Glasgow rapper Bemz will begin this year's main event with a Friday night performance on the Level 6 Castle View stage. Having toured with the likes of The Snuts, Bemz has been building a reputation as a leading light in Scotland's hip-hop scene. Fresh from making her Glastonbury debut this year, Cortney Dixon is poised to set the rooftop on fire with a set of indie-pop anthems. Expect fuzz laden guitars and a raucous performance from the North East's latest hot property. Cortney Dixon Grassroots music body Wide Days will be taking over the Castle View stage with their New From Scotland series, showcasing Scotland's hottest new talent. Festival-goers can enjoy the industry's top picks of future Scottish stars on Friday 22 August before they reach the masses. Scheduled to appear on the Level 3 Yellow Stage and hailing from Cromarty, critically acclaimed Highlands singer songwriter, Tamzene will bring her unique sound to Sessions. She will deliver an intimate set of R&B‑tinged pop ballads set to mesmerise festival goers with candid lyricism and haunting melodies that draw on a nuanced mix of Irish, Jamaican and Highland roots. Nigerian-born and Edinburgh-raised, James Emmanuel will also be performing his soulful sounds on the Yellow Stage on Level 3 of the Galleria. Raised as the son of a preacher, he first found his voice in gospel choirs, a grounding that shaped his soulful sound from the beginning. Now backed by BBC Introducing, James draws inspiration from legends like Marvin Gaye and Bobby 'Blue' Bland, James brings a timeless quality to stories that feel deeply personal and human. After their first headline tour since releasing their debut album in 2024, Scottish duo The Laurettes will be bringing their unique take on Celtic-folk to the Sessions stage, supported by their all-female band. The Laurettes Elsewhere on the bill Dara Dubh, Beth Miller, Ant Thomaz, Indoor Foxes, Dictator, Justine Beverley and more home‑grown talent will perform on other stages throughout St James Quarter. Dara Dubh Festival-goers can sign up for free tickets, set times and stage information by downloading the St James Quarter App, which allows everyone to stay updated with events happening throughout the destination for Sessions and beyond. Susan Hewlett, Festival Creator at St James Quarter, said: 'At a time when festival ticket prices have never been higher and independent venues are closing across the country, we're not only putting on this incredible line-up for free, but also giving existing and emerging artists the platform to continue being heard and discovered. We've even got clean toilets, no mud, and food and drink venues on tap – what more could you ask from a free music festival in one of the best cities in the UK.' The warm-up to this year's St James Quarter Sessions will champion Edinburgh's rich grassroots music scene by offering the next generation of Scottish stars a series of pop-up busking performances appearing throughout the destination. Running throughout August, musicians can apply for a paid performance slot with applications on Picture – Chris Watt Photography Picture – Chris Watt Photography Picture – Chris Watt Photography Like this: Like Related