'We Believe in Planet Pop' - since 1996, the
motto of acts such as Belle and Sebastian, Idlewild, and Teenage
Fanclub, as Edinburgh's longest-standing music festival - still
staunchly independent in the face of competition from corporately-sponsored
rock, and still providing an alternative to high-brow theatre,
low-rent comedy, and blokes painted silver pretending to be robots.
This year's programme commences on August 4th at La Belle Angele
with bis, The Silver Pill, Huckleberry, When Pilots Eject (formerly
Annie Christian) and Torqamada. In accordance with the show's
title, bands will perform a cover version of a song by a previously-performing
act. Their choice offers quality and quantity - apart from those
mentioned above, alumni also include the Fall, Pavement (via Steven
Malkmus) and Mogwai.
If you like your music with more of a dancey edge then on the
7th it's Ugly Duckling - acclaimed hiphoppers who hint at the
pop style of De La Soul. Support is from Belfast collective Olympic
Lifts - a flurry of ill-fitting suits and cantankerous rhythms,
they're a must-see live act. And on the 8th, Babacool construct
dance beats with an epic feel, while Terrapins Found Us, despite
the name, make quite serious melodic rock.
For the next 4 weeks, prepare to worship at the altar of Planet
Pop.