The Edinburgh International Festival has unveiled its programme for 2021.
The world’s largest arts festival will take place from August 7 to 29. Having been cancelled in 2020 due to the the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival will take place at a number of venues across the Scottish capital.
Featuring a diverse array of performers across the festival’s programme, the contemporary music programming features a number of well-known artists taking part in the Edinburgh Park area of the city. Damon Albarn will make a rare solo performance, performing songs from his new ambient project The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flow as well as songs from his thirty-year catalogue on Tuesday August 24. Laura Mvula, who is scheduled to release her third album Pink Noise in July will play on Sunday August 29, while black midi, who have just released their second album Cavalcade come to Edinburgh Park on Thursday August 19.
In addition, local heroes The Snuts, who became the first Scottish band to top the UK album charts with their debut W.L. in 14 years play on Wednesday August 11 while Black Country, New Road will appear on Monday August 23. The music over the period will also see Caribou make his festival debut on Saturday August 28, while Nadine Shah plays live on Wednesday August 18. The diverse bill will also feature Tide Lines (Monday August 9), The Staves (Tuesday August 10), Moses Boyd (Tuesday August 17), The Unthanks (Sunday August 22), The Comet Is Coming (Wednesday August 25), and Tune-Yards (Sunday August 29).
The full programme for this year’s Edinburgh International Festival can be found here.
Tickets will go on sale on Friday June 11.
Damon Albarn photo credit: Linda Brownlee