After previewing Glasgow Summer Sessions taking place at the start of the summer months, closing out what will hopefully be another stunning Scottish summer will be a run of shows in Edinburgh from Friday 21st-Saturday 29th August. With a setting of the Royal Highland Showgrounds, Edinburgh Summer Sessions continue to showcase a wide range of genres and styles meaning that no matter your taste, there’ll be at least one gig which will grab your attention.
Opening Edinburgh’s Summer Sessions on Friday 21st August are none other than Scottish heroes Biffy Clyro. Having recently toured the UK in the support of latest album ‘Futique’, I can confirm that they are very much still in top form. Although it remains to be seen if James Johnston will make a return to line up, we wish him the best in his recovery. Also joining the line up are Nothing But Thieves and Edinburgh’s very own Swim School.
Next up on Saturday 22nd August is a new family-focused festival, Heather On The Hill. This fantastic idea from Nathan Evans & The Saint Phnx Band is a great day out for all the family providing all sorts of activities such as arts and crafts and yoga as well as a loaded line up of live music which also includes Cian Ducrot, Skerryvore, Brooke Combe, Cammy Barnes, Rose Betts and Nati.
Returning to Summer Sessions after a pre-covid headliner in Glasgow are goth rock legends, The Cure. It’s no surprise this is already a sell out, given the success and popularity of their last couple of appearances in this part of the world. Joining them on Sunday 23rd August are Mogwai, Slowdive and Just Mustard.
Heading now in an indie-folk direction, on Monday 24th August we have a headliner performance from Florence + The Machine. Florence landed her fifth No.1 album at the end of 2025 with ‘Everybody Scream’ continuing to set the world alight with her ethereal tunes. After taking this album on tour earlier in the year, Florence has already confirmed a run of festival dates for the summer. Catch her in Edinburgh with Self Esteem and Jacob Alon.
Fans of girl pop assemble. Lorde is back and better than ever and she brought some friends. The collective line up of this show itself may be one of the greatest bookings of the Summer Sessions run this year across both cities. Not only will you get to hear tracks from Lorde‘s new critically acclaimed album ‘Virgin’ but it will also be a chance to see Swedish it girl Zara Larsson in action. Whether it’s doing the Lush Life dance or trying to execute the Midnight Sun lift, Zara has become a viral sensation in the past year. These pop juggernauts will be joined by up and comers Audrey Hobert and Alessi Rose whose popularity only continues to grow. On Tuesday 25th August, Royal Highland Showgrounds is most certainly where it’s at.
There’s a days rest before Deftones take to the stage. The American alt-metal group’s popularity has exploded again in recent times with them gaining traction with younger fans discovering their music for the first time. With a sell out show at the Hydro earlier in the year, the next step was of course a festival headline set. What a way to make their Summer Sessions debut. Also on the bill are Idles and Ecco Vandal.
Closing out the Edinburgh Summer Sessions programme for 2026 is a night for the ravers. The Prodigy have been regular visitors north of the border since they rose to fame in the 90s, I have no doubt it’ll be a night to remember with fellow dance acts Carl Cox, David Rodigan, ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, Scalded and Arcadia Bug completing the line up.
Get tickets for all events HERE!
