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MARIA TECCE VIVA! You could probably throw a Liza Minnelli biography down the High Street and you’d hit someone who’s starred in a Broadway show such are the numbers of Yank showtune belters here, fighting for an audience to bellow at in August. Thankfully the cream floats to the top and vocal drama queen Maria Tecce comes to us from NYC, via Dublin and Boston, with a voice to melt butter and a repertoire of classics to die for, from Tom Waits to Nina Simone. Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, until 30 Aug (not 17, 24), 10.05pm, £11–12 (£10–11). 5QUESTIONS

Hitlist FESTIVAL MUSIC *

✽✽ GRV three-day music festival A weekend of performances just below Chambers Street, featuring the gypsy-punk mash-up of Punch and the Apostles, Edinburgh grunge from Ritalin Kids and indie-punk from The 10:04s. The GRV, 220 2987, 14–16 Aug, times vary, price TBC. ✽✽ St Kilda A multi-media opera extravaganza inspired by ‘the Birdmen’ of St Kilda, who made a living from the cliff- dwelling seabirds on the remote Scottish island. Festival Theatre, 473 2000, 15–17 Aug, 8pm, £10–£30. ✽✽ The Juan McLean There are echoes of LCD Soundsystem’s dancey rock sound to John McLean’s outfit, which makes sense when you twig James Murphy was once McLean’s sound engineer. See preview, page 56. Cabaret Voltaire, 0844 499 9090, 17 Aug, 7pm, £8.50. ✽✽ Young Fathers and Unicorn Kid No actual premature parenting here, just rapping, dub and convulsing pop from the YF, plus the Leith teenager who’s been making rainbow coloured waves, after he was asked to remix the Pet Shop Boys. See feature, page 54. Cabaret Voltaire, 0844 499 9090, 17 Aug, 7pm, £7. ✽✽ Scotland at Night The choir Laudibus delivers a candelit concert themed around night-time, with ceilidh-inspired musical arrangements. See preview, page 54. St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 226 000, 15 Aug, 10pm, £14 (£10). ✽✽ Broken Records This Edinburgh group’s tuneful cacophony of ukelele, guitar, violin, glockenspiel (and plenty more) had a festival gig at the Liquid Rooms last year; now they’re on the rise and rise and playing the Queen’s Hall. Queen’s Hall, 0844 499 9090, 17 Aug, 7pm, £10. For venue addresses see index page 88.

Edinburgh songwriter Dean Owens might feel just peachy about knocking out spectral acoustica like some Edinburgh Elvis Costello or something, but just don’t ask him about public transport 5 words to describe your show Guitars, songs, chat, happiness and misery! 4 shows you’re looking forward to during August Irvine Welsh; Kris Drever; the legendary Dick Gaughan; the inspirational Edwyn Collins. 3 things you love about Edinburgh in August The late opening times; the buzz; the amount of amazing entertainment right on my doorstep. 2 things you hate about Edinburgh in August The tram works on Princes Street, the tram works on Shandwick Terrace and the tram works on Leith Walk; people moaning about the tram works! 1 word that sums up how you feel about performing Privileged. Dean Owens, Acoustic Music Centre@St Bride’s, 346 1405, 17 & 18 Aug, 6.30pm, £10 (£8).

13–20 Aug 2009 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 53