list.co.uk/festival Previews | FESTIVAL MUSIC

OTWAY ‘Rock’s greatest failure’ wins audiences over

John Otway is one of British music's great eccentrics. His half-talking / half-singing style has made him one of the country's most enduring live performers despite a distinct lack of record sales. ‘When I was about nine years old I decided I wanted to be a pop star and my mother, quite rightly, thought I was being stupid, as she thought I should pick something that I was good at,’ laughs Otway. His manic performance of 'Really Free' on The Old Grey Whistle Test scored Otway his first hit single. ‘It started as punk rock in 1977 and it's evolved from there into places you wouldn't imagine punk evolving into,’ adds Otway. His self-deprecating humour and unpredictable live shows won Otway an army of devoted fans who have stuck with him through good times and bad. Career highlights include performing on The Young Ones; headlining at the Albert Hall and scoring a second hit in 2002 with 'Bunsen Burner' all of which has been charted in Rock and Roll's Greatest Failure: Otway the Movie.

He'll be hard to miss in Edinburgh. 'I've invested, I bought a Sinclair C5 on eBay. There are always hundreds of people handing out flyers and nobody reads them, but my theory is that if I drive about in my C5 everyone will spot me.' (Henry Northmore) Jam House, 226 4380, until 22 Aug (not 9, 12, 16 & 19), 8pm, free.

THIS IS CEILIDH Traditional Scottish knees-up

Why should cabaret acts and comedy clubs supply all the after-hours Fringe fun? This Is Ceilidh is an all-fiddling, all-piping, all-dancing hoolie from the producers of former Fringe crowdpleasers Eurobeat and Jerry Springer: The Opera which is poised to become this year’s late-night audience participation destination.

Former Red Hot Chilli Piper Stuart Cassells has assembled a revolving band of musicians including a number of graduates from the Royal Conservatoire’s Scottish music course, plus more established hands such as piper Lorne MacDougall along with Martin O’Neill of Treacherous Orchestra on bodhran to supply a non-stop 90-minute ceilidh soundtrack, with theatrical performance elements and comic interludes popping up between Dashing White Sergeants. Anyone who has witnessed a visceral crowd reaction to the rhythm of a reel already knows that there ain’t no party like a ceilidh party. Equally, there’s nothing like a Gay Gordons to start the day, so family-friendly sister show Ready, Steady, Ceilidh!, hosted by CBBC’s Iain Stirling, also runs throughout the Fringe, introducing kids to the energetic release of ceilidh dancing free from the social embarrassment of the school dancing lesson. (Fiona Shepherd) This is Ceilidh, until 24 Aug (not 11), 11pm, £16–£18; Ready Steady Ceilidh!, until 25 Aug (not 11), 12.30pm, £10–£12, both Assembly George Square, 623 3030.

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FIVE OF THE BEST . . . SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC SHOWS Dloko High School Choir A 30-strong school choir from Dloko, a poor township on the outskirts of Durban. They perform on their own in Jabulani, while Township Voices features gospel, Zulu songs and dance, and collaborations with Scottish stars, including The Voice finalist Anna McLuckie. Jabulani, St Andrew's & St George's West, 225 3847, until 11 Aug (not 9 & 10), times vary, £10 (£8); Township Voices, 0844 693 3008, Assembly Rooms, 12–14 Aug, 7.55pm, £15 (£12).

Simply Soweto Encha With sharp suits and slick dance moves, this 5-piece resembles a classic Motown vocal group. Their a cappella sound draws on African- American traditions, blending soul, gospel, jazz and doo-wop influences with their South African roots. A big hit at the Fringe, using harmony and rhythm instead of props and musicians. just Festival, 226 0000, until 25 Aug (not 7, 14, 21, 24), times vary, £15 (£13).

Soweto Melodic Voices A welcome Fringe return for this Soweto choir (pictured), whose members grew up in poverty, orphaned by HIV / AIDS. Resplendent in colourful traditional costumes and make-up, the choir's repertoire ranges from soulful gospel to joyous dance. just Festival, 226 0000, until 23 Aug (not 10, 13 & 14, 17, 20), times vary, £12 (£10); Greyfriars Kirk, 17 Aug, 11am, free.

Soweto Spiritual Singers After reaching an audience of billions performing with R Kelly at the 2010 World Cup opening ceremony in Johannesburg, this choir bring their uplifting gospel sound to the Fringe, performing a cappella and instrumental music that blends South African styles with soul, pop and R&B. Underbelly, Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, until 25 Aug (not 12), 5pm, £14–£15 (£13–£14). Soweto Afro-Pop Opera Soweto Afro- Pop Opera bring a vibrant township style to pop, Motown and African music, and transform classical pieces and operatic arias with South African flair. Underbelly, Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, until 25 Aug (not 12), 12.55pm, £13–£14.50 (£11–£12).

(Stewart Smith)

7–14 Aug 2014 THE LIST FESTIVAL 71