It seems inildly absurd. when you consider how they've now become such an intrinsic part of our summers. that there wasn't a serious open-air pop festival in Scotland until 1994. But then it doesn't seem that long ago that we were staggering about in Strathclyde Park Wlih Bjork and Cypress Hill for company at the inaugural T in the Park. A decade and several thousand bands later. the big T is all grown up and is set to follow the trend of the last few years by selling Out in advance.
The capacity has been Increased further this year to 55.000 each day and a new feature. the X Tent. goes some way to reinforcmg the idea that TITP is a haven for excellent new music such as Athlete. the Mars Volta and the Rapture as well as the
cherished stadium packers such as REM and Coldplay.
For full ticket details see entry. be/ow.
(Byres Road/Union Street. G/asggow and Cockbburn Street, Edinburgh) and FREE (Chisholm Street), £20.
I Feis and Eilein - Skye Festival (8-1 8 Jul)
Eleven non-stop days of Gaelic fun for everyone. including a wide-ranging selection of theatre, dance and tradition. Arrain Chaluim Chii/e, Isle of Skye. 01471 844207, prices vary.
I Thirteenth Summer Music Festival (9-12 July)
A series of chamber-music concerts presented by nine resident musicians. Strathgarry Concert Hall, Killiekrankie, 01 796 48 12 1 6, www. musicinb/airatho/l. com. £15 (£7.50).
I T in the Park (12-13 Jul) Scotland's biggest music festival reaches its tenth anniversary. On Saturday REM, Idlewild. the Music. Polyphonic Spree and Skin provide the sounds. and Coldplay headline Sunday with Supergrass. Sugababes. the Streets. Lemon Jelly and Royksopp all playing during the day. Ba/ado Airfield. Kinross. 0870 169 0100.
www. tinthepark. com or
www. ticketmaster. couk, £38.50—E 70,- weekend and camping £82.
I Crail Festival (16-27 Jul) Various events include concerts. jazz. folk, quizzes. children's w0rkshops. the Sea Queen Dance and the Lifeboat Gala. Various venues, Craii, 01333 451115, prices vary.
I Butelee Music and Arts Festival (18-21 Jul)
The Isle of Bute enjoys its first ever ButeLive festival this year. Organised by
22 THE LIST 22 May—5 Jun 2033
The Wickerman Festival
the registered charity of the same name. the fest aims to promote live performances across a wide range of music and the arts for locals and visitors alike. Highlights include Blondie tribute band Bleachie. kids entertainer Mr Boom, folkmeisters Wolfstone. Johnny Beattie's one man show From Broadway to Cowdenbeath and an array of workshops and street entertainers. Various venues, Isle of Bute. 07 700 502151, 230—5345.
I Summer Music Festival 2003 (18-20 Jul; 25-27 Jul)
Two weekends of chamber music focusing on the Viennese tradition in the magnificent setting of the Regency Picture Gallery. Paxton House, Berwick- upon-Tweed. 0141 339 2708. wwwpaxtonhousecom, £15 (£13).
I The Wicker Man Festival
(1 8-20 Jul)
As the ultimate alternative Scottish festival, the WM showcases an eclectic brew of cult and world music. This year's highlights include Superman, Bad Manners and many more alongside Japanese and West African musicians adding their own unique sonic blend to the proceedingsEast
Kirkcarswe/i Farm, Dundrennan, Kirkcudbright, 01557 500249.
www. thewr'ckermanfestivai. co. uk.
I Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival (25 Jul-3 Aug)
Over 120 events in ten days with visiting acts from across the world. including avant garde to New Orleans styles across the city. Expect low-key melodies. powerful jazz singing and contemporary interpretations and you won't be disappointed. Various venues. Edinburgh, 0131 467 5200. www.1azzmusic. co. uk, prices vary.
I Speyfest (31 Jul- 3 Aug)
This year's event promises to be the largest in the histOry of Speyfest, with its usual high quality of pan-Celtic music and traditional dance attracting performers from around the world. as well as esteemed Scottish musicians and singers including Ally Bain. Phil Cunningham and Cach Ach Cruidh. Playing Fields, Fochabers. 01343 829022, wwwspeyfestcouk, prices vary.
I The Edinburgh Military Tattoo (1 -23 Aug)
A landmark Cultural event with a unique blend of music. ceremony. entertainment and spectacle. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, 08707 555 1 188, www.edintattoo.co.uk. 29—22850.
I Royal Burgh of Pittenween Arts Festival (2-1 0 Aug)
Week long arts related events. including 60 exhibitions. drama. music. poetry and workshops. The Saturday night features a performance from the
Scottish equivalent of the Three Tenors. R3. Var/Ous venues. Pittenween, 01333 3 12 1 68. www. pittenweenartfestivai. co.uk, prices vary.
I Edinburgh Festival Fringe (3-25 Aug)
The largest Cultural festival in the world returns to the capital wrth comedy. theatre. music and dance. Expect new plays from David Harrower, Suspect Culture. Grid Iron and Theatre Talipot, a one-woman show by Janet Street~ Porter. a play performed in a public toilet. another about Alex ‘Hurricane' Higgins. plus theatrical ventures from Ed Byrne. Jo Brand and Daniel Kitson. The Spiegeltent moves to George Square. the Assembly Rooms is taking over a church in the West End and there's talk of a tent in the space left by the burnt down Gilded BallOOn. The programme is launched on 5 June (order a copy online) and tickets go on sale on 16 June. Look out for the 2-for- 1 ticket deal on 3 and 4 August. Various venues. Edinburgh, 0137 226 0026, wwwedfringecom, prices vary. I Edinburgh lntemational Book Festival (9-25 Aug)
The east-west theme continues from
Hurricane