Edinburgh Psych Fest review: Atmospheric highs and eclectic inspiration

The skies are overcast, rain is threatening and the Scottish summer appears to be over before it’s even started. That hasn’t deterred hundreds of music lovers from heading to Edinburgh Psych Fest though. It perhaps helps that the organisers have wisely swerved open-air venues for the event, spreading it instead over four locations each within a stone’s throw of the others in the Scottish capital.

The curtain is duly raised at Queen’s Hall by Welsh crooner Gruff Rhys, who draws one of the biggest crowds of the whole day despite his early billing. Having achieved mainstream success with the Super Furry Animals in the 90s, Rhys has since honed his craft across eight studio albums which showcase an impressive diversity in styles and influences. The full gamut is on display here, from the ELO-inspired 'Celestial Candyfloss' to the frenetic pop of 'Sensations in the Dark' to the dreamy mesmerism of his earlier Welsh-language work. It’s a strong opener to the day and sets the tone nicely for Edinburgh Psych Fest.

Back at Summerhall, local lads Logan’s Close are kicking things off in the Dissection Room. Dressed in open-collared shirts and sporting stylised curls, the band could easily have stepped right out of the 60s and their music is a reflection of that oeuvre, too. They fuse elements of the Monkees, the Beatles and the Kinks with outstanding execution thanks to the tight riffs and synchronised harmonies of frontmen Scott Rough and Carl Marah. The pair share the responsibilities of hitting the high notes and working the crowd, with their easy affability a major point of their appeal.

Elsewhere, Summerhall’s Old Lab hosts a very different kind of act. The aura and aesthetic of Crush of Souls couldn’t be further removed, with the cosy venue drenched in artificial smoke and illuminated by sinister red uplighting. Charles Rowell, the driving force behind the band, is dressed in dark shades and black apparel as he espouses his own form of nightmarish electronica. Tribal drum beats, echoing vocals and monotone intonation are the order of the day as Rowell brings innovation to his craft, at one point using a French press to distort the sounds emanating from his guitar.

Back up in the Dissection Room we change gears again, with HotWax bringing a high-energy dose of post-punk to the stage. The trio from Hastings-via-Brighton have taken the music world by storm of late, appearing on the same bill as The Strokes, supporting Royal Blood on tour and even earning a live shout-out from none other than Karen O. It’s not difficult to see that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer is an idol of lead vocalist Tallulah Sim-Savage, who has a similar raw dynamism and commanding stage presence. That spiky magnetism is epitomised in the vocal energy and towering guitar riffs throughout the set with tracks like 'I Wanna Be a Doll' and 'Barbie (Not Yours)', but especially on closer 'Rip It Out'.

Across at Queen’s Hall, another hotly-anticipated up-and-comer takes to the stage in the shape of Irish indie rockers NewDad. Their sound is softer and lower-key than HotWax, but they have a similar ability to enthral their audience through magnificent tapestries of sound, weaved by the collective and finessed by the distinctive lilt of lead singer Julie Dawson. Songs like 'Sickly Sweet', 'Angel' and 'I Don’t Recognise You' help to build a burgeoning euphoria within the venue, with a well-timed cover of The Cure’s 'Just Like Heaven' capitalising on that groundwork for an emotive singalong with the crowd.

Those laid-back vibes leave the stage with the Galway band and are quickly replaced by the in-your-face brashness of venue headliners Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs. Hailing from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the metal rockers don’t hold back, unleashing a sweat-laden set of 75 minutes of thrashing riffs and throaty vocals. More than one opportunistic crowd-surfer is swept up in proceedings as the roof is raised and the rabble is thoroughly roused to end the night. 

Meanwhile, Summerhall rounds things off in a lighter but no less energetic fashion with psychedelic pop darlings Temples. Couched somewhere between Tame Impala, The War on Drugs and LSD-era Beatles, their sound is an ideal fit for the ethos of the Edinburgh Psych Fest. 

For more gigs from across the UK, check out our UK Gig Guide Inspire Me page. 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

Header image credit: Piran Aston Photography