Edinburgh’s Soundhouse Winter Festival returns with a five‑day mix of jazz, folk and indie stars and fresh Scottish talent.
The Soundhouse Winter Festival is back in Edinburgh for its third edition, bringing a five-day programme of home-grown jazz, folk and indie music to the historic Traverse Theatre. Running from Thursday, November 26 through Monday, November 30 the event coincides with St Andrew’s Day and the traditional Fair Saturday weekend, offering a cultural antidote to the usual shortbread-and-pipes routine.
Organisers Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy emphasise that the festival aims to showcase the full breadth of contemporary Scottish music. As they put it, “It seems to us that no one is very sure what to do with St Andrew’s Day beyond re-enacting a shortbread tin scene with pre-recorded pipers and kilted dancers.
We want to do a lot better than that and celebrate the enormous breadth and quality of music being made in Scotland right now.” Backed by Creative Scotland and the National Lottery, the festival is positioned as a cornerstone of the city’s winter cultural calendar.
Headliners, special commissions and the 10th-anniversary choir
The opening night features a free performance by the Soundhouse Choir celebrating its 10th anniversary. Founder Heather Macleod explains, “It’s really lovely and fitting that this concert, which celebrates ten years of Soundhouse Choir, also celebrates our partnership with the Soundhouse Organisation. To see how they’ve both grown over the years into such an active and important part of Edinburgh and Scotland’s rich musical tapestry is a joy.” The choir’s reputation for inventive collaborations sets the tone for the rest of the week.
Among the headline acts, Irish singer-songwriter Heidi Talbot and Ivor Novello-nominated Boo Hewerdine bring seasoned folk prowess, while Scottish indie duo Sacred Paws add a post-punk edge. Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Jake Cogan will preview material from his upcoming album, and the award-winning queer bagpiper, fiddler and instrument maker Malin Lewis will appear with her trio, offering a fresh take on traditional sounds.
A brand-new commission titled Space for Dreaming has been written by contemporary musician Harben Kay. He explains, “I’m absolutely over the moon to be part of this year’s Soundhouse Winter Festival. This project couldn’t have come at a better time for me… I’ve brought together artists I deeply admire, regardless of genre, and I am so excited to hear what they bring to my compositions.” The piece will be performed by a five-piece ensemble featuring Kay, vocalist Pippa Blundell, trumpeter Danielle Price, guitarist Brodie Laird-Jarvie and drummer Stephen Henderson.
Emerging talent, workshops and community engagement
The festival also shines a spotlight on Scotland’s next generation of jazz artists. Glasgow saxophonist Nor singer-songwriter Laura Osa and tenor saxophonist Zoe Downs each have dedicated spotlight concerts, underscoring the event’s commitment to nurturing new voices.
Audience participation is encouraged through a jazz singing workshop led by songwriter and vocal educator Sophie Bancroft and a street-band techniques session run by specialists Oi Musica. These interactive elements aim to demystify performance practice and invite attendees to experience music-making firsthand.
In addition to the headline roster, the programme includes performances by The Deep Blue who have only played in Edinburgh once before, as well as acts such as Haftor Medbøe, Konrad Wiszniewski and Cera Impala, who will debut songs from her forthcoming album Persephone. The eclectic mix ensures that audiences encounter a spectrum of styles, from avant-garde improvisation to melodic folk storytelling.
Tickets are available via the festival’s official website, and the organisers hope the diverse line-up will attract both longtime supporters of the Scottish music scene and newcomers eager to explore the country’s vibrant winter soundscape.
