Edinburgh: Rose Theatre pop-up music venue set to be city’s hottest ticket

A pop up live music venue that will offer the freewheeling feel of the original Fringe, and feature many of Scotland’s most talented performers, is set to open its doors in early August on Rose Street.

Joining forces to run the month-long pop up live music venue at The Rose Theatre (Venue 76), are two independent organisations - the Soundhouse live music charity and Edinburgh-based Bellfield Brewery.

Located at the west end of Rose Street (Charlotte Square end) and open from 4pm to midnight 7 days a week, The Rose Theatre will feature two ticketed performances a day in the Cabaret Bar and main theatre alongside spontaneous, pop-up performances in the child and dog friendly Café Bar area, curated by Soundhouse.

Over 25 days the venue will host 50 jazz, folk and other concerts featuring many of Scotland’s most talented performers. Some of those already confirmed are Fergus McCreadie, Aidan O’Rourke, Su-a Lee, Shooglenifty, Roddy Woomble, Mr McFall’s Chamber and Georgia Cécile.

Douglas Robertson from Soundhouse said “We’ll present a showcase of the best of Scottish music at this year’s Fringe: we believe our series will be the best that the Fringe has seen in living memory.

“Events at the Rose Theatre will provide the excitement, spontaneity and creativity that has long been replaced by the crass commercialism of the London-owned mega-venues around Edinburgh University.

“Great music, great beer, great venue! What’s not to like?”

Speaking about the venture, Bellfield’s Alistair Brown said, “Together we will offer some of the Fringe Festival’s most exciting acts alongside award winning, locally-brewed craft beers. Locals and visitors will receive the same friendly welcome from our team that they get in our Abbeyhill Taproom (voted the best Taproom in Scotland 2022).”

Ticket prices are set at £15.00: tickets are available from the Fringe Society via https://bit.ly/RoseTheatreFringe

The Soundhouse Organisation draws on the success of Edinburgh Tradfest whose popularity grows year on year. Bellfield Brewery’s previous festival experience includes a collaboration with Pianodrome at the Old Royal High School in 2022 and the Hidden Door Festival earlier in 2023.

The partners hope to repeat their Festival successes this year at The Rose Theatre where they have secured a month-long lease, prior to the building being redeveloped.