EdFringe Talk: Made In Scotland Gigs presented by Wide Days

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“Helicon has never fitted neatly into one particular scene or genre, so being part of something this varied feels right for us.”

WHO: John-Paul Hughes

WHAT: “Made In Scotland partners with Wide Days music convention to showcase a diverse snapshot of some of the country’s most exciting acts. Line-up to be announced. Visit http://www.widedays.com for details.”

WHERE: Made In Scotland Gigs at La Belle Angele, Sneaky Pete’s and Bannerman’s Bar (Venue 301e) ** The show takes place across three music venues in the city: La Belle Angele, Sneaky Pete’s and Bannermans. Collect a stamp for entry to all venues from La Belle Angele from 19:00 on Monday 17 August **

WHEN: 19:00 (270 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

We’ve played Edinburgh before, but this is our first time appearing as part of the Fringe. It’s amazing, and something that makes us proud as Scots, but a little envious as Glaswegians, that for a few weeks, the whole city becomes completely consumed by creative people and their art. Some of those will be brilliant. Some will be absolutely bonkers. But that’s kinda the whole point. Helicon has never fitted neatly into one particular scene or genre, so being part of something this varied feels right for us.

I think the key to a great festival is that it should introduce you to something you didn’t know you liked. That’s true whether you’re a performer or a punter; the buzz of a good festival is stepping into the unknown, the element of surprise that can evolve or even completely change the direction of your artistic tastes for years to come.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The biggest lesson of the last year is ‘kill your darlings’, as the old creative saying goes.
It’s easier than killing your bandmates.

In making our new record, you quickly learn that 9 musicians will never agree on everything, but if you stay true to the vision, channel it positively, and you’re all working to the same goal of making the music the best it can be, then it will be a force for good.
Sometimes you need to learn when to let go of an idea and allow someone else to take it somewhere you wouldn’t, as it can result in something better than any of you could have made alone.

Nobody is dead or in prison yet, and we made an amazing album, so we must have absorbed some of those lessons.

Tell us about your show.

We play La Belle Angele at 9:20pm on Monday 17th August as part of Made in Scotland Gigs, presented by Wide Days in partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The live show is built around ARISE, our collaborative album with Los Angeles beat-culture artist AL LOVER. We recorded it at Mogwai’s Castle of Doom studio in Glasgow with producer Tony Doogan, combining the psychedelic rock, sitar and live drums from our side with AL’s drum machines, samplers and approach to beat-making. The themes within ARISE confront a culture of individualism at the mercy of opportunistic grifters, offering a reminder that empathy, compassion, and authenticity are still choices we can all make. Released on Fuzz Club records in Feb 2026, it reached No 20 in the Official UK Album Downloads Chart https://helicon-allover.lnk.to/arise

We’ve already toured the album around the UK and Europe this year and have a new 20-min documentary filmed at the time of the recording, called WE SOUND LIKE HELICON with screening premieres and a public release in August/September. https://www.heliconglasgow.com/we-sound-like-helicon

After Edinburgh, we have live shows and documentary screenings in Manchester, Glasgow, Chelmsford, London, Leeds, Hull, Aberdeen, Bristol and Dundee. And a few more to announce soon. It appears we like to keep ourselves busy and then complain about being tired.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Your Made in Scotland Gigs ticket gets you into 3 venues in 1 day, so use it properly to see as many of the 8 acts across La Belle Angele, Sneaky Pete’s and Bannerman’s. It’s such a diverse lineup: Azamiah, Bikini Body, Haiver, Cathal Murphy, Dar Dubh, Fright Years, Haiver Tom Campbell Trio and of course, Helicon.

But whatever you do, just push yourself out of your comfort zone and go experience something new at the festival; it might change your life, or it might be utter shite. It doesn’t matter. That’s the joy of allowing yourself to be creatively curious.

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