If someone mentions Army musicians what springs to mind? Changing of the Guard, The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, perhaps a sombre rendition of The Last Post.
All very much part and parcel of what they do, but they have many other dimensions too.
Take Colour Sergeant Dougie Anderson of the Lowland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, for example. Yes he can be found at many being ceremonial events but on 6-7 August he’ll be doing something very different, playing as part of the house band for Live @ The Drill Hall, two nights of variety entertainment hosted by broadcaster Mark McKenzie as part of Army@TheFringe.
Trumbone and guitar at the ready Dougie (whose military career has included seeing service in Iraq) will be performing alongside two civilian musicians – his wife Jo (the senior biologist for Forth Rivers Trust) and his son Calum who is studying at Napier University and is the front man for Sintide.
Live @ The Drill Hall takes place at the historic Hepburn House Army Reserve Centre in Edinburgh’s New Town and audiences can attend in person or watch it live streamed online.
As ever the Edinburgh Fringe venue will be staffed by serving Army personnel – who have been busy transforming part of the building into a COVID-safe performance space.
The Live @ The Drill Hall variety show line-ups include:
· MC Hammersmith – improvised rap
· Harry Harris – folk singer/songwriter
· Hoopology by Delighters – hula hoops
· Kate Ireland – queer spoken word
· Jay McAllister – stand-up comedy
· Lou McLean – singer/songwriter.
There will also be Page2Stage sessions presenting new work by emerging Edinburgh playwrights Izzy Gray and Charlotte Laidig.
Tickets are available from Edfringe.com or www.armyatthefringe.org.
