Since Yesterday: The Unsung Women Pioneers of Scottish Pop

Leith Theatre

Edinburgh International Festival’s Light on the Shore series of gigs has been rather maledominated, so it was good to see this package gig provide a fierce reminder that women have always made great music in Scotland.

With support from the indierock Van-ts and last year’s Scottish Album of the Year Award winners Sacred Paws – and a closing set from the sublimely disco-punk Bossy Love – singer and guitarist Carla Easton had assembled an excellent group of female musicians as backing band for the main Since Yesterday set.

The format involved bringing guest singers out for short two-song guest sets, and there were many welcome blasts from the past: Rachel and Gaye Bell from postpunk era indie-poppers the Twinsets; Jeanette Mckinlay of the Mckinley’s singing Sweet and Tender Romance onstage for the first time in 50 years; former Delgado Emma Pollock covering His Latest Flame’s America Blue; Jane Mckeown demonstrating the still-fierce vitality of her band Lungleg; and a ferocious duet by Rose Mcdowell and Adele Bethel (ex of Sons & Daughters) on tracks by the former’s groups Sorrow and Strawberry Switchblade.

Hopefully it will inspire more celebration of these under-appreciated artists.