It’s Saturday night at the movies from the comfort of your car
AFTER months of being stuck at home, Scots will soon be able to go the movies and enjoy live music at a series of special drive-in events.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival is holding monthly Drive-In Movies weekenders from August 27 until the end of the year.
On July 8, the festival plans to announce around 70 films, including international premieres and family favourites.
Four screenings each day will include a ‘Drive-In Kids Club’ at 10am before family films in the afternoons, evening blockbusters and late-night cult classics, shown on a 330sq ft LED screen.
To overcome potential sound problems, audio broadcasts will be transmitted through car radios, enabling audiences to control the soundtrack. All films will be screened at Edinburgh Airport with cars parked six feet apart.
Drive-ins took off in the US in the 1950s – with John Travolta famously singing about being stranded at one after being dumped by Olivia Newton-John in Grease.
Meanwhile, music promoter DF Concerts is to host dozens of shows, enjoyed from the comfort of your car, from August to December. Homegrown acts taking part include KT Tunstall, Hipsway and
The LaFontaines.
Rockers Kaiser Chiefs, electronica legend Gary Numan, soul singer Beverley Knight and opera star Russell Watson will appear at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre.
DF Concerts chief Geoff Ellis said: ‘Our logo for the shows tries to capture 1950s Americana drive-in.
‘I’ve never been to a drive-in cinema and I love the idea of them. The image in your head is James Dean.’
He added: ‘We thought drive-in concerts would work and we’re confident we’ll be complying with government guidelines. There are only 300 cars for each show.’