The Skinny
@theskinnymag.bsky.social
Independent Cultural Journalism from Scotland. Free monthly magazine, website, podcasts, and more. DMs not monitored, send us an email. theskinny.co.uk
After 20 years of independent cultural journalism and with a very heavy heart, September’s edition of The Skinny is our final issue 💔 www.theskinny.co.uk/music/news/t...
The Skinny is closing
After 20 years of independent cultural journalism and with a very heavy heart, September’s edition of The Skinny is our final issue.
theskinny.co.uk
IberoDocs is back, celebrating creativity, connection and community Here are our top picks of what to see at the annual festival dedicated to celebrating non-fiction cinema from Latin America, Spain and Portugal www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/uk...
IberoDocs 2026 Preview – The Skinny
IberoDocs returns with a festival celebrating creativity, connection and community.
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"It’s very cool to be able to start writing a poem in English and say, well that’s not working, then you put it into Scots and it starts to work" We speak with Highland-born poet Colin Bramwell about his debut collection Fetch, out 8 Sep www.theskinny.co.uk/books/featur... @brambrella.bsky.social
Colin Bramwell on his debut poetry collection Fetch – The Skinny
We speak with Highland-born poet Colin Bramwell about his debut collection Fetch and the unexpected influence of folklore in his work.
theskinny.co.uk
“The things that terrified me through my teenage years [...] was this idea of homophobia... But also what burrows inside of us as a result of that." @jamiedunnesq.bsky.social interviews Adrian Chiarella, writer-director of new queer horror film LEVITICUS www.theskinny.co.uk/film/intervi...
Adrian Chiarella on queer coming-of-age horror Leviticus
The gay teens in Leviticus are told by their elders to fix their desires or die. The film's writer-director, Adrian Chiarella, tells us how he mined childhood fears of homophobia and a fascination…
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The Scottish Government have confirmed a Basic Income for Artists scheme, following the success of a similar scheme in Ireland Find out more about the campaign that achieved this much-needed relief for Scotland's arts scene in our article below www.theskinny.co.uk/intersection...
Future Funds: Unpacking the Basic Income for Artists Scotland campaign – The Skinny
Low pay, precarious contracts – Scotland’s creative workers want change. We speak to organisers and artists involved in the Basic Income for Artists Scotland campaign about creative freedom, class…
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Willem Dafoe plays a forgotten poet who gets embraced by a new generation in this rueful comedy-drama poking fun at the New York literati while celebrating the city's bohemian past ★★★★ film review: LATE FAME, out now www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-rel... [Review by @carmenchloie.bsky.social]
Late Fame review: Willem Dafoe is a winning everyman - The Skinny
Willem Dafoe plays a forgotten poet who, much to his surprise and delight, gets embraced by a new generation in this rueful comedy-drama.
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And from Homework! 🤪 Our album is out Sep 25th. homeworktunez.bandcamp.com/album/bang-h...
Bang Here If Stuck, by Homework
12 track album
homeworktunez.bandcamp.com
From cannibal killers to Greek tragedy, September has plenty of great theatre to get stuck into after Edinburgh's Fringe frenzy www.theskinny.co.uk/theatre/show...
Scottish Theatre Highlights: September 2026 – The Skinny
From cannibal killers to Greek tragedy, September has plenty to get stuck into after Edinburgh's Fringe frenzy.
theskinny.co.uk
It's a busy month, with several festivals, a Sam Neill weekender, a Rogue Hollywood films lineup, a mini Claude Chabrol season; and a celebration of Jane Austen on screen www.theskinny.co.uk/film/film-ev...
Scottish Film Events: September 2026 – The Skinny
It's a busy month, with several festivals, a Sam Neill weekender, a Rogue Hollywood films lineup, a mini Claude Chabrol season; and a celebration of Jane Austen on screen.
theskinny.co.uk
September is another bumper month in Scottish music – here we dig into releases from BIRDVOX, Hound, The Micro Band, Curiosity Shop and Gallus www.theskinny.co.uk/music/new-mu...
Scottish New Music Round-up: September 2026 – The Skinny
September is another bumper month in Scottish music – here we dig into releases from BIRDVOX, Hound, The Micro Band, Curiosity Shop and Gallus.
theskinny.co.uk
“You can't plug yourself into someone else's energy and get validation." Director Kent Jones on Late Fame, where Willem Dafoe plays a failed poet who gets rediscovered in his dotage by a group of young New York scenesters. Late Fame is out Sep 4 www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-rel...
Kent Jones on Late Fame: Interview – The Skinny
In Late Fame, Willem Dafoe plays a failed poet who gets rediscovered in his dotage by a group of young New York scenesters. The film's director, Kent Jones, discusses Dafoe, New York and smartphones.
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Known for his YA fiction and poetry, Dean Atta makes his adult debut with a moving and intimate tale of love and identity ★★★★ book review: BIG MAN, by Dean Atta, out now via @cipherpress.bsky.social www.theskinny.co.uk/books/book-r...
Big Man by Dean Atta: book review – The Skinny
Known for his YA fiction and poetry, Dean Atta makes his adult debut with a moving and intimate tale of love and identity.
theskinny.co.uk
The downbeat duo can't help but wallow, but there's hope and joy in small moments on their latest Read our ★★★★ review for the ninth album by Scottish scene stalwarts Arab Strap – HALF-TOLD TALES is out Sep 4 www.theskinny.co.uk/music/review...
Arab Strap album review: Half-Told Tales - The Skinny
The downbeat duo can't help but wallow, but there's hope and joy in small moments on their latest.
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"I was just kind of an angry teenager... Then you grow out of that and realise, 'Oh, you can actually have fun with music'." Ahead of their debut album and playing Edinburgh Psych Fest, Adult DVD's Harry Hanson discusses their incendiary live shows www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interv...
Having Fun: Adult DVD on their debut album - The Skinny
Ahead of releasing their debut album and playing Edinburgh Psych Fest, we catch up with Adult DVD's Harry Hanson to discuss their incendiary live shows and not overthinking it.
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Madelyn Byrd's production continues to evolve on their latest album as Slowfoam as amorphous soundscapes transmogrify in unpredictable and cinematic ways ★★★★ album review: NIGHT RIDER, by Slowfoam, out Sep 4 www.theskinny.co.uk/music/review...
Slowfoam album review: Night Rider - The Skinny
Madelyn Byrd's production continues to evolve on their latest album as Slowfoam as amorphous soundscapes transmogrify in unpredictable and cinematic ways.
theskinny.co.uk
France-Lise McGurn's intuitive painting takes over @dcadundee.bsky.social, while Afrofuturist Harold Offeh lands Mothership 2.0 Collective in Glasgow www.theskinny.co.uk/art/news/sco...
Scottish Art Highlights: September 2026 – The Skinny
France-Lise McGurn's intuitive painting takes over Dundee Contemporary Arts, while Afrofuturist Harold Offeh lands Mothership 2.0 Collective in Glasgow.
theskinny.co.uk
If you didn't get your comedy fill from the Fringe, September sees touring comedians arriving in Scotland, plus the return of the Paisley Comedy Festival www.theskinny.co.uk/comedy/guide...
Scottish Comedy Highlights: September 2026 – The Skinny
If you didn't get your comedy fill from the Fringe, September sees touring comedians arriving in Scotland, plus the return of the Paisley Comedy Festival.
theskinny.co.uk
Homosexual desire becomes a literal curse in Adrian Chiarella’s allegorical horror film, which works best when building atmosphere within a menacing church community in a desolate Aussie township LEVITICUS is out Sep 4 – read @roryjdoherty.bsky.social's review www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-rel...
Leviticus review: atmospheric, allegorical Aussie horror - The Skinny
Homosexual desire becomes a literal curse in Adrian Chiarella’s allegorical horror film, which works best when it's building atmosphere within a menacing church community in a desolate Aussie…
theskinny.co.uk
Among the most exciting homegrown cinema at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival was a programme of shorts created during the second year of the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab. @jamiedunnesq.bsky.social highlights the best films from the lineup www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/ed...
Scotland on Screen: Promising Scottish Shorts at EIFF 2026 - The Skinny
Among the most exciting homegrown cinema at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival was a programme of shorts created during the second year of the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab. We…
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"This is nothing short of cultural vandalism" As Dundee's Cooper Gallery faces the threat of closure, a campaign to defend its value as a boundary-pushing hub of critical inquiry gains momentum www.theskinny.co.uk/art/features...
The fight to save Dundee's Cooper Gallery - The Skinny
As Dundee's Cooper Gallery faces the threat of closure, a campaign to defend its value as a boundary-pushing hub of critical inquiry gains momentum.
theskinny.co.uk
corto.alto's third album is testament to Liam Shortall's dedication and unrivalled ability to follow his creative pursuits to the full SOME SMALL FORTUNE is our ★★★★★ album of the month, out @ninjatunehq.bsky.social www.theskinny.co.uk/music/review...
corto.alto - SOME SMALL FORTUNE (★★★★★): album review - The Skinny
corto.alto's third album SOME SMALL FORTUNE is testament to Liam Shortall's dedication and unrivalled ability to follow his creative pursuits to the full.
theskinny.co.uk
Our September gig highlights are now online; Freakender, Edinburgh Psych Fest and SONICA return this September, while Scotland's venues are busy with touring acts from home and away www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-m... @tallahbrash.bsky.social
Scottish Live Music Highlights: September 2026 - The Skinny
Freakender, Edinburgh Psych Fest and SONICA return this September, while Scotland's venues are busy with touring acts from home and away.
theskinny.co.uk
New Music Friday: Interpol - This Mirror Weighs a Ton "It's incredibly pleasing to hear these indie stalwarts sounding so revitalised after such a long drought." @theskinnymag.bsky.social
Interpol - This Mirror Weighs a Ton
Music Reviews: This Mirror Weighs a Ton by Interpol released in 2026. Genre: Post-Punk Revival.
albumoftheyear.org
On Calton Hill, Edinburgh Art Festival Emerging Writer Eve Whittle brings a new sculpture into dialogue with the unfinished National Monument of Scotland www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/ed...
Emii Alrai’s Guardian and Edinburgh’s Disgrace: The Skinny
On Calton Hill, Edinburgh Art Festival Emerging Writer Eve Whittle brings a new sculpture into dialogue with the unfinished National Monument of Scotland.
theskinny.co.uk
While the collaboration between Scottish Ensemble and Brìghde Chaimbeul offers nothing like a clear answer to any grand question on artmaking, the work itself captivates and hypnotises Read our ★★★★ review for the Edinburgh International Festival event www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-m...
EIF review: Scottish Ensemble & Brìghde Chaimbeul - The Skinny
While the collaboration between Scottish Ensemble and Brìghde Chaimbeul offers nothing like a clear answer to any grand question on artmaking, the work itself captivates and hypnotises.
theskinny.co.uk
"Such is the breadth and cross-generational appeal of The Cure that there are entire families here, celebrating together" The Cure deliver a near-flawless performance as part of this year's Edinburgh Summer Sessions series www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-m...
The Cure @ Royal Highland Showgrounds, Edinburgh: live review - The Skinny
Robert Smith and The Cure deliver a near flawless performance as part of this year's Summer Sessions series.
theskinny.co.uk
Looking to make plans this weekend? There's still loads of ★★★★ and ★★★★★ #EdFringe comedy to check out! www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/ed...
Edinburgh Fringe 2026: The Skinny's Top Comedy Shows
The 2026 Edinburgh Fringe is nearing its finale – check this page for our favourite comedy shows from this year's festival.
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"After Donald Trump’s first election [...] the book had become a bestseller again. The creeping totalitarianism came more and more to mind." Dominic Hill's 1984 arrives at Glasgow's Citizens Theatre this week www.theskinny.co.uk/theatre/inte... @dundeerep.bsky.social @lyceumedinburgh.bsky.social
Dominic Hill on Citizens Theatre's 1984: The Skinny
Dominic Hill is set to direct a new adaptation of Orwell’s 1984 that claims the story for Scotland.
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Beginning with the observations of fame, Rachel Cusk's anticipated Life of M becomes an inquiry into reality and representation ★★★★★ book review: LIFE OF M by Rachel Cusk, out now www.theskinny.co.uk/books/book-r...
Life of M by Rachel Cusk: book review – The Skinny
Beginning with the observations of fame, Rachel Cusk's anticipated Life of M becomes an inquiry into reality and representation.
theskinny.co.uk
Photographer and writer Miriam Morris reflects on the work of Jasleen Kaur and how photography can preserve the insignificant for a time of significance www.theskinny.co.uk/art/features...
Gut Feelings: Jasleen Kaur and Capturing the Everyday – The Skinny
Photographer and writer Miriam Morris reflects on the work of Jasleen Kaur and how photography can preserve the insignificant for a time of significance.
theskinny.co.uk