Live Music Now Scotland

06/10/2026

What happens when you put four clarinets on the Usher Hall stage? Quite a lot, as it turns out. 🎶

The Silver Keys recently took us on a musical trip around the world, with a fantastic programme that had the audience listening, laughing and even stomping their feet.

There was the one where the clarinet that got smaller. And smaller. And smaller… 😆

Another highlight was Songs of the Malayali, a vibrant new suite by composer Andrew Jacob, inspired by musical memory, community and tradition.

Created through the Kimie Composition Prize, a partnership between LMNS and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the five-part suite explores these ideas in different ways. One section invites the audience to join in — and it was brilliant to see people getting stuck in. 👣 (Stay tuned as we’ll soon be sharing Songs of the Malayali on our YouTube channel).

A huge thank you to The Silver Keys for such a captivating concert at the Usher Hall — beautifully played, full of creative ideas and a whole lot of fun.

This is the kind of playful work that musicians in the LMNS community have the opportunity to showcase. And our applications to join LMNS are now open! 🎶
Find out more and apply via our website: livemusicnow.scot/news-stories/

01/10/2026

📣 HELLO MUSICIANS! Applications to audition for LMNS are now open! 🎶

Are you a musician looking to develop your skills, gain experience and share your music with people and communities across Scotland? Our 2026/27 audition applications are now open, and we’re looking for musicians at an early stage of their professional careers.

https://livemusicnow.scot/for-musicians/auditioning-for-lmns/

LMNS is a national arts charity, and the work we offer is part of a nationwide programme with community and participatory performance at its core. Our musicians share live music in care homes, hospitals, schools and community spaces, as well as at festivals, public events and other settings in Scotland and internationally. We’re not a promoter or booking agency — our work is about developing the skills and experience to connect with people through live music in all kinds of settings.

Alongside paid performance opportunities, we offer training, mentoring, peer learning and ongoing professional development.

🎵 We welcome musicians working across all genres and traditions
🎵 Apply as a solo musician or established group of up to five
🎵 Reasonable adjustments and support are available throughout the audition process

📍 Auditions take place in Glasgow:
29 January, 5 February, 12 February or 19 February 2027

Successful applicants must also be available for both compulsory training days on 10 and 11 March 2027.

🗓️ Applications close at 12pm on Thursday 5 November 2026.

Thinking about applying? Take some time to get to know our work and the musicians already part of LMNS. Have a look through our News & Stories to see LMNS musicians and partners in action.

https://livemusicnow.scot/news-stories/

Accessibility and inclusion matter to us. On the auditions page you'll also find a BSL video with LMNS musician Evie Waddell, who talks about LMNS, what we’re looking for, and what to expect from the auditions. 🎥

livemusicnow.scot/for-musicians/auditioning-for-lmns/

25/09/2026

This Monday, 28th Sep, at the Usher Hall ✨ The Silver Keys present a programme exploring music from around the world through the rich and versatile sound of the clarinet family. 🎶

🎟 Tickets via cultureedinburgh.com/events/emerging-artists-series-silver-keys or at the door.

📅 Emerging Artists Series | Silver Keys
Mon, 28 Sept 2026, 11:00
Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH1

The quartet showcases the remarkable range of colours and styles that four clarinets can create together, and the concert includes 'Songs of the Malayali', a vibrant suite by composer Andrew Jacob inspired by musical memory, community and tradition.

Created through the Kimie Composition Prize, in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the work gives an emerging composer the opportunity to create a new interactive piece for outreach settings, supported by Live Music Now Scotland.

23/09/2026

🎶 European Folk Day 2026 🎶 Today we’re joining folk musicians, artists and organisations across Europe to celebrate European Folk Day, coordinated by the European Folk Network. 🔗 europeanfolkday.eu/

At Live Music Now Scotland, we’re marking the occasion in a way that feels very LMNS: by sharing live traditional music with people in community settings.

This week, some of our musicians, including Niamh Corkey, Mairi McGillivray & Katie Allen, are sharing music in Dundee and Paisley — from Scottish and Irish traditional songs to Gaelic and Scots repertoire — with adults living with acquired brain injuries and with primary school pupils.

And while European Folk Day gives us a lovely opportunity to celebrate traditional music, it’s something we share all year round, all across Scotland.

Our musicians take trad music into schools, care settings and community spaces, creating opportunities for people to hear familiar songs, discover something new, join in and connect through music.

Happy European Folk Day! 🎶

📸 Photo of Mairi and Katie by James Kirk.

17/09/2026

🎶 Music at the Museum 🎶

Something for your diaries! This autumn and winter, LMNS artists will be sharing live music in the heart of the museum. In partnership with the National Museums Scotland, there’s a wonderfully varied line-up coming up:

📅 27 Oct – Giulia Drummond Battesini
📅 3 Nov – Adam Heron
📅 10 Nov – Liv Dawn
📅 17 Nov – The Silver Keys
📅 2 Feb – Evie Waddell & Isla Ratcliff
📅 9 Feb – Emma Martin
📅 23 Feb – Séamus Ó Baoighill & Kristina Leesik
📅 2 Mar – Jacques Carroll

📍 National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
⏰ Tuesdays at 11:30–12:15 & 13:30–14:15
🎟️ Free to attend; just turn up.

Different artists, different styles — same welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. We hope you'll join us at Music at the Museum. 🎶

14/09/2026

📣 We're starting the week with a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎶 Calling all emerging musicians — the applications for LMNS Auditions are opening soon!

If you’re thinking about applying, now is a great time to get to know what we actually do and what being part of Live Music Now Scotland is all about.

Have a wee wander around our website, especially the News & Stories section, where you can explore the projects, performances, partnerships and communities our musicians are part of 👉 livemusicnow.scot/news-stories

Keep an eye on our socials — we’ll be sharing more about the auditions soon.

10/09/2026

Following on from Evie's introduction, I wanted to share a little more about the wonderful Isla Ratcliff, who will be joining us for our upcoming Musical Morning at Partickhill Bowling & Community Club.

Isla first performed for our Music At The Green series last September with The Scottish Four Seasons. Since then, she has continued to make waves across the traditional music scene - earning a nomination for Musician of the Year at the 2025 MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards and touring internationally across festivals like Celtic Connections, Cambridge Folk Festival, and the BBC Proms.

Beyond her impressive fiddle playing, Isla is a versatile composer (currently writing a tune for every Munro she bags—172 and counting!), a dedicated Suzuki teacher, and a passionate community music practitioner.

We can't wait to welcome her back alongside Evie Waddell for a fun filled family concert! Join Isla and Evie on Sunday 20th of September at 11am - book your tickets at www.musicatthegreen.com

09/09/2026

From first songs to familiar faces. 🎶 Our latest blog shares reflections from eight visits to the University of Glasgow Nursery, where children welcomed LMNS musicians Mairi McGillivray and Katie Allen into their play.

Together, they explored songs, stories and movement, built trusted relationships and discovered new ways to express themselves through music.

Read the full story below.

Over eight visits, Mairi McGillivray and Katie Allen shared music, play and discovery with children at the University of Glasgow Nursery.

03/09/2026

What a lovely afternoon! 💛 Huge thanks to our wonderful partner, Perth Cathedral - St Ninians, for welcoming Kaitlin and Catriona.

For LMNS, it's all about creating relaxed opportunities for people to come out and enjoy great live music, spend time together and connect with their local community. We’re already looking forward to the next one in October with Evie Waddell and Isla Ratcliff! 🎶

Great Gaelic concert today at the Cathedral with Kaitlin and Catriona! Make a date in your diary for the next one on Wednesday 7th October at 2pm with Evie Waddell and Isla Ratcliff.
All thanks to our partnership with Live Music Now Scotland

02/09/2026

We’re back at the Usher Hall! 🎶

Our Emerging Artists series returns on 28 September, with another season of Monday morning music from the LMNS community.

Following our recent concerts at this beautiful and iconic venue — including a gorgeous performance from the wonderful Josie Duncan — we’re looking forward to welcoming audiences back for more. ✨

Come along, take a seat and enjoy a relaxed morning of brilliant live music for just £3. Tickets are available on the door.

The full programme is here: cultureedinburgh.com/seasons/emerging-artist