ST JAMES QUARTER SESSIONS: Pop-Up Vinyl Lounge Brings Soulful Sounds to the Heart of Edinburgh
From crate-digging to rooftop gigs – vinyl culture meets live music in the city’s most stylish festival hub
This August, Edinburgh’s St James Quarter is turning up the volume on music culture with the launch of its first-ever Pop-Up Vinyl Lounge. Taking place during the opening and closing weekends of the St James Quarter Sessions – the city’s only free music festival – the Vinyl Lounge is set to become the go-to spot for crate-diggers, casual browsers, and anyone who loves their soundtrack warm and analogue.
From 15 August, the experience kicks off at the Everyman Cinema before moving to Level 1 Guest Services for two weekends of genre-spanning discoveries, live DJ sets, and a shared love of all things vinyl.
Vinyl Culture, Curated by the Best
The opening weekend (15–17 August) is in the hands of La Beat Soul Club, one of Edinburgh’s most-loved soul nights. For over seven years, Brian, Gavin, and Ross have been igniting dance floors across the city with their high-energy sessions. This time, they’re bringing their deepest crates and signature party atmosphere to St James Quarter.
The closing weekend (21–24 August) sees Umbrella Vinyl take over. Since opening in Tollcross in 2022, founders Laura, Josh, and Nick have built a welcoming, environmentally conscious hub for vinyl lovers. Expect an eclectic mix, from Afrobeat to cult soundtracks, reflecting their Hong Kong heritage and far-reaching tastes.
Browse, Listen, Discover
Visitors can flick through a carefully curated mix of second-hand and new records spanning jazz, blues, funk, soul, Latin, ska, reggae, dub, world, experimental, soundtracks, Bollywood, and library music – all while live DJs spin on old-school decks. Whether you’re chasing a rare pressing, searching for your next obsession, or just soaking in the atmosphere, the Vinyl Lounge offers a tactile, soulful counterpoint to digital playlists.
Part of a Bigger Festival Beat
The Vinyl Lounge joins a stacked St James Quarter Sessions line-up, with more than 60 acts performing across the Quarter’s striking venues during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Highlights include The Brand New Heavies, Bemz, Tamzene, and Cortney Dixon, plus unmissable rooftop gigs on Level 6 with panoramic views of the castle – one of the most unique festival stages in the UK.
“Whether you’re a seasoned record collector or simply curious to explore the shelves, you’ll find an incredible mix of music, atmosphere, and community,” says Susan Hewlett, Festival Creator at St James Quarter. “Partnering with local legends La Beat Soul Club and Umbrella Vinyl means we’re bringing together some of the city’s most passionate champions of vinyl culture – all under one roof.”
St James Quarter Sessions
15 August, 5pm–10pm (Everyman Cinema)
16–17 & 21–23 August, 12pm–8pm (Level 1 Guest Services)
24 August, 12pm–6pm (Level 1 Guest Services)