While the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is perhaps best known for its comedy programming, the world’s largest performing arts festival has something for everyone. British music promoter and musician Andy Macleod certainly understands this, as he debuts his new one-man show at the event, Soho Days and Camden Nights.
It’s his second time at the Fringe, having previously appeared in 2022 with Anoint My Head. As was the case then, his new show was an adaptation of his memoir of the same name. Soho Days, Camden Nights was released last month, and his one-man show gives a taste of the stories the self-described “failed rockstar” shares in his book. The result is an engaging hour of music and storytelling – with occasional tarot readings – that was more interesting than most of the music industry keynotes and panels that I see at festivals around the world. SXSW take note.
In the early afternoon performance I caught yesterday, an engaged crowd took in his journey from a musician to a music promoter and lecturer. It’s a relatable tale for many who have ended up on that side of the industry. He details what it has meant to redefine what success looks like, and how he still scratches his itch as a musician, while helping others achieve the dreams he had original set out for. He was a fantastic storyteller and found engaging ways to share key moments from his life, and I presume, from his new memoir.
His stories zig zag through the history of popular British music from the 1980s to now, from The Cure to Arctic Monkeys. This gives the audience plenty of moments to reflect on their own experience as fans. And even a moment for a singalong.
Production wise, there’s a costume change, a couple of pre-recorded audio moments and some sound and lighting effects. But he keeps it simple, letting the stories mostly speak for themselves. His delivery felt shaky at the start, but quickly improved as he and the audience got comfortable with each other, and the format of the show. This all felt appropriate for the tone of the show – like his career, it was all a bit rough around the edges.
There were plenty of laughs and as someone who has worked in the music industry himself for 18 years, I found a lot to relate to his story. Which won’t necessarily be the experience of others – but it’s why this show would be great to pitch for international music conferences. Ultimately, it’s also a chance for him to plug his book – and I definitely left wanting to read it. Which I would consider mission accomplished.
If you’re a music fan, and love to learn why people in the industry do the work they do, this is the show for you.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Andy Macleod’s Soho Days and Camden Nights runs through August 17th at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. For tickets and more details head HERE.
The venue is the Just The Cask Room at Just The Tonic at The Mash House.
The reviewer attended as a guest on 11th August 2026.
Photo Credit: Steve Ullathorne
