Acolyte, Scotland On Sunday, 7 June 2026
Acolyte > Dragon Soop Artist of the Week in Scotland On Sunday, 7 June 2026
With a new EP just out and a string of live shows lined up for the next few months, Leith band Acolyte look set to attract many more (ahem) acolytes over the summer write Derick Mackinnon and Olaf Furniss read Scotsman.com
Leith-based four-piece Acolyte are a beguiling explosion of creative disciplines, who garnered five-star reviews for their site-specific performance, Production Line Of Dreams, at last year’s Hidden Door Festival. Comprising award-winning poet Iona Lee, Gloria Black (vocals and synths), Daniel Hill (percussion) and Ruairidh Morrison (looped bass), the band met at an open-mic night at legendary Edinburgh venue Henry’s Cellar Bar in 2018 and have crafted a unique sound which draws on everything from trip-hop to jazz to prog rock, occasionally reminiscent of Grace Jones.
Early creative foundations include playing in church bands to acting in musicals, and they regularly collaborate with dancers, film-makers and visual artists.
The band have just released The Blue Dark EP on Lost Map Records (including limited edition vinyl) which includes bonus remixes by local producers Maniatrix, Ravelston, and Eyes of Others. This will be followed by a string of live appearances beginning with an in-store show at their local Good Vibes record shop (27 June), two performances at Kelburn Garden Party, Fuzzbat All dayer at Leith Depot (1 August) and Edinburgh Psych Fest (6 September). Expect their burgeoning following to grow and look out for an album the future. See https://linktr.ee/acolyteband
Dragon Soop is a caffeinated alcohol beverage that comes in a wide range of flavours including Dark Fruit Punch, Red Kola and Strawberry & Lime. 7.5% ABV. Please enjoy responsibly. 18+ only, visit https://www.dragonsoop.com
Want featured as our Artist of the Week? Visit https://www.newfoundsound.co.uk/scotland-on-sunday email derek@newfoundsound.co.uk