Today at Hidden Door at The Paper Factory, after a free access afternoon for everyone to explore the building, there is more music and entertainment on offer from 6pm.
The festival proper will be held next May, but this weekend is an opportunity to wear warm clothes and bathe in the laser light shows and live music in a huge warehouse at Maybury. This is just a small part of the massive 15 acre site which was formerly the Saica paper and cardboard factory and is being used as a meanwhile venue by the festival. The venue is well served by public transport with a short walk from the Maybury roundabout.
Visitors to The Paper Factory are set to enjoy a unique gig experience in this vast industrial space once echoing with the sound of heavy machinery, now reborn with live music, lights and projections.
Big Joanie combines the fury of nineties riot grrrl with synth-heavy post punk. Their second album Back Home was released in November 2022 and ranked in Rolling Stone’s top albums of the year list, receiving critical acclaim in the Guardian, Wire Magazine and The Quietus.
Rock trio HotWax return to Edinburgh having graced the stage at Psych Fest in September. It’s been a meteoric rise for the young powerhouse, with their raw brand of post-punk, grunge and alternative rock both unique and familiar. Their debut album Hot Shock lands in 2025, with first single “She’s Got A Problem” released this week, a driving grunge-rock anthem that has become a live favourite during their packed summer tour.
Witch Fever are rising stars in the alternative rock scene, known for their ferocious energy and distinctive sound. Their infectious melodies have earned them a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Expect powerful riffs, haunting melodies, and thought-provoking lyrics tackling themes of empowerment, identity, and social justice.
Edinburgh-based dream-pop duo Sarah/Shaun released their debut EP It’s True What They Say via Hobbes Music in April. They narrate stories exploring themes of love, hope, family, friends, dreams and sadness – the good that comes with the bad in everyday life.
Hidden Door is supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
https://www.citizenticket.com/events/hidden-door/hidden-door-november-event-day-2
13:00 – Doors open
18:00 – Sarah/Shaun
18:30 – Laser and dance show
19:15 – Witch Fever
19:45 – Laser and dance show
20:30 – HotWax
21:15 – Laser and dance show
21:25 – Light show w/ Sativa Drummers
22:00 – Big Joanie
00:00 – Doors close
Last night it was Paige Kennedy who brought their brand of banging alt-pop and heartfelt storytelling to the space.
In between musical acts an intricately choreographed duet with dance performers Bethany Edwards and Maya Bodiley, combined with multidisciplinary visual design in an atmospheric fusion of lighting, lasers and projection from Sam Jones
And let’s not forget the art. There is work by more than 20 artists on display including wearable art by Marly Merle and a fascinating sculpture by Justine Watt who transforms discarded domestic objects into intimate sculptures, examining the intersection of craftsmanship and sustainability.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
