RUDIMENTAL (DJ SET), ALEX JAMES’ BRITPOP CLASSICAL, MARIBOU STATE, IAN HISLOP, LEVI.SCT, BAY CITY ROLLERS, RIANNE DOWNEY

Plus – a toast to a new partnership with some of Scotland’s most loved drink brands, including The Famous Grouse

Fringe By The Sea – East Lothian’s award-winning, independent multi-arts festival – has added seven more shows to the 2026 line-up and unveiled a new partnership with well-known drinks brands The Famous Grouse, Monkey Shoulder, Drambuie and De Kuyper. 

Kicking off the festival’s 2026 opening night will be chart-topping dance act Rudimental (31st July), known for their emotive, high-energy sound and hits ‘Feel The Love’, ‘Not Giving In’ and ‘Waiting All Night’.

Alex James Britpop Classical (1st August) brings the unforgettable anthems of the 90s to life fusing the raw energy of the era’s biggest hits with the breathtaking power of a full orchestra and special guests to be announced. This unique concert re-imagines the songs that defined a generation, delivering an electrifying blend of melodies and stunning classical arrangements.

Maribou State (8th August) are English electronic music duo Chris Davids and Liam Ivory with their acclaimed live show. To date, they have released eight EPs and three studio albums, Portraits (2015), Kingdoms in Colour (2018), and Hallucinating Love (2025) also remixing for the likes of Alpines and Lana Del Rey.

Ian Hislop (9th August) has been a team captain on the award-winning ‘Have I Got News For You’ for 36 years and editor of UK’s best known satirical magazine for 40 years.  Reputedly he is the most sued man in English legal history, and brings his cutting wit to Fringe By The Sea.

Making his only Scottish appearance this year in North Berwick, Levi.sct, (9th August) is a German pianist redefining classical music by fusing it with modern beats and contemporary sounds.  Classically trained from an early age, his groundbreaking arrangements breathe new life into the works of Bach, Liszt and Chopin, making classical music more dynamic and accessible to a new generation.  He has over 1 million Instagram followers and this unmissable performance will showcase how he is captivating audiences worldwide.

Scottish singer/songwriter Rianne Downey (1st August) was awarded the James McAvoy scholarship for the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow when aged 16. She pursued a solo career by busking on the streets of Glasgow, uploading cover versions during the pandemic and her cover of Rotterdam by The Beautiful South caught the attention of Paul Heaton.  In 2023 he asked her to stand in for Jackie Abbott at many performances including Glastonbury and TRANSMT. Her debut album The Consequences of Love was released last year.

Time for audiences to dig out their tartan scarves to welcome the Bay City Rollers (31st July), known around the globe for their teen idol popularity in the 1970s. One of many 1970s acts heralded as the “biggest group since the Beatles“, they were called the “tartan teen sensations from Edinburgh”, and sold between an estimated 120–300 million records worldwide, making them one of the best selling musical acts of all time.

These acts are in addition to the earlier announcement made in December 2025 which included soul legends Kool & The Gang, Scottish indie-pop icons Belle & Sebastian, acclaimed documentary-maker Louis Theroux (sold out),  adventurer Ben Fogle, the cream of Scottish trad Capercaillie and party-starters Colonel Mustard and The Dijon 5.

Fringe by the Sea has also announced a new partnership that will bring a line-up of well-known drinks brands to this year’s festival. The Famous Grouse, Scotland’s number one whisky, will join as a Community Partner, alongside Monkey Shoulder, Drambuie and De Kuyper.

Monkey Shoulder, the original blended malt made for mixing, will bring its signature playful energy to the festival. Drambuie, the iconic Scotch whisky liqueur known for its unique blend of spices and honey, will also feature. They are joined by De Kuyper, one of the world’s leading cocktail houses, recognised for its award winning liqueurs and vibrant flavours.

 

These brands are part of the independent, family-owned distiller William Grant & Sons, which is supporting the collaboration.

 

Neil Barker, UK Managing Director at William Grant & Sons, said: “Fringe by the Sea has become one of Scotland’s most exciting cultural festivals and we’re delighted to partner with the team this year. As Community Partner, The Famous Grouse – alongside Monkey Shoulder, Drambuie and De Kuyper – is proud to support an event that brings people together through music, conversation and culture in the unique setting of North Berwick.”

 

Fringe by the Sea is delighted to welcome back The Lighthouse as a Community Partner for 2026. The Lighthouse Live Stage returns with a packed programme of free live music, showcasing rising stars, local talent and festival favourites across the ten-day festival. Based in North Berwick, The Lighthouse is a thriving co-working and flexible office hub – home to a community of local businesses, entrepreneurs and creatives, and to the Fringe by the Sea team itself. Need a desk, office or meeting room by the sea? Visit www.lighthousenb.co.uk.

Festival Director, Rory Steel said:  “These latest big name additions to the line-up ensures our iconic big top will be bouncing big time this summer.  We’re especially excited to be welcoming Alex James’s Britpop Classical, which has just raised the roof on the Albert Hall with the orchestral extravaganza.  Closer to home, Scotland’s Rianne Downey who has been enjoying touring with Paul Heaton is another we can’t wait to see on stage. Our audiences keep setting new challenges for us, and we’re sure they’re going to love this latest release of tickets.  We’re also thrilled to have Scotland’s favourite whisky, The Famous Grouse, joining our partners, along with kings of the cocktail world, De Kuyper. Slainte to them.”

Tickets for the newly announced events are on sale from 10.00am on Friday 27th March at www.fringebythesea.com 

For the first time since the festival was launched in 2008, FBTS will launch one week ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe offering seven days of clash-free events before the official opening of the world’s biggest arts festival in Scotland’s capital.  

ADDITIONAL BUS SERVICE 

For the first time, festival-goers will have the option of booking reliable, direct late-night buses home from Fringe by the Sea to destinations across East Lothian, Edinburgh and Glasgow, planned around major headline shows and delivered in partnership with Happy Bus.

All services depart from St Baldred’s Road, North Berwick at 11:20pm on specific dates, and run to key destinations:

Single-Journey Routes

• North Berwick ➜ Haddington – £12 + booking fee

• North Berwick ➜ Dunbar – £13 + booking fee

• North Berwick ➜ Edinburgh (via Longniddry & Prestonpans) – £14 + booking fee

Glasgow Return Service

• Glasgow ➜ North Berwick ➜ Glasgow. Departs Glasgow 4pm, returns at 11:20pm
  £36 return + booking fee. With stops in North Lanarkshire & Livingston.

Routes will run only where bookings are confirmed – so festival-goers are encouraged to book early.

About Fringe by the Sea

Fringe by the Sea is an independent arts festival taking place in the scenic seaside town of North Berwick between 31st July and 9th August, with over 300 music, comedy, book, family, film and wellbeing events. Easy to reach in around 30 minutes from Edinburgh by train, the festival also offers a vibrant, free to access hub in the Lodge Grounds with street food, maker’s market, kids’ zone and live music. 

ENDS

For further information contact: Fiona Duff fiona@duffpublicity.com  07710 419762 www.fringebythesea.com Link to FBTS Media Pack is Media Pack 2026 – 2nd Wave