MORE ACTS ROLLING IN FOR FRINGE BY THE SEA  NORTH BERWICK : 1^ST-10^TH AUGUST 2025

The wait is over for Fringe By The Sea’s second Saturday (9th August) headliner to be announced…Brit and Mercury award-winning, genre defying, Ezra Collective, are heading to the infamous Big Top with their only Scottish date this year.  Following their phenomenal show with BBC 6 Music Festival and being named runners-up in BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2025, their appearance at Fringe By The Sea is a major coup for one of Scotland’s most-loved festival.

Since forming, the five-piece collective have blossomed into one of Britain’s most eclectic and acclaimed music acts. Their body of work has so far fused elements of afrobeat, calypso, reggae, hip-hop, soul and jazz that have defined contemporary London.  They attract audiences of all ages and have become vocal advocates for the importance of youth music programs, having formed from a jazz youth program called Tomorrow’s Warriors and acknowledging the vital role of youth clubs in shaping their musical journey.  (As such, Fringe by The Sea has a special under 16s tickets available). Now, after a breakout 2023, Ezra Collective are ready to start a new chapter with the release of their third studio album Dance, No One’s Watching.

Known to television audiences from Jonathan Creek and team captain on QI, Alan Davies is one of UK’s superlative stand-ups – In 1991 was named Time Out’s Best Young Comic, and in 1994 won the Edinburgh Festival Critics’ Award for Comedy.  He’ll be tickling ribs in East Lothian on Thursday 7^th August.

Ruby Wax is an American-British actress, comedian, writer, television presenter, and mental health campaigner. A classically-trained actress, Wax co-starred on the ITV sitcom Girls on Top  and came to prominence as a comic interviewer, playing up to British perceptions of the strident American style on television shows including The Full Wax, Ruby Wax Meets, Ruby and The Ruby Wax Show .  She was a script editor for the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous also appearing in two episodes. She will be appearing on Tuesday 5^th August.

During lock-down Joe Wicks took on the mantle of National Treasure with his daily work-out routines keeping people of all ages fit (he was awarded a Guinness World Record for “most viewers for a fitness workout live stream on YouTube”, after achieving over 950,000 viewers on 24 March 2020).  Best selling author of cookery books, Joe will be talking about his life and work as well as holding  PE sessions on Friday 1^st August.

Owners of unruly four legged friends will be learning training techniques from The Dogfather on 7^th August.  Otherwise known as Graeme Hall, he is a British dog trainer, podcaster, and author. He is the star of the television series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly broadcast since 2017 and The Dog Hospital with Graeme Hall both shown on Channel 5.  Hall is a Master Dog Trainer and a member of the Guild Of Dog Trainers.

Former singer with Fairground Attraction, whose Song Perfect topped the charts around the world, and celebrating over 40 years as a live performer, Eddi Reader has effortlessly developed into one of popular music’s most thrilling and affecting performers. What sets Eddi apart is the depth and quality of the emotional performance and ability to not only move the listener, but connect her experience to that of her audience. No two performances are ever the same.  She will be singing some of her best loved songs on Sunday 3^rd August.

Fi Glover and Jane Garvey’s highly listened to Times Radio Show, ‘Off Air with Fi and Jane’, be recorded from under the Big Top on Friday 8^th.  Described as ‘a frank look behind the scenes with guests from radio and TV sharing stories that they probably shouldn’t’ they will be joined by tennis super-mum and former Strictly contestant Judy Murray.

In past months Fringe By The Sea announced their first waves of acts – Air (playing Moon Safari), George Clarke, Boomtown Rats, Rory Stewart (sold out), The Bluebells (sold out), Brainiac Live!, Hot Dub Time Machine (sold out), Sir Chris Hoy, RSNO Does James Bond, Hamish Hawk, Flawless, Sandi Thom, Artie’s Singing Kettle and Manran.

North Berwick Trust will continue to support Fringe by the Sea as a Master Partner as part of the three-year grant funding announced in 2023.  The Trust will not only showcase its own work but also help facilitate the involvement of local community groups within the free to access North Berwick Trust Hub.

The festival organisers are thrilled to welcome back Coulters Property as a sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. Coulters, who have recently expanded their presence in East Lothian with the opening of their new North Berwick branch, are looking forward to continuing their involvement with the Makers Market. The market will be open throughout the 10-day event and celebrates the craftsmanship of talented makers from across the county. Coulters will also be supporting the George Clarke event, helping attendees discover their own “amazing spaces.”

After a highly successful debut partnership in 2024, The Times and Sunday Times will return as media partners, bringing an exciting lineup of speakers and activations to the festival.

According to the Economic Impact Report conducted by MKA Economics for Fringe by the Sea 2024, the festival’s visitor spending has contributed an additional £9.9 million to the local economy. This marks a 36% increase over the 2023 figure, highlighting the growing economic significance of the event.

Festival Director Rory Steel said: “I have no hesitation in saying that securing the Ezra Collective for their only Scottish show this year is an absolute coup for Fringe By The Sea. Their sound is sensational, and we can’t wait to give them all a huge East Lothian welcome. Both Alan Davies and Ruby Wax are brilliant live performers as is Eddi Reader, who was utterly spellbinding when she last appeared here in 2021.  I am sure that Fi and Jane have many fans and regular listeners who will be booking up to see them.  Joe Wicks was responsible for keeping many, including my family, healthy during lock-down and I know that trainers will at the ready for his appearance.  Nearly every dog has at least one bad habit so I imagine there will be many owners wanting suggestions from The Dogfather when he hits town.  We really are gearing up for taking Fringe By The Sea to another level.”

For further information contact:

Fiona Duff  fiona@duffpublicity.com  07710 419762

www.fringebythesea.com link to Media Pack is 1. MEDIA IMAGES – Google Drive