Go Live in Edinburgh

32 Music @ The Three Sisters, Cowgate

After the success of the 32 music festival this summer, those lovely people are taking over The Three Sisters every Friday for a soiree of live bands. Named for the three sisters who are said to have sung here when this place was a theatre, the atmospheric venue is now once again awash with emerging Scottish talent. And not a bagpipe in sight.

See www.32music.co.uk for tickets and details "edinburgh

The Liquid Room, Victoria Street

The Smashing Pumpkins, Moby, the Stereophonics and Coldplay played there debut Scottish performances at The Liquid Rooms. It's the place to see the big players as they pass through the capital. At 800 capacity, the venue is small enough so you won't spend the whole gig looking at the back of someone's head, although avoiding that very tall man with the novelty beer hat is still advisable. Look out for Noah and the Whale, Joan as Policewoman, Mr Scruff and Adrian Edmondson revisiting his Young Ones days with his punk band The Bad Shephards.

Get liquidated at www.liquidroom.com

The Mill, Niddry Street South

Don't be fooled by the ancient arches. This place has been kitted out with a world class sound and lighting rig so the acoustics are pretty special. All the bands are recorded and given a good remixing by members of Super Furry Animals, Arab Strap and Belle & Sebastian. If you like what you hear you can get download tracks and live footage from the website. Now, that's what Itchy calls progress.

Find listings and tunes at www.themill-live.com "live

Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street

Whether named for the Dadaist den of performance art opened in Zurich in 1915, or the pioneering 70s electronic outfit from Sheffield, this venue lurking in the ancient subterranean space beneath the streets of Edinburgh continues the edgy legacy of both. It's open 7 nights a week and you can see all sorts of live acts here, from up-and-coming types to more well-established musos. They also run some nifty dance music nights. If you can't find something you like among the distorted noise and general sonic mayhem that goes on at Cabaret Voltaire then Itchy will eat our hats.

See listings at www.thecabaretvoltaire.com "cabaret

The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street

Who says live music has to mean dingy basements and that black stuff all over the walls that ruins your rags? The Voodoo Rooms is more in keeping with a gentleman's club, done out in elegant mahogany and leather, and has a bar stocked for the coming of armageddon. As well as dining finely, you can feed your ears in either the sly Speak Easy or the bodacious Ballroom. There's definitely no gooey stuff on the black walls here, which have been cunningly planted with tiny lights to make you feel like you're floating in outer space. Utter decadence. We love it.

Get informed at www.thevoodoorooms.com ball voodoo