The Spiegeltent

Just saw winner of ‘The Voice’, Stevie McCrorie perform to a home crowd. I’ve been a fan of Stevie for many years as I have been following some of his bands long before the fateful Voice Audition. But, alas, this review is for The Spiegeltent. I’ve never been before as I thought some of the shows seemed more commercial and polished — and I like to discover new, raw talent.
I was pleasantly surprised when I went inside. Part Big Top Circus, Part Western Saloon. I’m not sure how it works for the circus shows, but for the gig there was a stage at the end and standing room in a sunken circle in front of the stage and below the centre of the ‘tent’. If you don’t want to be bouncing along in the thick of things, there is a viewing platform around the standing ‘pit’ that is raised about by about 3 steps. If you get to the front of this section you’ll have the best view in the house!
At the outer perimeter of the this standing area are big comfy booths. If people are standing at the railing — you won’t see a thing. Comfy, yes. Visibility, no. Also a bar on each side — I didn’t use the bar so can’t comment on selection or price. Did notice that the wine ‘glasses’ were plastic. But at least they looked like proper glasses and not just plastic cups.
But for me — the most important thing about a live venue is quality of the sound and vision. As mentioned, lots of viewing options — we were in the pit and although crowded (it was a sell-​out — Yay Stevie!!) the stage was high enough that we could see and had room to dance about.
The sound was perfect! But then again maybe that’s just ’cause Stevie is ‘The Voice’!
My only minor complaint was that it was hot! OK, last night was quite mild by Scottish standards but for a tent with a very high ceiling I’m surprised the heat didn’t rise away from us.
It was such a good venue that I’ll be heading back to my Fringe app to find out what other shows are on!

Wow, this place is really something else. It’s like a huge circus tent or an old carousel. Even down to the staff, who are dressed in bow ties and braces. I recently saw gypsy jazz guitarist Fapy Lafertin play here for the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival and the Spiegeltent was an incredible venue for the performance. It’s unlike any venue I’ve been to with such an amazing atmosphere. It’s seated and if you get there early enough, you can get a lovely booth to enjoy the show from. They go round the sides of the tent with seats in the centre. I felt like I’d gone back in time, been transported to Paris and was hearing Django work his magic on guitar. The Spiegeltent takes you elsewhere, like all great venues should. It doesn’t stay for long, mind, so make sure you pay a visit during the Fringe. The higher drinks prices are worth it for a little bit of Spiegel magic.

Just for atmosphere alone this place deserved 5 stars. From 28^th of July until 28^th August the Spiegeltent will be returning to George Square Garden’s. After the clamour last year at it being changed to Hullaballoo, the Fringe organisers have reverted it back to its original format. And it is awesome.
Open until 5 in the morning, this square is the best place to mingle as the sun begins to rise. Although the pints are ludicrously priced, and come in plastic cup, this adds to the festival atmosphere. It is invariably rammed, but this adds to the charm as you can always be guaranteed to bump into someone you recognise, or start up a drunken bromance with someone you just met — ‘I love you man’…‘No, I love you dude’…etc.
It is like you enter into a different little world; the location in George Square Gardens helps displace it from the city, and it does feel like you are at a festival. Couple this with the carnivalesque element, you have a Cabaret show and an oddities mini-​museum /​exhibition, and there is always the most pierced woman in the world hanging about waiting to have her photo taken with you.
If you come to Edinburgh during the festival, you have to come here. Forget the overpriced drinks, the atmosphere is incredible and to be honest most of Edinburgh is overpriced during the Fringe