Review: Kultura at The Pitt and the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

This is a review of the Kultura jazz band, but it’s also a review of The Pitt, Pulp Friction and Nae Bother Foods.

@edinburghreviews

Kultura is a rocking part of #ejbf24 and Girdy went to see them at the new and nearly opened The Pitt down in Granton. Jazz, street food and local vibe in #edinburgh .

♬ original sound – Edinburgh Reviews

If you want the “Too Long, Didn’t Read” summary: Kultura rocked! They rocked more than you might expect a jazz band to, but it was the perfect fit for the venue.

So, why could this be a review of many things? Let me explain! The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival is on right now. It’s my first year attending anything as part of the Festival, and I’ve been to see one previous act, Ready Player Seven. Ready Player Seven do jazz retro computer game covers, and I enjoyed the gig, so I was up for more.

So when The Pitt signalled that it had a jazz band in attendance and tickets would be free, you just had to register; I was up for it.

You see, I’ve never been to The Pitt before. I was always curious but intimidated by them. When they were on Pitt Street, they always felt so busy. The crowds there always seemed so tightly packed, so energetic. And I’m geeky with a personal space zone a mile wide. But the Pitt’s new venue is in my neck of the woods. It’s in Granton and down by the sea, where they’ve got this old warehouse.

The Pitt team has been cleaning the venue and preparing it for beer-drinking crowds. To complete the project, a crowdfunding campaign is underway to raise £50,000.

As it turns out, Kultura is a really good fit for the venue.

Kultura is a jazz band after all. So there’s a touch of soulfulness and melancholy, but they’re also quite energetic and exciting. We had live music in a large warehouse by the Scottish sea. That’s quite a unique thing!

Imagine my surprise when I recognized some of the Kultura band. In particular, Vid Gobacon drums; the same drummer from Ready Player, 7 So I’ve seen two gigs as part of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and there’s been an overlap in performers. Surely Scotland cannot be that deprived for jazz musicians?

Kultura were a great fit for the large concrete space. They didn’t take up much physical space, but they filled the warehouse with their sound. They broadcast their presence through the building and into the courtyard. Beer had been flowing for 90 minutes before the first beat of the drum and yet, when Kultura started, people turned to watch and listen.

Kultura also filled The Pitt in terms of numbers. I turned up about an hour after doors opened, about 30 minutes before the band started and it was quite busy (but not awkwardly so). The atmosphere got better as the night progressed, although I didn’t stay too late. When what might have been a coach load of young French tourists turned up they were easily absorbed into the crowd.

Now we’re talking; jazz, outside food, locals, dogs and now hip French students here for the vibe.

I’d go see Kultura again, especially if they return to The Pitt.

The Pitt

This can’t really be a review of The Pitt because the venue still needs to be finished, but it’s very promising.

There’s a large bar at one end, which should cope with most queues. There’s an outside area, and for this gig, that’s where the food was, but the inside area is more than ample and tall enough to allow for food vans.

Nae Brother sold out of veggie options, which is a good sign for vendors. The better the vendors The Pitt can attract, the more popular it will be, and the virtuous cycle will kick in.

I admit I’m a bit concerned whether The Pitt can continue to attract people down into deepest bluest Granton when the novelty of the place wears off, but I hope it does. The more we can spread events around the city, the better for us all.

Nae Bother Foods and Pulp Friction

I queued for a while, happy with the vibe, only for the person in front of me to get some of the last food from Nae Bother. I spoke to the hard-working chef in the food truck, who told me he had prepared more than double the usual amount and had never sold so much vegetarian food before.

Veggie food selling well at a jazz and blues festival! I’m not surprised.

I was more than happy with my potato curry and smash burger combo. I’ve been to Nae Bother before, will go again. My other option was Pizza Geeks but I can get to their tasty pizzas whenever I want.

I admit it, too. It wasn’t the plan, but I treated myself to something tingly delicious from Pulp Friction. I think it was booze, ginger and rhubarb!

Things to do in Granton

Right now… there’s not much else for tourists. It’s a residential area, but the trams (might) come, and you’re within walking distance of Leith.

That means you’re close-ish to the Port of Leith Distillery, Moonwake and the award-winning Sabzi.

Overall

I had a hip blast. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I enjoyed myself and left feeling like I’d taken part in a communal thing, even if I only spoke to the traders.

I’d see Kultura again, especially if they play at The Pitt.

I wasn’t interested in the sportsball pop-ups The Pitt had tested previously, but I’ll absolutely watch for future events there.