Dean Friedman returns to the Edinburgh Fringe 2026 and tours across Scotland
Tickets on sale now for one of the most enduring musical talents ever to hit the Edinburgh Fringe, as he takes his legendary tour across Scotland.
Back in 1978, a young Scottish journalist attended the debut gig at the Glasgow Pavillion from a singer he called ‘the only exciting new musical genre outside of new wave’. He likened him in quality to Bowie, Dylan, Elton John and Rod Stewart, and signed off saying “I really enjoyed this concert, not only for (his) super performance but also for the sense of being there at the genesis of a superstar, something I'll be able to boast about in years to come.”
He wasn’t wrong; Dean Friedman, that youthful singer-songwriter who served up great American storytelling and playful, witty lyrics to a Scottish audience then feasting on Bay City Rollers, Nazareth and early Simply Minds, certainly showed some staying power.
This year, Dean is back at the Edinburgh Fringe for his 21st year with two gigs, part of a Scottish tour taking him not only to the greatest arts festival in the world, but to village halls and city venues across the country.
Those thanking their lucky stars that they’ve got their hands on tickets will enjoy his legendary back list, including Lydia, Ariel, McDonald’s Girl, Well Well Said the Rocking Chair and quirky but utterly endearing S and M Song; it’s a playlist that’s been a soundtrack for a generation, as well as some lesser-known fan-favourites and deep album cuts.
After nearly five decades of performing, Friedman still brings to gigs his unique, intimate style of storytelling where the audience not only feel part of the show, they feel part of his life.
The Fringe is my favourite place to be in August; not just because the typically drizzly Edinburgh weather is far superior to the sweltering, muggy heat of New York, but because any artist can’t help but be inspired by the creative risk-taking which is such an ingrained part of the Fringe ethos.
Ahead of his Scottish tour this August, here are 10 things we bet you didn’t know about the thinking man’s lyricist.
1. He wrote, produced and performed the soundtrack to five seasons of TV show Boon, all except Jim Diamond’s theme song.
2. He wrote, performed and produced the soundtrack to cult horror classic I Bought a Vampire Motorcyle.
3. He invented a musical playground for kids called the Music Atrium with six strange and whimsical new instruments, featured in museums and theme parks around the world.
4. McDonald’s Girl was banned by the BBC, yet 30 years later went viral and ended up featuring in a TV and radio ad campaign for the burger brand.
5. He arguably kickstarted the kickstarter generation, being second only to Marillion for innovatively crowdfunding an album. Six years before Kickstarter was launched his fans helped fund his next CD, and he’s worked this way ever since.
6. A UK wide tour was nearly cancelled in 2005 when his sponsor, Goldenseed.co.uk offered free cannabis seeds to the first 10 people buying his new album.
7. Prime Minister Harold Wilson introduced Friedman on VH1’s I love the 70’s show.
8. Lenny Henry flew Friedman from New York to surprise his then wife Dawn French for her 50th birthday party, after she accused him of ‘accidentally’ throwing away her favourite Friedman – whom she called the “Stephen Sondheim of popular music” – CD during a house move.
9. Dean performed his classic song “Lucky Stars” with the world renowned Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppets.
10. He’s launched two beers to coincide with his 2026 tour, Lucky Stars and Summer Days, in conjunction with the Powder Monkey brewery in Gosport.
Tour dates
Dean will be performing solo, on guitar and keyboard, featuring songs from throughout his four-decade career, including familiar, radio hits and fan favourites, drawn from his nine studio albums, including selections from his acclaimed double-album ‘Songs for Grownups’.
You won’t want to miss a note of these gigs. Book here for
August 8, Green Hotel/Backstage, Kinross
August 9, Webster Theatre Arbroath
August 13, Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow
August 14, Roberton Village Hall,
August 15 and 16, New Town Church, EdFringe, Edinburgh.
See Friedman’s full UK Tour Itinerary at www.DeanFriedman.com.