We love comedy and we love jazz, so we absolutely love The Horne Section - and, dare we say it, so should you. They're returning to the Edinburgh Festival this year with their mixture of comedy, music and special guests - and their frontman Alex Horne was kind enough to do our 10 Quick Questions before heading north of the border...
Pitch your Edinburgh show in 25 words or less.
Live music, top comedians, extraordinary special guests, smart clothing, one very special dance and free stationery for all audience members.
Your best Edinburgh moment?
Watching Tim Minchin, Jimmy Carr, Tim Key and Al Murray jam with my band, The Horne Section, on the last night of our first run, in a tiny room at the Pleasance. We really didn’t know if the show would work and suddenly my best friends were doing their extraordinary things with my comedy heroes - none of us could stop grinning.
And your worst?
Hearing that my acquaintance Tim Key had one the Perrier award the one year I didn’t come to the festival. While he was rightfully triumphing, I was desperately trying to make some people laugh outside, in the rain, at the Cheltenham race course. I was wet, frustrated, not in Edinburgh, proud and jealous all at once.
You've got one hour free in Edinburgh - what do you do?
Hop on a train to North Berwick then hop on a boat to Bass Rock. You should just spot a puffin before the hour’s up.
Which Edinburgh landmark/venue/place would you give a five star review to?
The Meadows - particularly the playground. It has saved our family’s sanity for the last few years. Although this year I’m leaving them behind for a few weeks, so I’ll say The Meadows - particularly the pitch and putt.
Give us a secret Edinburgh tip!
If you go to the box office for the Edinburgh Tattoo and show them a tattoo of the Edinburgh Tattoo, they’ll let you in for free.
Deep-fried haggis or deep-fried Mars bar?
No thank you.
Kilt or trousers?
Both.
Arthur's Seat or Arthur Smith?
Smith in a kilt with a deep-fried haggis in his sporran.
Complete this sentence: “In Edinburgh, I will be mainly..."
In Edinburgh, I will be manly.
Alex Horne's show The Horne Section: Live At The Grand! is at 23.15 at the Pleasance Courtyard - Grand, 9-22 August. Find out more and book tickets here.
