corto.alto was easily one of my top acts at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival. I’ve listened to Liam Shortall’s work for a while, but this was my first time seeing corto.alto live, and it was a seriously good introduction to the project in its live form.
Shortall is the creative force behind corto.alto, with the live lineup changing around him. For this performance, he was joined by Mateusz Sobieski on saxophone, Fergus McCreadie on keys, James Mackay on guitar and Graham Costello on drums. The chemistry between the five was one of the best things about the set. They were constantly exchanging looks and cues, which became almost as interesting to watch as the playing itself.
The set was only around an hour and fifteen minutes, but it was packed. There was a lot of room for improvisation, with each musician given the space to develop ideas rather than simply playing through arrangements. It felt dynamic without ever losing its sense of structure. They could stretch a passage out, take it somewhere unexpected, and then come back together completely in sync.
Shortall moved between trombone, bass and electronics throughout, using each almost as a different voice within the music. His trombone playing was particularly strong, but what I found most interesting was the way the electronic elements were integrated rather than simply added for effect. The bass and electronics also gave the set a seriously heavy low end.
Sobieski was excellent on saxophone, particularly when the playing became more exploratory, while McCreadie and Mackay provided plenty of texture without crowding the arrangements. Costello on drums was outstanding. His playing had an incredible amount of energy and detail, and his control of dynamics really stood out. He could push the band forward without forcing it, then completely change the feel of a passage with a small rhythmic shift.
They also played several pieces from corto.alto’s upcoming album, due out on 3rd September, which gave the set a sense of where the project is heading next. There were also two unexpected covers, including Kendrick Lamar and Justin Bieber. Neither felt like a gimmick. Both were absorbed into the group’s sound and worked surprisingly well.
The space inside the Hub, EIF’S headquarters, itself suited the music. Beanbags and benches were arranged around the space rather than having everyone facing a conventional stage, which made it feel close and informal. From that distance, you could really see the musicians listening and responding to each other.
I left thinking less about individual songs and more about the quality of the playing. corto.alto is Shortall’s project, but the musicians he brings into it are a serious part of its appeal. This was a sharp, adventurous set from players who clearly know exactly what they are doing, without feeling the need to prove it.
Reviewer: Nazaret Ranea
Reviewed: 18th August 2026
North West End UK Rating: