Edinburghs Hogmanay expands to Portobello and Leith with live music programme

Organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have today revealed a stellar line-up of live music events taking place across Scotland’s capital throughout 2024/2025’s New Year festivities.

Article Source: Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
Last Updated: 21 October 2024 12:00

An eclectic programme of events presents indie rock legends, contemporary Scottish bands and DJ’s, alongside classical recitals and foot stompin’ ceilidh chaos.

Events will take place from 30 December until New Year’s Day, within historic landmark buildings such as St. Giles’ Cathedral and the capital’s famous Assembly Rooms, and for the first time, expanding outwith the city centre to Portobello Town Hall and Leith Arches with a veritable feast of live music on offer for fans.

Tickets for all events are on sale from 12noon Monday 21 October at www.edinburghshogmanay.com

Edinburgh’s own Idlewild will headline a very special Night Afore Concert at the Assembly Rooms on Monday 30 December. The indie-rock legends formed in Edinburgh back in 1995 and with nine acclaimed albums to their name, the show promises a set of anthemic classics as the band enter their 30th anniversary year as a mainstay of Scottish music. Frontman Roddy Woomble will lead the line-up in a set which will showcase why they are one of Scotland’s very best exports, joined by special guests to be announced.

Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble said, “We’re excited to be joining the Hogmanay celebrations in the band’s home of Edinburgh & getting the party started early!”

For the first time, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will host live music events outside the city centre, branching out to Portobello Town Hall and Leith Arches on 1 January, welcoming in the New Year with some outstanding live music.

On New Year’s Day, take a trip to the seaside, where Edinburgh’s Hogmanay keeps the party going with a welcome boost of VITAMIN C at Portobello Town Hall. The Vitamin C club night hosted by Vic Galloway (BBC Radio Scotland) and Andy Wake (The Phantom Band), will kick-start 2025 with a night of rock’n’roll, cosmic disco, soul and everything in between, including full band live sets from alt-rock legends The Vaselines, the infectious indie-pop rhythms of Glasgow’s Sacred Paws, and a night of dancefloor classics with DJ sets from Django Django’s Dave Maclean, and Vic Galloway & Andy Wake themselves.

DJ & Vitamin C host Vic Galloway said, "Andy and I have been spinning the 'platters that matter' and hosting our VITAMIN C nights since the start of 2023, but it's a real thrill for us to put on our biggest night yet in Porty Town Hall as part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay. It's a brilliant venue and promises to be the very best way to start 2025, with alternative legends The Vaselines headlining, joyous support from Sacred Paws, and a party DJ set from Django Django. Shake off the night before, and indeed the year before, with a proper Porty knees-up and some fun, festival vibes by the sea. See you down the front!”

Eugene Kelly, The Vaselines said, “The Vaselines are chuffed and excited to be starting 2025 with a gig as part of the Vitamin C Club at the fantastic Portobello Town Hall. It'll be our first visit to Portobello and to play in such a beautiful venue which has become beacon for local arts and culture will be a New Year's Day thrill. See you on the beach!”

A free Family Ceilidh takes place in Portobello Town Hall throughout the afternoon, with Bella McNab’s Dance Band providing the dancing tunes, and a special performance from Edinburgh community Street Band collective Oi Musica!

Leith Arches will host a New Year’s Day Club Night for those looking to continue the party into the wee hours, with Scottish DJ Hayley Zalassi set to headline, joined by an all-female line-up featuring SWATT Team and Disco T*ts. Glasgow based DJ and Producer, Hayley Zalassi will bring her love of all things House to the Arches, with a euphoric set guaranteed to have music fans dancing their way into 2025, with special guest sets from Edinburgh’s own SWATT Team and local duo Disco Tits. A New Year’s Day to remember at the Arches, for those with a shared love of house and old skool tunes!

Following a sell-out event in 2023, the New Year’s Revels returns to the Assembly Rooms, this time with a ‘Maximum Ceilidh Edition’, ensuring partygoers bring in the bells in style on Tuesday 31 December. With more live ceilidh bands than ever before across two dancefloors, guests can birl’ through the bells straight into 2025 with high-energy tunes all night long from Jimi Shandrix Experience, Bella McNab’s Dance Band, Hugh MacDiarmid’s Haircut and Bodhran Bodhran.

The Bairns New Year Revels at the Assembly Rooms makes sure that little ones don’t miss out on the Hogmanay fun, with an afternoon event of ceilidh dancing and live music for all the family. Expert callers make sure that everyone can learn some moves and join in the fun.

Plus, for a festive yet tranquil way to begin the New Year, the Candlelit Concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral will once again host a very special evening, as the St. Giles' Cathedral Choir, directed by Michael Harris, with the St. Giles' Camerata leader Angus Ramsay, are joined by a stunning array of talented young soloists. This year’s concert on Tuesday 31 December will mark the concluding three cantatas from J.S.Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Bach at his most exuberant in a stunning, atmospheric setting, as the beloved Cathedral celebrates its 900th anniversary.

Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker said, "Edinburgh's Hogmanay is once again set to be a spectacular celebration, with events taking place across the city from St. Giles’ Cathedral and Assembly Rooms to Leith Arches and Portobello Town Hall. This diverse programme promises to be an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors alike, featuring live music, ceilidh dancing, and breathtaking views of the midnight fireworks over Edinburgh Castle. I’m excited to see Edinburgh continue to shine as the place to welcome in the New Year!”

Today’s additions join an already vibrant music line-up for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay with Texas and Callum Beattie in a Scottish spectacle at Concert in the Gardens for the city’s iconic Midnight Moment, plus Hot Dub Time Machine will get the party started at the Night Afore Disco Party on 30 December. 45,000 revellers are set to ring in the New Year in the city centre, enjoying a carnival atmosphere featuring funfair rides, street theatre and delicious food and drink.

Plus, on New Year’s Day itself, the return of the First Footin’ culture trail and Sprogmanay will see the very first music gigs of 2025 in a packed programme of free music and events with line-ups to be announced early November.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2024/25 is supported by Principal Funding Partners City of Edinburgh Council and Major Partners the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Essential Edinburgh, all working together to create spectacular Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations for Scotland.

Image: Idlewild
Image credit: Donald Milne

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