Groove Armada sail in to headline Edinburgh Hogmanay party

Published on Tuesday 4 November 2008 09:23

DANCE stars Groove Armada are to headline Edinburgh's 2008 Hogmanay celebrations.

The duo – famous for songs such as I See You Baby – will play at one of four music stages across the city centre at the December 31 event, which is to begin at the earlier time of 9pm.

Organisers revealed the New Year programme this morning, which includes a brand new dance event, The Dancin', as part of a four-day extravaganza which will attract thousands of revellers from across the world.

Creative director Pete Irvine said it was a "fantastic" line-up.

"With the best emerging and established music acts and exciting new events, we've added a new dimension to the party that brings an explosive mix of energetic music and arts," he said. "Undoubtedly, to see the best bands and be part of one of word's best parties, there really is no better place to be than Edinburgh."

Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations will begin on December 29 with a torchlight procession through the city, reach fever pitch with the Hogmanay Street Party and end on January 1 with street theatre on the Royal Mile.

New to 2008 is The Dancin', on December 30, a free event in the newly laid out Grassmarket, celebrating all forms of dance over three stages with DJs and bars. It will include Bollywood Steps, a mix of high-energy dancing incorporating classical, hip-hop and bhangra to a background of pyrotechnics and water effects.

Also making its debut is Feet First, which will see 13 street theatre companies and more than 120 artists performing on the Royal Mile, combining light, sound and movement for all the family.

But for most revellers, the highlight of the celebrations will be the street party, with Grove Armada headlining the concert and joined by guest star Paolo Nutini. The band's Andy Cato said: "What appeals to me about Edinburgh's Hogmanay is that it is the most famous celebration of that type in the world. I've never been to it and I want to be there. We'll be getting the Glastonbury light show out again, because this is going to be the last time we perform a lot of those older songs."

Performing on the Waverley Stage will be band of the moment Glasvegas, tribute band The Complete Stone Roses, Attic Lights and Broken Records.

The Scott Monument Stage will take on a Scottish feel, headlined by The Peatbog Faeries, supported by Moishie's Bagel, Burach and Watergaw.

Pop fans will be entertained at the Mound Stage, by The Great Calverto, Michelle McManus and The Concrete Jungle Collective. And new to 2008 is the West End DJ Stage, with sets from Hot Chip, Belle and Sebastian and B-Side and the Bandit.