Singing twins bring sunshine to Leith

Now The Proclaimers are set for a home-coming heroes’ welcome when they play live in the heart of Leith to mark the launch of a greatest hits album.

The twins have been lined up for a special appearance at the multi-million pound leisure complex Ocean Terminal, which will include a live performance in the centre’s food court and an autograph-signing session.

Hundreds of fans of the football-mad pair are set to turn out for the one-off promotional event, which will come just three days after the launch of their The Best of The Proclaimers.

Craig and Charlie Reid, who are currently on a whistle-stop tour of Canada, agreed to the link-up with the new HMV store at Ocean Terminal, which only opened on April 30.

The Proclaimers are expected to perform a half-hour set in the Ocean Kitchen food court, which overlooks the Leith waterfront, at 6pm on May 16 before heading down to the HMV store to sign copies of the new album.

Ocean Terminal’s marketing manager Fay Jamieson, said: "We’re really chuffed the Proclaimers are coming down here to promote the new album.

"It’s a real coup for us and it’s going to be great to have them performing live in the food court, which has a great stage and an amazing view of the waterfront.

"Tickets aren’t needed for the concert, so basically anyone who wants to see them can come along. I’ve no idea how many people will turn up but I’d imagine there will be huge interest, especially as they have so many connections with the area.

She added: "We had Bellefire in for the opening of the new HMV store the other day and they also performed live in the food court, which went very well. The Proclaimers should be brilliant."

Jason Legg, regional marketing boss for HMV, said: "We actually approached The Proclaimers to see if they could open the store but that just wasn’t possible because they were in Canada at the time.

"We’ve just had it confirmed that they’ll be coming here on May 16 and we’re absolutely delighted. It works out perfectly with the new store, the album coming out and the fact they’re from Leith.

"Because their appearance is on after work and there’s late-night shopping on in Ocean Terminal that night we think it’s going to be really busy and I’d expect at least between 300 and 500 people to turn up."

The Proclaimers have just a few days off after returning from Canada later this month before embarking on a major tour of Scotland, which includes a show at Haddington Corn Exchange on May 23.

The Best Of album, due for release in the UK on May 13, features 20 songs drawn from the duo’s 15-year career, including Sunshine On Leith, their famous anthem which is regularly played at Easter Road, home of their beloved Hibernian Football Club.

Other tracks on the album, which has been personally put together by the twins, include their worldwide smash I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), Letter From America and Let’s Get Married, as well as three new songs - The Doodle Song, Ghost of Love and Lady Luck.

The twins were not available for comment today but their manager, Kenny McDonald, said: "It’s Craig and Charlie’s album and it’s their choice covering all the most obvious songs that have been popular across the world and a broad selection that represents the many tangents of their subject matters and moods.

"I’ve had the pleasure of listening from front to back and it’s a stunning 76-minutes’ worth of indisputable Proclaimers magic."

The Proclaimers have released four albums to date: This Is The Story (1987), Sunshine On Leith (1988), Hit The Highway (1994) and Persevere (2001).

Craig and Charlie say that one of the highlights of their career was when they performed in Princes Street Gardens as the headline act at the last Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations.

The band were asked to top the bill just months after an astonishing comeback . They were also the surprise hit at last year’s T in the Park music festival.