Emeli Sandé to star in Edinburgh’s version of Olympic event

SINGER-songwriter Emeli Sandé is set to headline a free concert at Edinburgh Castle to celebrate the visit of the London 2012 Olympic torch, it was announced today.

The 24-year-old Scot, whose album Our Version of Events reached number one in February, will perform at the Castle Esplanade on June 13.

More musical acts are set to be announced later for the concert at the 8500-capacity venue, which will start at 4.30pm to help make it a “family event”.

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Sandé, who has had two number-one singles, Read All About It with Professor Green and Next to Me, said she was looking forward to being part of the city’s Olympic celebrations.

She said: “As a proud Scot I’m so incredibly excited at the prospect of entertaining a home crowd as part of the Olympic torch relay celebrations. I can’t wait to share in the excitement and energy that the Olympic flame will bring to Scotland.”

Sandé was raised in Aberdeenshire before going on to study medicine at the University of Glasgow. She quit in her fourth year to launch her music career.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, the city’s festivals and events champion, said: “This event is fantastic news and another feather in the cap for the city. Edinburgh has an international reputation as somewhere people want to perform. I’m sure this will be a popular event as part of the Olympic torch celebrations and people will have a great time.”

The Edinburgh event is one of 61 free evening celebrations taking place along the course of the Olympic torch relay as hundreds of Scots carry it on its way to London.

James Williams, director of the Olympic torch relay for concert organisers Coca-Cola, said: “We know that music brings people together in celebration and as a presenting partner of the Olympic torch relay, we have a fantastic opportunity to extend the magic and excitement of London 2012 to every corner of the UK.”

The Olympic flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on July 27 to mark the start of the London Games.

X Factor runner-up Olly Murs is set to appear on the Castle Esplanade on July 20 just a week before Oasis star Noel Gallagher brings his High Flying Birds to the venue on July 17.

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Previous names to have played the Castle over the past 16 years include Leonard Cohen, Blondie, Pink, Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, Girls Aloud, James Taylor, Tom Jones, Elton John and The Proclaimers.

Last year marked the launch of the newly revamped £16 million Edinburgh Castle arena, with sold-out shows from Arcade Fire and Bryan Ferry.