Gary Flockhart: Who are you putting your money on at Hogmanay?

NOVEMBER means it’s surely only a matter of days until the line-up for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay concert is revealed.I say ‘surely’ because the organisers are leaving it a tad late to tell us who’s playing.

Granted, the event normally sells out no matter what, but for those (like me) who plan to spend New Year elsewhere, should the line-up turn out to be a bit, well... rubbish, it’s frustrating.

Besides, like many others who enjoy playing the guessing game in the run-up to the announcement, the suspense is killing me.

In recent years, there has been a strong tartan presence - Biffy Clyro, Primal Scream, KT Tunstall, Paolo Nutini, etc - and it’s a pattern that I can see continuing this year.

In that case, it would be no surprise if girl-of-the-moment Emeli Sande gets the nod. Same goes for Twin Atlantic, a Scottish band who are having an amazing year.

King of collaborations Calvin Harris shouldn’t be ruled out either, especially if he can persuade some of his A-list pals to make cameos. Nor should Amy Macdonald.

And then there’s Garbage, the Scottish-helmed, American-domiciled outfit who returned with a new album this year but neglected to include Auld Reekie on their UK tour.

Could it be that Stockbridge lass Shirley Mason was saving her big homecoming?

Or how about Simple Minds? Jim Kerr and co are gearing up to tour next year - so where better to kick things off?

Truth told, it’s almost impossible to guess, but you can at least be sure of a strong local presence further down the bill, as in previous years.

If the organisers are on the ball, that could mean deserved invites for gifted young singer Nina Nesbitt and Mercury Prize nominees Django Django, who formed in Edinburgh.