Legendary 80s band The Human League set to perform at Hogmanay

Organisers of this year’s Hogmanay in Edinburgh have announced that the legendary 80s band The Human League will headline at the world-famous street party.

The synth-pop pioneers will take top billing on the Waverley stage at the annual outdoor extravaganza on New Year’s Eve.

Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman Huey Morgan will also perform on the Castle Street Stage, organisers Underbelly said as they unveiled the full list of performers on the night.

The billing also includes Concert in the Garden’s headliner Rag’n’Bone Man alongside support acts Declan McKenna and Edinburgh’s own Nina Nesbitt.

And Ceilidh Under the Castle with Edinburgh Gin brings together Scottish folk acts – The Occasionals, Heilan Crew and Kipper Ceilidh.

Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “We’re thrilled to announce the full music line-up for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay which we’re immensely proud of.  Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the UK’s, if not the world’s, best new year celebration and this diverse line up of up and coming talent such as Declan and Barns, current superstars, like Rag‘n’Bone Man, and pop legend the Human League really demonstrates that.  We’re also delighted to have Scottish acts showcased on every stage at Scotland’s New Year festival.”

Underbelly has been touting this year’s event as a ‘rebooted’ street party after winning the contract from Unique Events earlier this year.

A series of events will run across three days and the December 31st celebration will be extended with earlier entertainment aimed at a family audience.

The main fireworks display will also be increased by six to nine minutes as the capital bids to compete with the increasing number of global cities hosting New Year’s Eve pyrotechnic spectacles; Still Game star Sanjeev Kohli has also been drafted in to entertain crowds as host.

There have also been a number of important hires for the 2018 event; Martin Green, one of the UK’s leading live event producers, formerly Head of Ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and currently the CEO and Director of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, will take up a role as executive producer and Struan Leslie, formerly Head of Movement at the Royal Shakespeare Company, also joins the fold.

Organisers say across the Street Party arena three stages will have ‘very different vibes’ offering the 60,000 strong audience the chance to experience a ‘hugely eclectic and buzzing line up of musical talents and genres set in amongst Edinburgh’s iconic streets’.

Further details of the Street Party entertainment taking place across the arena will be announced later this year.

 

Full list of performers across the Waverley Stage, East End Stage, Castle Street Stage:

Rag’n’Bone Man, AKA Rory Graham, said: “Excited to be breaking the New Year in with the Scots at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, what a sick event for a debut show.” 

 Nina Nesbitt said: “I can’t wait to return to one of the best New Year celebrations in the world this New Year! It’ll be so nice to be back in my home city bringing in 2018 with my friends and family.” 

 The Occasionals said: “We in The Occasionals are just thrilled to be back at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay again.  It’s always special and there’s nothing else quite like it. We’re hoping you’ll all come along and join the fun and help us welcome in the New Year – with the kilts on and with the ceilidh.”

Colonel John Thomas McMustard, Colonel Mustard and The Dijon 5 said: “Playing the Edinburgh Hogmanay party will be a dream come true for the Dijon5. We can’t wait to get the audience from all over the world singing, laughing, dancing and crossing the road safely. We are going to bring our full party starting capabilities and peace love & mustard to the show. No one will leave without a big smile on their face!”

Kipper Ceilidh said: “Looking forward to a smokin’ hot night of al fresco, high-energy dance and music in the beautiful natural amphitheatre of Princes Street Gardens…all the big fish will be reeling in for the Ceilidh under the Castle!”

 Niteworks said: “It’s great to be involved in the Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations, and especially this year with such a strong vision being put forward by the team. We really can’t wait to be involved in what will be the best party in the world to welcome 2018″

The Mac Twins said: “Genuinely this is a serious bucket list tick for us and we’ve never been more excited for a gig. We’ve always just watched the fireworks from the braid hills near our mums house, so it’ll be an honour to watch them on stage.”

Heilan Crew said: “There’s nowhere we’d rather be on the biggest night of the year, than under the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, playing for the biggest ceilidh of the year!”

Treacherous Orchestra said: “It’s an absolute honour once again to return to the biggest, and best new year party on the planet. To see in the new year with thousands of folk from all of the world is an absolute blast!! We’ll be going in hard and fast so get your dancing shoes ready for a TREACHEROUS Hogmanay!!!”

 

Tickets are on sale now via edinburghshogmanay.com