Tag: Edinburgh’s Hogmanay

Fare Well: Edinburgh’s Hogmanay reveals its main event

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will feature the UK’s largest swarm drone show in a fully digital celebration, Underbelly has announced.

New Year is a time of reflection, memorable moments and celebration – and despite everything that has landed on 2020’s doorstep, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is dedicated to continuing this tradition and, for the first time in its history, with a fully digital programme.  

Created as a reflection of the year that’s gone and a hope for the future, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will bring to life an exciting new piece of writing by award-winning poet and Scots Makar, Jackie Kay.  

Taking inspiration from Scotland’s land and air, the new work, titled Fare Well, will take viewers on a breath-taking visual journey with the help of 150 individual drones, creating Scotland’s first ever large-scale drone show and the largest drone show ever seen in the UK.

Featuring stunning Scottish scenery, the story starts in the Highlands (near Spean Bridge) before moving to the iconic Forth Bridges with the finale in the home of Hogmanay – Edinburgh. From majestic snow-capped mountains to the historic Old Town of Edinburgh, this is a beautiful ode to Scotland not to be missed.

This air has heather and malt on its breath
as it sighs, puffed oot after a year of death,
under the blue mask of its flag. The Saltire’s
been a warning cross. Dinny come too near.

Taking inspiration from Jackie’s words, Edinburgh-based visual development artist Gary Wilson has created a series of awe-inspiring images that the drones are programmed to depict a series of words, symbols, animals and shapes in the sky, including a stag, an eagle, a mythical selkie, and the Saltire.

Drone show pioneers, Celestial, have used state of the art technology to launch 150 drones simultaneously into the air to create the largest choreographed drone swarm ever seen in the UK. Reaching an altitude of 150m, and top speeds of up to 25mph, the drones use sophisticated AI software to depict Gary Wilson’s iconic images. 

Isle of Skye’s Celtic fusion band, Niteworks, add their unique musical style with a specially commissioned soundtrack to accompany the words and visuals of the event.

As the story evolves, the emotionally charged score recognises the hardships and sacrifices of 2020 while recognising the hopes of a new year and the months ahead. As a staple of Hogmanay celebrations, Auld Lang Syne will also feature as Edinburgh, and Scotland seek to say goodbye to the year just gone.

We swing aroon and turn tae the day.
We give thanks fir solidarity;
Drap parcels tae food banks.
Clap oor haunds frae balconies
fir the gift o’ nurses.

In celebration of both renowned and emerging talent, Fare Well is narrated by a stellar cast including actors David Tennant (Dr Who, Broadchurch and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Siobhan Redmond (Taggart, Holby City, and Behind the Lines) and Lorne MacFadyen (Outlaw King, Grantchester, and ITV’s Bobby and Tina).

A collection of young Scottish voices including Blessed (aged 16 from Aberdeen), Miren (aged 9 from Glasgow) Heather (aged 18 from Glasgow) and Winnie, a 25 year old native Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Skye complete the line-up.

The new work, which has been six months in the making with a team of almost 40 involved, promises to be a thought-provoking Fare Well to 2020, whilst looking forward with hope to what the new year may bring.  

Due to Covid-19 and the restrictions on live events, Fare Well’s drone display was filmed on location in the Scottish Highlands, where the films will start, and then, using leading edge technology, the footage of the drones has have been placed into shots separately filmed around Edinburgh.

Fare Well is split into three, 5-minute parts, that can be viewed online on 29th, 30th and 31st December.

The stay-at-home event series is FREE to watch and streamed via www.edinburghshogmanay.com so Hogmanay fans all over the world can tune in from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Exclusive behind the scenes and ‘making of’ content will also be available to accompany the shows on edinburghshogmanay.com. 

So, aye, the New Year’s born at midnight.
Good riddance to the last page torn
from this scunnered year. And though we can’t First Foot
with lumps o’ coal, black bun, a Raasey Malt,
or join thigither in a ring o’ haunds,
singing Auld Acquaintance fit to break the band,
we send out Hope into this Scottish air,
breathed out by widows, workers, weans, by those who care,
by those who vote, shout, march to ring the changes
at the Bells, who’ve clocked the dangers.

Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, Directors of Underbelly and producers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “With 2020 being the year it has been, we want to ring out the old year and hurry in the new year, with a message of hope at a world-class event.

“Hope will be the universal message of the turn of the year, and ours will be no exception – Edinburgh’s Hogmanay’s mission is to sing it from the roof tops with a creatively-led and proudly Scottish celebration. 

“We’re grateful to our creative team and to the City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland, The Scottish Government and Creative Scotland who have supported us to create a unique and special moment for people around the world.  Join us from the 29 – 31 December, it truly is an event not to be missed.”

We say Wha’s like us, singing Auld Lang’s Syne. 
We share the planet’s air. What’s yours is mine.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1339533390878560256

Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener at City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’re very proud of our status as the home of Hogmanay and I have no doubt this will endure for many years to come.

“As with many aspects of our lives, we’ve had to adapt our plans for this year, but I believe we’ve found a fitting way to celebrate and mark the end of a highly unusual and challenging year – whilst looking ahead to 2021 with the hope and optimism that each new year brings.”

Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener at City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The best place to celebrate Hogmanay this year will be from home.

“Please plan to ‘coorie in’ with your nearest and dearest, keep each other safe and please enjoy the UK first premiere ‘Fare Well’, featuring original and quite wonderful contributions from Scotland’s finest musicians and poets.”

Event: Fare Well, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2020
Dates: 29 – 31 December 2020
Timings: 7pm nightly 

For more information on Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2020 and to watch the celebratory action from 29 to 31 December 2020 visit the dedicated website.

‘Re-imagining’ Hogmanay in Edinburgh

Let’s start from the basis that Underbelly’s events have been a disaster and should be shut down immediately (writes MIKE SMALL).

They soak up public money, refuse to be transparent about their profits, cause environmental damage to public parks, and shut down and blight open spaces held in the common good. Continue reading ‘Re-imagining’ Hogmanay in Edinburgh

Details revealed for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay opening event

Underbelly has revealed details of the Torchlight Procession

The Torchlight Procession
On 30th December, the historic streets at the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town will flow with a flaming river of light as thousands gather for the magical Torchlight Procession in partnership with VisitScotland, providing a spectacular start to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. 

Continue reading Details revealed for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay opening event

Council to close Waverley Bridge to daytime traffic every weekend until New Year

Council public safety officers have approved a series of temporary changes on Waverley Bridge to ensure safety and accessibility at peak times during weekends over the festive period.

Waverley Bridge will be vehicle-free from 11am until 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays from 16/17 November to 4/5 January. The Waverley Bridge five-bay taxi rank will be relocated to Market Street (East bound opposite Motel One) during this time and the Tour and Airlink buses normally stationed on Waverley Bridge will now operate from George Street and St Andrew Square respectively.

These measures have been planned following recommendations from the Council’s Event Planning and Operations Group as well as an independent crowd safety consultant working with the Council and Underbelly to manage the entry and exit points and the busy junction on Waverley Bridge.

Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes (above) said: “The festive season is extremely busy in the city centre with Edinburgh’s Christmas in full swing in East Princes Street Gardens as well as a significant increase in shoppers and other seasonal activities.

“In a thriving and busy festival city such as ours we must make sure we put in place appropriate plans to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the many residents and visitors who pass through our streets every day.

“These six-hour-long daytime Saturday and Sunday closures on Waverley Bridge will ease congestion on the busy pavements and crossings, making it much easier for everyone to move around in a relaxed, welcoming and festive atmosphere.

“This ties in with our broader aims to make Edinburgh a more attractive, people-friendly place, prioritising walking, cycling and public transport.

“It’s crucial that we also maintain transport links for the people who live and work here and we have been working closely with residents and businesses to make sure these measures allow them to continue with their usual daily routines.”

A spokesperson for Underbelly said, “We welcome the decision to close Waverley Bridge during the busiest periods in the city centre.

“During these busy times, on Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 5pm it will allow us to make the primary East End entrance to East Princes Street Gardens on the corner of Market Street and Waverley Bridge, where crowd management controls including queuing systems will be in place to manage entry.”

New Year starts with a bang with Edinburgh’s ‘best street party ever’

Up to 75,000 people celebrated Edinburgh’s Hogmanay from the Ceilidh under the Castle with Edinburgh Gin to Hogmanay HQ and all corners of the Street Party were led in a moving rendition of Auld Lang Syne after  midnight fireworks by Rag’n’Bone Man.

Underbelly, the new producers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, confirmed that the arena had sold out and a capacity crowd had enjoyed ‘the best street party ever’ with more performers and entertainment throughout the evening.

The all female Divas and Districts Pipes and Bands and LED drumming sensation Spark! made an early move to claim the evening’s best moment in an incredible drum-off with spectacular energy and light raising the crowd’s energy early in the evening on Princes Street.

The Street Party got a face lift for its 25th Anniversary from some of the best international events creatives in the world and dazzled party goers with a huge range of entertainment popping up, from parkour runners on the new ribboned stages to aerialists dancing on the sides of buildings down Edinburgh’s famous main street.

A fantastic line up of bands across the three stages in the Street Party arena included Sacred Paws, a lively dance set from  Niteworks and Human League who drew a bumper crowd to the Waverley Stage, Barns Courtney, Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 and Treacherous Orchestra on the East End Stage, the Mac Twins and Huey Morgan who got the crowd jumping at the fantastic new Castle Street DJ pod.

In a special pre-midnight moment Edinburgh’s Hogmanay played The KLF’s What Time is Love across the Street Party arena, the first time in over 20 years it has been heard and played thanks to special permission from The KLF themselves.

Sanjeev Kohli, the Hogmanay Host, kept the party going as revellers were entertained by aerialists, flash mobs, bands, choirs, and many other surprise moments on podium stages and walls throughout the arena. Sanjeev led the countdown in the crowd collecting New Year’s resolution.

This year’s spectacular Midnight Moment was, for the first time, choreographed to a specially commissioned soundscape created by Skye band Niteworks and award winning sound designer and film composer Dan Jones in collaboration with fireworks experts Titanium. Brand new fireworks called planets stunned the audience with their fizzy sherbet middles and a drum solo in the middle saw showers of pink and gold arrows ricocheting into the night sky.

At the sold-out Concert in the Gardens, Edinburgh’s own Nina Nesbitt kicked off the night sharing stories with the capacity crowd in Princes Street Gardens. The audience of 10,000 in the gardens lit up for Rag’n’Bone Man’s powerful set with the crowd going mad for Hell Yeah and his finisher Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones.

Councillor Ian Campbell, Vice Convener of the Culture and Communities Committee at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Yet again, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations have been the envy of cities across the globe. This has been another record-breaking year for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, with over 75,000 revellers from all over the world bringing in the bells with us at the Concert in the Gardens, Street Party and Ceilidh in the Gardens. What an extraordinary send-off for the 70th anniversary of Edinburgh’s Festivals, and a fantastic way to kick-start 2018. This was my first experience of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations and they did not disappoint. It’s true – Edinburgh really is the best place in the world to celebrate New Year.”

Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, directors of Underbelly who produce Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council said: “The day started with a storm and ended with a bang – without a doubt this was the BEST PARTY EVER. Our 9 minutes fireworks choreographed to Niteworks’ and Dan Jones’ score was truly spectacular and who will forget Rag’n’Bone man leading 75,000 in Auld Lang Syne?  What a special way to ring in 2018.

“We’re particularly proud of the first Bairns Afore event – it was quite magical to see families looking up and enjoying their very own midnight moment together and at 6pm in the evening!

“Our specially built DJ booth had crowds dancing in the street and under the Mac Twins and Huey Morgan right through to the wee small hours.

“It’s been spectacular and we’d like to thank all those who came and made the party such a great night for Edinburgh and Scotland.

“We’re tired and happy but tomorrow morning we will be flinging ourselves into the River Forth for the Loony Dook. It’s going to be braw!”

Free Hogmanay NightBus Services ran throughout the capital once again, supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and provided by Lothian Buses. And Edinburgh Trams again ran free services helping many partygoers get home safely.

Chief Superintendent Kenny Macdonald, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh said: “Edinburgh has once again shown why it’s one of the greatest cities in the world, welcoming in the New Year in tremendous fashion. I would like to thank all of my officers and staff and the stewards for their outstanding work in helping us deliver another fantastic event.

“Extensive planning and discussions between ourselves, City of Edinburgh Council and Underbelly took place over several months, allowing us to deploy appropriate resources within the Street Party arena and ensure we kept the public safe.

“In addition to uniformed officers, specialist resources, including armed officers were present on the evening. This was purely as a precaution, but I think it provided the public with a sense of reassurance while they enjoyed the festivities.

“It is very pleasing to note that the Street Party passed with no major incidents and only 4 arrests were made for minor disorder offences.

“A comprehensive analysis of our arrest figures will be compiled as the day continues.”

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival doesn’t stop when the bells stop ringing. Today (Monday 1 January 2018), the brave, the foolhardy and the generous dive into the chilly Firth of Forth for the Loony Dook, raising money for a huge range of charities in the process.

The New Year’s Day dip sees 1,100 ‘Dookers’ in fancy dress, ranging from the weird to the wonderful, welcome the New Year by running into the River Forth at South Queensferry.  Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets to watch the Dookers parade through the town from 9am before plunging into the chilly water under the shadow of the world famous Forth Bridges. South Queensferry has a variety of pubs, cafes and restaurants, all of which will be open on New Year’s Day.

And as dusk falls this evening, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, celebrates its rich literary heritage and that of Scotland with projections across buildings and landmarks across the city. In a nod to Robert Burns’s poem Sketch New Year’s Day, Message from the Skies sees literary star Val McDermid join with dramaturg, Philip Howard of Pearlfisher, Edinburgh based projection company Double Take Projections and some of Scotland’s best soundscape artists to create and write a new short story which will lead audiences on a trail around Edinburgh. Message from the Skies runs until 25 January 2018 in a celebration of the Bard’s day too. Message from the Skies is a joint commission by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and Edinburgh International Book Festival and is developed in partnership with Edinburgh City of Literature and is supported by Creative Scotland through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals EXPO fund.

Full details of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay are available at www.edinburghshogmanay.com

Message from the Skies set to light up Edinburgh

Lucy’s in the skies!

A talented Davidsons Mains pupil will see her words in lights when an imaginative new project launches next week. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is to celebrate Edinburgh’s and Scotland’s rich literary heritage and its young people with the launch of the innovative and collaborative Message from the Skies. Continue reading Message from the Skies set to light up Edinburgh