Hogmanay celebrations
Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos recalled the last time the last time they were booked to play Edinburgh Hogmanay did not go to plan.
Fifteen years ago they were supposed to be a supporting act to The Coral and Erasure but the weather turned foul and the event was called off.
“There was a massive storm and the whole thing got cancelled,” explained Kapranos speaking ahead of this year’s event at which they finally got top billing
“We played a gig in somebody’s flat in Marchmont instead. It was great, but we’re delighted to be playing the big party itself.”
Tens of thousands of people will descend on Edinburgh to celebrate the New Year, attending one of the biggest street parties in the world.
Kapranos said: “Hogmanay is huge. The biggest party in the world. I cannot think of a better backdrop to have a good time. We’re honoured to be part of it.”
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations run for a total of three days – welcoming over 160,000 people from the UK and around the world to the city and surrounding areas.
Last year, the economic impact of Hogmanay on the city was £32.9 million, an increase of 40.5% since 2010. Almost 170,000 people attended the festival events.
Elsewhere in Scotland, Inverness hosts Scotland’s biggest free Hogmanay celebration, one of many Winter fire festivals will take place in Stonehaven, and the Biggar Bonfire will welcome revellers from all over Scotland.
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