PRESS RELEASE
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL
12.01AM FRIDAY 18 SEPEMBER 2015
BIFFY CLYRO TO HEADLINE
2015/2016 EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY CONCERT IN THE GARDENS
IN THEIR ONLY LIVE PERFORMANCE OF 2015
Organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay are today delighted to announce that Biffy Clyro will headline the
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2015/16 Concert in the Gardens. Unique Events, who produce Edinburgh’s
Hogmanay on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, confirmed that the band will make an exclusive
UK appearance this year at the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay event and will be joined by very special guests
Idlewild and Honeyblood in a very strong all-Scottish line-up.
Biffy Clyro headlined the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay event in 2010 and now, five big years later, they will be
bringing their explosive live show to Princes Street Gardens for what promises to be an unforgettable
New Year celebration. This will be the band’s one and only UK performance of 2015 and will be the
stage from which they will kick off 2016 and what is being lined up to be an absolutely huge year for
them.
Biffy Clyro said “We are so happy to come out of musical hibernation to kick off 2016 with the show on
Hogmanay. We want to rock off the cobwebs and prepare for the year of da biff!! Nothing can compete
with Edinburgh's celebrations and we hope to make it a special night for everyone!!”
Pete Irvine, Director of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said “We reckon it’s a real coup that Biffy have chosen
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay not only for their first outing of 2015 but also to launch what looks like a very
special year for them. Their stand-out performance two years ago headlining T in the Park reminded us
that they are one of the most exciting live bands ever to come out of Scotland. Biffy have built a big
international following and headlining an impressive Scottish line-up at Concert in the Gardens will
please both the Scots and our audience who come from over 70 countries.”
Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s festivals and events champion, said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is
going back to its Scottish roots. Idlewild first formed in Edinburgh 20 years ago and they are sure to
be a huge hit with local fans in particular, while Scotland’s NME Award winning Biffy Clyro will help
the city bring in the bells when they perform at the Concert in the Gardens. Coupled with the famous
fireworks display, this year’s celebrations will yet again entertain thousands of people and get 2016
off to a spectacular start.”
Special guests Idlewild formed in Edinburgh in 1995 and will perform at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay with a
line-up of Roddy Woomble, Rod Jones, Colin Newton, Andrew Mitchell and Lucci Rossi. The Scottish
indie band have had a triumphant return to the live scene in 2015, performing at summer festivals across
the country with their first album since 2009 ‘Everything Ever Written’ which has been launched to
critical, and public, acclaim. Honeyblood will open Concert in the Gardens, closing a huge year for
Scots duo which has seen them perform at festivals across Europe including an opening slot for the Foo
Fighters at their recent Murrayfield gig.
Edinburgh born singer Stina Marie Claire Tweedale and
drummer Cat Myers released their debut album in 2014 and also joined Belle & Sebastian on their US
tour earlier this year.
Tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens will go on general sale from 10.00am on
Friday 25 September at www.edinburghshogmanay.com, by calling Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Box Office
on 0844 573 8455 or by calling into the Hogmanay Box Office at The Fringe Office, 180 High Street,
Edinburgh. Tickets are priced at £55.00 (including booking fee) for the Enclosure, and £49.50 (including
booking fee) for the Gardens.
Tickets for the world famous Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party are already on sale at £25.00
(including booking fee).
Early bird tickets for EH postcode residents are still available at £19.00
(including booking fee).
Full details of the Street Party line-up and other events at Edinburgh’s
Hogmanay will be announced on Wednesday 7 October 2015.
Edinburgh's Hogmanay attracts over audiences of over 150,000 to three days of spectacular events
throughout the city centre. The economic impact from Edinburgh’s Hogmanay for the city last year was
£41.8m. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is a key part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals celebrations.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is produced on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council by Unique Events,
working with partners Underbelly who present Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions and events.
-endsFor further information, please contact:
Frances Sutton, Press Manager
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
press@edinburghshogmanay.com or 07841 579481
Notes to Editors:
Biffy Clyro: Formed in Ayrshire in 1995 by Simon Neil (vocals/guitar) and the Johnston brothers James (bass)
and Ben (drums), Biffy Clyro debuted with their 2002 album ‘Blackened Sky’. Their major breakthrough came with
their fourth album, 2007’s ‘Puzzle’, which was their first to reach the Top 10. The band’s success has subsequently
flourished with huge sales for 2009’s ‘Only Revolutions’; their first #1 with the 2013 double-album ‘Opposites’; and
three Top 10 singles. Along the way they’ve earned a succession of major awards including Best British Band and
Best Live Band from NME; Best Album for ‘Opposites’ and Classic Songwriter from Kerrang!; Best Album for
‘Opposites’ and Best Live Band from Q. They’ve also been nominated for Best British Group at the BRIT Awards
and for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize. The release of ‘Opposites’ saw the band’s live shows reach new heights
with highlights including debut festival headline sets at Reading, Leeds, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Isle of Wight and
T in the Park, as well as a triumphant sold-out UK arena tour. Biffy Clyro are currently working on the follow-up
to ‘Opposites’.
Idlewild: Since forming In Edinburgh in 1995, Idlewild have released eight studio albums (two of which debuted in
the UK top ten) and 12 top 40 UK singles. Their blend of melodic rock with poetic lyrics has taken them all over the
world as a headline act, as well as supporting the likes of U2, REM and Pearl Jam. They are one of Scotland’s
most respected & loved bands. Their new album, Everything Ever Written, was longlisted for the 2015 Scottish
Album of the Year Awards.
Honeyblood: Honeyblood are Stina Marie Claire Tweeddale and Cat Myers. Releasing their eponymous debut in
July 2014 on FatCat Records, with nothing extraneous, their music is driven by tightly-bound instrumentals and
laced with the sheer strength and beauty of Stina’s voice. In November 2014 they headlined NME’s New Breed
tour with Superfood, following their own sold-out European run, finishing the year supporting Catfish at The
Bottlemen on another sold out UK tour. Earlier this year they headed Stateside for six weeks to support the
legendary Belle & Sebastian, before returning to the UK for a jam-packed festival season. Their album,
Honeyblood, was shortlisted for the 2015 Scottish Album of the Year Awards.
About Concert in the Gardens: Concert in the Gardens is hosted in West Princes Street Gardens beneath the
spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Taking place on 31 December, the Concert will continue past ‘the bells’
until 1.00am on 1 January 2016. Concert in the Gardens has played host to many internationally acclaimed acts
over the years including Pet Shop Boys, Primal Scream, Biffy Clyro, Simple Minds, Madness, Groove Armada,
Kasabian (special guest Noel Gallagher), Scissor Sisters, KT Tunstall, Blondie and Calvin Harris, At midnight,
crowds at the main stage and throughout the arena will be treated to a spectacular fireworks display against the
backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, heralding the arrival of 2016.
For tickets and more information: www.edinburghshogmanay.com
Concert in the Gardens with Biffy Clyro:
Enclosure Tickets - £55.00 (incl booking fee)
Gardens Tickets - £49.50 (incl booking fee)
n.b Tickets to Concert in the Gardens is within the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party.
About our funders and sponsors:
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2015/16 is funded by:
Principal Funding Partner - City of Edinburgh Council
Major Funding Partners - EventScotland, Scotland’s Winter Festivals and the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh
Festivals EXPO Fund
Major Partners - G4S and Diageo
Official Event Partners - Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Tourism Action
Group (ETAG), Stoats Porridge andVisitScotland,
Media Partners – Forth 1, The List
Official Transport Partner – Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams and Edinburgh Bus Tours, Transport for Edinburgh
With Thanks to – Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh Festivals, Marketing Edinburgh, National Museum of Scotland,
National Galleries of Scotland and Historic Scotland.
About Scotland’s Winter Festivals
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Scotland’s Winter Festivals is a campaign led by The Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with
VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, supporting celebrations of Scotland’s three national days - St Andrews
Day, Hogmanay and Burns Night. Scotland’s Winter Festivals run from November until the end of January.
Scots at home and abroad come together to celebrate Scotland’s unique heritage and distinctive culture
through Scotland’s Winter Festivals – St Andrews Day, Hogmanay and Burns Night.
Scotland is a hub of activity during the winter months with hundreds of events happening to celebrate St
Andrews Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night.
Anyone, whether they are Scottish or have an interest in Scotland, can join in the celebration of winter events
taking place across the country. Find out what’s happening near you at www.scotland.org/winter
A vibrant winter event programme brings together people from all over the world to celebrate Scotland’s
modern culture and traditions through the best of Scottish music, arts, food and drink, innovation and
entertainment.
Scotland is a year-round destination for visitors, welcoming over 15 million people every year to our shores.
St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night all over a reason to come and celebrate here in
Scotland or anywhere else around the world.
About EventScotland
EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of
sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the
economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and
latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews. EventScotland
is a team in the VisitScotland Events Directorate - the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a
tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to
Scotland.
Unique Events Limited: Unique Events is Scotland’s leading independent event company specialising in creating
festivals and producing large scale public events. Unique Events have produced Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on behalf
of the City of Edinburgh Council since its inception in 1993. Details of the 2015/2016 Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
celebrations will be announced in October. Taking place from Wednesday 30 December 2015 till Friday 1 January
2016 the celebrations feature a Torchlight Procession winding through the streets of the city, the world-famous
Street Party and Concert in the Gardens, the Midnight Fireworks display, singing and dancing all set against the
magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. For tickets and more information: www.edinburghshogmanay.com
Underbelly: Underbelly is a UK based, live entertainment company. Their events and festivals division operates
one of the largest operations at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe selling over 230,000 tickets for over 140 shows over
25 days. 2015 marks the seventh year of Udderbelly Festival at Southbank Centre and the fourth year of London
Wonderground at Southbank Centre. Elsewhere Underbelly also produces Comedy Hullabaloo with the RSC
Stratford- upon-Avon; Pride in London for the GLA and board of Pride; West End Live in Trafalgar Square for
Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre. Through their Underbelly Productions arm they
produce and promote live shows in London, throughout the UK and on tour internationally. In 2014 Underbelly sold
over a million tickets to their various events. Underbelly's unique performance venue, Udderbelly, will be making its
international debut on Hong Kong's iconic waterfront skyline from December to February 2016 with a bellyful of
exciting, eclectic and affordable entertainment.
Edinburgh’s Christmas: Underbelly has produced Edinburgh’s Christmas since 2013 and won the Best Festival at
the 2014 UK Event Awards. This year Edinburgh's Christmas runs from Friday 20th November 2015 until Monday
4th January 2016 and the full programme of events is announced on Tuesday 22 nd September. Edinburgh’s
Christmas promises to deliver the biggest and brightest Christmas festival in Scotland. www.underbelly.co.uk.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay & Edinburgh’s Christmas are produced by Unique Events Ltd & Underbelly on behalf of the
City of Edinburgh Council.