13 Nov, 2012 Simple Minds To Play Hogmanay In Edinburgh!
Just announced, Simple Minds will play at the Hogmanay [New Years Eve] celebrations in Edinburgh at the ‘Concert in the Gardens’ [TICKETS]….Jim had this to say:
“I recall so many great Hogmanay’s in Scotland, mostly when I was a kid, and when my parents and seemingly all their friends would have “open house” parties. Back then the New Year celebrations in Scotland would last for days, the memories however go on forever.
I also cherish many occasions when I would spend the celebrations in the Trossachs. That was in the 90’s and Simple Minds had a recording studio/base in Lochearnhead and I had a house close by, on the shore of Loch Lubnaig.
New Year’s Eve in that part of the world was also a bit of challenge, least for me it was, when I decided to celebrate by diving into the waters of the frozen loch at first light on January 1st. (The idea of that still chills me!)
Strangely, I don’t think I have spent New Year’s Eve in Scotland for around a decade or so. Maybe I never got over the street party that was taking place at the bottom of my street when I was then living in the centre of Glasgow. As much as you could try to get into the spirit of things, standing stone cold sober in the icy rain while watching a genuinely awful Abba tribute band – was beyond grim. But I had after all promised that I would take the kids out into the street to celebrate, and they liked it. Glasgow in fact could do no wrong in their “Londoner” eyes, and that same notion remains to this day for – for them. I state this rather proudly.
From then on and as the years have passed, I have usually gone off on holiday at that time of year. Traveling here, there and everywhere. Enjoying things, albeit in a much more low-key way. But that will not be the case this year, certainly not.
For this year, we are very chuffed to confirm – that Simple Minds have accepted the invite – and will be in Edinburgh – headlining the prestigious ‘Hogmanay Concert in the Garden.’
As it is widely known, Scotland is one of the great places to spend the New Year. Edinburgh in turn, thanks to Pete Irvine and his Unique Events, is reportedly the best place in the country to be, particularly as the clock strikes midnight.
And why so? Well for many years now the authorities in Edinburgh invest in making their city a fantastically, atmospheric, party town. One that is full of events that appeal across the board to the hordes, both local and those who travel in their thousands from all over to spend New Year’s Eve (Hogmanay) in Scotland.
The Concert In the Gardens, situated in Princes Street, and with Edinburgh Castle itself as the spectacular background, is only one of the events But it is the centre piece and as expected Simple Minds will be giving all to make sure that the celebrations in Edinburgh this year will live on, very long, in the memories of all who come.
Now, where did I put that old tartan jacket of mine?”
Jim Kerr
Simple Minds to Headline Concert in the Gardens
and a New Look to the World Famous Street Party
The City of Edinburgh Council and Unique Events today announced a sparkling line-up to celebrate the first 20 years of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. Within the new look Street Party and the ever-popular Concert in the Gardens, some of Scotland’s top bands will be rocking the world’s greatest New Year Party.
Headlining Concert in the Gardens are one of the most successful Scottish bands of all time – Simple Minds – who will be performing a set of their greatest hits in West Princes Street Gardens before they embark on a UK tour in the spring.
Jim Kerr said “We’ve played some iconic venues around the world – and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is right up there with the best of them. We are so excited to be coming home to Scotland, and Edinburgh, for this great celebration of the first 20 years of Hogmanay. It’s going to be a fantastic experience for us, and for the audience.”