Picture by Chris Watt.  07887 554 193. ..

 

Now that we almost have the Festivals out of the way and we are looking forward to next week’s Virgin Money Fireworks we can begin to think about New Year.

This year the headline act at the Concert in the Gardens is Lily Allen who the organisers describe as a ‘pop superstar’. She has had a bit of a retirement from pop for a while.

In 2009, Allen announced that she would be taking a hiatus from musical activities. During 2010, Allen opened a fashion rental shop “Lucy in Disguise” with her sister Sarah, followed by the 2011 launching of her own record label. In 2013, Allen revealed that she had begun working on her third studio album, which was later titled Sheezus. On 12 November 2013, Allen premiered the video for her first original song since 2009, “Hard out Here”, which was released as a single five days later. .

Allen appeared at Glastonbury this year along with some other notable festivals and was rewarded with the NME award for Best British Solo Artist.

Unique Events have organised the Hogmanay festivities for 21 years and they are delighted to have secured such a big name as the lynchpin for all the other parts of the few days set aside to celebrate the beginning of the New Year.

On her headline appearance at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Lily Allen has said: ‘I’ve always wanted to spend Hogmanay in Scotland so the fact that I get to do it this year but performing onstage in front of a whole load of people up for the best time makes it extra special. I can’t wait”

Lily Allen was Kirsty Young’s guest on Desert Island Discs earlier in the summer and you can listen to her music choices by clicking here.

The festivities in Edinburgh are we think second to none but the Discovery Channel mentions the party here as one of the Top 25 World Travel Experiences. Last year there were visitors from over 60 countries and over 130,000 joined in the celebrations.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has long been the envy of cities across the globe and the celebrations to bring in the start 2015 are set to be no exception. Headliner Lily Allen is sure to be a big hit with revellers, and coupled with an absolutely spectacular fireworks display, we are aiming to yet again bring together and entertain thousands of people as the capital brings in the bells.”

Pete Irvine, Artistic Director of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: ‘We are delighted to announce Lily Allen to headline Edinburgh’s Hogmanay in this the final week of the world’s largest arts festival Edinburgh‘s Festival Fringe. Lily has had a great year headlining summer festivals, playing all over the world and now we welcome her to the Home of Hogmanay. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is THE New Year party, Lily is THE party girl.”

You can buy your tickets  for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, The Keilidh at the Street Party, Torchlight Procession and Concert in St Giles’ Cathedral from 10am Friday 22 August 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.

 

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.