Published: Thursday, 6th November, 2008 10:40am

Edinburgh"s Hogmanay line-up announced

EDINBURGH'S Hogmanay this week reveals a world-class programme of New Year celebrations, with party legends Groove Armada spearheading a host of new events and performances from the best acts on the British music scene.

Celebrations on the 31 December will begin at the new time of 9.00pm and this year"s Concert in the Gardens will be headlined by internationally acclaimed big beat duo Groove Armada, whose electric mix of music, light, fireworks and amplified atmosphere promises to be the stage spectacle of the year. Joining them on stage is very special guest, Paolo Nutini, who will open the Concert in the Gardens and kick-start the celebrations, plus additional guests (to be announced).

Continuing the all star music line up and signalling an exciting new direction for the event, this year"s Edinburgh"s Hogmanay Street Party will have four live stages, each with a distinct musical style and fantastic acts, all accessible with an Edinburgh"s Hogmanay £10 Street Party Pass:

· The Waverley Stage plays host to the hottest band of the moment, Glasvegas, supported by The Complete Stone Roses, Attic Lights and Broken Records

· The Scott Monument Stage is the place to be for something with a real Scottish flavour, as the Peatbog Faeries are supported by Moishie"s Bagel, Burach and Watergaw

· If you"re after something a bit more pop in its focus, then try The Mound Stage where the Great Calverto plays alongside Michelle McManus and the Concrete Jungle Collective

· Finally, the new West End DJ Stage, promises thrilling DJ sets from Hot Chip, Belle & Sebastian and B-Side & the Bandit (resident DJ at Sugarbeat).

In addition to this musical spectacular, the four-day celebrations - from 29 December 2008 to 1 January 2009 - include a host of new elements including:

· The Dancin" - a free event celebrating dance in all its forms, this brand new event is being programmed by Unique Events in collaboration with Dance Base. It will celebrate dance and joie de vivre as well as herald the arrival of the Year of Homecoming Scotland 2009. A dance spectacular over three stages, as well as DJ sessions and bars in the architecturally award winning Dance Base studios, the best in traditional and modern dance from around the world showcased in the newly laid out Grassmarket at the heart of the Old Town.

The showpiece of the evening will undoubtedly be "Bollywood Steps". The show brings together stunning choreography and specialists in pyrotechnics, quick costume changes, water effects and lighting to create a visual feast, inspired by Bollywood, you can expect high-octane glamour, kitsch costumes and a mix of dance incorporating bhangra, hip-hop and classical dance.

· Auld Lang Syne - Heralding the Year of Homecoming Scotland, the Street Party will screen a specially commissioned film to be premiered after the midnight fireworks which will see 100,000 people from all over the world in Princes Street - and millions more watching on television - united in song with the world"s biggest rendition of Burns" most famous work. Come join us in the biggest choir at the biggest moment, here in the home of Hogmanay.

· Boogie Wonderland - a new ticketed event at Mound Precinct that pays homage to DISCO and showcases the best 70s tribute bands for a splash of nostalgia and funky times including an exclusive Silent Disco especially for Hogmanay, all hosted by Forth One DJ "Boogie"

· A brand new West End DJ stage - as part of the world renowned Edinburgh"s Hogmanay Street Party, a brand new stage at the West End of Princes Street will host DJ sets from Hot Chip, Belle & Sebastian and B-Side & the Bandit. Complete with a new laser canopy light show and some of the best views of the midnight fireworks, it will be one of the hottest stages in the Street Party

· The Hoog Family is being held at Edinburgh"s George Street Assembly Rooms Ballroom. The event is geared towards families and brings Scottish ceilidh dancing, with a twist.

· International debut of Feet First - One of the most anticipated cultural aspects to the programme is the debut of Feet First, a brand new, specially commissioned event for 1 January 2009. Showcasing the best of Scottish street performance and outdoor arts in a inspiring and fantastical production focused on the optimism and hopes for the New Year ahead, this Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Government Edinburgh"s Festivals Expo Funded initiative promises to get the new year off to a flying start.

With thirteen Scottish Street Theatre companies and over 120 artists involved, Feet First is an ambitious project staged on the Royal Mile on 1 January that combines light, sound, still and moving images, aerial and puppet performances. This free event is interactive, caters for families of all ages and is the biggest performance of new street art specially commissioned, created and produced in Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Arts Council and the Scottish Government Edinburgh"s Festivals Expo Fund, Feet First producers Paul Pinson and Chloe Dear are promising an evening of entertainment never seen before and one that promises to make a fantastic start to the New Year.

· New earlier start time for Edinburgh"s Hogmanay Street Party - this year all stages and ticketed events will start at the new, earlier time of 9.00 pm making sure the party can last even longer!

· Large screens along Princes Street - sharing all the stage action and Street Party atmosphere

Celebrating the launch of this year"s Hogmanay programme Councillor Steve Cardownie says: 'Groove Armada will headline an incredible night of live music and dance across the city centre, which will once again see Edinburgh crowned as the premier destination to bring in the New Year.'

Pete Irvine, creative director of Edinburgh"s Hogmanay, adds: '2008 sees another fantastic line-up for Edinburgh"s Hogmanay. With the best emerging and established music acts and exciting new events we"ve added a new dimension to the event that brings an explosive mix of energetic music and arts. Undoubtedly, to see the best bands and be part of one of the world"s best parties there really is no better place to be than Edinburgh!'

First Minister Alex Salmond says: 'Edinburgh is the home of Hogmanay. This year"s programme showcases the best of Scottish music, arts and culture, and reinforces Edinburgh"s reputation as the best place in the world to see in the bells.

'The Hogmanay celebrations help to promote Edinburgh, and Scotland, as a fantastic tourist destination and highlights the first-class hospitality Scotland offers visitors.

'Hogmanay is traditionally a time to return home and visit family and friends. This event is a great opportunity to give tourists a taste of the forthcoming Homecoming programme and to encourage them to return to Scotland for what promises to be the biggest celebration of Scottish culture, heritage and innovation the world has ever seen.'

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland said: 'Edinburgh"s Hogmanay is one of Scotland"s most famous and exciting festivals. We"re delighted to be supporting The Dancin" within this year"s celebrations.

'This year"s Hogmanay holds particular significance as it heralds in the 250th anniversary of our national poet Robert Burns. The anniversary is the inspiration behind the country"s first ever year of Homecoming, making 2009 a fantastic year to be in Scotland.'

Concert in the Gardens headliners, Groove Armada, said: 'What appeals to me about Edinburgh"s Hogmanay is that it is the most famous celebration of that type in the world, I"ve never been to it and I want to be there.

'We"ll be getting the Glastonbury lightshow out again, because this is going to be the last time we perform a lot of those older songs.'

Tickets for all events are on sale now.

Starting on 29 December, the iconic Torchlight Procession remains a favourite with families and winter festivalgoers of all ages. Creating a dramatic "river of fire" down the Royal Mile, the Torchlight Procession - that this year will raise funds for One City Trust - culminates in a blazing finale that in 2008 will see a huge Lion Rampant set alight atop Calton Hill to the rousing sounds of the mass pipes and drums amid fire sculptures, performers and a breathtaking fireworks display.

The activities continue on 30 December when the curtain is lifted on a brand new event in the Grassmarket; The Dancin". This exciting new event is free and celebrates the very best of modern and international dance. From B-Boy to barn dances and break dancing, the evening gives a flavour of great modern dance. With guest DJs and one-off clubs in the Dancebase building, the event culminates in an exciting Bollywood extravaganza of colour and movement.

For the first time we can announce 'The Family Hoog' which is being held on 30 December at the George Street Assembly Rooms Ballroom. The event is geared towards families and presents Scottish ceilidh dancing, with a twist. All dances are formally called and demonstrated and well-known favourites like Strip the Willow, the Gay Gordons" and the Virgina Reel will be modernised with a set from the White Stripes DJ, Frenzy. Doors open at 6.30 pm and the mayhem goes on until 10.00 pm by which time, the younger family members might be ready for a wee snooze before they show off their new found dancing skills on Hogmanay!

New Year"s Eve has something for everyone. Starting early with the Candlelight Concert in St Giles Cathedral, this ticketed event features sparkling performances of Vaughan William"s Fantasia on Christmas Carols and Vivaldi"s Gloria.

At 9.00 pm all the city centre stages will go live. That"s when the ticketed event, the Glayva Ceilidh in the Gardens starts jigging with The Ocassionals, Hugh McDairmid"s Haircut, The Jimi Shandrix Experience and Blueflint who promise to keep it lively through the bells and into the wee small hours.

Boogie Wonderland will kick off its party with a 70"s soundtrack from ABBA Arrival, Ultimate Earth, Wind & Fire and The Soul Kings. Complete with the last Silent Disco of 2008 and fancy dress as an essential, this ticketed event promises to have plenty of Travolta moves!

Come and dance away 2008 at The Hoog, Edinburgh"s Hogmanay"s only indoor ceilidh party. With three stages of entertainment and dancing all night at the George Street Assembly Rooms from 7:00 pm until 2:00 am. For the second year running, The Hoog sees the return of the hugely popular rock ceilidh band Teannaich in the grand Music Hall with Blaze in the Bothy, the internationally famous trio across the hall in the Grand Ballroom. DJs on the third stage intersperse the evening"s ceilidh action along with occasional surprises and spontaneous acts across all three stages in a programme that brings together ceilidh, celebration, dancing and partying.

As we enter 2009, the New Year"s Day Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op Triathlon and Kids Duathlon are staged in Holyrood Park. These events - which require pre entry and registration - will help those with fitness in mind start the New Year as they mean to go on.

The world-famous Loony Dook is celebrated on 1 January 2009 in Queensferry, where crowds are welcomed to come -often in fancy dress- and plunge into the freezing waters of the Forth to mark New Year"s Day. Importantly the event aims to raise funds for a variety of charities including the Radio Forth "Help a Child" appeal.

Finally, Edinburgh"s Hogmanay programme closes with the debut of Feet First at 7 pm on the Royal Mile, giving audiences an inspirational start to the New Year with interactive street theatre and art performances.