New Year's party brings Madness to Edinburgh

October 5, 2009

Scotland's legendary New Year's party will feature eighties group Madness as its headline act, it has emerged.

The annual Hogmanay festivities in Edinburgh will mark the band's first gig in the country's capital for over 13 years.

"We've heard it's one of the world's best New Year bashes so we are expecting mayhem - Edinburgh's laid down the gauntlet, we're there to take up the challenge," said a statement from the Baggy Trousers crew.

News of the New Year's party plans follows the band's performance at Glastonbury, as well as a London party arranged to celebrate their 30 years in the music industry.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, the festival and events champion at Edinburgh's local authority, greeted the announcement by declaring the occasion one "definitely not to be missed".

"Edinburgh's Hogmanay is envied across the world and this year, with Madness set to perform, there will be no better place to be to bring in the New Year," he remarked.

The Scottish New Year's celebrations famously feature a street party, an open-air ceilidh and fireworks, as well as the Concert in the Gardens, with tickets for the bash going on sale this Saturday (10th October).