Edinburgh’s Hogmany Celebrations.

Edinburgh’s Hogmany celebrations are famous the world over, as Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens transforms into a sea of revelers dancing and singing their way into the New Year. Counting down the bells on Princes Street was my first experience of Edinburgh and one that encouraged me to come and live here some years ago, I am very excited.

As usual organisers have pulled out all the stops to ensure it’s a fabulous event and this year we see the headline acts Primal Scream, Mark Ronson, The Vaccines, Kassidy, Frisky and Mannish and The Cuban Brothers take to the stage to mark Edinburgh’s Hogmany celebrations.

For Edinburgh based band Matt Norris and The Moon, this 2012 Edinburgh Hogmany party will be extra special. After entering the ‘Hog The Street’ competition run by Edinburgh based Leith Records and winning, they will be playing on stage in front of thousands at the New Year celebrations.

With a set of 3 to 4 songs, Dave Law, who plays trumpet for the band, said it will be the biggest crowd they have played to so far, meaning the whole band is hugely excited.  Since forming in 2009 Matt Norris and The Moon have rapidly rose on the Edinburgh gigging scene. As yet unsigned they have gained momentum supporting the likes of Woodenbox, Three Blind Wolves and Villagers as well as their successful own shows at venues such as The Voodoo Rooms.

The band are fresh from the studio where they have recorded their soon to be released EP, and besides practising for this exciting Hogmany gig,  they are getting ready to tour the Highlands of Scotland. “The crowds in the Highlands are so appreciative of bands touring, we love it there” says Dave. “As well as the Highland Tour we’re hoping to play at more festivals next year, we start off in May with the Brew Dog Festival, ‘Brew on the Bog’, which will see us playing alongside some of our favourite Scottish bands, Kitty The Lion and Three Blind Wolves, the line up is amazing!”

“We jumped at the chance to enter the ‘Hog The Street’ competition and although we thought our chances of winning were good, we never imagined we would. It’s the continued support of our fans that have put us here. They got involved in our facebook page, and supported us on judging day, coming down to see us busking on Princes Street,  and giving generously to the chosen charity, Shelter. The Hogmany gig is a different league to what we’re used to, and we’ll enjoy minute of it i’m sure! Then we’re celebrating the rest of the new year together with a big after party!”

Matt Norris and The Moon can be found on Facebook and if you would like to listen to this great Edinburgh band you can do so there.