Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2023/2024 kicked off proceedings on the 29th December at the Meadows with the iconic and mesmerizing Torchlight Procession. After 3 years, this amazing spectacle returned in full swing with an attendance of up to 20,000 people. Taking the route from the Meadows up to, and along, George VI Bridge; the Vikings, band and Torch-bearers headed down Johnstone Terrace to the finally at the bottom of Edinburgh Castle.
Marching through the historic streets of Edinburgh the ancient architecture was lit up like a New York billboard by 20,000 plus torches. Like a fire-snake weaving its way through streets and spectators, it was like a scene from a part in a mediaeval film. Beautiful, warming and very moving to witness, the Torchlight Procession holds a special place in the Hogmanay celebrations and delivered a memorable experience.
As day broke on the 31st December, the weather was always the first port of call when it came to Edinburgh’s Street Party. With the forecast forecasting a dry and mild evening in store for the New Year shenanigan’s I am sure Hot Chip and Pulp will be delighted that the Scottish weather gods had blessed us. As the crowds gathered on Waverley Bridge for the Elephant Sessions and thousands of revellers filling up every free space available on Princes Street, the Ross Band Stand was the place to be.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay pulled it out of the hat again with booking Pulp as the headline act, and being supported by Hot Chip promised enough to warm the cockles of the all the audience this famous winter’s evening. The Ross Band Stand is the historic entertainment pod in Princess Street Gardens and has seen many a band play here over the last 100 years; from Roxy Music, Simple Minds, Pet Shop Boys, Big Miz, Cooked and now Pulp.
As time grew nearer to 2024 Hot Chip readied themselves to enter the Street Party arena. Hot Chip are a band and DJ combination formed in London in 2000 and hail from the synth/pop music culture background. With a love of RnB and House Music and influences as far and wide as Roxy Music, Madonna and OMD they soon captured the attention of the UK dance scene. As Alexis Taylor, Joe Goddard and Al Doyle took to the stage, Hot Chip set the night alight with songs that sent smiles over every face in the auditorium.
As their set climbed the distinctive sound of songs like “Over and Over”, “Ready For The Floor” and “Boy From School” leaked out the crowd were now as warm as a glass of Mulled Wine. Fantastic support for the majestic Pulp!
10.50 PM was the suspected estimated time of arrival for the headline act to embody all that is the Edinburgh Hogmanay experience and after a small sprinkling of fireworks bursting above Edinburgh Castle you could hear a pin drop. Silence was the key and if by magic, the first key / note of “I Spy” crept through the speakers like an escaped fly caught in a spiders web longing for freedom.
Pulp are a Britpop, Art Rock Band that are unique in every way possible. Established in Sheffield in 1978 Pulp worked tirelessly in the 1980s with LPs like “It”, “Freaks” and “Different Class” in 1995 seemed to break down every door in every household when the album reached number 1 in the UK charts.
As “I Spy” came into its own the now beefed up audience were introduced to the Moving Piece of Art that is Jarvis Cocker. Jarvis is human art at its best, his movement, charisma and posture defines a stage presence like no other. As each song emerged from the set list the intensity grew with great appreciation.
“Mis-Shapes”, “Do You Remember The First Time”, “Something Changed”, “Babies” , “Underwear” and before leaving the stage for the New Year’s fireworks celebrations at midnight they finished with the hard hitting and classic song “Disco 2000”. With an inter-lude of beautiful and eye catching fireworks exploding over the crest of Edinburgh Castle 2023 was now a distant memory.
As the waterfall of colour cascaded down the rock face there seemed to be a feeling of relief among the crowd that the difficulties of 2023 are behind us, for the time being anyway. The moving piece of art Jarvis Cocker allowed himself a wee dram whilst the second chapter of the Pulp invasion begun. Crashing through hit after hit and with the added bonus of new material such as “Background Noise” Pulp delivered an amazing and awesome night of unforgettable memories.
With familiar lyrics that were sung with heart felt appreciation, so when ” Common People” was unleashed on us, the 6000 strong audience all became backing singers for Pulp and Mr. Cocker. What a sight to have witnessed . Truly magical and certainly a night to remember. A big shout out goes to all the Edinburgh Hogmanay organizers and security / volunteers for making this another special event that will live in the memory of many for years to come.
Raymond Speedie
Mumble Music 