The Pet Shop Boys have said they are “delighted” to announce they are headlining Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations.
Synth-pop duo Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe will perform at city’s legendary Concert in the Gardens on December 31, leading crowds into the new year.
One of the UK’s most successful and beloved groups with 22 top ten hits and four number one songs, the duo have promised it will be “one of the greatest Edinburgh’s Hogmanay events ever”.
The duo recently returned from North America, where they played a sold-out co-headline tour with New Order, at venues including Madison Square Garden in New York and two nights at the Hollywood Bowl in LA.
The band said: “2022 has been an incredible year, when we have loved being able to perform again after the restrictions arising from the pandemic.
“We can’t think of a better way to round off this year than by celebrating the start of 2023 in Edinburgh.”
Formed in 1981 in London, the duo are best known for songs such as West End Girls, It’s A Sin, Go West, Always on My Mind and What Have I Done to Deserve This?
They are listed as the most successful duo in UK music history by The Guinness Book of Records and have received a number of accolades including three Brit Awards and six Grammy nominations.
This year marks the return of Edinburgh’s New Year festivities after the Covid pandemic resulted in the famous street party and other associated events being cancelled in both 2020 and 2021.
Producers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay said the world-famous celebrations on the 31st will also include fireworks at midnight against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
There will be three days of free and ticketed events from Friday December 30 to Sunday January 1, featuring live music, fireworks, the flagship street party and the showpiece Concert in the Gardens.
Penny Dougherty and William Burdett-Coutts, from event producers Unique Assembly, said: “As we celebrate the return of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, we are delighted to welcome back one of the greatest pop duos of all time and one of the festival’s most successful headliners – Pet Shop Boys.
“Who better to help us kick-start Scotland’s premier new year festival, bringing Hogmanay back home.”
Hopeful attendees can subscribe to the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Newsletter to gain access a pre-sale from 10am on October 27.
Tickets go on general sale on October 28 at 10am from www.edinburghshogmanay.com, priced from £70 including booking fees.
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