Simple Minds to headline Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations

Simple Minds will lead Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations in West Princes Street Gardens

Scottish band Simple Minds will be headlining Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations this year.

The band will perform a set of their greatest hits in West Princes Street Gardens.

They will be joined by Dundee band The View and Edinburgh's Bwani Junction, who will open the show.

Simple Minds lead singer Jim Kerr said: "We've played some iconic venues around the world and Edinburgh's Hogmanay is right up there with the best of them."

He added: "We are so excited to be coming home to Scotland, and Edinburgh, for this great celebration of the first 20 years of Hogmanay.

"It's going to be a fantastic experience for us, and for the audience."

'Enduring band'

On the Waverley Stage on Waverley Bridge will be Mercury Prize nominees The Maccabees.

They will be joined by special guests Reverend and the Makers and the up and coming Scottish act The OK Social Club.

On the Scottish Stage, which this year is relocating to Frederick Street, Indie-folk group, Admiral Fallow, will be joined by very special guests Lau and Shooglenifty.

There will be countdown fireworks at 21:00, 22:00 and 23:00 before the midnight display

Keilidh on Mound Precinct will be birling through the bells to The Brechin City Rollers, Hugh MacDiarmid's Haircut and Ceildhdonia.

Steve Cardownie, Edinburgh City Council's festivals and events champion, said: "This year, we are celebrating 20 years of Edinburgh's Hogmanay and so I think it's fitting that we have one of Scotland's best-selling and most enduring bands as our headline act.

"Those of us who can remember the 1980s will know their hits well - but I'm sure the younger generation will also be singing their hearts out.

"And, of course, with such a great line-up across all of our five stages, there will be something for revellers of all ages and tastes to enjoy."

Pete Irvine, artistic director of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, said "It's a fantastic line-up to celebrate the first 20 years of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, and we're looking forward to a great night."

Up to 80,000 revellers are expected to descend on the street party.

There will be five live stages and countdown fireworks at 21:00, 22:00 and 23:00. There will then be a larger fireworks display at midnight.

Free bus transport home throughout the city will be available for revellers at the Street Party.