STOP PRESS NEWS: 

Matt Norris and the Moon

have won Hog the Street!!!!!

http://www.mattnorrisandthemoon.co.uk/

Emelle / The OK Social Club / The Soul Foundation /

Matt Norris and the Moon / The Marvels / Finding Albert / Das Contras /

Clog & The Quirks / Davey Horne / Madhat McGore

Organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2011/12 are delighted to announce the ten bands who have been shortlisted for the finals of ‘Hog the Street’, the new bands competition taking place on Princes Street this Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December, 1pm – 5pm. Scotland’s best new acts will busk it out for the chance to kick off the world’s greatest New Year party.

The winning band from this busk off will open the Concert in the Gardens – the music and fireworks spectacular – and join the bill alongside headliners Primal Scream and special guests Bombay Bicycle Club and Sons & Daughters.

The ten lucky bands have been chosen by Leith Records and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay from over 80 entries to compete in a live busking final on Princes Street this weekend, hosted by DJ, broadcaster and champion of new music, Jim Gellatly. Each band will perform on stage at the West End for 20-25 minutes and must include their favourite Christmas cover. The line-up includes an eclectic mix of indie, hip-hop, folk and soul to entertain the weekend crowds on Princes Street. The act which raises the most money for Shelter Scotland during their busking set will win the coveted opening slot for Concert in the Garden on 31 December.

The Finalists are (in no particular order):

Emelle: Three brothers, a friendly fiddler and finnie playing honest tunes and paying homage to the past, present and future. They hail from the northeast banks of the Don but migrated further and further south and are now based in Edinburgh.

The OK Social Club: An Edinburgh 4-piece who write about life in Scotland’s capital. Sometimes hectic, sometimes serene, never dull and always colourful.

The Soul Foundation: A high energy soul band from Edinburgh who have taken their influence from the Detroit Motown Sounds of the 1960’s. A fresh, creative outfit, their original material has been compared to Holland/Dozier/Holland.

Matt Norris and the Moon: Foot stomping, five part harmonising quintet from Edinburgh pitting trumpet swells against folksy fiddle runs to create infectious melodies.

The Marvels: An Edinburgh based band with a lot of heart, energy and fun to give. Following the success of their single in June, and a gig at the Usher Hall in May, the Marvels are moving onwards and upwards.

Finding Albert: This indie four piece band from Glasgow and Dumfries have been described by Jim Gellatly in the Sun as ‘future superstars’.

Das Contras: Das Contras hail from Fife and Glasgow and blend folk, rock, latin, punk and reggae to make some really great music.

Clog & The Quirks: A young pop-ska-funk-rock band from North Berwick, they have huge ability and would certainly get the party started.

Davey Horne: A blistering young talent from Falkirk, Davey Hornesings sould and R&B will break your heartand put it back together again.

Madhat McGore: As mad as a hatter? Well he might just be! Madhat Mcgore has been rapping from 12 years, and proudly represents Auld Reekie.

Pete Irvine, Festival Director, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “This is a fantastic line-up of fresh, new Scottish talent and the winner will be a worthy addition to the world-class line up for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay this year.

Jim Wolff, Co-Founder, Leith Records, said: ‘”Hog The Street will be bringing a lively festival atmosphere to Princes Street this year. Regardless of who wins, we hope new Scottish bands will get a good bit of exposure, shoppers get a great weekend of a live music, and Shelter gets a healthy Christmas bonus.”

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “This is a great competition with some very talented acts in the running. We want the public to vote with their wallets and help the acts to support Shelter Scotland. For one of them this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform with Primal Scream at the biggest New Year’s Eve party in the world. Not only that but with proceeds from the busking going to Shelter Scotland, they will help us to help the tens of thousands of people in Scotland who are in housing need.”

Leith Records (http://www.leithrecords.com) is the latest project to come out of The Leith Agency, providing a stage for new music and home-grown artists across Scotland. It has helped provide unique musical experiences for the Mountain Bike World Cup, the Leith Festival and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

Tickets are already available for the city’s world famous Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party; which features a world class line-up over 7 live music stages, with artists including Primal Scream, superstar DJ Mark Ronson, Festival favourites The Vaccines and Friendly Fires, Sons & Daughters, Wild Beasts and Kassidy.

Revellers can purchase tickets for the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, Concert in the Gardens and The Keilidh in one of three ways: Online at www.edinburghshogmanay.com; by calling the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Box Office on 0844 894 2011 or by contacting Tickets Scotland, 127 Rose Street or Ripping Records, 91 South Bridge, Edinburgh.

As well as the events taking place on the 31st December, a varied festival programme of events takes place over the four days of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay which runs from Friday 30 December 2011 until Sunday 1 January 2012

For further information, to purchase tickets and to register for online updates visit: www.edinburghshogmanay.com

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