THE fireworks display at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations will be choreographed to a score written for the occasion for the first time, organisers have announced.
Event producers Underbelly have commissioned Niteworks, a band from Skye, and film and theatre composer and sound designer Dan Jones to create a “soundscape” for the midnight fireworks show.
Niteworks, who are performing at the Street Party, fuse Gaelic language and traditional music with electronic influences.
Several tracks from their latest album will be developed into a nine-minute work to accompany the fireworks display, which has been designed by Titanium.
Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, directors of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “This is probably one of the most exciting things to happen to fireworks in Edinburgh since the first recorded firework was set off at Edinburgh Castle in 1507.
“Those attending the Street Party, Concert in the Gardens or Ceilidh under the Castle will be treated to an exceptional sound and light spectacle.
“Niteworks, Dan Jones and Titanium are mighty individually but as a trio they are creating an epic midnight moment for those at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay to enjoy.”
Rag’n’Bone Man, Declan McKenna and Nina Nesbitt will be playing the Concert in the Gardens while performers on other stages include Human League, Sacred Paws and Treacherous Orchestra.
Niteworks said they were delighted to be taking part in the event.
Allan MacDonald, the group’s piper, said: “It really is an honour. We were thrilled to be asked to perform live for the street party, but to be asked to put the music together with Dan for the fireworks has just been something else entirely. We’re a bit lost for words on how to describe this one.
“The original brief we got was to try to recreate the sound of Scotland, tomorrow. To do this, we felt it was important to include songs in both Gaelic and in English, and also to have a tune on the pipes for immediately when the bells come in.”
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