Call for 200 Singers For First Footin’ 2025. Kids' Sprogmanay Returns

Submitted by webmaster on Thu, 14 Nov '24 10.18am
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Karine Polwart will lead a 200-strong community choir for First Footin 2025 in St Giles
Credit
Andy Catlin

The first day of 2025 and the fourth day of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival will return with First Footin’ and (for families) Sprogmanay.

The free First Footin’ programme of live music and performance can be found from 2pm to 8pm on New Year’s Day in venues around Edinburgh city centre, Portobello and Leith.

A trail map with the full list of artists will be available in December but some of the performers that you can catch on the day have been trailed already (see below).

Calling 200 singers!

As part of a participatory music event, Come Away In, renowned folk artist Karine Polwart is calling out for 200 participants to join a community choir for uplifting performances on New Year’s Day at St Giles.

Participants of all abilities can register to join the choir from 12noon Thursday 14 November – registration is free, and participants must be available for two rehearsals ahead of the event, and for the performance itself on New Year’s Day.

Karine Polwart said, “Singing in the New Year is such a massive communal tradition here in Scotland that opening the doors of St. Giles’ Cathedral to 200 community voices just seemed obvious. It’s a glorious space designed for song. I hope our invitation to 'Come Away In’ captures a spirit of hospitality, sanctuary, and togetherness - things that need looking after in these times.”

Sprogmanay

Celebrations for families and young revellers run throughout New Year’s Day with the return of the popular Sprogmanay in collaboration with the National Museum of Scotland.

The free programme includes music performances from Unicorn Dance Party arts and crafts, and this year a special street theatre performance from international performers Close Act, will see illuminated ‘I-Puppets’ running, jumping and even flying amongst the crowds.

The Sprogmanay Family Ceilidh, this year is hosted by Fruin Ceilidh Band at Assembly Roxy, and at a new event at Portobello Town Hall, presenting ceilidh dancing with Bella McNab’s Dance Band and community street band Shunpike Social Club with some Afrobeat, Brazilian and Cuban big band flair.

Organisers say these family events are the perfect chance to embrace traditions and introduce kids to classic ceilidh dancing for the first time with an expert caller on hand to ensure everyone of all ability can join in.

Families are invited to stay for the afternoon or drop in and out of sessions.

First Footin’ Gigs

Musician and composer Aidan O’Rourke has co-curated the First Footin’ line-up from the world of folk, indie, jazz, classical, dance and hip-hop. 

Highlights:  

  • Greyfriars Kirk presents a feast of spectacular Scottish artists featuring Valtos; Skye natives  Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald who have taken the Trad and Electronic music worlds by storm, along with artist and composer Kate Young, Edinburgh born singer Lewis McLaughlin, and on-line sensation NATI, who in 2022 amassed an incredible 2m followers.
  • In a special collaboration with The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award and partners Stirling Council, First Footin’ welcomes a selection of 2024’s nominees to the live music trail, with Dead Pony, Broken Chanter, Spyres and Bee Asha performing at Virgin Hotel Greyfriars Hall
  • The Fruitmarket Gallery once again hosts an afternoon of classical music, with a diverse programme of solo and duo music for viola and cello, performed by acclaimed Canadian cellist Christian Elliott and Fiona Winning; Principal Violist of the Royal Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras Rising stars Grayling, EVYE and Zoe Graham perform as part of a programme of singer-songwriters at Virgin Hotel’s Eve  
  • Experimental folk duo Norman&Corrie will invite special guests including previous BBC Radio Scotland Young Trad Musician of the Year Amy Laurenson and Harry Gorski-Brown at the St. Andrew Square Spiegeltent
  • Edinburgh duo Dowally and more to be announced at Edinburgh Christmas’ brand new venue The Coorie Inn on George Street
  • New First Footin’ venue Leith Arches presents an afternoon of contemporary Scottish artists featuring Glaswegian jazz sensations Mama Terra, Edinburgh rock band Low Tide, and Loch Lomond singer-songwriter Liv Dawn. Plus, a New Year’s Day Club Night featuring Hayley Zalassi, Swatt Team and Disco T*ts
  • Portobello Town Hall joins proceedings for the first time with a free Family Ceilidh throughout the afternoon, with Bella McNab’s Dance Band and community band Shunpike Social Club providing the dancing tunes
  • BBC award-winning singer songwriter Mike McKenzie will be performing at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant
  • Vitamin C Club transforms Portobello Town Hall for a night or rock’n’roll excess featuring The Vaselines, Sacred Paws, Django Django (DJ set) plus hosts Vic Galloway (BBC Radio Scotland)and Andy Wake (The Phantom Band)
  • There will also be an "evening of revelry" at the First Footin’ Sessions with Cold Town Beer taking place in Edinburgh city centre pubs.