Hog the Stage: New Battle of the Bands at Edinburgh's Hogmanay

Submitted by edg on Thu, 7 Oct '10 6.16pm

Organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2010/11 announced today the launch of ‘Hog the Stage’, a new battle of the bands competition which will see new Scottish acts vie for the chance to "Hog the Stage" at the mega New Year party, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have joined forces with Leith Records and The Skinny to find the cream of the crop of unsigned Scottish music to kick start the world’s biggest New Year celebrations.

Leith Records, a project of The Leith Agency, acts as a distribution channel for more than 100 new bands. Co-Founder Kenny Nicholson says: "New bands will always need a leg up in a crowded industry... events like Edinburgh's Hogmanay (help) to increase their exposure and get them noticed by new audiences."

Although Edinburgh's Hogmanay in years past has featured home-grown talent, such as KT Tunstall and Franz Ferdinand, Hog the Stage is the first band competition to be held by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

Any band from or based in Scotland can enter (entry info), but judges will be looking out for younger, up-and-coming bands in particular. Participants must be aged 16 years to enter.

"Everyone has their story of what they did at the Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street party, imagine being immortalised as part of the soundtrack to that experience," said Dave Kerr, Co-Founder and Music Editor, The Skinny. "It's not often a chance like this comes up for an unsigned band."

Bands will submit a short bio, track, video and picture to the web site make the shortlist. Five acts will then be selected to play at a special ‘Hog the Stage’ showcase evening at the HMV Picture House on Friday 26 November, performing to a panel of Scottish music industry stalwarts; Ed Stack from Ten Tracks, Dave Kerr, Music Editor from The Skinny, and Vic Galloway BBC Radio DJ.

The best band on the night, chosen by the panel and the audience, will get to Hog the ‘Edinburgh’s Hogmanay’ Stage, joining the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay bill of artists including festival headliners Biffy Clyro.

Stuart Nisbet, Music Programmer, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: ‘While it’s always exciting presenting big name artists at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, it’s just as important to have a place for new Scots acts. Although it’s an internationally significant event, it’s always our Hogmanay.’the latest project to come out of The Leith Agency, providing a stage for new music and home-grown artists across Scotland. In just over a year, more than 100 bands have been featured.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations