REVIEW: Edinburgh Hogmany’s Street Party…

Admittedly, I don’t remember everything from Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street party, but here’s what I do. Entering down the Mound surrounded by thundering music, lights bouncing off sequins and novelty hair-bands, complimentary Johnnie Walker whiskey shots, dancers hanging from buildings and screens displaying the masses of revellers.

Surrounded by an atmosphere of community, excitement and optimism, I couldn’t help but wonder: how much of that warm fuzzy feeling came from the people around me and how much came from the event itself?

My main experience with the Street Party was positive, but ironically the negatives were the parts organised for the event. The screens to watch the concert performances were cool, but only if you managed to stand close enough to one. The same goes for the music. Hopefully you managed to nab a spot by the speakers, because some areas of the street were lacking punch. Perhaps expected at a long event that allows guests to bring in two litres of drinks, the queue for the few toilets was more of a mob than a line. Security was fantastic, and actually the steeper price for Gardens entry is a pretty good deal if you’re a fan of the performers. However, the Street Party itself sometimes lacked the wow factor that I found on the entrance walk.

My main observation is that on New Years Eve, less is definitely not more. More music, more stages, more screens and more amenities would bring the party to a festival-like level of entertainment. Otherwise, you’re basically paying for a space to stand on a street. Don’t fret though – much like ‘People Make Glasgow’, people make Hogmanay. As long as you’re surrounded by excited and loving people then a space on a street is a pretty good place to be.