Och aye the noo! The news is in, Biffy Clyro will be the headline act at Edinburgh's Hogmanay event this year, in the band's only live show of 2015.
The East Ayrshire rockers will be returning to play the New Year's Eve event at Princes Street Gardens in the Scottish capital, having previously headlined the Hogmanay back in 2010, and will be joined by very special guests Idlewild and Honeyblood in an all-Scottish line-up that's on a par in terms of national pride with Mel Gibson in a muddy field yelling "They may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!" to a bunch of lads in tatty brown clothing and dodgy blue face paint.
Speaking about their inclusion in the upcoming knees-up in the event's press release, Biffy Clyro said: "We are so happy to come out of musical hibernation to kick off 2016 with the show on Hogmanay. We want to rock off the cobwebs and prepare for the year of da biff!! Nothing can compete with Edinburgh's celebrations and we hope to make it a special night for everyone!!"
The Director of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, Pete Irvine, who I personally hope will be in the middle of the sweaty mosh pit on New Year's Eve screaming with euphoria at 'da biff' with his shirt ripped off and arms triumphantly aloft, added: "We reckon it's a real coup that Biffy have chosen Edinburgh's Hogmanay not only for their first outing of 2015 but also to launch what looks like a very special year for them.
He continued: "Their stand-out performance two years ago headlining T in the Park reminded us that they are one of the most exciting live bands ever to come out of Scotland. Biffy have built a big international following and headlining an impressive Scottish line-up at Concert in the Gardens will please both the Scots and our audience who come from over 70 countries."
The annual curtain-raiser for the new year, which will be 2016 this year (If you're getting old like me and are constantly struggling to remember the current year!), is produced on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, so the council has chipped in with some of that dazzling salesmanship that the public sector is renowned for. Councillor Richard Lewis said: "Edinburgh's Hogmanay is going back to its Scottish roots. Idlewild first formed in Edinburgh 20 years ago and they are sure to be a huge hit with local fans in particular, while Scotland's NME Award winning Biffy Clyro will help the city bring in the bells when they perform at the Concert in the Gardens. Coupled with the famous fireworks display, this year's celebrations will yet again entertain thousands of people and get 2016 off to a spectacular start."
In short, all that's missing here is a couple of bangin' DJ sets by Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond! Tickets for Edinburgh's Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens will go on general sale from 10.00am on Friday 25 September via www.edinburghshogmanay.com, or you can be all "old skool" by telephoning Edinburgh's Hogmanay Box Office on 0844 573 8455 to witness Biffy playing their one and only gig of 2015 in front of a crowd jam-packed full of intoxicated Scots (in blue face paint?).
It beats watching Jools ****ing Holland, right?!