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It's that wonderful time of year where we all go out and celebrate the dawn of a new shiny unpackaged one by doing what Brit's know best (no it's not voting).
But deciding where to go out for a drink isn't the easiest task, the country's pubs and clubs are bursting at the seams. Not planning is the worst thing you can do as you'll likely find most places require an advanced ticket. Luckily, if you're not already sorted out, there's still time to get in on these events below and musically you'll be well catered for. There's dub, techno, psych rock, indie, and even a bit of ceilidh. See what takes your fancy and have a great one. Happy new year!
Hogmanay, Edinburgh
Location: City centre
Why go? The world famous street party in Edinburgh is spectacular. Despite being in one of the coldest cities in the UK, the warmth of the people, who travel from all over the world to be there, will make you feel your toes. Although there's a strong musical line up across its four outdoor stages with mix of traditional and contemporary music, the event isn't so much about who's playing than it is just having a good time taking in the atmosphere's of one of the world’s biggest outdoor parties. But having said that, if you are in the city early enough Tim Burgess is in conversation to talk about his new book Tim Book Two at midday at Rainy Hall, The Mound - for any serious music collector it would be well worth seeing. And rising Dundee singer Be Charlotte is playing one of the outdoor stages and she could well be huge in 2017.
The Warehouse Project, Manchester
Location: Store street, M1 2GH
Why go? Slightly less family friendly than the Hogmanay, this event is for techno lovers who like to transcend into new year through repetitive beats. The line-up is dense but highlights include, Dreem Teem and Wookie are both garage legends with years of experience matched by record bags full of exclusives and dubplates. Tough Love, Monki and DJ Haus represent the new spectrum of UK sub heavy sounds, whilst Kiwi play a twisted take on techno and house.
In: Motion, Bristol
Location: Motion, BS2 OPX
Why Go? In:Motion night looks like the daddy of them all as you've got the friendliness of Bristol with the hilarity of Kurupt FM and the masterful turntablist of Toddla T. You can't not have fun at this and it lasts till 6am by which point you'd probably want to go sit in a house and chat shit to your friends anyway.
The Wellington Ball, Bangor
Location: Hendre Hall, LL57 3YP
Why go? For location you can't beat this place. Tucked away in the foothills of Snowdonia, this night gets mostly populated by North Walians and people travelling from North West England. People do go the extra mile to get there because when you do you're greeted by an incredible soundsystem in the middle on nowhere in a grade II listed barn conversion with a beautiful courtyard, which we may add does get muddy, hence the name Wellington Ball. The line-up is mashup of Techno that we've never heard of but location and a friendly crowd make it one of the best places to see in the new year in the country.
The Cave Club NYE - Spunk!, London
Location: Moth Club, Hackney Central, E9 6NU
Why go? Fast Cars headline this night run by The Horrors' Rhys Webb. Webb is in said band with Charlie Boyeur of The Voyeurs and Telegram's drummer Jordan Cook. When we spoke with who feature Rhys Webb about the side project, he told us it's not a massive time commitment: "Half the fun of this band is that it's a really fast paced group true to the spirit of punk rock." But the credentials they have and the amazing music taste they've all got you put them in a room together and sparks fly and off the bat they're a force to be reckoned with. Curiously, they don't have any recordings up either so it's quite an exclusive little gig to get in on from a band who should be better known but they keep under their hats.
Subdub meets Jungle Jam, Leeds
Location: Leeds West Indian Center, LS7 3AJ
Why go? This night sees two of Leeds’ most iconic figures in soundsystem culture combine forces for the ultimate night out in Yorkshire for NYE. Subdub were a pivotal force in the formation of Outlook & Dimensions Festivals and the mix of Reggae, Dub, Roots, D&B, Dancehall, Dubstep & Jungle will have you gleaming at the night gives way to the dawn of a new year.
Rhythm Section, London
Location: Canavans, Peckham, SE15 4NF
Why go? This is one of the most renowned club nights in Peckham and deserves every bit of praise it gets. They turn Canavan's, the now well-known pool hall, into one of the most positive places to be on New Years Eve in the country thanks to the friendliness of the promoters, DJs and punter. It's got the feel of a house party as a consequence. The main DJ is Rhythm Section founder Bradley Zero who mixes reggae, soul, and dub into a worldly solely instrumental sound that Giles Peterson would adore and we’re constantly glued to at Gigwise.
This Feeling, London
Location: Nambucca, Holloway Road, N7 6LB
Why go? This Feeling is one of the best nights out going thanks to vigilant programming with an ear for emerging talent and all round brilliant cast of DJ's who spin the best indie rock 'n' roll with a strong emphasis on the 90s and the likes of Oasis, The Verve, and The La's. As well new bands like Blossoms, The Amazons, and Cabbage are piled in next to the classic. This NYE show features a special set by Peter Doherty guitarist Jack Jones and a set by Britpop icon's Shed Seven before giving way to the DJs. The Nambucca is a great North London hangout for indie rockers or anyone into live music, there's zero pretentiousness, people are open, friendly and up for a good time. Bring paracetamol for the morning, it gets heavy.
