Exclusive: Optimo Hogmanay Line-up Revealed

To celebrate the end of the final year of the decade Optimo are once again hosting their annual Hogmanay party at the beloved Fruitmarket venue. This year’s guests are all shining examples of some of the finest music Glasgow currently has to offer, with appearances from Hudson Mohawke, Drums of Death, Divorce and The Niallist.

“Optimo began in Glasgow and when we started out bringing in the live element to the club we really relied on bands who would play for fuck all,” says Twitch, one half of Optimo’s resident duo.

“Glasgow has always produced some amazingly unique talent, people don’t really copy others and anyone who follows what is hip is generally laughed at. It’s a very Glaswegian thing I think. Combine that with Hogmanay, which is such a wonderful Scottish tradition, and the fact that Optimo has always been about supporting local talent: these acts make a lot of sense. They all deserve support I think.”

The best in local produce will be on display throughout the evening, with Hudson Mohawke taking care of deck duties for a warm up set before the bells. After the success of his long awaited debut album on the acclaimed Warp label, Hud Mo no doubt turned down various new year parties across the globe in exchange for a throwdown in his hometown. Expect his record selection to be as imaginative and unusual as his own tracks have been over the past few years.

Dismiss any memories of previous Hogmanay Fruitmarket layouts, as this year the balcony will be reopened and for the first time a stage will be erected in the bar area to allow for extra live performances throughout the evening. Ear shredding noise will be provided by 2009’s crown jewels in the second coming of nae wave, Divorce, and they’ll be joined by the well-known local performer and Dissident Records darling The Niallist.

The cherished midnight hour will be led into the hall by Twitch and Wilkes, followed by a live performance by Glaswegian ex-pat Drums of Death. Freshly returned from a tour with Hot Chip and producing new Peaches material, Drums of Death will be liberally applying the face paint once again to another blistering live show from his infamous alter ego.