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New Year's Eve in London

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London New Year’s Eve Fireworks, a New Year's Eve firework display, is celebrated along the Victoria Embankment and South Bank areas of the River Thames where the London Eye and Big Ben are situated. The countdown is accompanied by the chimes of Big Ben, and a digital countdown timer projected onto the Shell Centre. The fireworks are launched off the London Eye and from barges in the River Thames at midnight. The display is organised by Jack Morton Worldwide,[1] with Titanium Fireworks responsible for the pyrotechnics.[2]

London's New Year's Eve Fireworks
Fireworks over London Eye as part of the multi-sensory New Year's 2013–2014 display
GenreNew Year's Eve event
Date(s)31 December/1 January
Begins20:00 (GMT)
Ends00:45 (GMT)
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Victoria Embankment, South Bank and River Thames
Inaugurated2000
FounderMayor of London
Most recent2019–20 (2020)
Next event2020–21 (2021)
Attendance103,000 (2018–19)
Budget£2.3 million (2018–19)
Websitewww.london.gov.uk/nye

History

2000–05

The first major New Year's Eve fireworks display in London was planned in December 1999 to celebrate the year 2000. It was estimated by the BBC that about 3 million people turned up around the Thames to watch the fireworks display. A "river of fire" was planned to accompany the fireworks display, but failed to make an impact. A fireworks display was planned during 2000 to celebrate 2001, but was cancelled in November due to a dispute between then-Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and the London Underground.[3] Similar disputes also occurred, causing displays to be cancelled for both the 2001–02 and 2002–03 celebrations,[4] although approximately 80,000 revellers gathered around Trafalgar Square to celebrate the New Year, as had been a tradition for many years.[5]

After a short three-year hiatus, for the 2003–04 event, there were fireworks though only for three minutes. For the 2004–05 event, in the run-up to midnight, an image of candles was projected onto the Shell Centre as a tribute to the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.[6] Also, at midnight, fireworks were launched from the wheel itself for the first time.

2011–12

For the 2011–12 extravaganza, fireworks were fired in a one-off event from Elizabeth Tower, launching from the top of the building outwards above the many spectators and well wishers below, welcoming in the year in which London went on to host the Olympic Games.[7] Fireworks were launched in the shape and colour of the Olympic flag, in a display that lasted approximately eleven minutes compared to being reduced to eight minutes in 2010.[7]

2012–13

The 2012–13 display was based on both the Queen's diamond jubilee and the Olympics. The Queen's Christmas speech was used in the firework display for the first time.[8]

2013–14

The theme of the 2013–14 fireworks was 'Firsts' a projection prior to the fireworks featured Mayor of London Boris Johnson talking about the many 'firsts' that have come from the United Kingdom and London itself.[9] He then went on to explain the 2013–14 fireworks would the "world first" multi-sensory fireworks display with fruit flavoured sweets and radio controlled LED bracelets which had previously been used during Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto Tour and the London 2012 Paralympics Closing Ceremony being handed out to revellers when entering the viewing areas.[10] These sweets were as stated in the information leaflet to be eaten prior to the display to "prepare" spectators with the flavours that they were going to experience during the evening. Scented mists and edible flavoured foam were also sprayed throughout the performance.[11][12]

2014–15

For the 2014–15 display, the designer of the display stated that the fireworks would focus on London being a world-class city and how it can continue its repetition on being one. It was also focused on how the New Year's event in London was special to the public.[13] The 2014–15 display was the subject of controversy as a £10 charge was introduced by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, for tickets to the official viewing areas.[14]

2015–16

For the 2015–16 display, the Mayor of London announced a partnership with UNICEF to raise money for the charity from the profits made during the evening. The Elizabeth Tower clock face, London Eye and the surrounding areas were lit in blue to support the cause.[15]

2016–17

The 2016–17 display focused on the reflections of the past year with themes focusing on Team GB's greatest ever success at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The display also paid homage to Prince, David Bowie and Ronnie Corbett who all died in 2016.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced a partnership with the BBC to film the fireworks in a 360° view.[16]

2017–18

The 2017–18 firework display featured a soundtrack dominated by female artists such as Ariana Grande, Little Mix, Annie Lennox, Aretha Franklin, Dua Lipa and Florence Welch which was played to mark the centenary of women being allowed to vote. Big Ben also chimed at midnight amid ongoing repairs. For the first time, the 60 second countdown was only projected from 15 seconds instead of the full 60 seconds due to scaffolding that covered part of the Shell Centre. In addition, the London Eye's capsules also marked the countdown with each of them lighting down from 10 seconds.[17][18] Ariana Grande's One Last Time was played as part of the soundtrack to the firework display with 22 red fireworks to pay tribute to the 22 people who died in the Manchester Arena attack.[19][20][21]

2018–19

The fireworks display contained some political imagery relating to Brexit; the theme reflected London's "relationship with Europe", opening with the phrase "London is open" (which has been used by Mayor Sadiq Khan, a notable opponent of the UK's exit from the European Union) spoken in multiple languages, and featured a sequence where the London Eye was lit in the colors of the flag of Europe. Furthemore, songs such as "Stay", "We Are Your Friends" and "Don't Leave Me Alone" is all related to showing releationship with the EU. This has attracted criticism from those who support Brexit, arguing that this was an unnecessary political gesture for a public event.[22][23] This display was shortened to 10 minutes and 30 seconds and was the first display to go sub-10 minutes since 2009-10.

2019–20

The theme for the 2019–20 display was 'British New Decade', celebrating the new decade. The display featured music and soundbites relating to UEFA Euro 2020 where London will be hosting seven games, including the final.[24][25]

During the display, there was a huge plume of smoke in front of the London Eye. Revellers and viewers watching the coverage of the fireworks complained that they couldn't see a lot of the fireworks.

Due to this problem during the display, the cameras used in the BBC's coverage kept filming the fireworks from the back of the London Eye and also zooming into it.

Themes

Since 2011–12, themes have been introduced with the displays:

Themes of the London New Year's Eve firework displays
Year Theme Theme description
2011–12 Olympic Celebration Celebrating London's year of hosting the Olympic Games.
2012–13 Best of 2012 Celebrating London hosting the Olympic Games along with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
2013–14 Firsts Showcasing the many firsts London and the United Kingdom have achieved and having the world's first multi-sensory fireworks display.
2014–15 World Class City Showcasing London's reputation as a world-class city as well as showcasing how special London is.
2015–16 Happy Blue Year[26] Raising awareness for UNICEF with London landmarks such as the Elizabeth Tower and London Eye turning blue.
2016–17 Reflections Reflection on Team GB's success at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and paying tribute to artists who died in 2016 including Prince and David Bowie.
2017–18 Women 100 Celebrating the 100th anniversary of women getting the vote in the United Kingdom.
2018–19 London is Open[27] Celebrating London's relationship with Europe.
2019–20 British New Decade Celebrating the beginning of the new decade with UEFA Euro 2020 and music inspired by London and Europe featured.[25]

Music

Since 2010–11, musical soundtracks have been played during the fireworks. In 2010–11, 2011–12 and 2014–15, BBC Radio 1 provided the soundtrack to the firework displays.[28] In 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18 and 2018–19, Bounce, a music editing company based in London, provided the soundtrack to the displays.[29] The 2019-20 soundtrack was created by an as yet unknown production company.

2010–11

Fireworks Soundtracks

No. Song Artist
1. Club Foot Kasabian
2. 20th Century Boy T.Rex
3. We Will Rock You Queen
4. Pass Out Tinie Tempah
5. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds The Beatles
6. West End Girls Pet Shop Boys
7. You Got the Love Florence and the Machine
8. London Calling The Clash
9. Don't Stop 'Til You Get to Bollywood Michael Jackson vs Usha Ulthup
10. All Time Low The Wanted
11. Song 2 Blur
12. Holiday (Instrumental) Dizzee Rascal

2011–12

Fireworks Soundtracks

No. Song Artist
1. Chariots of Fire Vangelis
2. Earthquake Labrinth
3. D'banj D'banj
4. Viva la Vida Coldplay
5. Alright Supergrass (with Martin Solveig "Hello" sample)
6. You Really Got Me The Kinks
7. Tainted Love Soft Cell
8. Diamonds Are Forever Shirley Bassey
9. Rolling in the Deep Adele
10. Mundyia De Dil Hilgaye Kais ft. DSI
11. Monster The Automatic
12. Firestarter The Prodigy (with Queen sample)
13. Heaven Emeli Sandé
14. Insomnia Faithless

2012–13

Fireworks Soundtracks

No. Song Artist
1. Me and You Nero
2. Yeah Yeah Willy Moon
4. Another One Bites the Dust Queen
5. London Calling The Clash
6. Mr. Blue Sky Electric Light Orchestra
7. Shine Take That
8. Paradise / Wide Awake Coldplay and Katy Perry
9. Harder Than You Think Public Enemy
10. Something 2 Dance 2 NWA
11. Bom Bom Sam & The Womp
12. Gangnam Style Psy
13. Spectrum (Say My Name) (Calvin Harris Remix) Florence and the Machine
14. We Will Rock You Queen
15. Sing Gary Barlow
16. Anything Could Happen Ellie Goulding
17. Won't Get Fooled Again The Who
18. Bonkers Dizzie Rascal
19. Should I Stay Or Should I Go The Clash
20. Live While We're Young One Direction
21. Miami 2 Ibiza Swedish House Mafia ft. Tinie Tempah

2013–14

Fireworks Soundtracks[30]

No. Song Artist
1. Love Me Again John Newman
2. Hiding All The Stars Chicane
3. Another One Bites the Dust Queen
4. Blurred Lines Robin Thicke
5. Let's Dance David Bowie
6. Onetwothree Flux Pavilion
7. Bassline Junkie Dizzie Rascal
8. Waiting All Night Rudimental
9. The Mother We Share Chvrches
10. Down With the Trumpets Rizzle Kicks
11. Let's Get Ready To Rhumble PJ & Duncan
12. Skip to the Good Bit Rizzle Kicks
13. You Should Be Dancing Bee Gees
14. Breathe in the Air Pink Floyd
15. Burn Ellie Goulding
16. I Could Be The One Avicii and Nicky Romero
17. Louder DJ Fresh ft. Sian Evans

2014–15

Fireworks Soundtracks[31]

No. Song Artist
1. No Place Like London Sweeney Todd
2. Tsunami (Jump) DVBBS & Borgeou ft. Tinie Tempah
3. Boom Clap Charli XCX
4. Whole Lotta Love Led Zeppelin
5. Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner Flanagan and Allen
6. Original Nuttah Shy FX
7. Nobody to Love Sigma
8. Busy Earnin Jungle
9. Glow Ella Henderson
10. Keep The Home Fires Burning Katie Melua
11. Last Train to London Electric Light Orchestra
12. Shine a Little Love Electric Light Orchestra
13. Bang Bang Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
14. Wow Kate Bush
15. Doctor? Orbital
16. Hideaway Kiesza
17. Sing Ed Sheeran
18. Gecko (Overdrive) Oliver Heldens & Becky Hill
19. #Selfie The Chainsmokers
20. Changing Sigma ft. Paloma Faith
21. Blame Calvin Harris ft. John Newman

2015–16

Fireworks Soundtracks[32]

No. Song Artist
1. Pompeii (Audien Remix) Bastille
2. Peanut Butter Jelly Galantis
3. Billericky Dicky Ian Dury
4. Soul Makossa Yolanda Be Cool
5. Rebel Rebel David Bowie
6. Watch Me (Whip / Nae Nae) Silento
7. Blue Monday New Order
8. Slap & Tickle Squeeze
9. Are You Gonna Go My Way Lenny Kravitz
10. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Ella Eyre
11. I Luv U Dizzie Rascal
12. Stop the Rock Apollo 440
13. Can You Feel It? The Jacksons
14. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough Michael Jackson
15. Need You Tonight INXS
16. I Can't Feel My Face The Weeknd
17. Rio Netsky
18. Blind Faith Chase & Status
19. Something Tells Me Cilla Black
20. Live While We're Young One Direction
21. Pjanoo Eric Prydz
22. Runaway (U & I) Galantis

2016–17

Fireworks Soundtracks

No. Song Artist
1. 1999 Prince
2. Let's Go Crazy Prince
3. Alphabet St. Prince
4. Kiss Prince
5. Give Me Your Love Sigala (feat. John Newman & Nile Rodgers)
6. Shut Up and Dance Walk the Moon
7. Video Killed The Radio Star Buggles
8. Crosstown Traffic Jimi Hendrix
9. It Takes Scoop Fatman Scoop (ft. DJ Kool)
10. Chime Orbital
11. Run Boy Run Woodkid
12. Relax Frankie Goes to Hollywood
13. This Girl Kungs vs. Cookin' on 3 Burners
14. Higher Ground TNGHT
15. Incredible M Beat feat. General Levy
16. Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat Fatboy Slim and Riva Starr (ft. Beardyman)
17. London is the Place for Me Edmundo Ros
18. A Sky Full of Stars (Hardwell Remix) Coldplay
19. Fame David Bowie
20. Space Oddity David Bowie
21. Suffragette City David Bowie
22. Ziggy Stardust David Bowie
23. Jealous (Dillon Francis Remix) Chromeo
24. Don't You Worry Child Swedish House Mafia (feat. John Martin)

2017–18

Fireworks Soundtracks

No. Song Artist
1. One Step Beyond Madness
2. Big Man Skank Chase and Status ft. Mr Vegas
3. Came Here for Love Sigala
Ella Eyre
4. Come With Me Puff Daddy ft. Jimmy Page
5. Something Just Like This Coldplay
The Chainsmokers
6. Set Fire to the Rain Adele
7. Power Little Mix ft. Stormzy
8. Video Killed The Radio Star Buggles
9. Freedom 90 George Michael
10. Careless Whisper George Michael
11. Dog Days Are Over Florence and the Machine
12. One Way or Another Blondie
13. Be the One (Netsky Remix) Dua Lipa
14. Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves Eurythmics
Aretha Franklin
15. One Last Time Ariana Grande
16. Breathing Underwater (Matrix & Futurebound Remix) Emeli Sande
17. Symphony (Dash Berlin Remix) Clean Bandit
Zara Larsson

2018–19

Fireworks Soundtracks

No. Song Artist
1. New Rules (MRK Club Mix) Dua Lipa
2. There for You Culture Shock
3. Treefingers Radiohead
4. Stay Zedd & Alessia Cara
5. For You Liam Payne & Rita Ora
6. Heater Chase & Status (ft. General Levy)
7. Don't Leave Me Alone David Guetta and Anne-Marie
8. Vertigo U2
9. Lullaby Sigala & Paloma Faith
10. We Are Your Friends Justice vs Simian
11. Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall
(Swedish House Mafia Remix)		 Coldplay
12. All You Need is Love The Beatles

2019–20

Fireworks Soundtracks

No. Song Artist
1. Let's Go
Wish You Well
Piece of Your Heart 		Calvin Harris ft. Ne-Yo
Sigala ft. Becky Hill
Meduza ft. Goodboys
2. Place Adam Port &. Stereo MC’s
3. Take Me Back to London Ed Sheeran ft. Stormzy
4. London is the Place for Me Aldwyn Roberts
5. Where Are You Now? Lady Leshurr ft. Wiley
6. Take Me Back to London Ed Sheeran ft. Stormzy
7. Boasty Wiley ft. Stefflon Don
8. Don't Call Me Up Mabel
9. Happier Marshmello ft. Bastille
10. Higher Love Kygo ft. Whitney Houston
11. Three Lions (It's Coming Home) The Lightning Seeds ft. Baddiel & Skinner
12. Seven Nation Army The White Stripes
13. Nessun Dorma Luciano Pavarotti
14. Instruction Jax Jones ft. Demi Lovato
15. Wish You Well Sigala ft. Becky Hill
16. Feel The Love Rudimental ft. John Newman

Broadcast

The fireworks are broadcast on BBC One and BBC News on a show entitled New Year's Eve Fireworks.[33][34] In addition, the millennium display was broadcast on the BBC's 2000 Today.

Sky One broadcasts the fireworks, shared with Sky News which has its own coverage of the fireworks, including Edinburgh's Hogmanay as well. ITV runs a special programme from ITV News called ITV News Including New Year Bongs.[35] Other international news channels such as CNN broadcast live coverage of the fireworks.

Since 2018, the BBC has provided full coverage of London's fireworks on YouTube with 360 degrees resolution. Since 2019, Sky News and ITV News have also provided coverage on YouTube.

See also

References

  1. ^ Barnett, Lauren (3 January 2019). "Jack Morton successfully delivers "European friendships" NYE fireworks". Stand Out Magazine. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  2. ^ "The Mayor of London New Years Eve Celebrations 2018". Titanium Fireworks. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  3. ^ "London New Year's party cancelled". BBC News Online. 20 November 2000. Archived from the original on 11 August 2003. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee" (PDF). London Assembly. 20 November 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  5. ^ "A damp squib: the Mayor's plans for New Year's Eve" (PDF). London Assembly. 1 December 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2014. Report of the Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee – December 2002
  6. ^ Rubenfeld, Vik (1 January 2005). "Happy New Year!". The Big Picture. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014. New Year's Eve, London—An Image of Candles is Projected onto the Shell Building (left) as a Tribute to the Victims of the Asian Tsunami (REUTERS/Matt Dunham)
  7. ^ a b "London gets ready for New Year's Eve's firework display". BBC News Online. 30 December 2011. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  8. ^ "London enjoys new year fireworks display". BBC News Online. 1 January 2013. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  9. ^ "Vodafone joins forces with Mayor for world's first multi-sensory fireworks display". Greater London Authority. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  10. ^ "Vodafone Announces 'Vodafone Firsts' New Global Own-Brand Engagement Strategy". Vodafone UK. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  11. ^ "Multisensory Fireworks". Bompas & Parr. 19 December 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  12. ^ Victoria Cavaliere; Eric M. Johnson (1 January 2014). "Revellers usher in 2014 with fireworks and fruit mist". Reuters. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  13. ^ "Designing London's New Year's Eve fireworks – Design Week". DesignWeek.co.uk. 19 December 2014. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  14. ^ Ben Quinn (31 December 2014). "New Year's Eve revellers without tickets warned away from London fireworks". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  15. ^ "Mayor's New Year's Eve fireworks display with Unicef". Archived from the original on 29 December 2016.
  16. ^ "London New Year's Eve Fireworks 2016". Archived from the original on 29 December 2016.
  17. ^ "Girl power to rock the show at London's New Year's Eve firework display". BT.com. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  18. ^ "Security for New Year's Eve celebrations reviewed, Met Police says". Sky News. 28 December 2017. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  19. ^ "Ariana Grande leads the London New Year's Eve fireworks soundtrack". NME. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  20. ^ "Poignant moment London saw in 2018 with Ariana Grande song". Mail Online. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  21. ^ Stinson, Nicole (1 January 2018). "Happy New Year! Stunning London Eye fireworks welcome Britain into 2018". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  22. ^ Walker, Peter (1 January 2019). "Sadiq Khan angers Brexiters with pro-EU fireworks display". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  23. ^ "New Year's Eve fireworks in London will celebrate city's 'relationship with Europe', says Sadiq Khan". The Independent. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  24. ^ "New Year's Eve: Police warning as UK prepares for 2020". 31 December 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  25. ^ a b "London's New Year fireworks display to look ahead to Euro 2020". ITV News. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  26. ^ Macdonald, Nicola (4 January 2016). "Mayor of London's Office partners with Unicef for spectacular NYE display". Access All Areas. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  27. ^ "The team behind London's NYE fireworks". BBC News. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  28. ^ "New Year 2011 fireworks at London Eye to have musical soundtrack". London SE1. 23 November 2010. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  29. ^ "Clients". thisisbounce.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  30. ^ "2013/2014, New Year's Eve Fireworks – BBC One". BBC.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  31. ^ "2014/2015, New Year's Eve Fireworks – BBC One". bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  32. ^ "2015/2016, New Year's Eve Fireworks – BBC One". bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 December 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  33. ^ "New Year Live". New Year Live. London. 31 December 2008 – 31 December 2012. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  34. ^ "New Year Live". New Year Live. London. 31 December 2013 – 31 December 2014. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  35. ^ "What's on TV for New Year's Eve 2018? How to watch the fireworks, live music and countdown to 2019". Radio Times. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
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