A YOUNG Stirling band is hoping to take the stage by storm at the city’s Hogmanay celebrations.

The Cobalts have been making waves on the local live circuit for two years and the four-piece will be at the Stirling Castle Esplanade, enriching the live music offering.

Harry Kemp and Seamus Dailly, both 17, formed the group when they were 15 and are now joined by Seamus’s brother Oscar on bass as well as drummer Jack Belardo.

Seamus could hardly contain his excitement ahead of the gig and said: “A wee while ago, we played the Albert Halls in Stirling which was really great and we didn’t think we could go bigger but now we are playing Stirling Castle, the biggest place to gig in Stirling, which is amazing.

“We were playing at the Albert Halls and I was just picking up tickets and I bumped into Kenny Bates, music development officer from the Tolbooth, and when he told me I was freaking out!

“I told my parents and they started laughing.

“Everyone I have spoken to has been saying well done and congratulating us on getting that kind of gig. There will be a lot of people coming to show their support.”

The band is based in Stirling with Seamus from Dunblane, a former pupil of the high school there, and Harry hailing from Denny.

The Cobalts are set to bring a mix of 1960s and 1970s inspired covers along with a selection of original material.

Harry said: “Hopefully people enjoy our music and we can build up a greater following. It will be really helpful to play such a big event and we will be aiming to have some music on our Facebook that people can go back and listen to afterwards. It’s a big opportunity for us.”

Seamus added: “At an event like that, it’s important to play a few covers as people are going along to enjoy themselves and they want to hear songs they know, but we will play some of our original ones as well.

“We are most excited about the reaction we will get from it. Hopefully people will go on our social media and listen to us more. It’s just fantastic to play a gig like this with so many people there. The best part about playing a gig is hearing people enjoy it and cheering you on and we will feed off the audience.”