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 . 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
Manchester Arena attack
Manchester Arena bombing
New Year's Eve in London