Music fans in Aberdeen have been crying out for a local
festival for as long as I can remember. We’ve had Free at the Dee, but that
catered for the mass-marketed pop market and who can honestly say they remember
any of the acts who played there? We’ve had Wizard, which puts on a sterling
effort, but isn’t the city-centre experience many are after. Last year we
almost had Northern Lights, but alas it was not to be.
We’ve had no real big city-centre event that has shaken
the local music community. That is, until now...
The Big Beach Ball is undoubtedly an ambitious venture:
taking over Aberdeen’s famous Beach Ballroom (which once saw The Beatles grace
its stage) and the surrounding area, and turning it into the ultimate beach
party. So yes, it’s ambitious. But, as it appears, it is also very do-able.
Organisers have pulled out all the stops to make this an
event to remember, and hopefully the beginning of an expanding series of
inner-city festivals. Superstar DJ Derrick Carter headlines the Main Stage,
while elsewhere Friendly Fires hit the Beach Hut Stage to deliver an exclusive
DJ set. Top dance acts Slam, Heartthrob, Tiger & Woods, and many many more
will also appear across five stages.
The stage we’re really excited about here at Hercules
Moments, though, is (rather predictably) the Peace & Jam Live &
Acoustic Room, which boasts some of the finest talent from Aberdeen and the
surrounding area. Headlinged by super indie-disco-rockers The Little Kicks, the
line-up will also feature performances by the likes of Stanley, Amy Sawers,
Kathryn Sawers, Dolfinz and Duke, who just last week scooped the 'In: Demand
Scotland Unsigned Act of the Year Award' at the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards. Local
talent is not contained to just one stage, though, with Fridge Magnets taking a slot
on the Main Stage, fresh from picking up the ‘Best Electronic Act’ gong at the
Scottish Alternative Music Awards. The DSR Audio Room, too, boasts some of the
city’s best DJs hitting the decks all day long.
Like all the best bespoke festivals, music is an integral
part of the package, but isn’t the be-all and end-all of the event. Fancy a hog
roast, Red Bull, ice-cream or Slush Puppy? Sorted. Fancy a mojito, cool glass
of cider or craft beer? Done. Fancy picking up some exclusive vintage items at
a craft fair? Well, it’s a bit of an odd request for a music festival, but the
organisers have got it covered.
In short, The Big Beach Ball looks to be the beginning of
something special for Aberdeen’s music scene. If music fans from the city, and
around the country, get behind it, the festival stands only to grow and evolve
into a must-attend event. And who would complain about that?
Tickets for the Big Beach Ball are still available. Get
on it. We’ll be at the festival itself, live-tweeting about the experience and
documenting it over the following days, all for your reading pleasure. In the meantime, have a listen
below to some of the acts who will be gracing the stage at the inaugural event.
ES
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