WELCOME TO YOUR LATEST IN TOUCH NEWSLETTER
We know the Tall Ships are going to hit the high notes when they arrive in July but now we can absolutely confirm they will reach dizzying heights.
Deacon Blue, Kaiser Chiefs, Tide Lines, Callum Bowie and Ministry of Sound Classical - that would be a cracking line-up for any of the UK’s major summer music festivals, but we are going to have them right here in Aberdeen at the Quayside Concerts.
Even better is that this series of stellar gigs will be held in the stunning setting of the outside gig space being specially created at Peterson Seabase for The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025.
You would be hard put to think of a better soundtrack to this once-in-a-generation event than bands of this calibre – especially against the backdrop of all those beautiful sailing ships berthed in the Port of Aberdeen. We can all start rehearsing the chorus of Dignity now...
And judging from the delighted response of people in Aberdeen – including the clamour for tickets which are on sale now – the Quayside Concerts have added the “wow” factor to the Tall Ships arrival.
There is now a tangible air of excitement and anticipation about the return of the Tall Ships to the Granite City after 28 years.
But the gigs are just one thing to be “wowed” by. There is so much more happening in and around the harbour for the four days the races are here from July 19 to 22.
Peterson Seabase won’t just be hosting top-flight bands, the area will also be the epicentre of free music and events all day long, from ship’s bands to local musicians and artists.
There are, of course, the magnificent vessels themselves creating a spectacular forest of masts at the Port of Aberdeen. Then there is the Curated at the Quayside market, showcasing the finest local creatives and producers.
And there are many more delights in store which will be unveiled as we get closer to that magnificent weekend in July.
It goes without saying that the Tall Ships Races aren’t just about fun and spectacle – they will also bring a seriously hefty economic boost to the city and wider north-east.
That’s a tide of opportunity we are inviting local businesses to catch and Aberdeen Inspired will continue to work and engage with them right up to the day the ships arrive.
We have already started with a popular and well-attended webinar with top-flight advice and signposts to making the most of the Tall Ships visits for your business.
There is a mantra we have been repeating almost since the day the return of the Tall Ships Races was announced, one that is now more tantalising and more urgent than ever…
… Get ready, get excited, get involved.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson,
Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image Credits - Tall Ships Races Aberdeen / Deacon Blue
Top-flight bands – including Deacon Blue and Kaiser Chiefs – play outdoor gigs at Tall Ships Races Aberdeen
Deacon Blue, Kaiser Chiefs, Ministry Of Sound Classical and Tide Lines are the headliners for four stunning open-air gigs that will provide an “epic soundtrack” to The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen this July.
They will take to the stage for the unique Quayside Concerts – with Tide Lines playing a free gig as a “thank you” from Tall Ships organisers to the people of Aberdeen - in a purpose-built 7,000 capacity venue created at Peterson Seabase on Regent Quay.
Tickets are on sale now at www.tallshipsaberdeen.com/concerts or an in person from Aberdeen Box Office at the Music Hall and His Majesty’s Theatre.
You can read more about these incredible gigs here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
‘Come and get it before it’s gone’ urge Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks organisers
The hugely-popular Foodie Fortnight is now in its second week and Aberdeen Inspired say many of the restaurants, cafes and bars expect to be busy with bookings – some even fully-booked – for this final weekend.
Shona Byrne, project manager with Aberdeen Inspired, said: “They have also been saying they expect this weekend to be extremely busy, especially as more and more discerning diners are wanting to join in the excitement of discovering delightful meals at delightful prices. We would urge people to book now to avoid any disappointments this weekend.”
You can read more about it here.
Image Credits - Tall Ships Races Aberdeen
Tall Ships Races Aberdeen buoyed by new wave of business sponsors
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 has announced a significant wave of new sponsors, joining previously confirmed partners in supporting this summer’s must-attend event.
The latest businesses and organisations to sign up include Boskalis, Clarksons Port Services, Dales Marine, DC Thomson, Glen Garioch, Greenwell Equipment, Sea-Cargo, Shell, Streamline Shipping Group, Targe Towing, TotalEnergies and University of Aberdeen.
Organisers of the event are urging more sponsors to come on board. You can read about it here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Spectra's 'brilliant success' for city centre hailed by Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Inspired has praised the “brilliant” success of Spectra which attracted 100,000 visits to the city centre over its four-day run last month.
A giant slinky, an inflatable castle, a huge neon colouring wall and a high-powered light beam sharing a morse code message with the universe, were just some of the 15 illuminated exhibits on display for Scotland’s Festival of Light.
The event also saw the iconic Aberdeen letters – created by Aberdeen Inspired - help light up Broad Street with a Spectra-themed display outside Marischal College for the duration of the festival, staged by Aberdeen City Council.
Read more about it here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Shop Aberdeen is back – so don’t forget to sign up to be part of this great event
Aberdeen Inspired has seen a flood of businesses signing up to be part of Shop Aberdeen when it returns for a second time later this month.
Now shops are being encouraged to come forward and be part of this fantastic initiative to help boost bricks and mortar traders this April.
You can read more about the return of Shop Aberdeen here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Nuart Revisited is a work of art – check it out now
We have been celebrating the legacy of Nuart Aberdeen with new videos about these majestic works, plus revisiting interviews with artists as they created their stunning murals last year.
You can enjoy the whole series below:
Robin Macpherson – Robert Gordon’s College – Manolo Mesa
Mark Anderson – CATER Group – A Window to the Sea by Elisa Capdevila
Millo’s black and white mural at Fredrick Street, Aberdeen Health Village
CBLOXX’s mural on Loch Street tribute to Scotland’s Pictish heritage
Image Credits - Aberdeen Performing Arts
Review: Dear Evan Hansen is a love letter to the power and magic of musical theatre
Dear Evan Hansen, the global musical sensation that has won Tonys, Oliviers and Grammys is now playing at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen and audiences are loving it.
You can read our review of this outstanding theatrical experience here.