Latest news with #TallShipsRacesAberdeen
Daily Record
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Tall Ships Races Aberdeen set sail as visitors 'wowed' after Deacon Blue opening
Thousands of visitors attended the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen this morning. The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 set sail today while wowing visitors to the once-in-a-generation event this morning. Huge crowds gathered as the gates opened at 9am to witness the 50 vessels berthed around the quayside. Around 7,000 music fans were also thrilled by Deacon Blue, who took the stage last night to open the Quayside Concert series. Visitors spoke about the rousing fanfare to start proceedings at an official ribbon cutting by Lord Provost David Cameron. Chloe Wright, 37, from Cults came to see the Tall Ships with her husband David, and her two children Benji, 10 months old, and Mack, 3. She said: 'We are loving it, there is just so much to see and not just the ships. And it is nice to see Aberdeen coming out and being in such fine fettle. And it's so good for the kids. 'When we first saw all the ships I just though ' wow '. I was really little when they were last here and my dad took me, so this is the first time I have seen them in years and years and I had forgotten what to expect. 'We are looking forward to going on the boats and the kids are really excited as well.' Mark Foster, 58, from Bridge of Don, who was also an early visitor at the Tall Ships with his wife, Pamela, continued: 'It is quite amazing. I was surprised by the size of them. The one on the other side of the port is absolutely huge. When I first saw it all I could say is 'wow'. Some of these Tall Ships are beautiful. 'That atmosphere here is busy, but it's not too crowded, so it's actually calming. There is a plethora of food bars, shops and craft shops as well, and I daresay a lot of them are from the Aberdeen community, so that's good to see as well.' Even as people were getting their first look at the range, scale and sheer excitement of the Tall Ships this morning, Deacon Blue fans were still buzzing about last night's gig. It saw the iconic Scottish band sing their extensive range of anthems from over the years to the delight of the thousands who filled the purpose-built open-air gig space at Peterson Seabase. And the crowd also gave the warmest of welcomes to local favourites, Little Kicks, as well as rising Scottish star Brooke Combe who played a blistering set. Callum Fitzwater, 47, from Fife, added: 'I came up just for this, I'm a massive Deacon Blue fun. The gig is amazing, it's a great venue and a great set-up, just brilliant. Watching them performing Dignity, one of their top songs, in this venue was so good, I love it. 'The Quayside Concerts as an idea is just brilliant, areas like Aberdeen and Dundee need to do this more often. Edinburgh and Glasgow have had everything but Aberdeen can hold their own.' Carran Legge, 52, from Aberdeen, noted: 'I just love Deacon Blue and the gig has been so good. When they sang Dignity it was just amazing in this venue, what an atmosphere. Aberdeen should definitely do more things like this.' Deacon Blue kicked off the Quayside Concert series of gigs that have created a mini-summer music festival at the heart of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen. Next up will be Ministry of Sound Classical playing at the venue tonight; Tide Lines and Calum Bowie playing special charity gig as a thank you to Aberdeen RNLI tomorrow Sunday, followed by the Kaiser Chiefs playing out the series – which sold out within days – on Monday evening. The enthusiasm for the Tall Ships Races was shared by Vanessa Mori, Deputy CEO and Commercial Director of Sail Training International which stages the world-famous Tall Ships Races and who is in Aberdeen for the event. She said: 'The whole team at Sail Training International is absolutely overwhelmed with the enthusiasm that Aberdeen has shown over the past two and a half years in the lead up to this event. To see the city come alive with 50 tall ships, international crews and local communities is just a delight. 'It's a pleasure working with the team, in what is and will be an amazing event for the city over the next four days. We look forward to the next one.' And Scottish Government Minister for Business and Employment, Richard Lochhead , also praised the vibrant event when he visited on the opening day. He said: ' The Tall Ships celebrate Scotland's proud maritime history and long tradition of international exchange. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Aberdeen Line, which built more than 100 ships from the Walter Hood Shipyard, in the very place the Tall Ships are berthed today. 'It's incredible to see Aberdeen hosting this spectacle which draws visitors from across the world. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring our country continues to be the perfect stage for events like this one, which connect communities and bring huge economic benefits.' Beyond the harbour area, there is a Discovery Zone with STEM activities for young and old at the Castlegate, a funfair on King Street, and a Military Village along with other stalls and activities at Union Terrace Gardens. Also, shops, pubs, restaurants and businesses across the city centre have also pushed the boat out, decked out in bunting and posters ready to welcome the 400,000 visits The Tall Ships Races is expected to generate over the four days. Tomorrow will see the carnival atmosphere of the crew parade, with crews, bands and musicians from the Tall Ships, along with the Band of HM Royal Marines, taking to the city streets in a riot of colourful costumes and fancy dress. Monday will have the Red Arrows performing amazing aerial acrobatics just off the coast with the Esplanade as an excellent grandstand for thousands of fans. Tuesday will see the spectacular Parade of Sail as the Tall Ships leave port to muster at sea ready to start their race to Kristiansand in Norway. 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Scotsman
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Red Arrows to perform stunning aerial display over Scots city during festival
The Red Arrows say they are bringing their brand new display to the Granite City. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Festival-goers are preparing for four days of free family fun in Aberdeen later this month with a special appearance from the famous Red Arrows. The Tall Ships Races will return to the Granite City for the first time in 28 years, from July 19 to July 22. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Around 50 tall ships from around the world will race through the English Channel and North Sea to La Havre, Dunkirk, Aberdeen, Kristiansand and Esbjerg. The event is expected to bring around 400,000 visitors to the Granite City. The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen countdown clock has been counting down the days to the event at Union Square in Aberdeen City Centre. Deacon Blue, the Kaiser Chiefs, Ministry Of Sound Classical, Tide Lines and Calum Bowie will also all be taking to the stage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Today it was announced that First Bus are offering 50% off tickets during the Tall Ships Races. The Red Arrows are preparing to come to Aberdeen. | Getty Images Where and when will the Red Arrows be visible? The world-famous Red Arrows will stage their display above Aberdeen Harbour where more than 50 vessels will be berthed. The 22-minute show, currently being polished before the Red Arrows start their 61st season, will take place on Monday, July 21. This is the day before the tall ships leave Aberdeen Harbour for a parade of sail. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They will then start the next leg of the race to Kristiansand in Norway. The prestige and tradition of the Armed Forces will be complemented by the presence of a military village at Union Terrace Gardens during the event. This will see the army, navy, and air force all taking part. The Red Arrows fly in formation. | Shutterstock Jon Bond, RAF squadron leader, said: 'We can't wait to bring our new Red Arrows display to Aberdeen this summer. We are always humbled by the brilliant, large crowds that turn out for our shows in Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Those at the Tall Ships event can expect a dynamic aerobatic show that's got big new formation shapes, precision rolls, loops, and high-speed passes.' What else will be on? Free live music will be performed across three stages 'all day every day' during the festival. Dozens of street food stalls as well as quayside bars will be on offer. These will provide food from ice cream, cakes and coffee to burgers and pizza. There will also be a STEM discovery zone and a military village.
Press and Journal
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
You know the headliners, but who else will be on stage at the Tall Ships Quayside Concerts in Aberdeen?
The full Quayside Concerts line-up for the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen has been announced. And in addition to the big name headliners, some of Scotland's most popular homegrown talent will feature. The concerts promise to be a landmark event, drawing thousands of fans to the city's Peterson Seabase. It is in the process of being transformed from a working goods yard into a live music venue. The Tall Ships Festival will return to the Granite City after almost thirty years, from July 19-22. North-east music fans have already helped tickets for Deacon Blue and Kaiser Chiefs sell-out, but who else can you expect to see at the Quayside Concerts? Deacon Blue will be taking the stage on Friday July 18, with support acts Brooke Combe and The Little Kicks set to warm up the Granite City crowds. Brooke Combe said: 'I'm made up to be on this show with Scottish legends Deacon Blue in Aberdeen. 'It's going to be a great night of music.' Fellow support act The Little Kicks are local to Aberdeen and were previously shortlisted in the Best Musical Group category at the Sunday Herald Scottish Culture Awards. The Little Kicks said: 'We are delighted to be performing as part of the Tall Ships concerts. 'It's going to be a real highlight of the summer in the city, and it's an honour to be part of them.' On Saturday July 19, the Aberdeen audience will see Ministry of Sound Classical bring iconic dance tracks to life with a full orchestra. Support acts Paul Oakenfold and Look Busy Collective will open up for the Granite City crowds. Look Busy is a collective of five DJs, producers, record collectors and radio show hosts who have previously played clubs and festivals across the UK. Highland folk pop band Tide Lines will take to the Quayside stage on Sunday 20 July, supported by Banchory-born Callum Bowie. The local singer rose to fame through TikTok, where his cover of The Kooks' 'Naive' went viral. Since then, Calum has performed at major festivals like Glastonbury and TRNSMT. On Monday 21, gig-goers can look forward to Scottish indie rock band Glasvegas and Aberdeen based The Capollos opening up for Kaiser Chiefs. Brett Thain, guitarist for The Capollos, said: 'Being part of the Tall Ships and representing Aberdeen is monumental for us. 'We are proud to be from Aberdeen and being selected to be part of the incredible music programme is an honour.' A Tall Ships spokesman hopes excitement for the Quayside Concerts will only grow now the full line-up has been revealed. 'Every one of the acts we have announced will make every one of the Quayside Concerts a night to remember for fans,' he said. Tickets for the Tide Lines and Calum Bowie concert went on sale today for a minimum £5 donation, with all proceeds supporting Aberdeen's RNLI lifeboat station. 'We know how popular Tide Lines and Calum Bowie are, so we advise fans to book now.' the spokesman added. The Deacon Blue and Kaiser Chiefs Quayside Concerts are now sold out and a waiting list is in place. A small number of tickets remain available for Ministry of Sound Classical.
