True North music festival set to rock Aberdeen this weekend

True North music festival is set to return to Aberdeen this weekend from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 September, with performances from Scottish alt-rockers Travis, soul superstar Mica Paris, world music legend Nitin Sawhney, and British art rockers Django Django.

The award-winning festival is now in its eighth year and will take over city venues including the Music Hall, Lemon Tree and spectacular pop-up venue Wonder Hoose, as well as a Fringe programme which will see free festival performances at Siberia, Waterstones and the Music Hall’s Coda café.

Wonder Hoose has been running throughout September in the stunning surrounds of the Quadrangle at Marischal College, and will play host to the opening act of this year’s True North festival, local up-and-coming talent, AiiTee, with further performances from Emma Pollock, Stina Marie Claire and Michael Timmons.

Travis will play the Music Hall on Saturday, 24 September performing classic album The Invisible Band in full alongside their other greatest hits. Upon its release in 2001, The Invisible Band spent four weeks at number one in the UK album charts and is certified four-times Platinum. The album was produced by Nigel Godrich, also known for his work with Radiohead as well as producing Travis’ nine-time Platinum album The Man Who.

Mica Paris will be joined by Aberdeen’s own international singing sensation Emeli Sande, celebrated jazz singer Georgia Cecile and other special guests at the Music Hall on Sunday, 25 September for a stunning celebration of the music of the legendary Aretha Franklin.

Internationally renowned composer Nitin Sawhney takes to the Music Hall stage on Friday, 23 September. Described as one the most distinctive and versatile musical voices around today, Sawhney has become a modern-day ‘Renaissance man’ in the worlds of music, film, videogames, dance and theatre. With over 20 studio albums to his name, including solo albums, film soundtracks and compilations along with over 50 film scores he has received a substantial wealth of major national and international awards for his work.

Aberdeen Performing Arts Director of Programming and Creative Projects, Ben Torrie said, “True North is always a fantastic opportunity to celebrate great music in all its forms, and this year is no exception with world renowned artists like Nitin Sawhney, Travis, Mica Paris and Emeli Sande sharing the bill with some of Scotland’s brightest new talent.

“It’s a really diverse, exciting line up, and our beautiful pop-up venue Wonder Hoose, which has been open throughout September, has warmed us up nicely for the festival this weekend. “It’s a chance to have a great night out, enjoy your favourite music, discover amazing new artists and let us entertain you this weekend.”

The line-up also includes alt-rock favourites Django Django, latino outfit Los Bitchos and the exuberant African Groove Machine at the Lemon Tree, and joining AiTee on the Wonder House line up over the weekend will be Emma Pollock, Honeyblood’s Stina Marie Claire and Michael Timmons as well as interactive family shows from CBeebie’s favourite YolanDa’s Band Jam and Sprog Rock.

The Fringe programme, taking place across venues including the Music Hall’s Coda Café, Waterstones and Siberia, features a line up of some of Scotland’s brightest talents, including Callum Gibson, Nani, Nikhita, Adam Thom and Michael Timmons.

Full details for True North Festival are available at www.truenorthfestival.co.uk. Tickets are on sale now, available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com, phone (01224) 641122 or visit the box office at His Majesty’s Theatre or the Music Hall.