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True North, the music festival presented by Aberdeen Performing Arts, is back and this September and they are rising up to mark the return of live music and standing up for what you believe in. They’ll be celebrating freedom of expression, diversity, community and equality with an inspirational and vibrant line up of musicians over one unforgettable weekend.
Whether you are discovering new artists or immersing yourself in the music of an icon, it’s time to turn the music up!
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Tickets
For tickets to any of the events below go to https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/true-north/#about
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True North Events
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Kicking off True North 2021 will be Peaness, who will be bringing their catchy, fuzzy, harmony-driven indie-pop songs about love, friendship, frustrations, Brexit and food waste to the Lemon Tree. Formed in 2014 in Chester university digs, the trio have secured nationwide and international shows with bands such as The Beths, Kero Kero Bonito, The Cribs, We Are Scientists, The Big Moon and Dream Wife. They will be joined at the Lemon Tree by Swim School and Lavender Lane.
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Headlining on Friday night at the Lemon Tree with a Night of New Voices is the soulful, eclectic Ayanna Witter-Johnson. A singer, songwriter, cellist, composer, producer and arranger with phenomenal musical prowess, mesmerising vocals, uncompromising lyrics and mastery of the cello. Ayanna unapologetically imprints her unique musical signature into her music. Heir of the Cursed, Katie Mackie and DJ Rebecca Vasmant complete the line-up.
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American singer songwriter and former Czars frontman John Grant will headline True North at the Music Hall on the Saturday evening. Described as ‘the misfit’s misfit’, Grant is too weird to be mainstream, too mainstream to be weird; too sad to be happy, too sharp not to crack a mordant joke about it. The dolorous ace in his song-writing pack is to gauge impressionistic childhood experiences against their amplified adult consequences. He will be supported by acclaimed Scottish performer Rachel Sermanni.
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Aberdonian grime rapper Ransom FA will head up late night at the Lemon Tree on Saturday. The fast-rising artist, was a contestant on the UK TV show, The Rap Game, where he battled other budding rappers for a record deal. Prior to the Rap Game, Ransom had already shared the stage with many of the biggest UK rappers, such as Skepta, Wiley, Mist, M Huncho to name only a few. He will be joined by Bemz, Sean Focus and DJ HomeAlone.
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A spoken word event specially commissioned by Aberdeen Performing Arts and hosted by award winning poet Jo Gilbert will focus on the festival’s theme of Rise Up. The four commissioned artists – Jo Gilbert , Mae Diansangu, Noon Salah Eldinand Molly McLachlan – will produce new work based around this theme. They will showcase this new work at the Lemon Tree on Sunday in an event which promises to challenge and inspire in equal measure.
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Grammy and MOBO award-winning star Corinne Bailey Rae will close the festival on Sunday with a specially curated concert at the Music Hall called “A Celebration of Stevie Wonder by Corinne Bailey Rae.” The evening will see Corinne joined by special guests to perform the many legendary hits from the catalogue of Stevie Wonder songs in what promises to be an extraordinary evening of music. With previous True North curated concerts celebrating the music of Neil Young, David Bowie and Kate Bush among others, this concert at True North has become a highlight of the festival and a firm favourite among audiences.
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