The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Big acts already lined up as Music Hall reopens with host of activities
Aberdeen Music Hall will today throw open its doors to the public for the first time in almost three years.
The historic venue was closed at the start of April 2016 following several nights of entertainment, culminating with a farewell ceilidh.
The building, which opened in 1882, has since undergone a £9 million overhaul to secure its future at the heart of the city’s cultural life.
This morning, it will burst into life once more with a huge singalong led by Fran Healey, frontman of renowned Scottish band Travis.
Healey will receive backing from the Music Hall Community Choir as he belts out one of his band’s most recognisable anthems, Sing, which reached number three in the UK charts in 2001.
A day of activities, dubbed Stepping In, will follow as people are encouraged to venture inside and glimpse the storied venue’s revamped surroundings.
The Music Hall has hosted readings from Charles Dickens, comedy from Billy Connolly and music from David Bowie over the years.
And stars have been lining up to follow in their famous footsteps now that the building is back in business.
Next weekend there will be performances from Texas and the Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Acts like Mike and The Mechanics, KT Tunstall, Papa Roach and comedian Jason Manford will follow next year.
Chief executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts, Jane Spiers, said the celebration today will shine a light on “all the talent and creativity in the north-east”. “A group of us from my school – Oldmachar Academy – took part in the Rock Challenge school competition and left as runners up.
It must have been about 15 years ago now and we all had the best time. It was and still is a great way to bring schools together.” “A few years ago we had a family outing to see the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s Christmas concert, which an aunt who was visiting from Canada joined us for. The first half of the concert was the music from The Snowman. We are looking forward to seeing it again now the Music Hall is back open.”