Aberdeen Music Week Mixes Global Thinking With Local Rhythm
Four packed days of music, learning and collaboration put Aberdeen’s creative scene first
We’re really looking forward to Aberdeen Music Week. If it’s not on your radar, it should be. The festival has a great selection of artists and will see Aberdeen’s music scene take centre stage later this month with four days of live shows, practical workshops and open conversation from 20–23 August, linking the city’s music community with global voices while keeping local talent in focus.
It begins online with a day of masterclasses led by guests from the UK and overseas. Topics range from funding and gig opportunities to adapting to shifts in streaming and technology. Westley Holdsworth from PRS Foundation, Leo Fakhrul of Mamba Sounds, and Scottish promoter Richy Muirhead join panel discussions and Q&As, offering insight for both emerging and established artists.
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From conversation to creation
Day two moves into in-person sessions in the city, mixing discussion with music-making. Morning fireside chats at Lime Reserve look at sustainable careers and inclusion in Scotland’s music landscape. Speakers include Beth Edwards from Aberdeen City Council, Musicians’ Union organiser Caroline Sewell, and Creative Scotland’s Jamie Houston, alongside key local voices Scott Anderson, Simon Gall, and Tom Simmonds.
The afternoon at RAK Studios focuses on hands-on work. Creative labs cover production and songwriting before an open jam session where musicians can collaborate in an informal setting.
The third day is dedicated to Amplify Aberdeen, a free evening showcase at the Art Gallery. In an intimate setting, artists perform and take part in Q&As. Aiitee, known for her mix of soul and R&B, joins hip-hop producer and DJ Vagrant Real Estate and blues-rock regulars the Gerry Jablonski Band.
Closing with a city-wide mix
The final day connects music with other parts of Aberdeen’s culture. A guided Nuart street art walk leads into an evening takeover at Unit 51. Performances move from indie pop to hip-hop from the Young Aberdeen Collective and Afro-fusion from past Afro Indie Series performers. The Gerry Jablonski Band headline before a closing DJ set from DJ IntroSoul rounds off the week.
Aberdeen Music Week’s first edition blends local energy with international perspectives. By pairing industry knowledge with opportunities to perform and collaborate, it sets out to be a space where the city’s musicians can develop, share, and celebrate their work together.
