Chase & Status to headline Aberdeen's Cultivate Festival at new site

Electronic music duo Chase & Status are set to headline Aberdeen's Cultivate Festival.

The two-day event takes hold of the city's beach front each year, however this edition will be hosted at a new site "built from the ground up".

Since the festival's inception in 2018, renowned international DJs including Nina Kraviz, Peggy Gou and Scotland's own Hannah Laing have flocked to the North East seaside for the event.

Previous events have occupied the current Innoflate building at Beach Links but having outgrown this space, organisers are promising a brand new experience unique to Aberdeen.

Now earmarked for the green space at South Beach Links, three new stages will be constructed from scratch to create a "forward thinking hub of music and art".

Co-director, Scott Forrest, said they hope to reach new heights this September: "We are going to be transforming this green space into a big top tent, a container stage, with bars and food and hopefully a great event for Aberdeen.

"It's grown into a proper festival site now whereas before we were mainly indoors so we are pushing the boat out now and making it a proper music festival."

Chase & Status to headline festival

Chase & Status aren't the only big act taking to the stage - Ben Hemsley, Kettama, Effy and Franck will also perform over the Saturday and Sunday event.

Co-director Rory Masson said: "It's absolutely massive for Aberdeen and we're really proud that both of us live here and that we can bring this calibre of act that normally would never be able to reach this far north.

"Personally as well, Chase & Status - I grew up listening to all their albums - they're one of my favourite artists so it's amazing we can get them up here."

Showcasing local talent

Over 50 local acts will be joining them and Scott explained showcasing Scottish talent is a core aspect of the festival.

He continued: "The other thing that's great about Cultivate which is really important to us is that we give a platform for many, many local artists as well.

"There's a lot of great acts that have come through the ranks of Cultivate like the likes of Hannah Laing, Ewan McVicar, Testpress, and more recently people who are really on the up like Van Damn.

"We really make it a core aspect of the festival to highlight Scottish talent and get as many of them on as we can."

Cultivate Festival will take place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September.

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