NEW OUTDOOR AREA, DERRICK CARTER  + MORE ARTISTS ADDED & REKORDERLIG GARDEN PARTY ANNOUNCED + NEW TEASER VIDEO RELEASED!  

In the biggest announcement to date, The Big Beach Ball reveal the addition of a garden party themed OUTDOOR ARENA and that legendary Chicago DJ and producer DERRICK CARTER is set to join in on what is already an impressive line-up. Derrick’s jackin’ house set is sure to send revelers into a state of holiday bliss both inside and outside the event. The new one-day festival now boasts a line-up of over 35 acts and festival organisers say there are still announcements to come!

Festival organisers today announce the addition of an outdoor quarter, having kept the news tightly under wraps until now. The space is set to host an outdoor garden party, where festival goers can soak in the atmosphere and relax in the comfy “Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime Fields” while enjoying the premium Swedish cider’s mouth watering flavour range, sipping on British craft lager “Saint” or the Peruvian malt lager “Cusquena”. The hot new arena also lends itself to a minty fresh Mojito bar, selling the refreshing libation alongside the usual suspects. It doesn’t stop there, revelers can party in the sun and electric atmosphere in the outdoor DJ area, while grabbing a bite with food catered to by local restaurateurs alongside seasoned festival vendors. The Big Beach Ball will cater to all tastes, with entertainment spread across the main Ballroom, while taking in the Northern Lights room, the Star Ballroom and the outdoor garden party quarter with a mix of bands and DJs alike, as well as a vintage fair. 

Claire Clark, one of the festival chiefs at the event commented “We are thrilled to be able to make the announcement of the outdoor quarter today! Aberdeen Beach is such a spectacular setting for an event like this, it’s an absolute treat to be able to utilize the iconic Beach Ballroom to it’s full potential, and now the outdoor space too. We’re working alongside some great sponsors to pull together a garden party vibe, while providing customers with all that goes with a regular festival and more. Party-goers can expect an event that pulls on a lot of passion for music and festivals, and commitment to offer Aberdeen something else. There’s a lot going on in Aberdeen already, the city certainly has the potential to be a cultural hub. ”

There’s entertainment galore in this outdoor zone, this new addition is guaranteed to be a summer opener like no other in Aberdeen, especially with DERRICK CARTER set to headline alongside m_nus’ HEARTTHROB and SLAM (Soma) at the inaugural event.

Widely acknowledged as one of the best DJs in the world. Derrick Carter’s innovative productions, flawless technical skills and effortlessly joyful attitude of rocking a crowd, have infiltrated throughout the spectrum of dance music. He is lined-up to spread good time summer vibes, and of course, cause dance floor delirium across the 11-hour event.

Starting DJ’ing at the early age of 9, Derrick’s reputation as being one of the key players in the Chicago house music wave in the ‘90s grew out of his youthful beginnings spinning disco records at family reunions, budding more as he was sucked into Chicago’s house music scene in his teens, where he could regularly be found sneaking into underground venues to play. Spending his daytime hours working in dance-music specialty record stores indulged his passion and supported his talent. Today he has emerged as a highly sought after DJ and producer, although he doesn't often spin locally, his unannounced appearances at friends' parties leave people queuing around the block. With his sets rooted in house, he also liberally travels outside conformative club tastes, seamlessly incorporating old-school disco, soul, jazz, and whatever else catches his fancy to jack the beat and rock the party. In doing so he has refused to accept predictable standards and choosing to do what he feels is right, his reputation precedes him, having now built a reputation as one of the underground pioneers, becoming a major international celebrity among dance-music aficionados. Productions like 'Boompty Boomp Theme' mean he’s chief of the “Boompty” house sound - a name that has become synonymous with Derrick's sound since his mom's critique of his music reached the press!

His numerous collaborations, infamous production work and the founding of his and Luke Solomon’s Classic record label and guest compilations for the best underground house labels have consolidated his standing as one of the legends of scene and have marked Derrick as one of the most important players in dance music. Derrick is a guaranteed party starter, perfect for The Big Beach Ball. 

The exciting new artist announcements make for a blistering day out in Aberdeen. Speaking of the latest announcements, Festival Music Programmer George Russell said today “We’ve been excited to reveal this for awhile now, Derrick is a pioneer and we’re delighted to be able to bring someone of his caliber to Aberdeen. He is a crowd pleaser with years of experience playing the biggest stages in the world and he compliments the rest of the line up really well too! We still have more announcements to make so keep a look out.”

The latest release also includes news of artists including BREEZAK [BASS ALLIANCE SOUND SYSTEM], BWANI JUNCTION, STANLEY, EARLY KILLA KREW, CH£AP DATE, SI SMITH and NIGEL HAYES, joining in on the festival fun.

With only 4 weeks until the first festival of its shape and size hits the North East, it is definitely time to start planning your May Day Bank Holiday Weekend. Stunning coastal views, the pick of Scottish and international DJs and bands, summer sun, iconic buildings, an outdoor garden party, cider and Mojito bars, a fine selection of food, Peace and Jam Vintage Fair & Acoustic stage and Funktion 1 Sound should be enough for you, but if you need more persuading… Advance tickets start from £24.50 for 11 hours of party, make sure your start to the summer involves The Big Beach Ball.