Stars out for ‘cool’ New Year welcome

Thousands pack streets for celebrations

By Kevin Duguid

Published:

PERFOMANCE: Amy Macdonald.

RACE: Sandi Thom played Aberdeen before jetting off to Edinburgh.

Keith Jack performed at the Hogmanay party.

SMILES: Laura Smith of Balmedie and Steven Brodie of Mintlaw join in the celebrations.

HOGMANAY headliner Amy Macdonald thought performing in Aberdeen was “cool” – but she wasn’t just talking about the weather.

The multi-million selling artist performed a dazzling set of heart-warming anthems – in freezing conditions – to carry 20,000 cheering and dancing Aberdonians into 2009.

Obviously still reeling from the raucous show at the Castlegate, she said: “That was really cool. They were a really great crowd – so many people. It’s always a bit different playing to an audience which isn’t necessarily there to see you, but I think we won some people over.”

Her enthusiasm was echoed by Sandi Thom, who got the crowd in the mood for the party night. She said: “I couldn’t ask for a better crowd at Hogmanay. They were out of this world. I used to go to school in Aberdeen and I grew up here, so this is a real honour for me. This is one Hogmanay I’ll never forget.”

Any Dream Will Do finalist Keith Jack, who has been performing in HMT’s Peter Pan, also performed during the show.

He said: “I do love Aberdeen and it was a fantastic honour to be performing here. The crowd looked brilliant, especially because there were lots of people with Scottish flags.”

Fore more photographs of the event, check out our picture gallery.

kduguid@ajl.co.uk