Bands and singers from across the north-east will come together this weekend to pay tribute to their musical heroes and raise money for charity.
The line-up for the Last Waltz 2014 includes musicians from the past and present, many of whom will be playing together for the first time.
Saturday’s show at the Ashdale Hall, Westhill, is a nod to The Band’s farewell concert in 1976, which included appearances from Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell and Eric Clapton.
During the night, the acts – Fivefifteen, singing siblings Amy Sawers and Kathryn Joseph, The Shackles, Inertia, Dirty Shoes and Audiokicks, as well as some secret guests – will each play a set before coming together to cover songs from The Band’s Last Waltz concert, which was filmed by Hollywood director Martin Scorsese and made into a documentary.
Ms Sawers, who grew up in Dunecht, said: “The film had a real cult following, we all loved it growing up.
“The smiles on our faces as we’ve been rehearsing have been ridiculous, these are songs we were brought up on and songs we’ve always wanted to play that we’ve never done. It’s quite big for us.”
Fans can look forward to hearing The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and The Weight, among others.
As well as bringing together musicians from the Westhill area from the last 20 years, the event will also raise vital funds for the Archie Foundation and Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow – a cause close to many of the performers’ hearts.
For Ms Sawers, it is especially important to support Yorkhill, as the team there saved her young daughter Heidi earlier this year.
The four-year-old suffered a stroke after picking up a rare heart infection called endocarditis at New Year, and had to have open heart surgery twice.
Her mother, who now lives in Stonehaven, said: “A few people in Westhill have all had dealings with Yorkhill. Heidi went into hospital with endocarditis and Yorkhill Hospital was amazing, they saved her life.
“It was decided by the sweet people of Westhill to make it for two charities, the Archie Foundation and Yorkhill Hospital.
“They both do great work.”
Tickets, priced £10, are on sale in Key West and through each of the bands. There will also be a limited amount available on the door. The event will run from 7pm-midnight.