More than 200 people from Aberdeen and beyond turned up to support a one-off Battle of the Bands event organised by Stronachs LLP and FG Burnett, raising more than £3,000 for Children in Need.
The firms, which have been neighbours on Albyn Place for more than 20 years, arranged the night to continue their inter-office annual charity challenge with a band from each business performing at popular Aberdeen venue Babylon.
Full service law firm Stronachs was represented by Bobby and the Bobcats with partners Bobby McDonald on guitar, Hamish Lean on drums and Liz Stewart on vocals with solicitors Laura Bisset on bass guitar and Jennifer Love on keyboard. Scottish commercial property consultancy FG Burnett’s band Where’s Watty? featured Jonathan Nesbitt on guitar, Graeme Watt on drums and Stuart Fyvie on guitar and vocals.
The battle, judged live by the audience, was won by Stronachs’ Bobby and the Bobcats whose set included performances of “The Skye Boat Song” featuring a performance from guest bagpiper and Stronachs partner Ewan Neilson, as well as two numbers written by songwriter and lead guitarist Bobby McDonald. FG Burnett’s Where’s Watty? put on a valiant show with their set which included “Caledonia”, “Johnny B. Goode” and a mash up of “Rolling in the Deep” and “Back in Black.”
Stronachs partner and solicitor advocate Bobby McDonald said: “We had a great time performing at the Battle of the Bands event and it was fantastic to see so many people coming together to support Children in Need.
“It was a very close battle with our victory being decided in a tie break round, we then finished off the evening with both bands performing together in a rendition of “500 Miles” by The Proclaimers.”
FG Burnett’s director Jonathan Nesbitt said: “A great evening was had by all and while it was a close run battle, we’d like to congratulate Bobby and the Bobcats.
“We’d also like to thank everyone who came along and to the raffle sponsors for their generous donations. A fantastic amount raised for Children in Need.”
This is the fifth year the businesses have collaborated on a charity challenge to raise money for Children in Need, with employees taking part in a variety of previous competitions including fitting as many people as possible into a Mini.