How Dundee is fast becoming Scotland’s new City of Music
- Andrew Batchelor
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Dundee has long had music running through its veins — but in recent years, it’s gone from being a proud hometown for breakthrough acts to a city fast becoming one of the most exciting music destinations in Scotland.
Later this month, the city centre will come alive with the brand new Dundee Music Festival, taking place on 27 and 28 June, transforming streets and venues into one giant dance floor.
It’s the latest sign of Dundee’s musical evolution — built on rich legacy, rising stars, and a cityscape that’s embracing the rhythm.
This musical resurgence has been making ground ever since Dundee hosted Big Weekend in 2023 for the second time.
The festival brought household names to the city, from The Jonas Brothers, Niall Horan and Jess Glynne.
But it also brought acts from closer to home who are doing absolutely incredible…
One of the leading figures in this cultural rise is Hannah Laing, the internationally acclaimed Dundonian DJ and producer.
Just last night, she began her HI Ibiza residency, with her face featured front and centre at Ibiza Airport — a bold symbol of just how far Dundee’s influence now reaches.
And Hannah is bringing that global energy home. Next month, she’ll host Doof in the Park — a massive one-night event at Camperdown Park featuring world-class DJs and a high-energy crowd. It promises to be one of Scotland’s unmissable live music moments of the summer.
Even more impactful is her commitment to the next generation. Last year, Hannah announced Doof Studios at the Change Centre, located in the former Lynch Sports Centre.
The studio is designed to provide access and opportunity to those from disadvantaged backgrounds who want to explore careers in music — offering education, mentorship, and creative space to help local talent flourish. It’s about building a legacy as well as a sound.
Backing this wave of energy is LIVEHOUSE, Dundee’s newest large-scale venue, which has already welcomed Craig Charles, the 2025 Dundee Dance Event, and Martin Kemp.
The coming months will see performances from Yungblud, Idlewild, and Franz Ferdinand, further establishing LIVEHOUSE as a serious player on the national live circuit.
But beyond the festivals and large venues, Dundee’s music culture is thriving at every level.
New music hotspots have opened up in the city — one such being the legendary former record store Groucho’s — a cultural staple of the city for decades — which was reborn as a music bar and venue, offering an intimate space where live performance meets nostalgic soul.
It’s joined a growing list of new music bars that have injected fresh life into the city’s night scene with the likes of Pasha Dundee and Firewater, blending Dundee’s history with its contemporary sound.
The city’s iconic venues continue to play their part too. From the timeless energy of Fat Sam’s and Beat Generator Live, to the character-filled stages of Duke’s Corner and Clarks on Lindsay Street, these spots remain cornerstones of Dundee’s live music landscape — where local bands cut their teeth and touring acts find a fiercely passionate crowd.
Of course, Dundee’s legacy in music is well-established. Billy Mackenzie and The Associates delivered era-defining soundscapes. The View emerged with raw indie brilliance from the city’s streets.
And early connections with Snow Patrol tied the city to global success stories. Now, a new generation is not only following in their footsteps — they’re building something of their own.
With festivals, venues, studios, and talent that spans from grassroots to global stages, Dundee is no longer just a city with a music history. It’s a city with a music future.
This is more than a revival. This is Dundee fast-rising as Scotland’s new City of Music.
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