Dundee is set for a bumper weekend of music as the Summer Sessions festival arrives at Slessor Gardens.
Dundee-founded organisers DF Concerts are promising “something special” as the event moves outside of Glasgow and Edinburgh for the first time – with acts like Noel Gallagher and Stereophonics performing.
Geoff Ellis, DF Concerts chief executive and Summer Sessions promoter, said: “Dundee is the spiritual home of DF, having started here many moons ago, so we are delighted to return with Summer Sessions and bring some incredible music to the city.”
We have a full guide with all you need to know about the festival.
What are the stage times for Dundee Summer Sessions?
The doors open for each day of the festival at 5pm, with the box office open from 4-9pm.
Saturday June 11
- Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (9.15-10.45pm)
- Inhaler (7.45-8.35pm)
- Dylan John Thomas (6.30-7.10pm)
- Theo Bleak (5.30-6pm)
Sunday June 12
- Stereophonics (8.45-10.45pm)
- Jake Bugg (7.20-8.05pm)
- Circa Waves (6.10-6.50pm)
- Voodoos (5.10-5.40pm)
What will the main acts play?
So far on his tour, Noel Gallagher has performed a handful of tracks from his last album Who Built the Moon? along with songs from recent EPs including We’re On Our Way Now and Black Star Dancing.
As expected, he also plays a number of tracks from his Oasis days, such as Whatever, Little by Little – as played in Newcastle on Thursday (below) – and Half the World Away.
On most dates he as rounded his shows off with an encore featuring If I Had a Gun, AKA… What a Life!, Don’t Look Back in Anger and a cover of the Bob Dylan song Quinn the Eskimo (Mighty Quinn).
Stereophonics toured earlier this year with a setlist packed with hits from their near 30-year career, including Just Looking, Have a Nice Day, A Thousand Trees and Maybe Tomorrow.
So far in 2022 they have kicked off their sets with Do Ya Feel My Love, from most recent album Oochya! while they traditionally end their shows with 2005 favourite Dakota.
How much are tickets?
Organisers say tickets will still be available to buy at the box office on the day.
A standard weekend ticket costs £108, while a VIP weekend ticket costs £159.
The VIP package includes access to an exclusive bar, food, seating and toilet facilities with entertainment in between main stage acts.
A standard day ticket for the Saturday (Noel Gallagher) costs £61.85 and a VIP day ticket costs £87.20.
A standard day ticket for the Sunday (Stereophonics) costs £60.50 and a VIP day ticket costs £85.25.
A small percentage of some ticket sales may go to Dundee City Council.
What are the travel arrangements?
A series of road closures will be in place at Slessor Gardens and in the city centre on the days of the gigs.
Buses will be running as normal but some of these will be diverted, while drivers are being encouraged to use Gellatly Street, Greenmarket, Olympia, NCP North Lindsay Street, NCP West Marketgait and Yeaman Shore car parks.
On the trains, ScotRail has a temporary timetable in place which is subject to change – but it is operating a reduced service – with travellers urged to check the operator’s website.
No timetable for Sunday has yet been confirmed.
What can you take into the venue?
Organisers say permitted items include blankets, cameras, cigarettes, earplugs, hand sanitiser, hats, lip balm, makeup, sunscreen, sunglasses, an empty bottle no bigger than 500ml (not a reusable one) and wipes.
Revellers are being asked not to take a bag unless it is “absolutely essential”. Bags larger than the size of an A3 sheet of paper will not be permitted.
Prohibited items include chairs, professional cameras, drugs, flares, glass or metal/hard plastic bottles (including perfume/fragrance), smoke canisters, flags, selfie sticks, umbrellas, weapons and frisbees/boomerangs.
What food and drink will be on offer?
A host of food and drink vendors will be at the event on both days. These include:
- Young Spuds: Fife-based baked potato company Young Spuds will be on site with their wide selection of fillings.
- Mrs Falafel: Falafel, wraps, baba-ganoush, and lamb kofta will be on the menu from Glasgow-based Mrs Falafel.
- Rost Eats: Specialising in local and Scottish produce, Rost Eats’ menu includes creative sliders, slow cooked meat, fish, wild foods and salad specials.
- Edelwurst Catering: Aberdeenshire company Edelwurst Catering’s offering will include German favourites like bratwurst, currywurst, schnitzel and frikadellen.
- Mac Love (VIP area): Described by The Courier as the best mac and cheese in Tayside and Fife, cheese-lovers will be keen to visit the Mac Love stall.
- Screaming Peacock (VIP area): Screaming Peacock promises tasty burgers made from venison and pheasant alongside its “fabulously delicious fries”.
Details about the bar offering – including drinks prices – have not been confirmed.
What is the weather forecast?
The forecast from the Met Office suggests revellers will enjoy temperatures of up to 16°C on both days of the festival.
Saturday is predicted to be mainly overcast – with a 50% chance of light rain at around lunchtime, but that drops to 10% in time for the gig itself.
It will be largely cloudy for Sunday’s concert too, but with the chance of some sunny intervals in the evening.
However, gig-goers can expect some windy conditions with gusts of up to 40mph predicted at times on Saturday and more than 30mph on Sunday.
- This page is being updated regularly with the latest information for the event.
Conversation