News of Olly Murs’ Dundee gig shows the city’s newest music venue is starting to gain traction, according to one of Dundee’s most prominent music aficionados.
Alastair Brodie, manager of the Nethergate’s Groucho’s Record Store said everything is “looking good” as the city gears up for a summer of top name acts.
He believes the three big shows announced so far — UB40, Little Mix, and Murs — will all attract different audiences and that it is “wonderful” that big name acts are starting to flock to the city.
He said: “It’s wonderful that these acts are coming but there won’t be quite the same clamour for tickets as there was for Little Mix,” he said.
“I would still expect it to do well, albeit to a slightly older audience.
“The three acts announced for Slessor Gardens (including UB40) will attract different age groups so it will be an interesting test to see what works best for the venue.
“There will have to be a lot of discussions about the traffic and parking arrangements for each concert leaving absolutely nothing to chance.
“If it doesn’t run relatively smoothly it will give the detractors a field day and we certainly wouldn’t want that as the hope is that more quality acts come to Dundee in the future.
“It’s all looking good so far.”
When the Little Mix show was announced, concerns were raised over potential problems with traffic in the busy surrounding city centre streets.
Bill Newcombe, head of the City Centre and Harbour Community Council, said these issues will be discussed soon.
He said: “The community council is in touch with the planners and organisers to discuss the impacts on local residents and the arrangements planned for traffic management and crowd control.
“We will be meeting the concerned people in early March.”
Lynn Short, councillor for the Maryfield ward, which includes Slessor Gardens, said the latest announcements were adding to the already “phenomenal” music scene in the city.
She said: “It’s an amazing thing and there will be lots of delighted fans.
“The music scene is pretty phenomenal in Dundee anyway but these kinds of acts are good for the people here.
“If a big name doesn’t come here it can feel like we’re being ignored so it’s great that instead of people having to go through to Edinburgh or Glasgow, they will have the show on their doorstep.
“On top of these acts, I’m really looking forward to the announcement of the line-up for Carnival 56 too.”
One Dundee super-fan, 18-year-old Morgan Macfarlane, cannot wait to get her hands on tickets for the show, and even has a full cardboard cut-out of the singer.
“I have tickets for his show in Edinburgh and Glasgow and now he’s playing in Dundee I’m definitely going to get tickets here too,” she said.
“I love everything about him; his music and just the way he is, he’s classed as the nicest guy in pop and it’s so true!”
