Legendary Scottish rock band Primal Scream will headline the 3D Festival celebrating the opening of the V&A Dundee.
The band, whose hits include Movin’ On Up, Loaded and Rocks, will perform in front of thousands of fans at a special free concert at Slessor Gardens on the eve of the V&A’s opening.
The spectacular show will include a unique audio-visual collaboration with Turner Prize-nominated artist Jim Lambie, which has been specially commissioned for the September 14 concert.
They will be joined on the bill by up-and-coming Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi and Dundee’s own Be Charlotte.
Formed in Glasgow, Primal Scream are one of Scotland’s most enduring and popular bands.
The group is famed for its combination of rock, dance and dub and has collaborated with artists ranging from Andrew Weatherall and George Clinton to Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine and even Kate Moss.
Their 1991 album Screamadelica won the inaugural Mercury Music Prize.
Lead singer Bobby Gillespie said: “We’re looking forward to performing at the V&A Dundee opening and collaborating with our dear friend Jim Lambie again.”
As well as musical performances there will also be spectacular new dance, design and lighting collaborations, putting the audience and the museum at the heart of the show.
Around 20,000 people are expected to attend the 3D festival over its two days.
Friday’s concert will be ticketed. A two-week online ballot will open on the V&A Dundee website at 10am on Thursday, where people can register for their chance to win a ticket.
Also performing at 3D on the Friday will be Glasgow singer songwriter Tallia Storm, dance troupe Shaper/Caper and DJ Eclair Fifi.
Fittingly, the V&A itself will also be given a starring role in proceedings.
It will take centre-stage with a one-off visual, sound and light installation, created by Dundee-based Agency of None and Biome Collective.
The festival will continue the following day which will be dedicated to celebrating great creative talent from across Dundee, with performances from up-and-coming Dundee musicians, a mass participation choral collaboration, and workshops.
Former Danny Wilson frontman, Gary Clark, will also join the 3D Festival line-up on the free and unticketed Saturday.
Philip Long, director of V&A Dundee, said: “The journey to create V&A Dundee has already captured the imagination of audiences in the city and far beyond, and anticipation is growing towards its opening.
“The 3D Festival provides a unique moment in time to celebrate the new museum, the city and its transformational journey and we’re delighted to have young people at the heart of this special celebration.
“The programme for the festival brings fantastic creative talent together from across Scotland, both established and new, promising an opening event for V&A Dundee that will be unforgettable.”
Created in collaboration with DF Concerts and Events and V&A Dundee’s Young People’s Collective, the 3D Festival – a name that pays homage to Dundee, design and the city’s spirit of discovery – will celebrate the opening of Scotland’s first design museum created by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.
Paul Bush, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: “The opening of V&A Dundee is an exciting new chapter for the city as well as Scotland’s events and festival sector as a hub for design and creativity.
“With a stellar line-up over the two days, the 3D Festival will be an amazing curtain raiser as the museum opens its doors to the world. Co-designed by the Young People’s Collective as part of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, the festival will showcase everything the museum and Dundee represents – innovative design, music and performance.”
Geoff Ellis, chief executive of DF Concerts & Events said: “We will see a lot of collaborations over the weekend of 3D Festival – from headliners Primal Scream with visual artist Jim Lambie, to Sistema Scotland with Dundee legend Gary Clark for a unique performance.
“It is indeed an honour for DF Concerts & Events to be working in partnership with V&A Dundee to bring this globally significant event from conception through to fruition, highlighting Dundee as a leading city of design.”
