The rain was almost biblical and the star act’s plane was cancelled.
Not the idyllic start to an outdoor gig.
But already Slessor Gardens is building an enviable reputation for hosting a fine show
and Rita Ora on Saturday night was – eventually – no exception.
Thousands defied the rather dramatic end to Dundee’s extended dry spell to attend just the latest big-name gig attracted to the city.
While the support act used an array of somewhat fruity language not necessarily quite in keeping with a predominantly young audience, once Rita Ora did make the stage the sodden masses were well and truly ready to party.
There had been some rumblings of discontent over cut-price ticket sales in the days leading up to the concert but there were few grumbles as the star belted out an array of her biggest hits, along with some brand new songs.
Genuinely charming, Ms Ora even apologised for the weather. Though, pop princess or not, that was outwith her control. What she could take control of was the atmosphere and she did so effortlessly, ensuring any blues surrounding the weather were quickly banished.
The biggest triumph of the evening was, once again, the indisputable evidence of Dundee’s ability to host events on such a scale. It would have been virtually unthinkable, just a couple of short years ago, to imagine the city would be able to capture acts of the magnitude of Little Mix or Rita Ora.
The young people in attendance felt that Dundee was at the centre of the world – the kind of emotion and sentiment the whole city will surely benefit from for generations to come.
