Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Big bank holiday bangers this May
MUSIC lovers can get their groove on as Dundee Dance Event (DDE) returns for a bumper 20th anniversary celebration over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
More than 160 DJs will descend upon 28 venues for the main event on Sunday May 6 for a 13-hour house music marathon.
DJs will flock from all over the UK, as well as Spain, Italy and New York, to join what organisers described as “an annual pilgrimage” to the city.
Ali MacLennan and Ali McFly the Non Stop DJs from Skye will be there, as well as the Rendition guys, Colin Shillinglaw and Derrick Sewell from Galashiels.
On the Saturday, Caledonia Soul Connection will host a Northern Soul event in the Bonar Hall from 2pm, with 15 soul DJs from around Scotland and food from The Street Shack Food.
Also on Saturday is the DDE Diaper Disco for under-5s, allowing parents and children to get in on fun.
Organiser Mike McDonald said: “The DDE seems to have cemented its place in the diaries of local partygoers and is an annual pilgrimage now.
“I can’t believe an event I organised for me and few DJ pals 20 years ago has turned into such a big day out for dance music lovers, and there are so many people coming from outside the city for it as well, which is brilliant.
“It’s the ultimate Sunday session, with the emphasis on just having a great day out.
“Having the kids’ events on the Saturday is great, as it makes it a real family day and I’m excited about giving the soul guys their own venue for an alldayer on the Saturday too. There’s something for everyone this year”.
Tom Simpson, former keyboardist for Snow Patrol and a DDE DJ regular, said: “The Dundee Dance Event is definitely a welcome date on many electronic music lovers’ calendars.
“Having 160 DJs playing in the city centre is a massive deal for Dundee, as there is no other event of its kind in the UK.
“I’ve played at it for a few years now and there is a real buzz about the city on DDE day. The atmosphere in the venues is always terrific.
“It also provides a fantastic platform for DJs to play their music to an appreciative and friendly crowd in busy venues.”
The bars and clubs taking part are: Alter Ego, Balcony Bar, Beer Kitchen, Bird & Bear, Boozy Cow, Braes, Church, D’Arcy Thompson, DDE Bar, DUSA The Union, Fat Sams, George Orwell, Jam Jar, Klozet, Malmaison, McDaniels, Medina, Nether Inn, No.1s, Q Bar Queens Hotel, Salty Dog, Tap Room 71 Brewing, Temple Lane, Tin Smith, Tonic, Underground, West House and Westport Bar.
All the bars are free to get into on Sunday from 2.30pm until midnight, with the closing party being an all-ticket affair from 10pm. Ourvoice PAGE 16