Jute, jamming and journalism
From piping and proms to pop and rock, Dundee and its surrounding towns and villages boast a vibrant and varied music scene, finds Stephanie Abbot
Whether your tastes lean towards pop, classical or traditional – there are scores of performances and bigger events that will bring sweet music to your ears. Dundee is commonly known for its previous status as the jute capital of the world and it is thanks to the success of one jute baron in particular that the city has its main concert and performance space, Caird Hall. Sir James Caird donated close to £100,000 for the building of a new city hall and council chamber and construction began in 1914 and was completed in 1923.
The list of performers who have graced its grand stage includes David Bowie, Elton John, Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. The term ‘Beatlemania’ was in fact first coined in Dundee after the band performed in the city in 1963 and huge mobs of hysterical fans crowded the surrounding streets, meaning the Liverpool lads had to be smuggled out through a cellar.
You’d have a hard job doing the same thing with the entire Royal Scottish National Orchestra who frequently perform in the city. Fans can hear them there on 4 October as the new musical director Thomas Søndergård makes his entrance with the romantic and very dramatic Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. ( www. rsno.org.uk/box-office)
Another Orchestral delight set to take to the stage this autumn is the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra who will be performing on 7 September for their Jazz Reimagined and Jazz Masters tour. ( snjo.co.uk/concerts/)
For those interested in traditional music and perhaps tempted to give it a go themselves, the Wighton Heritage Centre
offers classes for the fiddle, whistle, harp and for singing. The centre, based in Dundee Central Library, is home to an internationally important collection of old Scottish music books, mostly dating from the 18th and early 19th centuries. The collection was donated by Dundee merchant and music collector, Andrew Wighton. It provides a space for people to study, enjoy and perform traditional Scottish music.
Dr Sheena Wellington, who opened the centre in 2003 and teaches singing classes there said, ‘What’s nice is we never have trouble filling gigs. Folk get in touch asking if they can perform.’ And despite the assumption that traditional music is predominantly followed by older generations, Sheena says that they ‘have a lot of interest from young people who want to learn and perform traditional music and we try to give them lots of opportunities to do so’. Each month the organisation hosts a Cappuccino Concert, with Tarneybackle, a traditional folk trio, performing on 22 September and singer Janice Clark on 20 October. ( friendsofwighton.com/category/whats-on/)
Dundee Acoustic Music Club have more musical treats on offer this season, featuring Lizabett Russo, a Scotland-based singer-songwriter with Transylvanian heritage, performing at Roseangle Kitchen Cafe on 16 September. ( www.facebook.com/ DundeeAcousticMusicClub)
The city of Dundee is going through a period of exciting rejuvenation as the waterfront regeneration project moves further along, particularly with the opening of the longawaited V&A this September. New businesses have been encouraged to open up shop and big names in music have added the city of discovery to their tour rosters. Slessor Gardens which sits opposite the V&A, hosted UB40, Little Mix and Olly Murs last year and on 9 September, Simple Minds, The Pretenders and KT Tunstall will perform in the Grand Slam 2018 concert. There’s great potential for this outdoor music venue and hopefully a broad range of acts will continue to choose it as a place to perform for Scotland’s eclectic mix of musical tastes. ( www.dundeecity.gov.uk/events/venue/1141)
The surrounding towns in Angus aren’t short of musical entertainment either, particularly for lovers of more traditional melodies. The Kirriemuir Festival of music and song from 7 – 9 September is a celebration of some of the best folk music and provides ample opportunity for a Ceilidh dance or two.
There are also popular competitions where participants can put their singing, accordion and bothy ballad skills to the test. Audiences can check out the diddling contest, where people make tunes with their mouths. An integral part of Scottish Gaelic musical culture, ‘mouth music’ dates back to periods when people didn’t have access to instruments. Festival Chairman Joe Aitken, has been involved with the event for over 30 years and after retiring from the local fire brigade in 1999, he decided to join the committee.
Among the invited guests and performers who come, Joe said ‘there are a number of talented youngsters who take part’. He believes that it’s important for people to continue celebrating Scottish traditional music because ‘it’s part of our social and political history. In particular the Bothy Ballads, they show you the pecking order on farms.’ Throughout the weekend there are various ticketed and free sessions taking place with guests including fiddler Paul Anderson and singer Josie Duncan.
Of course, the popular Glamis Proms cannot be forgotten, and this year’s takes place on 25 August with the Scottish Pops Orchestra treating crowds to fantastic music set against the impressive backdrop of Glamis Castle. The theme of the 2018 event is ‘The Great British Song Book’ and features West End star Kerry Ellis and Scotland’s very own Norman Bowman.
With plenty of opportunities to hear live music across Dundee and Angus this autumn, the area is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to brush up on their own abilities, try their hand at something new or simply sit back, relax and listen to the rhythm of the area.