The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Top pop act Little Mix wowed 11,000 fans in Dundee last night as they ran through their hits. The rain lifted to help the enjoyment at the biggest gig yet at the waterfront’s Slessor Gardens.
Predicted rain holds off as 11,000 pack out Slessor Gardens to see concert
The world’s biggest girl group graced the stage last night at the second-ever concert held in Dundee’s Slessor Gardens.
Crowd favourites Shout Out To My Ex, Power and Black Magic were met by rapturous screams and applause from more than 11,000 happy music fans.
Forecast rain threatened overhead but never materialised and the carnival atmosphere continued long into the night.
Australian band Sheppard were first on and despite constant complaints about the cold, put on an admirable performance which got the crowd loosened up for the show ahead.
Rising star Ella Eyre was next and with a slew of popular hits, had the crowd singing along in their thousands.
As the time drew closer to Little Mix reaching the stage, Slessor Gardens started to heave under the expectation, excited boys and girls wearing band T-shirts and waving glow sticks enthusiastically before the lights dimmed and the opening track kicked in. What followed was more than an hour and 40 minutes of endearing joy, as the crowd sang along to every word and danced along to every move.
At one point a confetti cannon shot streamers into the air, tangling with the recently re-erected masts of Discovery, much to the amusement of the crowd.
The show was hailed as an immediate success by organisers.
City centre manager Sarah Craig said: “It has been a long week but has been definitely worth all of the effort everyone has put in.
“We had in the end more than 11,000 music fans in Slessor Gardens and the whole evening appears to have passed without incident.
“The rain stayed off and the weather held out, which was fantastic and just what we wanted.
“It really does add to everybody’s concert experience when they don’t have to battle with the elements.
“Last night’s concert bodes really well for next month’s Olly Murs show.
“The city centre has been packed full of people, with a combination of end-ofterm celebrations and, of course, people coming down to the concert.
“There has been a terrific atmosphere all day, topped off by a fantastic concert.”
Joe Sharphouse of the Liz Hobbs Group – the organisers behind bringing UB40, Little Mix and Olly Murs to the city – said they were so pleased with the reception the first two concerts had received.
He said: “This concert and UB40 in May have both been incredibly successful.
“To host three acts of the calibre of UB40, Little Mix and Olly Murs has been amazing, not just for us but also for Dundee.
“The reception we have had from everyone in the city has been phenomenal.
“We would like to thank all of the people of Dundee for their support.”
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