Happy, excited people take over

Waterfront and entire city throngs with smiling folk as rain holds off for big party

Dundonians young and old thronged on the waterfront’s Slessor Gardens last night to enjoy all the hits from their favourite pop group Little Mix.

The city’s pubs, restaurants, eateries and meeting places pulsated prior to the show with excited families, young people, party lovers and music fans – each one eagerly anticipating the performance of a lifetime.

Young children and their happy parents braved inclement weather and the threat of rain – which never materialised – scoffing ice creams and fizzy juice and waiting in line to the merchandise stalls dotted around the venue to buy T-shirts and posters.

Buses full of travelling music lovers piled into the city too and thousands of tired but happy faces floated out after the final encore.

Isla Swaddle, 10, was attending her first large concert in Dundee, having travelled to Glasgow as an even younger child to see American pop singer Taylor Swift.

She said: “I enjoyed the first support band, Sheppard, and the second act, Ella Eyre, was absolutely fantastic.

“I tried my hardest to get to the front for Ella.

“I really love coming to concerts and I love Little Mix.”

Her mum, Jill Horsburgh, was delighted the city had proved itself suitable for holding major pop concerts.

She said: “Isn’t it just fantastic, standing here on the waterfront, surrounded by the V&A and everything that is up and coming and seeing so many happy, excited people.

“It’s just lovely that it has worked out so well. We are very proud to come from Dundee this evening.”

Her older daughter, Charlotte Standish, echoed her mother’s thoughts, saying: “Who would have thought it was achievable, even when it was announced, that the waterfront and Slessor Gardens would be so suitable for such an impressive concert.”

The Johnstone family said they had enjoyed Little Mix’s performance but were disappointed by people pushing in the crowd towards the end.