Little Big Weekend slot now thing of the past for headline Dundee DJ

“When the Big Weekend got cancelled, I was devastated,” says Dundonian DJ and rising star Hannah Laing.

She was booked for a small place on the BBC Introducing Stage at 2020’s slated Dundee event.

Three years later, her reputation has grown so much she’s headlining the Friday night Radio 1 Dance Stage at this weekend’s rescheduled event.

“The cancellation was actually a blessing, because I’m coming back to headline a bigger stage,” says the 28-year-old former Harris Academy pupil, who recently gave up a 10-year job in dental nursing to concentrate on music.

“To be doing it in my hometown with support from my friends and family, it just couldn’t be better.”

Her parents were her biggest musical influence growing up.

“My mum and dad had me when they were young and they were heavily into house music and raving – so what they were listening to, I listened to.

“When I was old enough, I started going to events – I say old enough, I wasn’t, but I went anyway.”

Her parents’ Hed Kandi and Defected in the House compilations and the music of Roger Sanchez and Paul Oakenfold inspired her.

“Trance music is euphoric – it’s the most emotional genre of music. It’s probably my favourite to this day.”

Her first DJ set was a pub gig in Arbroath, then she graduated to three summer seasons at the Highlander bar in Ibiza’s San Antonia, which got her recognised by club brands like Scotland’s Colours.

Laing’s 2019 edit of Sophie Ellis-bextor’s Murder On The Dancefloor attracted the attention of DJS, including Fisher and Hannah Wants, and Ellisbextor herself authorised its release.

When she returned to Ibiza after lockdown, it was as a guest at the island’s biggest clubs, including Hi, Amnesia and DC-10.

Now, this weekend in her hometown, her success story continues.

Hannah Laing headlines the Radio 1 Dance Stage at Big Weekend 2023, Camperdown Park, Dundee, on Friday, May 26.

Hannah Laing will hit the Dance Stage.