Latest news with #Bonfest
The Courier
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Who are the 6 best unsigned artists coming out of Dundee in 2025?
If you're looking for the most exciting upcoming Dundee music-makers that you haven't heard of, look no further. Here's our round up of six of the best in unsigned artists who are on the verge of great things in 2025, with all of them already standouts at the city's acclaimed grassroots venues like Beat Generator, Church and Roots. Katie Nicoll Dundee, via Kirriemuir Nina Nesbitt Jodi Said : Heartland Festival, Pitlochry, June 28 2025 Acoustic songsmith Katie Nicoll rose to prominence with a series of outdoor performances that lifted spirits during the early stages of lockdown in 2020 before going on to appear at Bonfest in her home town of Kirriemuir in 2023. Katie subsequently made her own little bit of history by becoming the first-ever host of the internationally renowned AC/DC-themed extravaganza last year. Sadly the 21-year-old was forced to pull out of Bonfest 2025, but is on the way to the Discovery Stage at Perthshire's Heartland festival in late June. Copper Lungs Dundee Twin Atlantic Louder Church, Dundee, May 30 Formed in 2012, alt rockers Copper Lungs turned a major corner last year by unveiling a bigger, fresher sound to go with a new-look line-up. Their latest album Broken Beautiful was released last week. Entirely self-funded, it features 11 tracks boasting big hooks coupled with the four-piece's trademark grit and storytelling honesty. Copper Lungs frontman Darren Lindsay has penned a collection of deeply personal songs shaped by his journey supporting his partner through the loss of her father. The band are due to play the main stage at Heartland in June, and their eclectic mix of pop-infused anthems and rock ballads boasting blazing guitars and synth-laden textures instantly recalls the likes of Biffy Clyro. Introspection has its place in the pantheon of modern-day, arena-friendly progressive rock. Eugene Kirkton Hector Bizerk Unknown Eugene is the stage name of Dundee rhymester Shaun Scott, one of the leading figures in the drill rap explosion that's erupted across the schemes in Scotland's cities in recent years. While the controversial genre has attracted plenty of negative publicity, the former gang member made headlines for all the right reasons last year when he and two friends set up a not-for-profit company designed to help aspiring musicians in their home city last year. His infectious beats and candid worldview saw Shaun land the best newcomer award at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards last year, an accolade he's credited with helping fuel his ongoing drive to keep moving forward in music and putting Dundee on the map by doing so. Vienna Dundee Fleetwood Mac Dreaming Of You Heartland Festival, Pitlochry, June 28 Influenced by American indie-folksters such as boygenius and Noan Khan, as well as some of the greats of soft rock down the decades, Vienna came to prominence on the Dundee scene and beyond last year following the release of their debut single Surviving In The Dark and its follow-up Dreaming Of You. Fronted by Steph Brand, the recently expanded four-piece stand out from the crowd thanks to the harmonious vocal interplay involving her and Darren Lindsey, with Jamie Mayes' creativity on keyboards also making a big contribution to their vibe. They're among the clutch of Dundee names playing Heartland's Discovery Stage next month. David Delinquent and The IOUs Downfield The Enemy You're So Boring Pop-punk favourite David Delinquent recently released Scared To Spend, his first solo EP in five years. But don't be fooled – he's certainly not been resting on his laurels. The socially aware noisenik and his Heartland-bound band The IOUs have proved themselves to be one of the most hard-working around since forming in 2021. The five-piece are currently piecing together their debut album, which is due for release some time next year, while Mr Hennessey himself – to use the frontman's Sunday name – is also planning a full-length solo offering showcasing his more edgy material. He's just dropped a blistering new track on Bandcamp called Trouble, with another punk-tastic EP on the way soon. Ruvellas Menzieshill The Snuts Take Me Higher Mains Castle, August 1, for the Freya's Wish charity First put together in an early form while still at school way back in 2016, Ruvellas have built up a sizeable live following in recent years. Likewise, the Oasis and Arctic Monkeys-influenced outfit have put together a formidable back catalogue of songs that has ensured plenty of interest from far beyond the confines of their home city. The five-piece have been relatively quiet in recent months but are now all set to unveil a new EP recorded with Dundee producer Guy Galactic, aka Kieran Smith, who also works with Fife songstress Nati. Look out for the lead track Skip To The Next Part, which is due out in early July.
The Courier
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Great pictures as Kirrie gets its rocks off at Bonfest
Kirriemuir had a ball as AC/DC fans invaded Angus for Bonfest. And what was probably the biggest ever crowd in the history of the long-running rock festival swamped the town centre on Saturday. Thousands packed the streets to watch the band's Long Way to the Top hit recreated on the back of a truck. In early 1976, the original was filmed on the back of a flatbed lorry travelling along Swanston Street in Melbourne, Australia. It was a couple of years after Kirriemuir baker's son Bon Scott joined the band founded by Glasgow brothers Malcolm and Angus Young as it began its rise to global fame. This year's Kirriemuir influx has included fans from Down Under, as well as a host of other nations from around the globe. Kirrie charity DD8 Music organises the event, which features a final night of headliners in the main area at the festival site on Sunday. And the glorious weather has ensured a bumper weekend for local pubs, filled with fans for music sessions
The Courier
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Bonfest countdown begins in Kirriemuir as thousands expected
Angus anticipation is growing for this weekend's annual invasion of AC/DC fans from around the globe. The population of Kirrie will rocket for the three-day celebration of Bon Scott, which gets underway on Friday. Bonfest will bring folk from a host of countries – many making their annual pilgrimage to the town. AC/DC-decorated shop windows have already set the scene for the weekend ahead. And the weekend appearance of the main arena tent on Kirrie Show field was the signal for the Bonfest countdown to begin. Organisers DD8 Music have promised this year's festival will be the biggest and best yet. In February, they announced the main tent line-up had been boosted to four bands on each of the three nights. It is also sure to whet the appetite of fans who have bagged a ticket for AC/DC's first Scottish gig in a decade. The band will rock Edinburgh's Murrayfield stadium with their Power Up tour date in August. There are still tickets available for the main arena on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They can be bought at Full details of the main stage bands can be found HERE. Camping at the main Bonfest site has sold out. But thousands head to the centre of Kirrie for music sessions in town centre pubs. And on Saturday afternoon, the recreation of AC/DC's Long Way to the Top video is always a crowd-puller. A band blasted the track out from the back of a truck on a loop of Kirrie town centre. The Bon Scott statue at Bellies Brae is another main focal point for fans. DD8 Music hope Dundee revellers will venture into Angus in even greater numbers this year. It will run from: The bus will run on all three days, dropping off in Kirrie town centre beside the Peter Pan statue and returning around midnight. Happy Bus details are available on the Bonfest website here.
The Courier
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Who should I see at Bon Scott tribute festival Bonfest?
The world's original and still best festival dedicated to AC/DC's much-missed, Angus-born wild rocker is back next week. Bonfest started in Bon Scott's birthplace Kirriemuir in 2006. Since then it's become an annual must-see for devotees of the Scottish-Australian hard rock legends. The three-day headbanging extravaganza has its customary blend of tribute bands paying homage to the Highway To Hell hit-makers alongside up-and-coming noiseniks, as well as an international field of heavy metal heroes. Who: The Wildhearts From: Newcastle Sounds like: Stiff Little Fingers meets Bad Religion Song to start with: So Into You Bonfest slot: May 4, 7.15pm-8.30pm What can you say about these Geordie mavericks? Some 33 years on from their crazily titled first EP Mondo Akimbo A-Go-Go, The Wildhearts show no sign of letting up any time soon. Led since day one by the unique Ginger, who enjoyed a close alliance with kindred spirits Andy Cairns from Therapy? and Manic Street Preachers' missing Richey Edwards during a glorious revival of articulate British rock in the early '90s, the Sick Of Drugs legends blasted back last month with their 11th studio album The Satanic Rites Of The Wildhearts. It featured a whole new set of musicians backing the 60-year-old frontman, who parted company with long-time cohorts CJ and Danny McCormack after touring the band's previous offering in 2022 – a typically chaotic twist in the career of one of rock's most quirky and unpredictable outfits of recent decades. Bonfest have pulled off a real coup in snapping them up. Who: Girlschool From: London Sounds like: A female Saxon Song to start with: Hit And Run Bonfest slot: May 3, 7.15pm-8.30pm It was back in the '70s that Girlschool took on board lessons that would take them right to the top of the hard rock class. Inevitably compared to other female riff purveyors back in the day given women's massive under-representation in their genre, many people saw the four-piece either as an English answer to Californian enfants terribles The Runaways or a heavier version of Suzi Quatro. Besides playing like beasts, Girlschool also wrote all their songs themselves – unlike the former of those two artists – and quickly earned their place in the new wave of British heavy metal scene with their punk-tinged 1980 debut album Demolition. Teaming up with Motorhead as Headgirl for a top five EP did their chances no harm, but the hits soon dried up as a misogynistic music press dismissed them as a novelty act. Lead guitarist and singer Kelly Johnson died of cancer in 2007 aged 49, but Girlschool's current line-up still includes original members Kim McAuliffe and Denise Dufort. It's taken 19 years, but they're playing Bonfest at long last. Who: Sincity From: Unknown Sounds Like: Bon Scott-era AC/DC Song to start with: It's got to be Sin City Bonfest slot: May 3, 9pm-11pm One of a plethora of soundalike bands gigging on the lucrative AC/DC tribute circuit, Sincity stand out from the crowd by concentrating their efforts on the five-year period up to 1980 when their idols were recording with their original frontman. According to their own official bio, the five-piece focuses on Bon Scott-era AC/DC but also include other 'choice cuts' as a nod to the Brian Johnson years. As mission statements go, it's certainly serving Sincity well. They've secured the much-coveted headliner slot for Bonfest 2025's Saturday night, so the pressure's on to do the memory of one of Kirriemuir's most famous sons proud. The band's lead guitarist dresses up as schoolboy a la AC/DC main man Angus Young – and their singer wears a big black wig. Who: The Karma Effect From: Oxted, near London Sounds Like: Thunder Song to start with: Wild Honey Bonfest slot: May 2, 6pm-7pm Bearded warriors The Karma Effect are the latest signings on influential indie Earache Records – labelmates include Rival Sons, Blackberry Smoke and Those Damned Crows – grabbing a piece of the limelight. Hailing from London's commuterland, the vintage rockers scored a UK top 20 entry last May with their second album Promised Land, the follow-up to their self-titled 2022 debut. Fronted by Henry Gottelier, who shares guitar duties with Robbie Blake, The Karma Effect play a brand of good-time rock'n'roll that's sure to go down a storm with the main stage crowd next Friday at Kirriemuir. Their slick and infectious sound is classic rock at its best. Who: Hardbone From: Hamburg Sound like: Rose Tattoo Song to start with: Young Blood Bonfest slot: May 2, 7.15pm-8.30pm Following on straight after The Karma Effect on Bonfest's opening night is the German hard rock powerhouse Hardbone. Riffs are what it's all about for this lot, who are led by vocalist Tim Dammann and guitarist Sebastian Kranke. Starting out with their lewd debut Dirty'N'Young in 2010, they've cranked out a series of albums over the past 15 years, the most recent being 2020's No Frills. Their song Demon In The Glass hails the joys of nicotine, girls and booze, plus getting 'a swollen face from last night's fight'. Sheer escapism! Who: Back N Black From: Zurich Sound like: Arch Enemy Song to start with: Thunderstruck Bonfest slot: May 4, 9pm to 11pm All the way from Switzerland, Back N Black are one of three covers bands devoted to Bon Scott and the Young brothers' awesome legacy who are headlining this year – as Bonfest tradition demands. Although they describe themselves as 'the girls who play AC/DC', it's a case that these women with serious attitude are anything but a copycat outfit. Possibly one of the heaviest combos at this year's Bonfest, Back N Black list such contrasting influences as ZZ Top and melodic death metal – not to mention fellow Kirrie queens Girlschool – as being key to their pulsating sound. The black-clad four-piece smash material from every phase of AC/DC's epic career, right up to the icons' most recent album Power Up. Fact is, they pretty much own the festival by now – this'll be their fourth time headlining and no one can say they don't deserve it. Who: These Wicked Rivers From: Derby Sound like: Warner Hodges Song to start with: The Family Bonfest slot: May 3, 6pm-7pm One band sure to attract a host of new fans this year are blues rock exponents These Wicked Rivers. The all-male English outfit – like The Karma Effect they go big on beards – formed in 2014 and by their own admission relish delivering what their promo describes as 'soulful, bordering on spiritual, live performances'. Take that as you will, but anyone who's heard them know These Wicked Rivers have got the chops. Fronted by John Hartwell, the band's set to play Kirriemuir off the back of both last year's second album Force Of Nature and this month's jocularly titled Peace, Love And Lampshades series of European dates – a double-bill with like-minded Scottish favourites King King. Who: The Hot Damn! From: West Lothian Sound like: Avril Lavigne fronting Generation X Song to start with: Automatic Bonfest slot: May 3, 5pm-5.45pm Risen from the ashes of the blistering Scottish power trio The Amorettes, The Hot Damn! are another all-female combo well worth checking out at Bonfest. Fronted by Gill Montgomery, the colourful four-piece started putting songs out during lockdown and finally unveiled their debut album Dancing On The Milky Way last September. Firmly in the pop rock category, The Hot Damn's! infectious tunes promise to make for one of the most exhilarating highlights of the big weekend – delivered with feeling and intelligence.
