Latest news with #DundeeDanceEvent
The Courier
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Chart-topper Yungblud set to play Dundee LiveHouse
Chart-topping singer Yungblud is set to play Dundee LiveHouse this summer. The Doncaster native has announced he will visit Dundee on July 10 as part of series of 'up close and personal' shows. LiveHouse is the only Scottish date. Writing on social media, Yungblud said: 'I always love doing these shows. 'We will be playing songs off the new album stripped back and sharing stories about how the songs were made. 'We're putting together something rea special for you.' Tickets go on sale at 11am on Thursday will be available to purchase from Dundee record store Assai. LiveHouse opened on May 2 with a performance from DJ Craig Charles. The venue also hosted the closing party of Dundee Dance Event on Sunday night. However, Yungblud is the first major gig confirmed for the newly redeveloped site. Scottish rockers Idlewild are also set to play the new venue and will visit Dundee on December 6 as part of their first UK tour in six years. Speaking ahead of the Yungblud announcement , LiveHouse operator Gus Robb said: 'This is the first major gig for LiveHouse. 'It's the only Scottish date of the tour and that shows we are able to attract big names here. 'Hopefully this is the first of many.'
The Courier
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
MARTEL MAXWELL: My message to brilliant Dundee DJ Hannah Laing
There are two types of people in this word: radiators and drains. The radiators give: positivity, laughs, support. The drains take: sucking the joy out of life. I thought of this as I read about Dundee DJ Hannah Laing whose homecoming dance event was by all accounts (of anyone who was actually there) brilliant. Yet while she should have been riding high on the success of her inaugural event, she found herself hitting back at criticism by keyboard warriors online. This Harris Academy former pupil has beaten the odds, becoming a name recognised in her field of DJing, around the world. From Ibiza to the States, she's in demand and has experienced an outpouring of positivity for her sets in a growing list of countries. So, you'd think playing a surprise set at the weekend at Dundee Dance Event – remembering her roots and wanting to start something special – would be applauded. But a vocal and often anonymous minority found what they could to complain about: the crowd spoiled things videoing on their phones; the nineties were so much better – came the moans from Dundee Drains. Hannah replied, saying: 'The Dundee Dance Event was honestly amazing. 'However, Dundee can be a really negative city and the more I explore the world, the more I realise it. 'People in other places I go are kind, welcoming, open-minded. 'If you weren't there, stop judging it. The energy was electric but loads of comments on this post are insane.' A measured, honest response – but why should she have to defend herself? Is it not embarrassing that the most negative place she's ever encountered is her home? She also pointed out that it's 2025, things move on and that while 'phones are not ideal for the dancefloor, which I've expressed many times, people were singing, dancing, loving life with friends/family and that's what it's about.' I wrote just a few weeks ago about the brilliance of Dundee and Dundonians – but the underlying negativity of some that lets us down. It's the minority who do people and our city down – for so many are proud of Dundee – but the bitterness can negate the positivity. Why, when we could all be cheerleading and making people see how great this place we are lucky enough to call home is? That's not to say people shouldn't be honest or critical – but just saying people, events or our city is rubbish – is personal and depressive. Not wanting people to get ideas above their station and remember where they come from is toxic. Look at Hannah – all she was doing was remembering where she came from. She has 'made it' and this is cause for celebration. For all the kids facing the anxiety of exams with a fear they don't fit the mould of going to university or getting an office job – look at what you can do. Be bold, be different. Hannah's journey has taken her from being a dental nurse to selling out gigs around the world. She will have faced gigs to a man and his dog; of not knowing when her next pay day was coming. It's not an accident she's successful – she worked hard and deserves our positivity. Back to the radiators and drains. They exist in every town and city around the world. And I suppose one person's drain might be another's radiator. You know when you've lost a bit of weight or have had your hair done – a radiator would tell you you look fabulous. A drain would clock the change but rather not give you the compliment. They might also frown and say 'my, you were drunk last night' while the radiator tells you not to be daft, everyone was dancing on tables. That's not to say a radiator can't moan or complain – and sometimes they'll need you to be their radiator and buck them up. I have one radiator friend and I take great pride in being her go-to phone call when she needs to feel better. The call for help might only come once a year but she'll say 'Can you please say something to make me feel better?' It might be a sticky situation at work or personal dilemma. I want to be that person – it makes me feel great I can help. The point is that radiators can moan – it doesn't make them a drain. But that vibe when someone just isn't really on your side? That's a drain and the more I live, the more I learn – there's no point trying to please them. If they don't like you, don't try to change their mind. Let the ranting few shout into the echo chamber of social media like the ranting drains they are. To Hannah, and indeed all the radiators out there, just you continue to do you.
The Courier
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
DJ Hannah Laing tells Dundee Dance Event critics to 'stop judging' after social media comments
DJ Hannah Laing has told critics to 'stop judging' after they posted 'negative' comments about her performance at Dundee Dance Event. The former Harris Academy pupil performed a surprise set during DDE on Sunday. She played a set in the Rave Cave, when the car park at LiveHouse was transformed into an underground venue. Several people praised a video of her performance, saying it looked 'amazing'. But others branded it 'awful' and hit out at fans using their phones to record the performance. One wrote: 'The 90s were so much better.' Hannah Laing urges Dundee Dance Event critics to 'be sound' Hannah took to social media to hit back at the critics. She wrote on Facebook: 'Dundee Dance Event was honestly amazing. 'It was fun to do a surprise set back to my roots! 'However, Dundee can be a really negative city and the more I explore the world, the more I realise it. 'People in other places I go are kind, welcoming, open-minded. 'If you weren't there, stop judging it. The energy was electric but loads of comments on this post are insane. 'People saying it's awful, saying the crowd isn't good (because of) phones etc. Some social media comments have criticised fans for using their phones at the show. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson Hannah defended the DDE crowd on social media. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson 'It's 2025, things change! If it bothers you that much, don't go to the events, but to sit at home and judge others having fun is mad! 'Obviously phones are not ideal for the dancefloor, which I've expressed many times, but people were singing, dancing, loving life with friends/family and that's what it's about! 'If the energy is anything like this at doof in the Park I'll be happy. 'Please just think about it before you comment pointless stuff! Be sound.' Meanwhile, Hannah has told Original 106 about her plans for an Ibiza residency this summer. The Courier previously took a look at Hannah's life and career so far, from working in a dental practice to selling out shows worldwide.
The Courier
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Scottish rockers Idlewild to play Dundee LiveHouse
Scottish rockers Idlewild are the first band announced to play at Dundee LiveHouse. The alternative rock band will visit Dundee on December 6 as part of their first UK tour in six years. LiveHouse is set to open this Friday with a performance from DJ Craig Charles. The venue will also host the closing party of Dundee Dance Event on Sunday night. However, Idlewild are the first live band to confirm a gig at the newly redeveloped site. A post on the LiveHouse Facebook page said: 'We're delighted to confirm cult Scottish alternative rock band Idlewild will be making a stop at LiveHouse as part of their first UK tour in six years. 'Formed 30 years ago in Edinburgh by vocalist Roddy Woomble, guitarist Rod Jones and drummer Colin Newton, the band have released nine studio albums and toured worldwide as a headline act, alongside as support to REM, U2 and Pearl Jam among others. 'For the last decade, Idlewild's line-up has been completed by multi-instrumentalists Andrew Mitchell on bass and Luciano Rossi on Keyboards.' Mitchell is from Dundee while Woomble spent part of his childhood in Carnoustie. Tickets for Idlewild in Dundee will go on sale via an artist presale at 10 am on Wednesday and a Gigs in Scotland presale at 10am on Thursday. General tickets for the show go will be available from Gigs in Scotland at 10am on Friday. Prices have not been announced, however, tickets for the band's gig in Aberdeen the night before are £27.50 each. LiveHouse boss Gus Robb previously revealed how he plans to make the venue 'the Barrowlands of Dundee'.
