We’ve trawled the huge line-up and come up with seven acts you won’t want to miss at the first ever Dundee Music Festival.
1. Jamie Button
Who: Singer-songwriter Jamie Button hails from Hamilton and is now based in Dundee. The musician recently took the plunge and went solo after successful stints with different bands.
His single Icons has a not-too-shabby 18k plays on Spotify and he launched his album with a headline show at King Tut’s in Glasgow.
Jamie, who will be playing the festival on top of working his day job as SEO executive at DC Thomson, says: “I’ll be playing a mix of original songs from my album Lost in Local Life and some upbeat covers to get everyone in the festival spirit.”
He cites musical influences from Ray Davies and The Beatles right through to Oasis: “They blew me away and I got into lots of indie bands after that like the Strokes, Libertines and more recently Sam Fender.
“My own music definitely has elements of these kinds of bands but still has its own vibe.”
For fans of: Oasis, The Fratellis, Jake Bugg
Where: Casa and Groucho’s
When: Jamie will be at Casa at 3pm and Grouchos at 6.30pm on both June 27 and 28.
Price: Entry is free but you might want to get there early as it’s first come first served.
2. Pete Smith
Who: Pete Smith is a guy with a guitar who loves to tell a story with his music. His no-holds-barred lyrics pay homage to Dundee, from the Hilltown to local pubs, language and characters.
Pete lists a wide range of influences, from Tom Petty to Michael Marra and says: “Music and making music is my drug of choice. It’s saved me more times than I care to remember.
“I love real life story-tellers who write about real life – good and bad.”
For fans of: Bob Dylan, Michael Marra, Sam Fender with a Dundee twist.
Where: The Queen Anne Bar
When: June 27, 7pm
Price: Free
3. Katie Nicol
Who: Kirrie lass Katie Nicol says that she listened to Taylor Swift almost religiously when she was growing up.
She also threw in some indie, pop, and touch of AC/DC (are you even from Kirriemuir if you aren’t a little bit obsessed with Bon Scott & Co?) into the mix.
With all that in mind, Katie delivers some great original song-writing.
Katie is gearing up for her Dundee Music Festival gig at Molly Malone’s before heading to the Discovery Stage at Heartland the same weekend.
For fans of: Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Joni Mitchell.
Where: Molly Malones
When: June 27, 7pm
Price: Free
4. Edenbank
Who: Acoustic folk duo Edenbank formed in 2023 but Ashley Ross and John Kennedy’s songwriting and performances suggest a much longer collaboration.
Last year’s single Surface Blue was followed in January 2025 by Edenbank’s debut EP Where the Waves Meet the Land.
Heartfelt song-writing, pared-back musicianship and ethereal harmonies combine to beautiful effect in Edenbank’s songs.
For fans of: Glen Hasard, Damien Rice, The Pretenders.
Where: Queen’s Hotel, Q Bar.
When: June 27, 8-11pm
Price: Free
5. Josh Moncrieff
Who: Dundee singer-songwriter Josh Moncrieff has been quietly making a name for himself at gigs and open mic nights around the city centre for years.
Josh has released two singles to date, Paradise Road and Into the Blue, to an enthusiastic reception across social medial and streaming platforms.
He says: “My style leans toward indie rock ‘n’ roll.”
Music has always been in the veins for Josh: “I was inspired by my dad and my grandad,” he says. “both of whom have always been very musical.
“My grandad was the lead singer of Bedrock, a well-known cover band here in Dundee.
“Watching them, I just knew that music was what I wanted to do. It’s been part of me ever since.”
For fans of: The Kooks, Jake Bugg, Fratellis
Where: June 27 gigs: Tinsmiths 2-4pm, Dubliner 5-7pm, The Bank Bar 9-12pm
June 28 gigs: St Andrews Brewing Co 2-4pm, Dubliner 4.30-6.30pm, Molly Malones 7-9pm.
Price: Free
6. James Liandu
Who: Dundee musician James Liandu describes himself as a singer-songwriter who doesn’t fit into any one genre.
His writing and composition is influenced by his own life and experience. James says: “I want to create music that you can really feel.”
James’s original tracks are soothing and laidback and his 2020 single Half the World Away gained airtime on BBC Radio Scotland. His vocals and ambient guitar are an engaging combination.
James recently released three tracks: Unaware, Blue and Another under the title Turbulence.
For fans of: Joni Mitchell, Soul II Soul, Tracy Chapman.
Where: Duke’s Corner
When: June 28, 2-4pm
Price: Free
7. Cherry Bombz
Who: Cover bands are a staple of the pub music scene and Cherry Bombz are one of Dundee’s finest.
The four-piece’s concerts are billed as an, “80s tribute show” and cover an incredible range of rock and pop hits from that decade’s music. Cherry Bombz will be joining Blondie tribute Illegally Blonde in a double bill of great music.
Music fans can expect covers of hits from U2, Blondie, Guns n Roses and a whole lot more.
For fans of: Singalong classics and rock anthems from years gone by.
When: June 28, 4pm
Where: The Beat Generator Live
Price: £5 all day access door charge.
Have we missed anyone at the Dundee Music Festival? Let us know in the comments below.
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