More venues than ever have signed up to be a part of the UK’s biggest multi-venue dance music event held in Dundee.
Dundee Dance Event (DDE), held on May 4 and 5, will see 30 venues across the city host 220 DJs and artistes.
The main Sunday event, which brings a carnival atmosphere across the city, will see the majority of the DJs play over a marathon 13-hour stretch, starting from 2.30pm.
All the bars will be free to enter except the closing party at DUSA, The Union, on Airlie Place, which is ticketed from 10pm on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Caledonia Soul Connection will host A Festival of Soul in the Bonar Hall, a Northern Soul all-dayer with live acts including soul legend Diane Shaw and her nine-piece band, local stalwarts The MessArounds and 16 of Scotland’s finest soul DJs.
The DDE Diaper Disco for 0-8 year-olds takes place on the Saturday afternoon with entertainment for kids and adults.
Some of the proceeds from the festival, which attracts revellers from all over the UK, will this year go towards Alzheimer’s Scotland.
An estimated 10,000 party goers descended on last year’s event, which featured 28 venues, with even more expected this year.
Organiser Mike McDonald said: “I’m delighted with all the DDE events that are taking place over the weekend this year, especially the big one on Sunday.
“Having 30 participating venues is quite a landmark considering there were 30 DJs that took part in the relaunched event in 2011.
“It’s such a big day for all the venues and DJs, and the crowds that come to enjoy the day grow in number every year.
“There are people from all over the UK who visit Dundee for the event and that’s great for the local music scene and local businesses.
“Having the Diaper Disco kids’ event on the Saturday is great as it makes it a real family day and the Bonar Hall is hosting one of Scotland’s largest ever northern soul events with the addition of the live bands.
“Hopefully there’s something for people of all ages and musical taste this year.”
Some of the city’s newest bars have got involved with the waterfront’s St Andrews Brewing Co, 3 Session Street, and La Cueva tapas bar all putting on acts.
This year’s event will also feature live music for the first time in its history — Italian Grill will play host to a band called Funk and Disorderly on the Sunday from 4 to 8pm.
Mike said the decision was taken to “test the water” before, potentially, putting on more in future years.
He said: “It might be something that appeals a bit more to the older crowd.
“But we want to see how it goes before we do more of it. So many places are getting involved this year again.
“Hopefully the weather is as good as last year. It really was unbelievable. It felt like somewhere abroad.”
Tickets are available in Threads, Grouchos and Eventbrite, with the latter also offering tickets for Festival of Soul and Diaper Disco.
The 2018 event raised £3,000 for Tayside Children’s Hospital, with £1 of each closing party ticket sale going to the cause.
