The frontman of an indie rock band which lit up a Dundee music festival at the weekend has backed the city’s bid to be named European Capital of Culture.
The Charlatans lead singer Tim Burgess took to the Mardi Gras stage of Carnival 56 on Sunday evening donning a yellow shirt with “2023” written on the front.
The musician had many people wondering if he was backing Dundee’s 2023 European Capital of Culture bid.
Good to see Tim Burgess from The Charlatans supporting Dundee's 2023 European Capital of Culture bid #Dundee2023 @carnival56fest pic.twitter.com/g63waug9Mn
— Jake Keith (@C_JKeith1) August 13, 2017
Burgess’ shirt had K2 Plant Hire Ltd, believed to be another guise of British electronic band the KLF, written on the back.
They are said to be returning following a hiatus of more than two decades, and also to be launching their new book 2023: A Trilogy on August 23.
And now Burgess has taken to Twitter to shed some light on the shirt.
He also came out in support of the Dundee 2023 bid itself, claiming he would “love” for the city to be successful.
Burgess said: “I’d love Dundee to be the city of culture for 2023! The t shirt was a gift from The KLF. They have something planned for that year too.”
< I'd love Dundee to be the city of culture for 2023! The t shirt was a gift from The KLF. They have something planned for that year too ; )
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) August 16, 2017
The KLF, also known under various other names from the The Kopyright Liberation Front to The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu, were known for such stunts as allegedly burning a pile of £1 million on the Isle of Jura in 1994.
Was Tim Burgess of The Charlatans backing Dundee 2023 at Carnival 56?
After Courier reporter Jake Keith made the link between Burgess’ shirt and the city at Carnival 56, the Dundee 2023 team themselves got involved on Twitter.
They said: “Brilliant! Thanks so much Tim Burgess for coming and supporting #Dundee2023!”
Dundee’s final European Capital of Culture bid document will be submitted at the end of October.
