Young Dundee alternative rock band the Mirror Trap have just returned from a dream trip to Russia, where they played in front of 10,000 adoring fans in Moscow.
They also packed out a venue in St Petersburg in their own headline show.
At the Moscow festival in Gorky Park they were supporting world-renowned alt-rockers Placebo, whose lead singer Brian Molko grew up in Dundee.
During the trip guitarist Michael McFarlane even played in front of 25,000 fans when he stood in for Placebo’s guitarist Nick as he was attending his brother’s wedding.
Now back in their home city, the Mirror Trap said the trip had been “amazing” and was undoubtedly the biggest highlight of their career so far.
Guitarist Paul Markie said: “It was pretty awesome. We weren’t really nervous though because the people are just mental.
“Playing in the UK we get nervous but over there the fans are more open-minded and just go for it. They don’t stop, they just give 110%.”
Fellow guitarist Michael McFarlane said: “That’s right and they don’t stop at that either. They were camping outside our hotels.”
Singer Gary Moore said: “Even before the crowds arrived we were looking out over the stadium and it was awesome. It was like a colosseum.
“And the roar when we went on stage was brilliant. It was definitely the best experience of our lives.”
Placebo manager Dave McLean is also from Dundee and it was through him that the band first took the Mirror Trap out on tour, firstly in the UK and later in Europe.
Dave has also taken the Mirror Trap under his wing and he said: “They’re building things slowly and getting things done.
“Two years on from when I first saw them they still excite me and now they’ve shown they’re ready to play 10,000 capacity shows anywhere in the world.”
Dave revealed the band head to the Karma Studios in Thailand in September to record their next album and have other exciting things in the pipeline.
“My business partner John Gibson is also from Dundee and we are jointly funding the album for the boys.”
Next up is a trip out to Belgium for another festival before they head back for the Belladrum festival in August.