Primal Scream to rock Slessor Gardens for opening of V&A Dundee

The line-up for the 3D Festival, celebrating the opening weekend of V&A Dundee next month, has been announced.

Legendary Scottish rockers Primal Scream will headline the 3D Festival, a free two-day celebration of design, music and performance that will mark the opening of V&A Dundee.

The psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll band will be joined by Scottish singer-songwriter, Lewis Capaldi and Dundee’s own Be Charlotte, to perform at the 3D Festival on Friday 14th September, the eve of the museum’s official opening.

The two-week online ballot to register for free Friday evening 3D Festival tickets will open at 10am today, Thursday 26th July and can be found on the V&A Dundee website.

The festival will continue on Saturday 15 September with a day dedicated to celebrating great creative talent from across Dundee, with performances from up-and-coming Dundee musicians, a mass participation choral collaboration, and specially designed hands-on makerspace workshops. Gary Clark, former Danny Wilson frontman, will also join the 3D Festival line-up with a very special performance. The Saturday event is free and not ticketed, giving everyone the chance to get involved in the celebrations.

Up to 20,000 people from Dundee, Scotland and around the world are expected to attend the two-day festival which will take place next to V&A Dundee in the city’s waterfront park space, Slessor Gardens.

TRNSMT and T in the Park organisers DF Concerts will take the lead on organising events, with help from V&A Dundee’s Young People’s Collective.

Kiera Marshall, a member of that group said: “The 3D Festival is an opportunity to get out there and have some fun while celebrating the opening of the new museum. It will be a good moment to reflect on everything Dundee has achieved and what there is to look forward to.

“Friday evening will involve lots of great music and dance, and Saturday will be relaxed and family focused with performances, street food and design workshops. We really want the festival to be open to everyone of all ages.

“It’s been great having meetings and planning the 3D Festival and now it’s exciting to see it all come together.”

Highlights of the 3D Festival will be broadcast on BBC Scotland on the Friday evening, including a glimpse inside the new museum. A special film commission with Dundee Rep will involve young people revealing the city and museum to audiences.

Philip Long, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “The journey to create V&A Dundee has already captured the imagination of audiences in the city and far beyond, and anticipation is growing towards its opening.

“The 3D Festival provides a unique moment in time to celebrate the new museum, the city and its transformational journey and we’re delighted to have young people at the heart of this special celebration.

“The programme for the festival brings fantastic creative talent together from across Scotland, both established and new, promising an opening event for V&A Dundee that will be unforgettable.”

The 3D Festival is being supported by EventScotland, part of the VisitScotland Events Directorate, wealth manager Brewin Dolphin, media company DC Thomson, global self-service technology supplier NCR and Arts & Business Scotland via Culture & Business Fund Scotland.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “The opening of V&A Dundee is an exciting new chapter for the city as well as Scotland’s events and festival sector as a hub for design and creativity.

“With a stellar line-up over the two days, the 3D Festival will be an amazing curtain raiser as the museum opens its doors to the world. Co-designed by the Young People’s Collective as part of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, the festival will showcase everything the museum and Dundee represents – innovative design, music and performance.”

Geoff Ellis, CEO of DF Concerts & Events said: “We will see a lot of collaborations over the weekend of 3D Festival – from headliners Primal Scream with visual artist Jim Lambie, to Sistema Scotland with Dundee legend Gary Clark for a unique performance.

“It is indeed an honour for DF Concerts & Events to be working in partnership with V&A Dundee to bring this globally significant event from conception through to fruition, highlighting Dundee as a leading city of design.”

V&A Dundee is working in partnership with Dundee City Council to deliver the event at the heart of the rejuvenated Dundee waterfront.

Dundee City Council leader Councillor John Alexander said: "In the Year of Young People, it is so inspiring to see that young people themselves are playing a central part in the celebration plans for the opening of V&A Dundee. This event will capture the spirit of innovation and ambition that is driving Dundee ahead."