100+ acts. 30+ venues. No tickets needed (mostly). And a city that doesn’t believe in bedtimes.
Planning a summer trip to Scotland and thinking of skipping Dundee? Think again, pal. On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June, the city is throwing what might just be the most chaotic, charming, and completely unmissable music weekend of the year: Dundee Music Festival 2025.
Dubbed “Scotland’s biggest pub crawl” — and not just by some overexcited marketing intern — this brand-new, city-wide festival is bringing together over 100 live acts in 30+ venues, all within stumbling distance of each other. The best bit? Most of it’s free.
What to Expect (Besides a Sore Head and a Full Camera Roll)
Imagine your favourite playlist came to life, bought you a pint, and introduced you to your new favourite band in a backroom bar off a cobbled street.
Dundee Music Festival isn’t confined to one muddy field or fenced-off park — it’s a rolling, city-wide celebration of music in all its glorious forms. You’ll find:
Genres span jazz, blues, rock, indie, acoustic, covers, and the kind of DJ sets that make even introverts dance like no one’s filming. There’s also a music workshop and industry panel, in case you fancy learning a few tricks between pints.
Where’s It All Happening?
Pretty much everywhere with speakers and somewhere to sit (or stand, or dance awkwardly). The full venue list includes a delightful mix of historic boozers, trendy cocktail joints, and classic community pubs:
That means whether you’re walking the cultural corridor of Perth Road, crawling through the city centre, or discovering local-loved haunts in Lochee, you’ll find live music and good vibes pouring out of every corner.
Do I Need Tickets?
Nope. You just need to show up.
There’s no festival wristband, no app to download, and no confusing tiered ticketing system. The majority of venues are completely free to enter. A handful that normally charge may keep that in place — but we’re talking pocket change, not Glasto prices.
Who’s Behind It?
The festival is the brainchild of Scott Townshend (of Groucho’s fame) and Tahir Ramzan (owner of Casa), two Dundee locals with big hearts, big ideas, and a deep love of live music. Backed by local drinks legends JF Kegs, they’re bringing serious experience, proper community spirit, and a lot of pints to the table.
Their goal? To return live music to the beating heart of Dundee — no barriers, no exclusivity, and absolutely no boring bits.
“We want to showcase Dundee’s talent and keep music free and accessible for everyone,” they said. “We expect the event to grow year on year — maybe even up to the same level as the old Dundee Blues Bonanza.”
(If you don’t know what that is — ask any Dundonian over 30 and prepare for a 20-minute monologue.)
Visiting from Out of Town? Here’s What You Need to Know:
Save the Date, Bring Your Mates, and Pace Yourself
Whether you’re a music nerd, a casual pub crawler, or someone who just likes shouting the words to Oasis songs at 1am, Dundee Music Festival 2025 is shaping up to be the summer weekend to beat.
27–28 June. One city. Dozens of venues. A hundred-plus acts. Zero excuses.
Pack your earplugs, prep your hangover cure, and get ready to party like a local — even if you’re just visiting.
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