Ambitions to create a high profile public space dedicated to Dundee’s musical heroes have taken a major step closer to being realised as the city’s Overgate Shopping Centre has confirmed it is backing the initiative.
Dundee Music Hall of Fame will honour legends past and present each of whom have helped to create a lasting musical legacy for the city, as well as shining a light on those unsung Dundonians whose influence played in the background. In a significant development for the project, Overgate, the region’s leading retail destination, has announced its support through the provision of an area of prime location land directly adjacent to the centre.
Musicians including Michael Marra, The Average White Band and Danny Wilson, independent record stores such as Groucho’s, and live music venues and promoters including the Palais Dance Hall, Fat Sams, Clark’s and Andi Lothian are amongst the planned honorees. Their contributions to Dundee, along with other luminaries, will be recognised through the creation of a music-themed public walkway within Overgate’s William Gardiner Square.
Dundee Music Hall of Fame is the idea of Jake McDonough, Chair of Dundee Music History Group, a collective of passionate music lovers based in the city. As part of Jake’s proposals which Overgate is embracing for William Gardiner Square are paving slabs inscribed with the names of Dundee’s musical greats. This music-themed pavement will lead visitors on a journey into a specially designed seating area where a Musical Heritage experience, accessed via a digital interactive app, will inform and entertain.
Once created, Dundee Music Hall of Fame will also support city centre performance opportunities, hosting local buskers and performing arts groups throughout the year. Talks are also underway with Bonnie Dundee, the community partnership tasked with making Dundee a cleaner, greener place, and whose input into Overgate’s original William Gardiner Square transformation has been instrumental. A music-themed floral and planting scheme is one of the ideas being considered.
Speaking about the partnership announcement, Malcolm Angus, Centre Manager, Overgate said;
“Overgate is pleased to be supporting the Dundee Music Hall of Fame through the provision of prime location land within William Gardiner Square.
“Dundee’s rich musical heritage is recognised globally and we are delighted to be playing a key part in helping to bring this celebration to life with Jake and the Dundee Music History Group.
“Once created, the installation is sure to be of great interest to both locals and visitors to the city who wish to learn more about Dundee’s evolving musical legacy. Overgate is excited to be helping to share this legacy as well as exploring the live music and performance possibilities the transformed area will enable moving forward.”
Jake McDonough, Chair, Dundee Music History Group added;
“This partnership with Overgate is a landmark moment in our Dundee Music Hall of Fame journey and to have secured the backing of such an important stakeholder is a positive endorsement of the initiative.
“The prime city centre location of William Gardiner Square will guarantee a strong placement for Dundee Music Hall of Fame, particularly for visitors. The site also has an underpinning nostalgia as it was in this district where much of Dundee’s earliest music scene was born.
“We are delighted to now be advancing our plans and hope to officially launch the completed space this summer.”
SDI (Dundee 2) Limited
The Overgate Centre, Dundee is owned and managed by Legal & General, the largest commercial property company in the UK.
