A celebration of some of Dundee’s finest, homegrown artist as Copper Lungs launch their debut album.
We arrived at an uncomfortably empty venue, wondering if the people would come. There were exchanges between music fans and local musicians, those playing tonight and those here to show their support. Faces that had been recognisable for decades amongst unknowns, all of whom are crucial to a local music scene.
Among the murmurs, there was talk of the devastating news that, yet another Dundee grassroots music venue is now thrust into uncertainty. As we bought our drinks and chatted between ourselves, the room began to fill up and then…
The howl of feedback from an electric guitar…
Da doof
Doof
Dadada
Doof
The drummer checks that the drums are all working and each of his band mates do the same with their respective instruments.
Around 7 were up first, an alt-rock four piece with a big sound and an even bigger energy. The frontman riled us up, as any good frontman must, urging us forward and encouraging movement and engagement. These guys were full of dynamics, chants, riffs, drops, and breaks – an exciting opener for the penultimate night at Church Dundee. Around 7 are well worth checking out if you spot the name on a poster, get a ticket, and get down to the gig.
And lo! James Liandu stepped into the spotlight with a bassist and drummer in tow. His set was all vibe, raw charm, stage presence, and that defiant energy that says, ‘This is what I do.’ A heartfelt tribute to some friends he’d lost brought emotional depth to his energetic set. Someone near me wondered aloud about a missing layer in the mix, a fourth instrument, maybe. But James filled every space with intent and heart. He owned it.
During a brief break before the final act, there was a realisation that the room was now packed and buzzing with energy after the support acts. It’s that feeling of standing in the queue for a theme park ride. And then it got really cool. As the last patrons returned to the floor post “fresh air” break, the music subtly disappeared, ears perked up like meerkats and heads turned toward an empty stage. Moments passed, and conversations continued.
The lights changed, and again, an audible swivel of heads towards the empty stage.
This buzz, man!
The tension. Suddenly, an unexpected synth hums as the crowd cheers Copper Lungs to the stage. It’s clear these guys know exactly what they are doing. They brought stadium energy to a modest room haunted with the question, would another band ever play here again? Copper Lungs appeared as a 5-piece pop rock powerhouse tonight that will be totally comfortable on the big stages they have lined up, including Heartland Festival 2025. They were tight, polished, and confident throughout. A highlight for me was the inclusion of an old fan favourite, played stripped back on an acoustic guitar with a 3-part harmony. Absolute gold. Copper Lungs are something Dundee should be really proud of, and they closed a great night to rapturous applause.
These nights are sacred.
The faulty pedal feeding back at the start of the night, beautifully unscripted and somehow perfect. The whispered comments about how another instrument may enhance James’ sound. The broken string. These moments are important. Not only are they just great to see, hear, and be a part of, they are moments of learning for everyone in the room. Bands…real bands, learn to be amazing by playing tonnes of gigs. By breaking strings, hearing (and ignoring) criticism, and trying to resolve feedback.
They are also born in the dark corners of grassroots music venues. Those wondering how that sound was made will go home and try to recreate it or make their own version of it. The people on stage looking into a room of people who want to hear music are emboldened by the energy and both audience and performers feed off each other’s charisma. If all the grassroots venues shut down, the moshers, punks, scene kids, metalheads, indie dreamers, synth nerds, emos, folkies, and bedroom producers lose their breeding ground. If the habitat is destroyed, the species becomes extinct.
