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David Bowie’s Scottish links celebrated in new exhibition
A new exhibition at V&A Dundee celebrates David Bowie’s music, working methods and long connection with Scottish fans. It brings his legacy to the city where he first performed in Scotland under his new stage name in 1966, and explores how his concerts shaped memories across the country.
David Bowie: On Tour displays 100 items selected from an archive of 90,000 acquired by the V&A in 2023; many have never been shown publicly. Objects include Bowie’s first saxophone, songwriting stopwatch, 1988 passport and a neighbours’ complaint about loud music. The exhibition also features material from his Scottish performances, including the 1973 Caird Hall concert attended by about 2,500 people; Dundee fan John Reilly, who missed that show, later saw Bowie live 49 times.
In short
- V&A Dundee exhibition celebrates Bowie’s Scottish links.
- 100 items are drawn from an archive of 90,000.
- Many objects have never been shown publicly.
Explained simply
David Bowie was an English singer and songwriter whose career spanned several decades. He was known for changing his musical style and stage image, and for using concerts to present his work in distinctive ways.
Bowie first performed in Scotland under his new stage name in Dundee in 1966. His later Scottish concerts, including a 1973 show at Caird Hall, became part of the memories of fans around the country.
The Victoria and Albert Museum acquired a large archive of Bowie material in 2023. Items from it can show how he worked and how his music reached audiences, while material from Scottish shows records the connection between the performer and his fans.