THE future of a four-day music festival in Dundee has been cast into doubt after the company behind it collapsed into liquidation, potentially leaving revellers out of pocket as the firm can no longer “provide refunds”.
The Discovery Festival made its debut in 2025, when it brought the likes of Tom Jones, Ocean Colour Scene and The Fratellis to the city, and was due to return this year until organisers pulled the plug just one month before musicians were set to take the stage.
Organisers blamed the “current economic situation” for cancelling the three-day event just weeks before it was due to be held at Slessor Gardens in July and promised to return with an expanded, four-day festival in 2027.
However, despite fans being told they could keep their tickets and use them for next year’s event, the organisation behind the festival, Discovery Festival Ltd, has been placed into liquidation, as first reported by The Courier.
Insolvency firm Beesley Corporate Recovery Ltd has been appointed as liquidators and will be in charge of handling the firm’s financial affairs.
The firm's collapse has sparked fears among those who bought tickets to the festival, as a statement on Discovery Festival Limited’s website states that the company is not able to provide refunds.
It reads: “Regrettably, Discovery Festival Limited is no longer able to stage the advertised events or provide refunds in respect of payments already made.”
It is unclear whether the statement includes Discovery Festival 2027 or is referencing the 2026 event.
The statement added: “The Company is in the process of issuing formal notice of the proposed liquidation to all known creditors.
“If you paid by credit card, you may be entitled to make a claim against your credit card provider under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Section 75 may apply where there has been a breach of contract, including where paid-for services will not be provided, and the cash price of the qualifying purchase is more than £100 and not more than £30,000.
“Protection may still apply if only a deposit or part-payment was made by credit card, provided the cash price of the qualifying purchase falls within those limits. The £100 threshold generally applies to each qualifying ticket or package rather than the combined value of multiple separate purchases.
“Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and the payment arrangements used. Please contact your credit card provider directly for guidance on making a claim.
“Customers who paid by debit card may wish to contact their bank promptly to ask whether a chargeback claim may be available.”
Despite Discovery Festival Limited’s collapse, the website for the waterfront festival still advertises tickets for sale from £45.
However, it appears that tickets have been made unavailable, as when they are selected they appear as “sold out”.
A statement from this year’s postponed festival is still shown on the site where it states organisers will “continue sharing amazing events with you all in Dundee”.
The statement, which was made in June and seemingly hasn’t been updated since, hit out at the BBC for having a “huge impact” on the festival after it announced its Radio 2 in the Park in Stirling in August, but later moved the date back to September after other festivals also complained.
“We have therefore reached the very difficult and heartbreaking decision to postpone the festival to the confirmed dates of 22nd - 25th July 2027, with 80’s Calling confirmed on 24th July,” the statement reads.
“The full 2027 exciting line-ups will be announced shortly, with an additional day to enjoy too, so why not hold on to your tickets and make your decision then!”
It then states that ticket holders for the 2026 event have three options and could either exchange them for tickets for Summer’s End Angus, which was held just outside Brechin on August 14-16, hold onto their tickets for next year’s festival, or apply for a refund through their ticket provider.
This year's festival was supposed to feature acts such as The Libertines, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Five.
The line-up for next year's planned four-day event has not been announced, with the organisers saying: “We are all so very sorry, and we truly hope you’ll stay with us for 2027.”
A spokesperson for Dundee City Council told the Courier that it had not been informed of the collapse of Discovery Festival Ltd and that Slessor Gardens, which the local authority runs, has not yet been formally booked for the proposed 2027 dates.
Adding: “The council has not been contacted directly about this development.
“Dates for 2027 have been held, but no bookings have been confirmed.”
