Every month, we invite a different Very Special Guest Star to design their ideal gig for our latest print magazine. For our July/August 2025 edition, we had the pleasure of welcoming pop-rock icon and Scotland’s leading good-time gal, Amy Macdonald, to the revered back page of DIY. Read on for insights about The Boss, covert drinking, confetti cannons, and more…
**Headliner**
I chose Bruce Springsteen! For decades, he’s proven why he’s a headliner… his performances are just fantastic. With countless remarkable records and songs to choose from, he truly offers great value since he performs for hours on end! I've had the chance to see him a few times and absolutely loved every moment. There’s a reason he has maintained his status at the top for so long, and experiencing him live makes that clear. ‘Thunder Road’ is one of my all-time favorite songs; I adore it and often think, "I wish I had come up with that!"
**Support**
I picked Dolly Parton because she’s a true legend. I recall seeing her perform at Glastonbury, and it was simply unforgettable! She was pivotal in establishing the ‘Legends’ slot and making it significant. She’s iconic and seems like a genuinely wonderful person. Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of Dolly Parton?
**Venue**
I would hold the gig in Montreux, Switzerland. There’s an incredible festival called the Montreux Jazz Festival, and I’ve had the fortune to perform there a few times. The stage is right by the lake, often without a backdrop, so your view is just the lake and the mountains; it’s a breathtaking location. Interestingly, Deep Purple’s song ‘Smoke on the Water’ was inspired by an incident in Montreux when a fire caused actual smoke on the water—clearly, it’s a great musical hub!
**Who are you going with?**
I’m bringing my two closest friends, Kelly and Laura. We’ve spent our whole lives attending gigs together and have so many wild memories! Growing up, we all shared a love for the same music, and our perfect evenings were spent at indie nights in clubs. They’ve been in my life since I was about 11, and we’ve been inseparable since; the three of us come as a package, and it wouldn’t be the same without us enjoying the experience together in the crowd.
**What are you drinking?**
My friends and I have a terrible habit of sneaking in alcohol to avoid long queues and high prices! Our favorite trick involves these slimline drink containers—called Platypuses, I think. We’ve mastered the skill of filling them with any drink we fancy and discreetly hiding them in our pants, so even if someone checks our bags or pockets, they won’t discover them. They’ll definitely be sneaking in with us, especially since Switzerland can be quite pricey!
**Is there a pre-gig activity?**
My friends and I love taking our time getting ready in a room while playing the music of the artists we’re about to see. In this case, it would involve songs from Dolly and Bruce, spending hours in front of the mirror with drinks and snacks, chatting, and having a fantastic time preparing for the evening ahead! Those moments of getting ready often create the best memories, making it the ideal warm-up for us!
**Is there an afterparty?**
My dream after-party would just be a group of us with a guitar! That’s how our nights typically concluded—at someone’s house, playing guitar, singing the songs we had just experienced live, and pouring our hearts into it. I’ve written many songs inspired by such nights, and it’s always the most fun, making it the perfect ending. Yes, we’re those annoying people who play guitar at parties! I don’t think I’ve ever performed ‘Wonderwall’ [the ultimate musical sin - Ed], but since we plan to see Oasis soon, we might have to!
**Any additional extras?**
I absolutely love confetti cannons! As a performer, I find them thrilling because the crowd never sees it coming, and it's great to watch their surprised reactions. I’d have plenty of confetti cannons, streams, and sparks to create a truly extravagant event. Amy Macdonald’s new album, ‘Is This What You’ve Been Waiting For?’ is now available through Infectious.
Green Man, the largest festival in Wales dedicated to music, arts, and science, has built a strong reputation. It has once more completely sold out even before the announcement of the lineup.
Every now and then, you have the good fortune to see a band playing a live show right at the peak of their success, just before they hit their decline.
Joviale has released a new single titled 'Snow'. The London-based artist will launch their debut album, 'Mount Crystal', on September 12th, through Powerhouse.
The pop superstar's famous red hair is front and center in the visualiser, filmed on location in New York.
This is the third preview of Dana Foote's upcoming second album, 'Swallow The Knife'.
Endowed with an agile voice and a natural sense of music, Natanya is steadily progressing towards becoming a groundbreaking presence in pop. After initially launching
The cherished Scottish folk-rock musician shares her vision of the perfect evening out.