Montrose Music Festival

Montrose Music Festival is a Scottish music festival which takes place at the end of May in Montrose, Angus. It has become a much anticipated, annual event across Scotland. The festival committee is a non-profit, volunteer run organisation, dedicated to promoting free live music of all styles and genres, and at all levels, in Montrose and surrounding areas. The festival actively promotes local acts as well as hosting musicians from across the United Kingdom. It has become successful locally, winning the Pride of Angus Award in 2008.

Background

Montrose Music Festival, or MoFest as it has become affectionately known, takes place at the end of May each year in Montrose, Angus. Spread over three days, the festival has become a highly anticipated part of the live music scene in Scotland and is widely regarded as the biggest free music festival in Scotland.

The festival is run by a small group of volunteers and is a non-profit organisation and a registered charity. The aim of the MoFest team is to promote free, live music of all styles and genres to people of all ages, and at all levels, in Montrose and the surrounding area. This is achieved by actively promoting local artists at a large host of venues, as well as hosting musicians from across the UK.

The first Montrose Music Festival took place in 2008 and was an overwhelming success, bringing thousands of visitors to the town. The main attraction at the inaugural festival was the Friday night opening concert by the legendary Average White Band, who was regarded by many as the perfect band to open the first festival given the original AWB saxophonist Malcolm Duncan’s connection with the town.

Friday night is when MoFest begins, opening with the Headline act which is the only ticketed event of the entire festival. Saturday and Sunday is when attendees have the chance to pick from around 200 gigs in over 20 venues across the town.

Saturday also sees the "Big Stage" situated on Montrose High Street where you will see a showcase performance from a variety of acts that are also appearing in other venues around the town. This is always hugely popular with families of all ages coming out to enjoy the music and the many stalls and activities that are situated along the closed roads.

On Sunday the "Big Stage" and surrounding area is transformed into a showcase for the talent of tomorrow with the much loved and very popular Youth Festival, giving the young artists and bands a chance to perform on a professional stage and to a larger crowd of revellers.

As the venues wind down on Sunday evening, we host a "Survivors Night" where people can enjoy a well earned rest (if they have made it through the weekend) and enjoy some impromptu music, laughs and socialising at the end of the festival weekend.

Montrose’s unique urban layout makes its busy town centre an ideal place for this type of event. Most of the venues are within walking distance with the exception of two (Correct as of 2014) which are easily accessible by car, bus or taxi… and if you get lost, just look for the steeple which is the perfect meeting place next to our "Big Stage" with its dominating spire that can be seen all over the town.

Inaugural festival

The first Montrose Music Festival took place over the weekend of Friday 31 May - Sunday 1 June 2008^[1] and was an overwhelming success,^[2][3] bringing thousands of visitors and an estimated £500,000 boost to the local economy.^[4] The main attraction of the inaugural festival was the Friday night opening concert by the legendary Average White Band, regarded by many as the perfect band to open the first festival because of Montrose's connection with original AWB saxophonist's Malcolm Duncan (musician).

During the Saturday and Sunday, the music moved into the pubs and hotels with over 60 free entry gigs over the two days, with acts of varying genres entertaining thousands of music fans. Amongst these acts were: Highly respected harmonica player Fraser Speirs, Award winning Scottish folk band Malinky, Young English Singer/songwriter Joni Fuller and upcoming Oxford based alt-rock band Lights Action.

2009

The 2009 festival took place over the weekend from Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 May. Building on the success of the 2008 festival, organisers booked Scottish band, Deacon Blue to headline the 2009 festival.^[5] Demand for the opening concert was so high that the tickets were sold out within 20 minutes.^[6] The band then added a second night of playing on the 28th, giving Montrosians and traveling fans two nights of outstanding music.

2010

2010 saw the team pull in The Fortunate Sons (Now Big Figure) supported by The Worry Beads.

2011

In 2011, MoFest continued its successful streak of music by playing host to Skerryvore with support from Dr Feelgood. 2010 also saw the proactive MoFest team bring the Proclaimers to town later in the year. Both acts proved to be a huge success.

2012

May - Eddi Reader

2013

May - Toploader

Nov - Eddi Reader

2014

Headline act on East Links Area - Status Quo, supported by The Holy Ghosts

Nov – Amelia Lily, Stooshe & The Loveable Rogues

2015

22-24 May Now in its 8th Year, Mofest bring ASH to the Town Hall for a capacity crowd. Supporting ASH, were, The Amorettes - a 3 piece Female rock band from Glasgow, and local group If All Else Fails.

Additions this year include 'The Market Area', supported by Event Scotland for the promotion of local Scottish food and drink. And 'The MoDome', a fantastic structure brought up from way down south to be used as a chillout zone during the weekend, but also for hosting some acoustics sets from amazing artists after the main stage had finished.

The Madness Grandslam Tour comes to the East Links Arena in July.

Cast are set to join us in Montrose Town Hall in October

2016

May - Jools Holland

August - Bryan Adams

References

External links

• Montrose Music Festival Photostream