Sparkling line-up ahead for Speyfest as tickets go on sale
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TICKETS for the 26th Speyfest folk festival are on sale from midday today (Thursday).
The three-day music extravaganza will take place between Friday and Sunday, July 21-23 and is set to bring the very best in Scottish and Celtic culture to the beautiful village of Fochabers.
Taking to the main stage, known as The Christie Stage, for the festival’s Friday concert are the inimitable musical combination of John McCusker, Michael McGoldrick and John Doyle, Orkney fiddle sensations Fara, and young local talent Arc Fiddlers and Milne’s High School Fiddlers.
The Friday late-night standing show, known as the stomp, will see beloved Gaelic crossover act Norrie MacIver Band take to the stage, as well as the unstoppable Scottish ska outfit Bombskare.
On the Saturday, celebrated folk-singer Siobhan Miller, and Speyside native Calum Stewart will perform with their bands for the next seated concert of the weekend. Genre-bending trio Talisk will delight crowds for the Saturday stomp, before the night is closed in spectacular style by Scotland’s folk-rock superstars Mànran.
Speyfest’s Family Sunday will see Highland accordionist and BBC broadcaster Gary Innes host proceedings, keeping audiences of all ages entertained with some stories throughout the day.
The beloved Auld Fochabers Fiddlers, local duo A Louth Lilt, energetic quartet Mec Lir, innovative modern female folk band Kinnaris Quintet, Glasgow-based five-piece Ímar and contemporary trad band Ruach will perform for audiences on Speyfest’s last day, with headliners Skerryvore bringing the 2023 festival to a triumphant close.
Along with all of this world-class music, the picturesque banks of the River Spey will come to life over the weekend with a bustling craft fair, much-loved music workshops, whisky and gin tastings, prosecco afternoon tea and the always well-attended Celtic Kirk service.
Speyfest Chair Ashleigh Macgregor said: “With just three months until Speyfest kicks off in Fochabers, excitement is certainly mounting as we look forward to welcoming faces old and new to our beloved festival.
“As always, we will be showcasing the very best in traditional and Celtic music across the three days, as well as running family-fun activities for all ages, food and crafting events, and musical workshops, all while injecting economic opportunities into the local community.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has snapped up an early bird ticket, and to those considering joining us across the weekend this July, don’t hesitate – it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend! We would also like to extend our gratitude to all of our sponsors and supporters without whom Speyfest wouldn’t be possible.”
A range of tickets are available for Speyfest, including weekend passes, specific concert tickets, specific stomp tickets, combined tickets and all-day Sunday tickets. Entry to the craft fair, which is held on Saturday afternoon, is free.
Food vendors and the bar will be open from 5pm on Friday, July 21 and from 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday.
First held in 1995, Speyfest has grown from a local event with one small tent holding around 300 people, to a 1500-capacity festival and much-loved jewel in the traditional music calendar in the north-east.
Tickets for Speyfest 2023 can be purchased at www.speyfest.com
Speyfest will also play host to Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain on Saturday, May 13 as part of Mayfest in the Fochabers Public Institute. Tickets are available at www.speyfest.com
