Speyfest will feel the heat of Red Hot Chilli Pipers
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THE atmosphere and the music will be red hot at Speyfest 2022.
The folk festival returns to the scene after a two-year hiatus due to Covid with a packed programme from July 22-24.
The spectacular Red Hit Chilli Pipers will headline on the Bothy stage on the opening Friday night.
The Scots sensations are excited to be heading back to Fochabers, a place they know well.
Douglas Gillespie, spokesman for the band, said: “Our first appearance at Speyfest was on August 1, 2008 and for the past 14 years this incredible event has always featured as one of our very favourites.
“To be asked to headline this special 25th Anniversary Speyfest is such an honour and a privilege for us.
“We have made so many great friends over the years at Speyfest and we can’t wait to get on stage and let you all feel our amazing Chilli heat!”
Tickets are now on sale at the ticket office situated at the Fochabers Public Institute and are available from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, July 13; Thursday, July 14; Friday, July 15; Saturday, July 16; Wednesday, July 20; Thursday, July 21.
However, you can still get tickets on arrival in Fochabers. They are available in advance online at www.speyfest.com
Others performers over the weekend include Skerryvore, Elephant Sessions and Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham and Highland folk favourites Elephant Sessions.
Joining them will be the mighty Rura, fiddler Duncan Chisholm, Anna Massie and Mairearad Green, folk singer Claire Hastings, local favourites Tour Bus Fortune, singer songwriter Colin Campbell, Inverness fiddler Bruce Macgregor of Blazin’ Fiddles fame and the Milne’s High School Fiddlers.
The festival’s closing day will also see a fitting tribute to the event’s founder James M Alexander, who sadly passed away earlier this year, from some of James’ closest musical colleagues, including Charlie McKerron, Douglas Lawrence, Paul Anderson and Gregor Borland, to share some of the tunes they played together over the years.
Some of the bands will also honour other Speyfest legends Roddy Munro, Joe Duncan and Charlie Glass who played in much-loved festival headline band, Cachd Ach Cruiadh. Roddy and Joe also gave generously of their time to the festival for many years as part of the committee.
Colin Campbell said: “I feel very honoured and thrilled to be included in the line up for this year’s Speyfest. It’s shaping up to be a very special and memorable weekend.”
And James Macgregor of Fochabers Fiddlers said: “We are all looking forward to playing in the hometown of the Fochabers Fiddlers on Speyfest Sunday. Despite missing one very special man, we hope to do him proud and have you up on the floor for some well kaint fiddlers tunes. Can’t wait to see you all there.
There will be a Saturday afternoon tea, craft fair and a non-denominational Celtic kirk service.
Speyfest Association Vice-Chair Ashleigh Macgregor said: “The return of Speyfest is not far away now and we cannot wait to welcome everyone back to Fochaber playing fields for an unforgettable weekend of music, food and drinks and fun as we celebrate our 25th birthday.”
First held in 1995, Speyfest has grown from a local event with one small tent holding around 300 people, to a 1500-capacity festival.
For more information visit www.speyfest.com
