Moray’s Speyfest set for Fochabers return as full line-up, including Trail West and Mànran, confirmed
The full line-up for the main stage of a popular traditional music festival has been announced.
Speyfest - which will take place from July 25 to 27, 2025 - is has confirmed the full main stage line-up ahead of its 28th running.
Renowned for celebrating the best in traditional and contemporary Celtic music, Speyfest has taken place annually in Fochabers since 1995 when it was founded by James Alexander.
A number of global acts are among those set to perform and make their mark in Moray, while several Scottish acts will visit the festival for the first time.
The newest headliners announced for the 2025 bill include explosive six-piece Trail West, who will be celebrating their 15th anniversary next year.
This follows on from three consecutive sell-out shows at Glasgow's Barrowlands, two performances at Scotland's biggest entertainment venue – the OVO Hydro – and being crowned Live Act of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2023.
Trail West will close out the festival’s Friday night, just ahead of electro-trad duo Valtos’ Speyfest debut.
Comprising Skye natives Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald, Valtos have taken the trad and electronic music worlds by storm since their debut shows in December 2021.
Earlier in the evening, Speyfest will open with a double headline concert featuring Anglo-Irish legends Flook and seven-piece Mànran.
Milne’s High School Fiddlers also join them on the Friday concert bill.
Neo-trad trio Project Smok join the bill for Saturday night, bringing their infectious energy and incredible skill to the Speyfest stage.
Speyfest Sunday – a day traditionally attended by music fans of all generations – will welcome Canadian modern folk outfit The East Pointers for their unique brand of dancefloor-shaking, ceiling-rattling, electro-trad.
Another international act will make the trip to Speyfest in the form of US string band rockers The Hot Seats.
Glasgow based six-piece band Trip, whose music unites the kindred Celtic traditions of Scotland, Ireland, Northumbria and the Isle of Man; a reflection of where each band member hails from, will also make their first appearance at the event.
Scottish folk band Broma will share their flair for contemporary ceilidh music on the main stage. Sunday’s main stage bill will be completed by the heartfelt music of two local acts, steeped in the fiddle tradition of the local area – Auld Fochabers Fiddlers and The Arc Fiddlers.
Speyfest Chair Ashleigh Macgregor said: “Being able to bring the very best in both international acts and promising Scottish talent to this corner of Scotland is what Speyfest is all about.
“Our line-up reflects both our rich musical heritage and our commitment to putting on fresh and exciting talent that we know our audiences will love.
“We are expecting attendances of around 4000 across the week and we really cannot wait.”
The newly-announced acts join Celtic giants Skipinnish, high octane Red Hot Chili Pipers, folk sensation Siobhan Miller, Scottish fiddle legends Session A9 and much-loved local outfit Tour Bus Fortune who were announced as the first acts on the bill last month.
In addition to music, the festival will host a variety of local food and drink options, traditional music and singing workshops, a non-denominational Celtic Kirk Service and its free Craft Fair, ensuring a culturally enriching experience for all attendees.
Tickets for Speyfest 2025 went on sale at 12pm on on Wednesday. They can be purchased at https://events.liveit.io/speyfest/speyfest-2025.
Weekend tickets are available for early bird prices for locals from Christies the Chemist in Fochabers.
