Countdown starts for folk music extravaganza Speyfest
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FOCHABERS is gearing up for the eagerly-awaited return of the Speyfest folk festival.
Gates will open on Friday, July 21 with the event running for three days until Sunday, July 23. The festival is set to bring the very best in Scottish and Celtic culture to the picturesque village on the banks of the River Spey.
Speyfest’s Friday night concert on the main stage, known as the Christie Stage, will kick off with the inimitable trio 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 explosive Scottish ska outfit Bombskare.
On 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 topped off 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, contemporary trad band Ruach will perform for audiences on Speyfest’s last day, with headliners Skerryvore closing out the 2023 festival in style.
As well as a jam-packed musical line-up across the weekend, Speyfest will also host a number of activities to keep festival-goers entertained. On Saturday, the festival site will host a craft fair from 10am onwards, which is free and open to all.
At 2pm, there will be a prosecco afternoon tea with a selection of delicious bakes incorporating Roehill Springs Gin and Glen Moray Whisky, all soundtracked by a special acoustic set from the incredible Norrie MacIver.
From 3.30pm onwards, Fochabers Public Institute will host whisky and gin tastings, with the chance to try and learn about local favourites Spey Valley Beer, Roehill Springs Gin and Glen Moray Whisky. Tickets for these activities can be purchased on the website.
On Sunday morning at 10am, the Christie Stage will host a non-denominational Celtic Kirk service suitable for the whole family, with music from Norrie MacIver and Mhairi Marwick. There will also be face painting and storytelling sessions across the weekend for little ones.
Music, singing and dance workshops for all ages and abilities will be running throughout the week, offering people the chance to get involved, learn something new and even perform on the festival stage, with people encouraged to sign up now.
Speyfest Chair Ashleigh Macgregor said: “The whole Speyfest team has been working away behind the scenes to get everything ready for this year’s festival.
"We’ve got a fantastic line-up, some really exciting activities and lots of fun workshops planned so there truly is something for everyone – now all we need is our audience! Seeing everything come together at this point is so rewarding and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the tented village next week.
"We’re so grateful to all of our incredible sponsors who make Speyfest possible and allow us to grow and expand our offerings each year.”
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 22nd and Sunday 23rd. The site will be open from 5.30pm on Friday 21st, 9.30am on Saturday 22nd, with the bar open from 11am, and 12pm on Sunday 23rd.
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. Last year saw around 4000 people passing through the gates across the three days for a weekend of music, culture and family fun.
The event is supported by the Christie family, The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and many other local sponsors and supporters.
Tickets for Speyfest 2023 are on sale now at www.speyfest.com
