Red Hot Chilli Pipers to headline new Forres Live: Party at Grant's music festival
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PIPERS are set to return to Grant Park next summer for a brand new music festival.
Former Forres Academy student, now house-building business owner Gerry Verner has organised Forres Live: Party at Grant's, 10 hours of non-stop music including headliners Red Hot Chilli Pipers, it is hoped will attract thousands of people to the town.
Mr Verner said: "We have a sensational line up of bands and there is such an eclectic mix of music that there will be something to suit all tastes. There will be two stages ensuring that there is non-stop music from start to finish, food and drink vendors and we also have some other exciting spectacles up our sleeves which we will reveal closer to the date.
"We really want to create a festival feel in the park and hope that people will come along and just chill out and enjoy listening to some great music.
"I have wanted to stage an event in Forres for a long time and Grant Park is such a fabulous venue. The main stage is undercover so whatever the weather, the gig will go on."
The confirmed bands are: Luke Jackson; Be Like Pablo; Sara 'n' Junbug, Calum Jones, Chris Grant and the BRU, Schiehallion, Craig Robertson.
Mr Verner explained: "Be Like Pablo were chosen as it's a Forres band and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers are popular – all of the acts provide a something-for-everyone appeal and there are others yet to be announced.
The concert will raise money for Maggie's Highland; based at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, the service offers professional support to people with cancer and their loved ones.
This is a first event for ESL Liv, operated by Mr Verner. His Excel Scotland business, which he runs with wife Gayle, is based in Elgin.
Mr Verner added: "I was taken with what Maggie's Highland does so thought that we could help raise funds via Forres Live. Twenty-five per cent of the profit made on ticket sales will be donated to the charity. They are completely self-funded and to run the centre costs £500,000-a-year, so we are planning a great event to ensure that we can help this great cause."
Tickets and information on the event can be found at www.forres-live.co.uk
