Montrose Music Festival


Montrose Music Festival is an annual event, taking place at the end of May in Montrose, Angus, Scotland. The festival first took place in 2008 and is organised by volunteers on a non-profit basis. It won the "Pride of Angus Award" in 2008.
The festival takes places over a three day period. It is run by a group of volunteers as a non-profit organization and a registered charity. The aim is to promote free, live music of all styles and genres. The festival promotes local artists at various venues, and hosts musicians from across the UK.

History

Inauguration

The first Montrose Music Festival took place Friday 31 May - Sunday 1 June 2008 and was considered a success, bringing thousands of visitors and an estimated £500,000 boost to the local economy. The main attraction was the opening concert by Average White Band, leveraging Montrose's connection with original AWB saxophonist Malcolm Duncan.
On Saturday and Sunday, the music moved into pubs and hotels with over 60 free-entry gigs over the two days. The event included musical acts of varying genres, performing for thousands of attendees. Among these acts were harmonica player Fraser Speirs, Scottish folk band Malinky, English Singer/songwriter Joni Fuller and Oxford-based alt-rock band Lights Action.

2009

The 2009 festival took place from Thursday to Sunday, 28–31 May. Scottish band Deacon Blue headlined. Tickets sold out within 20 minutes. The band then added a second night of playing on the 28th.

2010

2010 saw the team pull in The Fortunate Sons supported by The Worry Beads. Later in the year the Proclaimers came to town.

2011

In 2011, MoFest hosted Skerryvore with support from Dr. Feelgood.

2012

May - Eddi Reader

2013

Toploader performed in May, followed in November by Eddi Reader.

2014

The headliner was Status Quo, supported by The Holy Ghosts. In November, Amelia Lily, Stooshe & The Loveable Rogues performed.

2015

In its 8th Year, Mofest brought ASH to the Town Hall, supported by The Amorettes, a 3-piece female rock band from Glasgow, and local group If All Else Fails, all from 22–24 May.
Additions included The Market Area, supported by Event Scotland for the promotion of local Scottish food and drink. A structure called The MoDome was set up as a chillout zone and for hosting acoustic sets after the main stage had finished.

2016

headlined in May, followed in August by Bryan Adams.