The people of Kirriemuir – we salute you.
That was the message which rang out loud and clear from thousands of members of the AC/DC world-wide family who descended on Kirriemuir at the weekend.
Bracing the rain and hail on Saturday as the packed programme officially got under way, the friendship of those behind the annual rock festival, DD8 Music, and the people of the Little Red Town,were praised by many gathered in the town centre.
They had made the annual pilgrimage to celebrate the life of legendary rocker Bon Scott, band frontman who spent his early years in Kirriemuir.
One of the highlights on Saturday was when the Swiss all-female tribute band Back:N:Black made the short journey from the town hall to the square in a classic recreation of the famous ‘Long Way to the Top’ video on an open-top lorry.
Among the international guests was Daniel-Uwe Pakulla, 52, from Germany on his third visit to BonFest.
He said: “I go to AC/DC festivals across the continent, but the friendship at BonFest is the best.”
Irish rockers Plunkett Treanon, 44 and Mark Sheridan, 42, were among the hundreds who queued up in the Star Rock Shop where 18.5 kilos of Hell Balls and nine kilos of Let There Be Rock Irn Bru rock sold out in hours.
“This is our fourth year at BonFest – the atmosphere is amazing and everyone treats you so well.”
It was a similar story from Lesley Fairweather, 53, a support adult learning officer from Arbroath and her son, Aaron, 25, a social science student.
She said: “BonFest keeps their music alive, there’s a great vibe. DD8Music are absolutely amazing for the amount of work they put into this every year, they are always improving things.”
Fans from around the world visited the Gateway to the Glens Museum to view an exhibition of memorabilia collected by avid fan Neil McDonald from Edinburgh.
Rachel Jackson, museum officer with Angus Alive, said the exhibition attracted AC/DC fans from countries around the world including America, Argentina, Austria, Germany, Chile, Australia and Ireland.
“We are indebted to Neil. We started this two years ago and it is so good to see so many people of so many different ages. We hope to develop this into a permanent display.”
