Organisers of Montrose Music Festival have promised “another show stopping year” as the big event gets closer.
2016 sees MoFest back for its ninth year with many old favourites returning alongside fresh acts and some new aspects.
Jools Holland and his band will get the party started at East Links on Friday May 27 for what is sure to be an unforgettable night.
The live music will continue on Saturday and Sunday as locations across the town are taken over by musicians from across the UK.
With not one, but two outdoor arena gigs this year alongside the main festival, organisers have been quick to point out the escalating cost of putting on the large scale events.
“We would ask people to view a programme as their ‘ticket’ to the festival,” said MoFest chair David Paton.
“Programme, lanyard and merchandise sales are our biggest source of income so we would urge people to support the festival by buying these.
“Contrary to popular belief, we don’t make massive profits from these large arena gigs, we rely on fundraising constantly throughout the year.
“The harsh reality is, it costs a significant amount to put MoFest on – the security and police need to be paid for, the rubbish needs to be collected, the stage needs to be hired, and all of that needs money.”
Fans will be asked to post pictures on themselves enjoying the atmosphere across the festivals social media platforms for the MoFest selfie competion and local businesses are again invited to decorate their shop front windows.
MoFest are also introducing the Mo100 Club, a scheme which sees members of the public pledge a monthly sum in return for the chance to win a percentage of the prize pot.
The market street area will be returning this year to showcase a variety of Scottish food and drink following great feedback about the vendors in 2015.
This year will also see the introduction of the MoFest Tavern and beer garden which will be hosted by local favourites Arbikie Distillery and Burnside Brewery.
The Pavillion Café and St Marys and St Peters Church are two new venues taking part in the festival with their choral and choir line up.
There will also be a Rhythm and Brews stage which will see Burnside Brewery once again take over Montrose Town Hall with their distinctive craft beers and an exciting line-up of music on Saturday evening.
MoFest HQ in New Wynd will become a venue itself in the run-up to the festival with local acts Sorella, Kith & Kin and Ronan Lang and Late Landing performing acoustic sets over the next three Saturdays.
The shop will be open daily from 10am –3pm from Saturday May 14 onwards (excluding Sundays) for the sale of Jools Holland and Bryan Adams tickets (the Canadian rocker will perform a special show as part of MoFest in August) and Mofest merchandise including this year’s new T-shirt design.
The line up for this years festival will also be available from Saturday May 14 with programmes and lanyards available from MoFest HQ.
MoFest are also looking for local community groups and charities that would like the opportunity to do some fundraising at this years festival to contact them.
