MacMoray Festival announces its biggest and hottest line-up ever
The MacMoray Festival, which is held annually in Elgin, Moray, has revealed its star-studded line-up for its Summer Special Event on August 10 and 11, 2024. The festival, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary, has secured some of the biggest names in pop, rock, and dance music to perform at the Cooper Park venue.
The headline act for the Saturday night is The Vamps, the British pop-rock band that has sold over 10 million records worldwide and has amassed over 2 billion streams on Spotify. The band, which consists of Brad Simpson, James McVey, Connor Ball, and Tristan Evans, is known for their catchy hits such as Can We Dance, All Night, and Somebody to You. The Vamps have also collaborated with artists such as Demi Lovato, Shawn Mendes, and Sabrina Carpenter.
The Vamps are no strangers to the MacMoray Festival, as they performed at the inaugural event in 2020 and received a warm welcome from the fans. The band said they are excited to return to Elgin and headline the Summer Special Event. “We love playing at MacMoray, it’s always a great atmosphere and the crowd is amazing. We can’t wait to come back and rock the stage with our new songs and some old favourites,” they said in a statement.
Other acts to join The Vamps on the Saturday night include:
- Cascada, the German dance-pop trio that has topped the charts in over 20 countries with their anthems such as Everytime We Touch, Evacuate the Dancefloor, and Miracle.
- The Hoosiers, the indie-pop band that rose to fame with their debut album The Trick to Life, which featured the singles Worried About Ray, Goodbye Mr A, and Cops and Robbers.
- Whigfield, the Danish singer who became a global sensation with her 1994 hit Saturday Night, which was the first song to debut at number one in the UK singles chart.
- Cartoons, the novelty pop group that dressed as comic characters and performed covers of rock and roll classics such as Witch Doctor, DooDah, and Yoko Ono.
The Sunday night will feature another legendary headline act: Status Quo
The rock veterans, who have been rocking all over the world since 1962, will bring their trademark boogie-woogie style to the MacMoray Festival. The band, which consists of Francis Rossi, Richie Malone, Andy Bown, John “Rhino” Edwards, and Leon Cave, has sold over 118 million records worldwide and has had 43 hit albums in the UK, more than any other band apart from The Rolling Stones.
Status Quo is also known for their live performances, having played at some of the most iconic events in music history, such as Live Aid, The Prince’s Trust, and Glastonbury. The band said they are looking forward to playing at the MacMoray Festival and entertaining the fans with their classic songs such as Rockin’ All Over the World, Whatever You Want, and Down Down.
Other acts to join Status Quo on the Sunday night include:
- The Jacksons, the legendary family group that features the original members of The Jackson 5: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon. The group, which has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, has sold over 100 million records worldwide and has had hits such as ABC, I Want You Back, and Blame It on the Boogie.
- Bad Manners, the ska band that was part of the late 1970s and early 1980s ska revival, along with Madness, The Specials, and The Selecter. The band, which is fronted by the charismatic Buster Bloodvessel, is known for their fun and energetic shows and their songs such as Lip Up Fatty, Special Brew, and Can Can.
- Hue and Cry, the Scottish pop duo that consists of brothers Pat and Greg Kane. The duo, which has been active since 1983, has had hits such as Labour of Love, Looking for Linda, and Ordinary Angel.
MacMoray Festival offers more than just music
The MacMoray Festival, which is organised by Highland News and Media, the publisher of The Northern Scot, also offers a variety of attractions and activities for the whole family. The festival features a camping area, a funfair, a food and drink village, a craft market, a kids zone, and a silent disco.
The festival also supports local charities and causes, such as The Archie Foundation, which provides support to sick children and their families in the north-east of Scotland. The festival has raised over £100,000 for The Archie Foundation since its inception.
The festival director, Kay Simpson, said she is thrilled with the line-up and the response from the public. “We are delighted to announce our biggest and hottest line-up ever for the MacMoray Summer Special Event. We have secured some of the most popular and iconic acts in the music industry, and we are sure they will put on a fantastic show for our loyal and enthusiastic fans. We have also added some new features and attractions to make the festival even more enjoyable and memorable for everyone. We are very grateful for the support and feedback we have received from the public, the sponsors, and the media partners. We are confident that the MacMoray Summer Special Event will be a huge success and a highlight of the summer calendar in Moray.”
How to get tickets and more information
Tickets for the MacMoray Summer Special Event are available from Friday, November 25, at 9.30 am. Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketline or by calling the dedicated ticket line on 01309679613. Tickets can also be bought in person at the Carlton Hotel in Forres. Tickets cost £45 for a day pass, £80 for a weekend pass, or £10 for a deposit scheme. Camping tickets cost £25 per night per tent.
For more information about the MacMoray Summer Special Event, visit the official website or follow the social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
