Montrose gets set for MoFest

The three day festival kicks off today

Published 26th May 2017

More than 12,000 music fans are expected at MoFest in Montrose over the weekend.

The annual music kicks off for the tenth year today, having started in the Angus town in 2008.

Hosted out of local venues, it celebrates local artists and UK musicians while also bringing in the big acts.

This year's headliners are Scottish band Deacon Blue on Saturday, followed by The Beach Boys- with Hollywood star, John Stamos- taking to the stage on Sunday night.

Organiser, Anne Jenkins said there's not an event like it: "We think MoFest is so special because there's nothing commercial about it.

"It is completely volunteer run so we make the decisions, we decide what to do and we base it on what the public tell us they want.

"We're very committed to supporting the local economy and local businesses, and it's about everyone benefitting from it.

She added: "Montrose is absolutely buzzing- especially when the sun is shining.

"We go about the high street to get stuff done and people stop and speak to us and people in shops will ask us how everything is getting on- it's great!

"The atmosphere is just incredible and there is never any issues."

Music lovers are being urged to keep that atmosphere alive during this year's event.

In light of Monday's terrorist attack in Manchester, ‘MoFesters’ can expect to see heightened security over the weekend.

Police and stewards will work together to keep the area safe, and barriers around some venues along with bag searchers will be introduced.

Anne insists security is always the number one priority though.

She said: "We have monthly discussions with the police leading up to it so we've been heavily involved in this.

"Even before what happened on Monday night we were putting things in place for an increased security presence because of things happening around to world so it was already on our radar.

"We will have quite a different set up to our high street this year.

"There'll be designated areas, entry and exit points and people will be expected to comply with bag searches, which is something that is new for us, but unfortunately that's what we need to do to keep people safe.

"Our advice would be come along and don't let anything that has happened in the world change what you would do normally".