Sandi looking forward to mingling with the home crowd

Sandi Thom - set to rock at Fochabers
Sandi Thom – set to rock at Fochabers

HEADLINER SANDI THOM is looking forward to her appearance in Moray this weekend as an opportunity to celebrate her own musical upbringing in the north east.

The singer who was catapulted to fame on the back of her 2006 chart hit “I wish I was a Punk Rocker” is the main attraction at Speyfest on Saturday – and the lass from Macduff admits that many of her family and friends will be in the audience.

Ahead of her appearance at Fochabers Sandi said: “Performing so close to where I grew up is definitely a homecoming for me – there will be lots of family in the crowd.

“I have always been inspired by my heritage – my Scottish upbringing and my family being so musical in my childhood. I think it carries through in all the music I write.”

The 31-year-old will take to the more intimate setting at Speyfest with the same attitude as she has done at Glastonbury or T in the Park: “I love to go out and meet the crowd after a show and you really can do this at a smaller festival like Speyfest – it makes the experience so much more personal.”

Speyfest gets under way this evening at the playing fields on East Street in Fochabers with the opening schedule featuring Fochabers Fiddlers, the Calum Stewart Trio, Phil Cunningham and Ally Bain.

The official opening of the festival is to be conducted by Moray’s MSP, Richard Lochhead, who said: “As a huge music fan I’m absolutely delighted to be asked to officially open Speyfest this year, especially with it being the 20th year of the festival.

“I’m really looking forward to hearing the acts perform on Friday night and to catching up with the organisers, who I know work hard all year round to put on this fantastic event.

“Speyfest just gets bigger and better every year, and with some outstanding acts like Seth Lakeman performing this weekend, this year looks set to be another huge success.”