An Elgin woman is recalling the good times she had with her first love before he died by putting on a music festival dedicated to the music they both loved.
Fi Marshall, a driving instructor in Elgin, dated Gary Macdonald before he died of cancer in 2018. Gary was her first boyfriend, but they remained friends after splitting.
Gary was nicknamed Hedge, and a punk musician and artist. They both enjoyed punk rock and the couple had discussed bringing an alternative music scene to Elgin, but sadly never got around to seeing it through.
Raising awareness
Fi set up the fundraising festival to pay tribute to Gary, and has named it ‘Hedge Fest’. She has confirmed nine bands from Forres, Aberdeenshire and Inverness will pay tribute to Gary Macdonald on 7 September at Williamson Hall in Duff Avenue, Elgin.
Fi said: “Gary had a lot of health problems throughout his life so myself and his family didn’t realise he was seriously unwell. In his latter years he suffered from agoraphobia and didn’t leave the house much.
“We feel he didn’t know he had lymphoma cancer himself, he hadnt been to the doctors and I thought it was important to make others aware that the symptoms could be missed particularly if someone is having health problems already.
“At one stage, we both wanted to bring more of an ‘alternative live music scene’ to the area but it never happened so it inspired me to try to attempt it.
“This festival is not for profit and the money is going to the lymphoma charity. If it goes well I’m hoping to kickstart more live gigs in the future in the local area.”
Bands include: Be Like Pablo The Fragz The Idiotix Volupta Cow Catcher T x D x B x The Endless North UNF Electric Redemption.