Tide Lines are the final headliner to be announced for this year’s Speyfest, staged in the heart of Moray from Friday 24 – Sunday 26 July.
As the folk-pop band celebrate a decade at the top of Scottish music, they will return to Speyside on Sunday 26 July to close out the festival’s three days of non-stop music in spectacular style.
Having built a reputation for expansive, anthemic songs and a magnetic live performance, Tide Lines have always been warmly welcomed by Moray crowds. Their return to Speyfest promises to be a highlight of the weekend, as they bring their signature sound to the festival’s main stage.
Memories
Tides Lines front man Robert Robertson said: “We can’t wait to get back to Speyfest this July! We’ve got great memories of the festival – right back to the early days of Tide Lines. We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary this year so returning to a festival we’ve enjoyed so much over the years feels particularly exciting.”
Also completing the line up is double BBC Musician of the Year, guitarist and accordionist Tim Edey, rated as one of the finest players on the folk and contemporary Celtic music scene today.
Falasgair, named Up and Coming Act of the Year 2024 at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, are also newly announced. The six-piece band, which includes Moray local and fiddle player Macaulay Ross, will make their Speyfest debut with a mix of contemporary, traditional, and self-penned tunes.
Local talent
A surge of local talent will also flood Speyfest’s Duncans of Fochabers stage, including North East wonders Johnny Sheep and The Coupit Ewes, local singer-songwriter Lewis Wiles, and Moray’s finest Americana outfit The Forty Elephants.
The festival has also relaunched its Speyfest Young Entertainer competition, with the brightest new young talent winning a coveted slot on the festival bill. Youngsters will be following in the footsteps of previous winners such as Scots singer Ellie Beaton.
This year’s Bands in Residence, who spend the entire festival weekend performing across multiple spaces – from the main stage to informal pub sessions – are bold new trad band Astro Bloc, folk favourites Dallahan and Boston-based fiddle fusion group Scottish Fish.
Tide Lines complete an already stacked line up of names, including Canadian Celtic superstar Natalie MacMaster, Irish party-starters The Tumbling Paddies, treasured vocalist Karen Matheson and her band, and Highland heroes Elephant Sessions.
Located in the north east village of Fochabers, Speyfest has been showcasing the best in contemporary folk music since 1995 and now welcomes attendances of around 4,500 annually.
Speyfest Chair Ashleigh Macgregor said: “Tide Lines are the perfect final piece of the puzzle for Speyfest 2026. We know they will deliver an unforgettable finale to this year’s festival and that the Fochabers crowd will give them the warmest of welcomes.
World-class artists
“This year’s line-up really captures what Speyfest is all about – bringing world-class artists to our small corner of Moray, while celebrating the incredible music scene on our doorstep. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Fochabers this July.”
Speyfest 2026 takes place from Friday 24 – Sunday 26 July for its 29th edition. Tickets are on sale now, visit www.speyfest.com.