Record tickets sold as MOKFest celebrates another successful year

Headlined by Katie MacFarlane with Pablo Lafuente and Michael Biggins, the evening also featured tunes, stories and songs by Iain MacPherson and many other local artists.

Kintyre’s young people were in the spotlight on Thursday evening, at the hugely popular Spoons Young Folk Night at Campbeltown Heritage Centre, showcasing the area’s finest young musicians.

The Victoria Hall hosted Friday night’s fun at the sold-out Festival Ceilidh, with the Grouse Ceilidh Band, Argyll Ceilidh Trail, Dalriada Connections Band and Kintyre Schools Pipe Band keeping people on the dance floor throughout the event.

Saturday was the busiest day of the festival, kicking off in the afternoon with the Festival Parade and Doon the Green, featuring family fun and live entertainment from The Laurettes, Tommy and Stewart Blue, Kintyre Schools Pipe Band, James McCorkindale School of Dancing, SG Taekwon-Do, and Funky Chicken Fun. 

Also in the afternoon, the Kilbrannan Bar hosted a live acoustic mega session during the Festival Club.

The merriment continued in the evening with two sold-out gigs – the Traditional Concert at Campbeltown Heritage Centre and the Glen Scotia West Coast Rocks Concert at the Victoria Hall.

The seated Traditional Concert was headlined by the legendary Dougie MacLean, who made a welcome return, supported by Dàna, making their festival debut.

The West Coast Rocks Concert was headlined by traditional music giants Trail West, supported by Rhuvaal and The Laurettes, who delivered a full-on festival experience and helped keep the dance floor packed.

Sunday was far from a day of rest, with two more concerts on the schedule, starting with the Dalriada Connections Concert, a celebration of Scottish, Irish and Pan Celtic musical links, at Campbeltown Heritage Centre.

The afternoon event was packed with visiting and local performers including The Canny Band, The Sarachs, Lorne MacDougall, Scooter Muse, Ross Conner and Ciaran Mulholland, who was also the event’s master of ceremonies. 

In true MOKFest tradition, the festival ended with the legendary Survivors Night in the Victoria Hall on Sunday evening, with headliners Slainte Davaar Allstars supported by Kintyre Schools Pipe Band, We.R.Soul, Che Martin and the Goodness, Under Smoke, and Session A83.

“We would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s event another great success,” said a spokesperson for the MOKFest committee.

“Concert attendances were the best we have had in years, with increased numbers of national and international visitors, many people making return visits to the event.

“Thanks to everyone who helped this year and to the local community and sponsors for supporting the event and making it so memorable.

“Thank you to our special audiences at all our events, in the Campbeltown Heritage Centre, the Victoria Hall, Argyll Arms Hotel, the Festival Club at the Kilbrannan Bar, and those who took part in, and attended, the Festival Parade and Doon the Green. Your enthusiasm shone through and was remarked upon by all the artists and people who took part in putting on these events.

“We have received some fantastic feedback from the bands and the festival-goers who have been incredibly positive about all our events. Next year’s headline band is already booked; we will make an announcement on who it is shortly. 

“We will see you all there!”