Bonfest: Festival celebrating life of former ACDC frontman Bon Scott returns

An Angus rock festival celebrating the life of former ACDC frontman Bon Scott is now under way after a two-year hiatus.

The Australian musician – who grew up in Kirriemuir – died in 1980.

In the years after his death an annual music event – Bonfest – was formed in his hometown.

This event was launched in the 1990’s – more than two decades after Bon Scott died aged 33.

It’s not been able to go ahead since the pandemic started – but now fans are back in their numbers

Organiser John Crawford said: “I think my face kind of says it all. We are absolutely buzzing, the town is buzzing at the moment.

It’s great to have live music back and seeing the fans from all over the world descended on Kirriemuir once again after that two year hiatus, it’s incredible.”

Thousands of visitors will be coming here over this weekend with the town’s bars and restaurants gearing up for one of the busiest weekends of the year.”

Local publican Grant Docherty said: “Effectively you’re actually tripling the amount of people that Kirriemuir have on a normal weekly day.

When we get the likes of festival like this coming in it really showcase what Kirriemuir can do. We thrive at this time of year.”

Around 50 bands and artists will perform at various pubs and stages over the weekend,

BJ Vernal travelled all the way from Australia for the festival.

He is proud to be in the town that Bon Scott came from. He said: “It’s a great honour to be coming here and seeing him [Bon Scott] and in a sense representing Australia. We’re coming here to show how it’s done.”

This event is arguably the biggest in Kirriemuir’s calendar, linking the small Angus town with people from across the globe – sharing one passion – and remembering one man, the legendary Bon Scott.