Northern Irish indie rockers Ash kicked off a huge weekend of live music in Montrose with an energy-packed set on Friday night.
The band performed songs from their extensive back catalogue including Goldfinger, Oh Yeah, Shining Light and Girl from Mars.
The greatest hits set which lit up a packed Town Hall also included songs from the band’s new album Kablammo! which is released next week.
Support was from all-girl rockers The Amorettes and Montrose band If All Else Fails, who welcomed back bass player Lewis Paton following ill health.
Montrose Music Festival, or MoFest as it is affectionately known, is now in its eighth year and has more than 200 free gigs in over 25 local venues.
Last year, an estimated 12,000 people descended on Montrose with an estimated boost of £750,000 to the local economy, and this year the annual festival is bigger and better. There are 14 new acts confirmed for the weekend.
New to the line-up is A Right Couple O’ Charlies, Beltur, Bloodshot, The Brothers Reid, The Coaltown Daisies, Copperlungs and Worlds Apart, while MoFest also welcomes back popular acts including Buffalo Soldiers, Headroom, KJB, KWAK, Last Orders, MoFest veterans Late Landing and The Holy Ghosts who supported Status Quo at MoFest last year.
The MoFest Dome will host intimate acoustic sets while the High Street main stage will be in action today and Sunday, giving guests two days of music with bands of all ages and genres.
Also new this year is the Market Street, a space entirely dedicated to the best local food and drink.
MoFest is working in partnership with Event Scotland to support the Year of Food and Drink 2015, showcasing the best of Scotland’s larder.
From Scottish salmon sushi to the specialist craft brews, hog roast and a cocktail tent, there will be plenty of opportunities to sample the very best Scottish produce.
Back by popular demand is the shop window, where some of the weekend’s artists will perform short slots to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
MoFest’s selfie competition also makes a return to the line-up.
The individual who posts the best selfie of the weekend on MoFest’s Facebook or Twitter page will win a camera.
The festival will draw to a close with the renowned Survivors’ Night tomorrow.
MoFest was established to make live music more accessible and year on year it is developing and growing.
The impact on Montrose, its economy and businesses of hosting the music festival has been extremely positive.
The event is expected to attract around 12,000 people to Montrose and local Inspector Ali Robertson said his officers will be providing a high visibility presence throughout the town.
He said: “As with any large event, we might see a small minority of individuals become involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour, however our officers will take appropriate action to deal with those who choose to act in this way.”