When Andy Macdonald announced that MacMoray would be ending, he never expected the huge reaction it would generate.
The festival organiser issued a heartfelt update last night saying he wanted to spend more time with his family – and that the pressure of organising two huge events in Elgin each year had left him “tired”.
He confirmed that MacMoray Easter 2025 would be the last event, and that he would be giving away £1 million worth of tickets for the “final hurrah”.
Since the news broke, hundreds of people have expressed their sadness – saying MacMoray was the “best thing to happen to Elgin in years.”
Tonight, Mr Macdonald said he was “extremely surprised” by the reaction and didn’t expect it to “be as big as it is”.
‘I can see how much MacMoray has meant to people’
He said: “I’m aware that MacMoray is popular, and the attendance speaks for itself. But I didn’t think for a second the reaction would be as big as it is.
“On one hand, it’s amazing to see, but on the other hand, it makes me sad as the support has been overwhelming, and I can see how much it means to people.
“My problem, especially in the past few months, is that I’ve been listening to the complainers and that hasn’t helped.
“From people officially complaining about the noise, to taking over their park. Usually, I wouldn’t let things get to me, but I think as of late, with everything going on I’ve been a lot more sensitive than usual.”
Mr Macdonald said his decision to end MacMoray comes as he gets ready to welcome a baby girl in September with his partner, Angela.
The father-to-be lost former partner, Sarah, and their unborn baby around the time of the first ever MacMoray festival.
He said Angela and daughter are now his “priority”.
“The first time round I found myself living a nightmare,” he said.
“I can’t believe the position I’m finding myself in now, and right now with my unborn daughter due in eight weeks, emotions are running extremely high.”
‘MacMoray would need someone who understands it to carry it on’
Festival-goers have been calling for someone to take over from Mr Macdonald, who seems open to the idea.
But he says it would take the right person to move it forward.
He said: “It would boil down to several factors, including the person, their vision and their understanding of exactly what MacMoray is.
“MacMoray as a brand isn’t broken and doesn’t need fixing.”
‘The final MacMoray will be special, exciting and emotional’
For now, Mr MacDonald is gearing up to offer music lovers the best festivals of their life.
He will be offering people free tickets to the final MacMoray next Easter if they buy tickets for the MacMoray Summer 2024 festival.
“One thing I am certain about is that MacMoray Easter will be extremely special, exciting and emotional,” he said.
“My focus right now is on the planning and preparation of MacMoray Summer and MacMoray Easter. I need to see these through.
“I absolutely need to make sure they are as amazing as they possibly can be.”
MacMoray started back in 2022 at Cooper Park with two festivals – Easter and Summer – each year with nostalgic acts performing.
Headliners have included Atomic Kitten, Peter Andre, Vengaboys and Cascada.
Mr Macdonald added: “I don’t want people to have ill feelings towards me and my team. I have taken MacMoray to the top with the help and support of our huge following.
“I’m just tired, exhausted and it’s having a knock on effect on my personal life. I just want to move forward in life as the person I am and not the person I am becoming.”