Summer’s End and Bonfest Shortlisted for Festival Awards
Kirriemuir’s Bonfest and Summer’s End Angus have been shortlisted for major recognition among the UK’s most successful music festivals.
The Kirriemuir and Brechin events are two of only three Scottish finalists in this year’s UK Festival Awards.
Bonfest is a finalist for the Sarh Nulty Impact Community Award. The nomination recognises its contribution far beyond its stages, celebrating the lasting social, cultural and economic benefits the AC/DC tribute weekend brings to Kirriemuir and the wider Angus community.
Meanwhile, August’s inaugural Summer’s End has been shortlisted for Festival Performance of the Year. It follows Scottish singing star Susan Boyle’s memorable appearance alongside The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Organisers of both events say the award nominations are a huge boost as the two festivals strengthen their bonds to put Angus firmly on the Scottish festival map.
Over 20 years, Bonfest has grown into an internationally recognised event and attracts thousands of visitors from more than 20 countries. It generates an estimated £1million for the local economy every year.
Unlike many major music festivals, Bonfest is organised by a community charity, raising funds to support the work of DD8 Music.
Over the past year, DD8 Music has supported more than 300 people through more than 500 sessions.
DD8 Music CEO Scott Ferguson said:
“Bonfest might be known around the world as a celebration of Bon Scott and AC/DC, but for us it’s always been about much more than the music.
“What makes Bonfest particularly special is what happens after everyone goes home.
“The festival plays a huge part in allowing DD8 Music to provide opportunities for people in our community throughout the year.
“We’re able to give young people access to music, develop their skills, build confidence and create experiences they might otherwise never have had.”
Summer’s End made a successful debut at Brechin Castle showground in August.
Susan Boyle’s performance places the Scottish singer in contention alongside major international acts including Calvin Harris, The Cure and Bring Me The Horizon.
The two Angus festivals have also developed a close working relationship, with Bonfest’s team helping deliver the Sea Wave Big Top Stage at Summer’s End and the Summer’s End team supporting Bonfest’s 2026 event.
Scott added:
“It’s brilliant to see two festivals from Angus receiving national recognition, particularly when you consider the scale of some of the events we’re up against.
There’s a real sense that by supporting one another we can achieve things that benefit the whole area.
“We’d love to see people in Scotland get behind both nominations. It would be fantastic to bring these awards back to Angus.”
The public can now help Bonfest and Summer’s End Angus in their respective categories at the UK Festival Awards.
Public voting is open until Tuesday November 3.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in Manchester on December 1.
You can vote for the Angus festivals at tickets.festivalawards.com/ukfestivalawards2026/en/page/voting.
Both events are already well advanced with plans for 2027.
Summer’s End recently announced the Kaiser Chiefs will headline next year. And Bonfest’s packed line-up will see Australian rockers The Screaming Jets top a list of 30 acts from 12 countries.
This article appeared in the Courier on Tuesday 27 October 2026