Monsterfest rock festival returns to Inverness still expanding with a hand-picked line-up of exciting acts plus education day and whisky tasting!

The third year of Monsterfest opens a four nights and a Sunday afternoon event to Inverness tonight (Wednesday) – a year later than planned due to the pandemic.

Year by year the event has grown from the original idea for a two-night festival and is now a collection of events through the city.

With part funding from Highland Council Common Good Fund, and working with many local businesses – Cairngorm Brewery, Tomatin Distillery, Penta Hotel and Rose Street Foundry, Monsterfest is working in partnership with the community and involving local music talent.

Shows feature well-known rock acts The Wildhearts, FM, Those Damn Crows and Bad Touch, plus events like a whisky tasting session and an education day where industry speakers will share their knowledge and experiences. Guest speaker will be rock DJ Tom Russell, nicknamed ‘The Godfather of Rock’.

Marco Mendoza – who currently plays with one of the world’s biggest rock bands, Journey – plays the main festival, but also has a Sunday afternoon session. This will include the launch of his new book with festival founder Mark Allison.

Mark said: “I’ve known Marco since 2013 and over time have become good friends, both working with The Dead Daisies and going on solo tours with him. I compiled and wrote a book on The Dead Daisies in 2015 which Marco loved and he asked me if I’d look at something for him.

“With everybody busy touring, it kind of stretched into a three to four-year project. But during lockdown, I made a conscious effort to finish pulling it together.

“It’s a timeline of Marco’s life, from childhood through the major life and musical milestones he has achieved.

“I have created all the art through the book, as well as doing the writing and research, giving it a bit of a Mexican/Aztec feel which reflects Marco’s heritage.

“The book will be available to order from Marco’s website marcomendoza.com soon.”

Other events over this week include a whisky tasting session and an education day with local students where industry speakers will share their knowledge and experiences.

The guest speaker will be well-known Rock DJ Tom Russell, nicknamed in the UK as ‘The Godfather of Rock’.

Highly-charged and tipped as a huge name for the future, Welsh rock band Those Damn Crows kick off the week tonight (Wednesday, Nov 10) at the Ironworks, Inverness, with local support Spoke Too Soon and Lucille.

Tickets and further info on all events here: https://monsterfest.rocks/