Hedge Fest

14/09/2024

If anyone needs a rock music fix tonight… You can go and Rock in the Foch!

14/09/2024

Where has the week gone eh!
Big shout out and thanks to Be Like Pablo who donated their profit from their merch to us.
I’ve not had a day to myself yet due to one thing or another !
However the full amount raised coming soon. Keep your eyes peeled!
Photo courtesy of Heather Durkin

13/09/2024

Also left behind at Hedge Fest Elgin. Give us a shout if this belongs to you...

13/09/2024

Lost property Hedge Fest Elgin Boss PSA Adaptor. Get in touch if your missing one

12/09/2024

12/09/2024

.idiotix

12/09/2024

11/09/2024

Thanks so much GMC Photography

11/09/2024

Thanks so much L.A Photography

11/09/2024

So I haven’t been quick to post anything about Hedge Fest Elgin For a few days (aside from not having a working phone and losing my first draft ) I needed some time to let out pent up emotions, to chill and reflect after weeks of sleepless nights. It’s a very heartfelt post and Im not ashamed to post it.

Did it go the way I envisioned in my head and heart not quite.
Did I get to give Gary my tribute - sadly no.
Did I or Gary’s sister Morag get to see or even hear Marshall’s speech for Gary – during the Be Like Pablo set- no sadly not.

Thank you though bro for popping on the jacket he gave you especially in the heat - you must of been roasting and thank you for saying what you did. Such a nice thing to do. - The jacket had a little emblem of the punk baby logo Gary had designed and given this jacket to him when he had asked him to join his punk band Final Insult. I did get to see a photo of Marshall wearing this and am hoping there might be a video floating around?

Did I get to see the bands perform – not much but I expected that when we were essentially only a two person team. Did I get much info out there about lymphoma cancer – sort of but again not quite as much as I had hoped too.

This is completely from a personal perspective from the event planning side where I dropped the reigns due to ill health and timing logistics with running my own busy business. I retreated through sadness, tiredness and other issues.

The raffle didn’t go quite as planned. On reflection I should have done a silent one/ more time was required. The speech-at the beginning I’m no public speaker and that was cringey. I hadn’t prepared. I should have done a speech at the end and thanked everyone.

This negativity is personal to me and planning and had nothing to with the bands, the sound engineers and all the people who came and supported it and all who helped me. They were all brilliant. Now that’s out the way here’s all the fabulous positives.

Special thanks goes to Anndra in his contribution in helping make my festival to memorialise Gary become a reality.

Gigs in Elgin is something I have wanted to do for years pre to Gary’s passing but particularly was most prevalent after his passing to commemorate his life and make others aware of the sad situation it was. It could have been a whole different story had he or I or his family known the symptoms of Lymphoma Cancer.

I feel there was aspects of both the planning and the day that could have been much better organised. However as above the emotions, ill heath and other stuff tied to this situation meant my mind wasn’t quite where it should have been.

Thank you to Morag and then Craig coming to help earlier in the day before doors opened, that was so appreciated and then continuing to help throughout the day as mentioned later below.

Eat Audio Sound & Lighting Hire, Aberdeenshire were brilliant- visiting the hall before hand and designing and building the stage that would fit the hall. They provided everything basically aside from the drums and amps. I’ve known Daniel Edwards for many years and was nice to meet his lovely partner Georgia. What a team you guys are! ❤️

There were some feedback issues and apologies to anyone who was affected by this but this was in no way a reflection of them. No one knew how to turn off the hearing aid induction loop system that was interfering with the high gain guitar pick-ups.

To say I was running around like a headless chicken in those moments when I was made aware, googling/looking at the folder of the venue all whilst juggling people coming in at the door – was really quite comical and I think Gary would have loved that – punk as f**k! We did think we had found them and managed to switch two off- thank you Craig! however it was clear there was still more around the building no one could locate.

In Daniel‘s words “It affected almost every guitar proving to be a nightmare for all the musicians, particularly on their clean channels-thank goodness some of you had mute switches on the pedal boards between songs. If I could have reached it I would have cut the mic mounted above the stage with a pair of scissors’

Well Daniel it didn’t matter to me the vocals and instruments came through clear and that’s what I wanted and was delivered as I see so little of it at other gigs. So thank you for your hard work guys ! A 16 hour odd day plus travelling and I’m sorry I think I only got round to offering you guys drinks twice as it was so full on.

On to the bands – T x D x B x The Endless North The Idiotix Cow Catcher Be Like Pablo UNF Electric Redemption Volupta and The Fragz! All brilliant and I’m so grateful you gave up your free time to help support this. Lovely people and performances were great from what I heard and I’m just sorry I didn’t get to see much of it or speak to or meet all members. There was a rider I provided but I’m not sure every band/member were aware. - As there was quite a bit left over. Apologies if it wasn’t clear.
Gary would have loved you all I’m sure!

The day was always meant to be about our love of the alternative music we shared and a showcasing of local(ish bands) and doing something for the lack of scene for the alternatives- something Elgin has always have struggled with since way back.
The genres all kinda different but still under what I wanted and was lovely that 3 bands had members that knew Gary.

So thank you all so much for travelling and turning up each and every single one of you. ❤️

On to the photographers - thank you so much for getting in contact to offer your services Lisa Henderson from L.A Photography and Graeme Mclennan GMC Photography there has been some brilliant shots! So pleased at these. ❤️

Lymphoma Action Action have been in contact today and are amazed at all the social media pictures on the socials !

Thank you also to Little Kitchen outside catering for coming and setting up, apologies that sales were much lower than expected for you.

On to my team of helpers Morag , Craig , Mac and Heather who had paid tickets! So grateful to you all - the tidy up at the end with Marshall and helping too was manic work ! but due to you guys we did still make it to the after party for a few! Give yourself a big pat on the back guys !

Finally onto all of you who came. I can not express to you my gratitude to you all for supporting it – and your generous donations. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it. The money taken in from the door sales, ticket sales, raffle and the full amount raised along side the just giving page donations will be announced in due course.

It was lovely for people to tell me it was a success and was humbling to be praised as I certainly wasn’t in it for some sort of glory. People asking for T-shirts surprised me!
To hear that people were enjoying themselves in the hall (much of which I didn’t see) and some have asked for a Hedge Fest Elgin 2025 was mind blowing!!

It was meant to be a one off event and if it went well I would only possibly consider putting on more gigs. That said, Gary would have been elated to know there was requests for it to be an annual festival in his name. As a well known character in the alternative scene back in the day (some calling us the Sid and Nancy of the town 🤣) this seems to be a fitting and awesome idea and is food for thought.

If I was to consider it however then there would defo be changes and I would need a full team on board as I was wrecked on Saturday and in the planning stages and I couldn't go through all that again!
I would also change and try to be more assertive – something I will admit is not my strongest point. It needs some serious thought and logistics but who knows -I do have people now I think are willing to help more than I originally realised - you all know who you are. ❤️

Thank you all once again and gratitude to all involved and sorry if I have missed anyone.

Sharing posts and liking and loving posts will commence from my side now!

Last thing I’d like to say please tell your loved ones you love them check on them if you haven’t heard on them in a while and do not let silly fights stop communication.

If you have any of the following symptoms even if these symptoms are regular for you in other health conditions please get them checked out.
Fever.
Night sweats.
Fatigue.
Itchy skin.
Painless swelling of lymph nodes in the belly, neck, armpits or groin.
Pain in chest, abdomen or bones.
Losing weight

Gary Stewart MacDonald “Hedge” 02/08/1974 - 09/02/2018

09/09/2024

Hi all Im struggling to post my thank yous as my phone gave up the ghost Saturday night. Don’t want anyone thinking I’m being rude. I have a heartfelt thank you speech for all involved and I lost the draft and it took me ages! For now a huge thank you to everyone who played their part and the proper thanks is coming as soon as possible please bear with me !! Fiona xx

06/09/2024

Remember Hedge Festers. You are very welcome (and it would be nice if as many of you are there as possible )to come to the official after party at Downtown USA. A haunt that used to be full to the brim with customers and all the alternatives used to congregate at the lower bar back in the day. Hedge was a regular in the 90s as was I. They have stated that they will mainly cater for the hedge festers meaning a music playlist consisting of rawkkk. 🎸🤘🎸This rarely happens so don’t miss out on a night to remember! Let’s fill it like it was back in the day!

06/09/2024

Shout outs to Asda and Studio55 for their kind donations. Very much appreciated.

06/09/2024

Oh metal heads, do we have a treat for you! Volupta will land at Hedge Fest Elgin tomorrow!!! 🖤💜❤️

06/09/2024

Remember to bring cash/coins folks for raffle. No card machines. Remember there is no bar- its bring your own bottle/refreshments, but there is a food van on site. Thanks

05/09/2024

If you're a fan of grunge music, you won't wanna miss The Endless North play Hedge Fest Elgin this Saturday!!! 🤘😎🤘

05/09/2024

Appreciation and thanks goes to Mike Brands from punk band Arch Rivals for his kind donation . I knew Mike from primary school days and he became a very good friend of Gary’s. Both of them sharing their love of punk. Sadly Mike couldn't make the long journey up for the event as he hoped. Wishing you a speedy recovery mate.

05/09/2024

Big shout outs and thank yous to Stonedead Festival for giving the raffle 2 x tickets inc camping for their 2025 event. It’s a monster of a rock show! 🤘🤘❤️

04/09/2024

Are ye ready to get fragged oot yer heid yet? Come doon an see The Fragz headline Hedge Fest Elgin!!! 🤘😜🤘

04/09/2024

More thank yous and appreciation goes to The Laichmoray Hotel Elgin and Caroline Coomber dance teacher for their kind raffle prizes.

04/09/2024

Thank you to the latest generous donations from non attendees. Can’t reply individually but to the last person who donated and commented they were in remission. I’m glad you are doing well. ❤️🙏https://www.justgiving.com/page/hedgefestnonattendees?

Help Fi Marshall raise money to support Lymphoma Action

04/09/2024

What a crackin song! See The Idiotix at Hedge Fest Elgin this Saturday!

03/09/2024

Quick reminder of our Web page, with ticket links, band links, our donors and sponsors...

Charity music event raising awareness of Lymphoma Cancer and funds for Lymphoma Action UK

03/09/2024

Dropping beats at Hedge Fest Elgin this Saturday! It's Be Like Pablo !

03/09/2024

03/09/2024

Droogies, Boozers, Strumpets and Losers.
Huge thank you goes to Krusher Joule who kindly sent me something for Hedge Fest Elgin and wishes us well for the event. Im sure a lot of you know who he is , especially if you have been into the heavy metal culture as long as I have. But for those who don’t Krusher has worked with Kerrang, tv shows Power Hour, Raw Power and Noisy Mothers. Hosted radio shows and MC’d at large rock/metal events. Not to mention designing artwork for some of the greatest rock albums ! He has some cool artwork on his website- check it out.
I think Gary would have been delighted !
Thanks again Krusher- F**k cancer!
Rock Hard, Rock Heavy, Rock Animaaaaaaaaaaaal !

02/09/2024

Landing in Elgin this Saturday!!! UNF at Hedge Fest Elgin 🤘😎🤘

02/09/2024

More thank you,s and appreciation shout outs. This time to Walkers Shortbread and Gordon&Mcphails for their kind raffle donations. 👏❤

02/09/2024

Thank you to our newest followers - though fb has a wee glitch atm and isnt telling names this time. We know there are more of you. 🤣

01/09/2024

Wishing him all the best.

THE Cure’s Roger O’Donnell has revealed he has been fighting ‘aggressive’ blood cancer. The keyboardist, 68, told how he was diagnosed with a “very rare and aggressive form” of lymphoma…

01/09/2024

Electric Redemption last night at The Highlanders MCC Rally

01/09/2024

September is blood cancer awareness month.

01/09/2024

In all the fun that rock gigs are its important not to forget the core reason I chose to put this event on. To raise awareness and hopefully save someone elses life.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body's germ-fighting and disease-fighting immune system. Lymphoma begins when healthy cells in the lymphatic system change and grow out of control.
The lymphatic system includes lymph nodes. They are found throughout the body. Most lymph nodes are in the abdomen, groin, pelvis, chest, underarms and neck.

The lymphatic system also includes the spleen, thymus, tonsils and bone marrow. Lymphoma can affect all these areas and other organs in the body.

There are many types of lymphoma. The main subtypes are:

Hodgkin lymphoma (formerly called Hodgkin disease).
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Many treatments for lymphoma exist. The treatment that's best for you will depend on the type of lymphoma you have. Treatments can control the disease and give many people with lymphoma the chance of a full recovery.

Someone might not even have all of the below symptoms and so could easily be missed or passed off as something else causing them.

01/09/2024

Hedge Festers, are you ready? 🤘😎🤘

31/08/2024

Coming to Elgin next Saturday!!! 🤘😜🤘

Official music video for “Immaculate Sinner” by Volupta.A track about the rejection of all the filth and vices of our material dimension and the desperate ne...

30/08/2024

Thanks and appreciation goes to Nichola Maasdorp No4 Clinic and R.G MacDonald Butcher for their kind raffle donations. ❤️