Forres Brothers from Bad Actress to Deliver Spectacular MacMoray Performance
Bad Actress are preparing what they describe as their most spectacular show yet at the MacMoray festival. The four-piece hopes to turn heads when they take the MacMoray stage at the start of next month.
Forres brothers and band formation
Brothers Struan ‘Chick’ McFarlane and Lewis ‘Lui’ McFarlane lead the group. Chick plays lead guitar and is 24, while Lui handles lead vocals and is 22.
The siblings formed their first band, Civil Punk, more than 13 years ago. Their musical roots trace back to early lessons and childhood practice sessions at the family home in Forres.
Early musical paths
Chick began drum lessons at seven before switching to guitar at 12. Lui initially trained on drums and was identified early for his natural feel behind the kit.
Chick later adopted right-handed guitar playing despite being left-handed. The brothers developed their stage skills across local venues over many years.
Band line-up and live experience
Bad Actress also features bassist Shaun Middleton and drummer Ewan Campbell, both from Inverness. The four-piece have become regulars on the regional live circuit.
In the last year they supported Sweet and Geoff Tate, formerly of Queensrÿche. They played packed rooms of around 600 people at Edinburgh’s La Belle Angele and Glasgow’s Classic Grand.
MacMoray and the turning point
MacMoray holds special meaning for the band. It was at the 2025 festival when Lewis stepped forward from the drum stool to become lead singer.
That shift happened early in his singing career and took place before an audience of about 11,500. The festival’s side-by-side stage setup, organised by Andy Macdonald, gives local acts that big-stage exposure.
Touring logistics and life on the road
Being based in the far north makes UK touring complicated. To cut costs and improve comfort, Lui converted a transit van into mobile living space.
The van includes bunk beds and a heater, and replaced multiple support cars. The change followed cramped and unreliable early accommodations, including a problematic basement flat near Sheffield.
New live album and material
Bad Actress plan to release a live album on the eve of their MacMoray appearance. Live & Alive was captured at an intimate show at The Bandstand in Nairn last October.
The set includes recent singles “Don’t Look Down” and “Good Times”, plus older material such as “Low Down and Dirty”. The band say live recording preserves the crowd interaction they value most.
Ambitions
The group aim to expand beyond regional stages and pursue larger tours. Their long-term goal is to play international venues and stadiums.
Filmogaz.com
