THE county’s largest free music festival returns this weekend, giving a host of local bands a chance to play on a big stage on front of hundreds of fans.
Riverside Festival, in Charlbury, is a key date in Oxfordshire’s musical calendar, and features two days of music with more than 30 acts across three stages, covering rock, pop, acoustic, folk, blues and dance.
The last live festival was held in 2019 – nearly 25 years after the two-day music bonanza in Mill Field first showcased some of Oxfordshire’s finest musical talent.
Organisers have promised live music, a beer or two, great tasting festival food, and the brilliant Riverside Festival crowds.
There will also be an amazing variety of food, craft and children’s entertainment stalls.
Award-winning ales will be provided by Hook Norton Brewery to accompany the music.
Headlining the main stage today will be four-piece Oxford band Kanadia, followed by soul-blues-rockers Deadbeat Apostles and upbeat garage punk band Self Help.
A highpoint is expected to be a second stage headline slot by dance music artist Adamski.
The DJ, musician, singer and record producer, is best known for his tracks N-R-G and Killer – a collaboration with Seal which went to number one in 1990.
Sunday kicks off with The Standard – a 10-piece pop covers band – then Barricane, Darkgnoss, Dolly Mavis, Mighty Redox, bedd and European-Middle Eastern fusion band The Brickwork Lizards.
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Other local bands include The Shapes, Tiger Mendoza and experimental electronic act Means of Production on Saturday, and Underbelly and The Exact Opposite on Sunday.
The festival is entirely free to enter thanks to the astonishing community effort that goes into staging it.
It is organised by a small team of enthusiastic volunteers and funded entirely by sponsorship, donation and pitch fees.
For years, music fans have enjoyed spending a summer weekend at the event which has grown into the largest free music festival in Oxfordshire and beyond.
Part of the attraction is the beautiful site on Mill Field, which is a lush green ‘island’ on the River Evenlode.
In 2019 - the last time it took place - around 9,000 visitors attend across Saturday and Sunday.
- Charlbury Riverside Festival takes this weekend Saturday July 30 and Sunday July 31.
- Entrance is at the end of Mill Lane opposite the railway station, off Dyers Hill, the B4437, in Charlbury, Oxfordshire OX7 3QG.
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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers celebrity and showbiz news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk
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