It's time for the Irregular Folks Summer Session. The brains behind it all, Vez Hoper tells Tim Hughes what she has in store from this year's new-look mini-festival

Psychedelic, electronic, indie and alternative, Irregular Folk is a celebration of everything interesting and creative.

Since being set up by Vez Hoper four years ago, the quirky sessions have played host to a bewilderingly diverse range of acts. But it is the annual Summer Session where it really comes into its own.

And with a clutch of new names and a fresh venue, this year's extravaganza, which takes place on Saturday, looks set to be a vintage event.

"We are very excited about this year's all-dayer!" says Vez. "It's going to be a real musical adventure.

"It's more international than ever, with artists flying in from the US, Canada, Norway, India, and, err... the Cowley Road – mixing electronica, acoustic, twisted-out eccentricity, and bold new moves."

Having moved from its traditional home beside the Thames at The Perch in Binsey, the festival this year drapes itself over the secluded Hogacre Common, in the Grandpont area of south Oxford. And Vez has added an 's', renaming it Irregular Folks. She explains. "We are making it all about people – albeit 'irregular' people – rather than just music.

"It's for people that don't follow the normal path, but do something a bit different. In terms of music, it is experimental pop, alternative-indie, alt-folk and Indian classical music. It's certainly not all about folk music."

And she said she was particularly pleased with the line-up. "These are the awesome bands and artists we've handpicked from a year of gig and festival going," she says.

"We like to think of it as our prized summer mix tape – only it's live and played by the creators.

"We also feel it's important to mix our local talent in with talent from far and wide not just for our audience interest but for the musicians playing too. Exciting creative links can be made this way."

In keeping with the liberal, egalitarian and laid-back vibe, there are no headliners as such, with all bands getting equal billing.

They include, in no particular order, Liverpool psychedelic pop three-piece Stealing Sheep; and Norwegian electro-acoustic artist Jessica Sligter; eccentric viola and electronica master Emma Hooper – aka Waitress for the Bees.

More unusual still is exhilarating and moving thumpb piano and electronica playing singer Bastardgeist, who flies in from Chicago; mesmerising Indian classical music from The Hauz Khas Connection, featuring Indian sarangi player Suhail Yusuf Kahn – based in New Delhi and San Francisco; and alt-gypsy folk act Whiskey Moonface.

Representing homegrown talent are Oxford's Water Pageant, who play a curious mix of melodic spooky alt-indie-alt-folk late night tales, brought to life by singer Nick Tingay; and alt-folk singer-songwriter Jess Hall who will be accompanied by cellist Barney Morse-Brown – aka Duotone.

As well as the usual beautifully-adorned stage, this summer's features a second stage this year, quite reasonably christened The Odditorium.

"It will be the talk-tent version of our musical offering," she says, promising thought-provoking and fun food for the mind.

The stage is hosted by Dr David Bramwell – one of the creative souls behind the quirky Sing-A-Long-A-Wickerman – and by the team behind the magazine Ernest Journal. Guest speakers include cartoonist and scriptwriter Andy Riley (who speaks about Sequoyah, the Cherokee wordsmith); writer John Higgs (Ziggy Blackstar and the Art of Becoming – or why David Bowie’s death affected us all so badly); Rosy Carrick (Bodybuilders in Bondage); Charlotte Ellis (The terrible knitters of Dent – a story of discovery on the trail of the Hand Knitters of the Yorkshire Dales); Dr Alastair Goode (Big Willies – a provocative examination of the psychology of male appendages from the stone age to the current day); and Dr Bramwell (The Haunted Moustache – magic, occultism and facial hair – an occult memoir based around a unique inheritance: a 100-year-old moustache in a box).

But although interesting, Vez is at pains to stress that it is not too bonkers.

"It is not too experimental to alienate people," she says. "It's really accessible. The best thing is not to look the artists up in advance. Just come and enjoy it."

The move to Hogacre Common has had some broader benefits too, says Vez.

"It's a beautiful place, and it means our festival will be wind powered thanks to the brilliant people at the EcoPark," she says.

"It's all undercover, which is handy if the weather isn't brilliant, but we have the lovely meadow outside to sit in if it's sunny.

"And Being supported by the Arts Council has also meant we are also able to bring back the stunner of a tent we had a few years ago and means we have the space entirely to ourselves for the day.

"It also means we can make it even more affordable with picnics encouraged. And that's not to mention the wider breadth of programming we've been so excited to be able to to do."

The festival, which has a 16-plus age limit, will also have a bar, food and fresh coffee.

"It's peaceful, relaxed and chilled-out," says Vez. "I am very happy with what we have.

"A lot of people come to our sessions not knowing what to expect, but come away completely inspired.

"This will be a lovely tiny intimate mini-fest, and all the richer for it!"

  • Irregular Folks Summer Sessions.
  • Saturday, 1-11.30pm, Hogacre Eco Park, Hinksey, Oxford
  • Tickets are £15 from wegottickets