* Excitement this week as two of the county’s biggest festivals revealed their big name acts. And, to quote the organisers, there really is something for everyone, with Sir Tom Jones for Cornbury (July 10-12) and Groove Armada and Paloma Faith for The Big Feastival (August 28-30).

But it was the names further down the bill which really got us excited namely Motown legend Martha Reeves, who brings her Vandellas to Great Tew alongside other so-called ‘heritage’ acts Hank Wangford and our very own Chas & Dave.

Cornbury also offers The Fratellis for the dads, Blue and Billy Ocean for the mums, Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson for the grandparents, and Razorlight for anyone who can be bothered anymore.

‘Poshstock’ continues to fly the flag for country too, with the aforementioned Hank, as well as new acts The Shires and Ward Thomas. There are more rising stars in the shape of Jack Savoretti, Chastity Brown and blues artist Joanne Shaw-Taylor, and the kids can sing themselves silly to X Factor stars Only The Young.

Alex James, meanwhile, has the superb Ella Eyre coming along to his Kingham Farm as well as dance legends Grandmaster Flash and Norman Jay and favourites The Cuban Brothers.

We’ll be talking to as many of the artists as possible over the coming months. Don’t miss out on what we predict will be a mighty rush for tickets.

See cornburymusicfestival.com and thebigfeastival.com

* Lush folk-pop band Stornoway have had a busy time lately. When not packing out The Sheldonian, or recording albums (their latest effort Bonxie is out next month), individual members are busying themselves with some fascinating side projects, such as drummer Jon Ouin’s dabbling in Tudor music, see above.

This summer they also top the bill at the country’s longest-running independ-ent music festival, Towersey.

The Cowley band will be joined on the bill by singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading, who plays the date as part of her “last major world tour”.

They join previously announced acts Bellowhead and Show Of Hands for the 51st instalment of the event, which this year moves to a new home away from Towersey village, to Thame Showground.

Other additions to the line-up include Chris While and Julie Matthews, Kizzy Crawford, Lisbee Stainton and Luke Daniels. It runs from August 28-31.

Go to towerseyfestival.com