Highlights: Eric Clapton, WOMAD and more

Hard to believe, but true! Clapton – regularly cited as the world’s greatest rock guitarist – plays a gig in tiny Wormsley, for Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham’s birthday bash.

Festival
Riverside Festival
Charlbury
Saturday and Sunday
Free

Another cracking line-up of largely local bands play at this lovely free festival. Highlights will include sets by The Dreaming Spires, Alphabet Backwards and Balloon Ascents, The Knights of Mentis and Flights of Helios.
And did we say, it’s free? What is there not to like?

Festival
Swanfest
The Swan, Shipton Road, Ascott-under-Wychwood
Saturday
Tickets are £22.50 from swanatascott.com or 01993 832332

West End singing legend Barbara Dickson is the surprise big name at the second instalment of this this intimate pub gathering. She is joined by pianist Nick Holland, and supported by The Skeptics, Pete Joshua, Blondes with Beards, Linda Watkins Band, Mad Larry Band and Chalice.

Festival
WOMAD
Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Tomorrow-Sunday
Tickets from Womad.co.uk

A little out of the county, but certainly the biggest regional music event this weekend – and one of the nicest of the whole year. 

Music comes from practically every continent – with acts including Ghostpoet, Laura Mvula, Mbongwana Star, Molotov Jukebox, Nightmares on Wax, Shy FX,  Souad Massi. The Staves, The Cat Empire, Tigran and the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble. The action takes place on a beautiful country estate.

Festival
Half Way to 75
The Isis Farmhouse, Iffley Lock, Oxford
Saturday
Tickets from wegottickets.com 

This lovely all-dayer has established itself as a respected feast of country, Americana and what organiser Will Banks, of BBC Oxford, calls “good honest music”. 

This year’s offerings come from Blair Dunlop, Luna Geckos, the August List, the Long Insiders, Great Western Tears, Ags Connolly, Francis Pugh & the Whisky Singers, My Crooked Teeth, the Oxford Gospel Choir.