TIM HUGHES dons his Union Jack waistcoat in readiness for the musical answer to the weekend’s celebrations – a two-day festival of music, dancing and cake, called the Jubilee Jam.

BREAK out the bunting, light the beacons and hoist the red, white and blue – because we’re in for a right royal knees up.

But don’t be fooled into thinking that the only way to celebrate Her Majesty’s big weekend is by munching patriotically-iced cup cakes at your local street party.

Stirred by the hedonistic philosophy of ‘any excuse for a bash’ the cream of Oxford’s musical talent will be donning tiaras, crowns and Union Jack posing pouches for a majestic shindig – all in impeccable taste.

Called the Jubilee Jam, this ripe spread will see 18 fruity acts playing sweet sounds over two days, this Saturday and Sunday, at The Jericho Tavern.

The event is billed the Oxfringe Summer Sessions, and is part of a city-wide celebration of music, art, theatre, and comedy. The ‘do’ is being staged by Oxford promoter Autumn Neagle of Coo, in conjunction with mates Pindrop and ‘Back & To the Left’ productions.

And Autumn, for one, can’t wait to get stuck in.

“Oxford has been getting loads of national recognition lately for our exciting music scene, and the Jubilee Jam is a celebration of all that, with some of our best bands,” says the glacially-cool promoter while preparing her red, white and blue dress and matching straw boater.

“We are putting on two solid days of live music in one place, at the venue where Radiohead and Supergrass started out. And because it is taking place over the Jubilee weekend, lots of people have two days off work to recover!”

And while all due respect will be paid to the monarch, the party promises to be refreshingly rebellious.

“Jubilee Jam offers something of an alternative to the rest,” Autumn goes on. “There will be a celebratory vibe and we’ll nod to some great British traditions, with our fair share of cake and bunting, but people can also let their hair down and won’t need to mind their Ps & Qs. It will all be about the music.”

The line-up is suitably eclectic – ranging from the adrenaline-fuelled jazz-swing of the Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, the twisted cabaret of Matt Winkworth & the Winkworthers Originals, the experimental electro-rock of Flights of Helios and the anthemic indie-rock of Black Hats.

There’s also an appearance by Ex-Ute frontman Ollie T’s new outfit The Old Grinding Young, hotly-tipped synth-led indie-pop act Wild Swim, the folky loveliness of Jess and Ness and Co-Pilgrim (boasting former Black Nielson frontman, Mike Gale).

“The line up is pretty eclectic,” says Autumn. “But it is a fabulous bill, with a little something for everyone - from folk to big band jazz and post punk.

“There’s more of an energetic, rock and indie vibe on Saturday, while Sunday will be more of a festive affair, with acoustic acts and folk, country, pop and big band sounds.

The whole festival will be rounded off by party animals The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band – famous for knocking out a rousing version of the National Anthem at the end of their gigs.

Chief Rabbit Foot, Stuart Macbeth said the occasion was tailor-made for the band. He said: “Many of our songs are about English eccentrics, and you don’t get much more eccentric than the Royal Family. As a celebration of eccentricity I think it’s highly exciting – unlike the Olympics. And the more I believe the Queen rules the country, the less I have to think about the Government.”

“We’re a modern band but our hearts are very much in the early 1950s. I believe that heritage and style, and good design and music, are worth standing up for.

“We’ll be celebrating all of those things in the current Elizabethan era, and all the great contributions Britain has made over the past 60 years.”

Autumn invited punters to embrace the pomp and ceremony of the royal weekend by getting dressed-up.

“The British are a very eccentric bunch, so it would be nice to see people making an effort if they want. I’d say the more outlandish the better!

“There will also be tea and home-baked cake in the early part of the afternoons – it wouldn’t be an English summer festival without that. It really will be a weekend fit for a Queen.

“And with first class entertainment likes this, I think Her Majesty would certainly give her ‘stamp’ of approval!”

* THE LINE-UP: Saturday: 4pm-midnight Wild Swim, bottom left Black Hats, centre left The Cellar Family Dance a la Plage Pixel Fix Beta Blocker & The Body Clock The Old Grinding Young Deer Chicago Hot Hooves Sunday: 2-11pm The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, top left Co-Pilgrim Swindlestock Flights of Helios The Yarns Matt Winkworth & The Winkworthers Originals The Cooling Pearls We Aeronauts Jess & Ness * The Jubilee Jam takes place at the Jericho Tavern, Oxford, on Saturday and Sunday. Day Tickets are £8 in advance (£6 NUS).

Early bird weekend tickets are £14 from wegottickets.com