* Festival season hits its stride this weekend, with the first major local event of the summer.
Organised by a team in Witney, Wychwood Festival is among the earliest, but nicest, al fresco gathering in the area. Held on Cheltenham Racecourse – home to the famous Gold Cup – it is a thoroughbred festival with a strong emphasis on families and self-improving workshops. That’s not to say the music isn’t also impressive, though — with a mix of pop legends, world music stars and new talent.
Opening day tomorrow is headlined by ‘70s disco floor-fillers Boney M, who are joined by The Undertones, Dreadzone, Songhoy Blues, Darlia and Grace Palmer.
Saturday’s big event is a set by the reunited UB40 – which will see Ali Cambell, Astro and Mickey Virtue back in action for a run through their more than 50 chart singles hits dating back over 35 years. Also up are The Proclaimers, Electric Swing Circus, Ghostpoet, The Edwin Starr Band and Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba.
The 11th instalment of the festival will be brought to a close on Sunday by South African vocal sensations Ladysmith Black Mambazo, joined, incongruously, by one-hit wonders Dr & The Medics and Black Country indie heroes The Wonder Stuff.
Also appearing on Sunday are retro-novelty act the Barron Knights, Rusty Shackle, The Outcast Band and comic actor turned soul DJ, Craig Charles.
As ever, kids are not left out, with a return by BAFTA winning CBeebies star Justin Fletcher – aka Mr Tumble.
Festival Director Graeme Merifield said: “The10th birthday celebrations last year were an absolute delight and Wychwood 2015 is set for even bigger and better things. We cannot wait to share these three wonderful days."
For tickets, head to wychwoodfestival.com
* Jazz-lovers should make a bee(bop)line for St Giles Church, Oxford, this Saturday for a night of smooth sounds called, reasonably enough, Jazz on a Summer’s Day. Music comes from the David Gordon Trio, and the show is titled Alexander Scriabin's Ragtime Band, in reference to the Russian composer. Tthere won’t be any ragtime, though – just super-cool modern jazz.
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