Marc West goes out & about around Oxford...  this week: the lovely Irregular Folk all-dayer at The Perch

Th-th-th-that’s all folks! Over the past four months they’ve popped-up overground and delivered some of the most wonderful music on the banks of the Thames.

However, as the sun set across the river last Saturday eve, quirky local promoters Irregular Folk wrapped-up their Summer Sessions at The Perch with a veritable smorgasbord of hand-picked awe-inspiring talent across a day-long extravaganza.

As I walked under the weeping willows and passed through the gate of the white picket fence into a beautiful lamp-lit Bedouin tent, I was immediately transported into another world… or had I stumbled down the rabbit hole into Wonderland itself?

“Musicians work hard to create music so we work hard to create a beautiful place for them to perform it in”, said promoter Vez Hoper. “What a summer it’s been – with such a stunning venue, incredible musicians and a fantastic crowd.”

It’s clear to all that Vez and her merry troupe simply love music and take pride in introducing us Oxfordians to artists we may not have ever heard of before – as well as the ones we know and cherish already. My particular favourite was Bright Works, who play catchy pop-riffs in odd time signatures and have a poet for a lead singer – why not, I suppose?

All this was washed down with a healthy dose of chat from some new found friends and more than a few pints of my favorite ale, The Vicar’s Daughter from local micro-brewery Fisher & Co. All in all, well worth the pilgrimage to Binsey.

Back at The Cellar...

Following the post-Binsey blues, Irregular Folk will be returning to it’s regular home in the subterranean surroundings of The Cellar off Cornmarket Street in the city centre.

However, the popular night will be far from hibernating underground, oh no! Having already hosted the likes of Gravenhurst and Oxford’s own Ralfe Band since opening in the intimate venue last October, you can be sure they’ll have another pack of alt-folk aces up their sleeves to fill the semi-regular Sunday night slot.

Be sure to look out for their quirky Sarah Hoyle-designed posters around town or visit irregularfolk.co.uk for more details.

Next week...

I’m going for a weekend of wild abandon and Bacchanalian delights in the countryside near the beautiful Cotswold town of Charlbury.

Set among the lakes, forests and parkland of Lord and Lady Rotherwick’s exquisite Cornbury estate, Wilderness has quickly established itself as one of the highlights of the festival season…and it’s right here on our doorstep.

The award-winning annual event has delivered only the very best music, food, learning, literature and rejuvenation for the past three years, so I’m expecting something quite special this time around.

Weather you want to boogie to the sounds of The Bees, pig-out on some world-class street food or get dressed up and delve into a theatrical wonderland, this really is an inspirational weekend for all ages. Let the wild rumpus start!