THE waiting is almost over for almost 138,000 music-lovers with less than a week to go before the start of the world’s biggest, and best, outdoor festival.

Yes, this week, hundreds of Oxfordshire party-people will be heading way out west for the granddaddy of parties – Glastonbury.

There they will dance, chill, drink industrial strength cider and watch more than 350 bands and artists. They will joined by millions more watching on telly.

And what a line-up next weekend’s bash has in store – Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Blur, Crosby Stills & Nash, Jarvis Cocker, Kasabian, The prodigy, Lily Allen, Fleet Foxes, Doves, Ray Davies, and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. This year’s Glasto bill is surely among the best ever.

Trundling down the M5 to the mythical Vale of Avalon – former stomping ground of King Arthur and Merlin – will be a clutch of Oxon artists – including Blur bassist and foppish fromager Alex James, from Kingham; Banburyshire folk-rockers Fairport Convention; and a group of mild mannered, indie-folk-pop-loving lads who go by the name of Stornoway, pictured right.

Describing themselves variously as “a maritime pop band” and “a living, breathing Mark Twain novel”, this Oxford band are set to be the hardest working band on site – playing no fewer than six sets, and practically start the festival on Thursday morning.

Frontman ‘Dr’ Brian Briggs, drummer Rob Steadman, bass player Ollie Steadman, keys and strings man Jonathan Ouin, and trumpeter Adam Briggs, were picked from thousands of bands after getting through to the final 10 in the festival’s Emerging Talent Competition – a route previously trodden by twang-tastic Binsey country-rockers The Epstein.

“We are really excited,” says Brian.

“One thing every band wants to do is play Glastonbury.

“Though we are looking forward to it with some trepidation. None of us has even been to Glastonbury before!”

Brian, who has a doctorate in ducks (yes!), is talking to the Guide after a spot of snake hunting at Farmoor (he’s also a trained ecologist specialising in reptiles).

Glastonbury comes as the band, who formed in an Oxford garage three years ago, finally see their beautifully crafted, close harmony pop getting the attention it deserves.

Their debut Zorbing has caused a quiet storm among scene-watchers and critics, and the band won influential friends after a storming performance at this year’s Radio 1 Big Weekend, in Swindon.

They were also selected by personal fan Tom Robinson to play his stage at last month’s Wychwood Festival.

“It’s been an amazing few weeks,” says Brian. “Suddenly we’ve got lots of exposure and are being talked about more and more.”

But it was their selection as finalists in the Emerging Talent Competition, which has left them stunned.

“We entered after hearing about it from the Epstein, but had no reason to believe anything was going to happen,” he explains.

“I was in Ecuador, far from everywhere, and stepped into an internet café and found out we’d made the finals.”

On his return the band hired a bus, and with a group of mates and high-spirited BBC Oxford music guru Tim Bearder in tow, made their way to Pilton, Somerset for the finals – hosted by Festival organiser – and owner of the gathering’s Worthy Farm home - Michael Eavis.

“There was a real team spirit,” Brian recalls. “We had a walk around the site – and stood under the scaffolding of the famous Pyramid stage, looking out at the green fields and imagining what it would be like when filled with thousands of people.

“When we got to the venue we were first on, which made it easier. We played four songs including one totally acoustic one, which we were happy with.

“Afterwards we met Huw Stephens, from Radio 1, and Michael Eavis came up for a handshake and a chitchat. He was very cheery and fun – although I could also tell he was one of those people who says exactly what he thinks.”

Stornoway’s Glasto appearance will see them playing a range of stages, including the Queen's Head Stage, the Avalon Stage, and the 7,000-capacity Acoustic stage.

“We love festivals, “ adds Brian – who once attempted to sail to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, before being confounded by a ferocious storm – thus inspiring the band’s name.

“Playing outdoors is the best thing about being in a band. Though Glastonbury is far bigger than anything we’ve done before. It hasn’t really sunk in yet!”

And who else are they looking forward to catching next weekend?

“As a band we love Fleet Foxes,” he says, “Though, personally, I’m really excited about seeing Rolf Harris. I think he’ll be brilliant.”

Whatever happens, it is bound to go better than their plans to play the real Stornoway Festival, in Scotland.

“They wouldn’t have us,” he says, sounding puzzled and slightly hurt by the rejection. “Maybe they didn’t like us – or perhaps it would have been too confusing for them!”

FACTFILE

* Glastonbury Festival gets underway next Thursday, near Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

* Tickets have sold out. Catch highlights on BBC radio and TV next weekend.

* For more on the festival go to glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

* Stornoway’s single Zorbing is available at all the usual outlets – including the Videosyncratic store in Cowley Road, Oxford.