Now in its 20th year, Tim Hughes finds out what makes the two-day Riverside so special
In a world where even the hippest festivals are becoming huge corporate events, with commercial backing and eye-watering ticket prices, Riverside Festival comes as a breath of fresh Cotswold air.
This two-day gathering on an idyllic site on an island in the River Evenlode at Charlbury, is relaxed, resolutely independent, run by and for local people – and features a diverse line-up showcasing some of the area’s best musicians playing top-quality rock, indie, jazz, and folk. It’s also free.
This year Riverside celebrates its 20th anniversary – and the event, on Saturday and Sunday, is set to be a vintage year, with an extra-strong bill of more than 40 acts over three stages, featuring established names and up-and-coming talent, playing everything from folk music to blues, rock, ska and hip hop, attracting thousands of music lovers of all ages.”
“Riverside is one of the most popular events in the Oxfordshire music calendar,” says Andy Pickard, who helps run the event.
“It’s the nicest, most relaxed and family-friendly festival, all taking place on an island in the middle of the Cotswolds.”
The festival began life as a jazz picnic for local families, but received its rock credentials when Andy introduced local young bands, who had previously played his Locked-out sessions.
“It started with 300 people – most of whom were in the bands – one barrel of beer, one toilet and a barbecue that ran out of food straight away. Now we have 5,000 people a day, a bar run by the Wychwood Brewery, gin and tonic and Pimm’s bars and all sorts of food. Oh, and about 40 toilets!”
The festival is the biggest free event in Oxfordshire, after Cowley Road Carnival.
Saturday’s line-up is headlined by Oxford country-rock darlings The Dreaming Spires, who top off triumphant sets at Truck and Cornbury festivals with more melodic West Coast soul-pop and rousing Americana. They are joined by fresh pop act Alphabet Backwards, reggae favourites Dubwiser and 2Tone All Ska’s (featuring half of Hope & Glory), and Banbury’s hotly-tipped Zurich.
Talent on the second stage, supported by Oxford independent record shop Truck Store and Witney’s Rapture, includes electro-folk geniuses Flights of Helios, Loud Mountains and Peerless Pirates.
Sunday’s programme is equally strong, with indie-rockers Leader, rising stars Balloon Ascents, Saedly Dorus & The Hoolie Band, Les Clochards, Mighty Redox, and Larry Reddington among those holding forth on the main stage, while bluegrass and country-party band The Knights of Mentis, Xander & The Keys, The August List, and, Great Western Tears (featuring members of Swindlestock) head up the action on the second stage.
“It’s good to get The Dreaming Spires back,” says Andy.
“Members Robin and Joe Bennett played the first Riverside 20 years ago, in their earlier incarnation, so there’s a nice symmetry. There will be more great Americana from the Knights of Mentis and Great Western Tears. Zurich and Leader are excellent, we’ve also got great ska and dub from 2Tone All Ska’s and Dubwiser.
“A lot of thought goes into it all.”
- Holy Grail: The Knights of Mentis
Charlbury man Andy and his team of volunteers also run the popular Riverside stage at Cornbury Festival, providing some of the coolest acts of the event. So, having supplied Cornbury with so many artists, would he like to see the bigger event return the favour to its smaller cousin? Perhaps inviting along this year’s headliner Tom Jones?
“No thanks,” laughs Andy.
“I don’t think we need Tom. There are only so many pairs of pants and knickers you can have thrown at you.”
Despite being free, Riverside raises thousands of pounds for good causes through donations and through fees for stalls and concessions. This year’s beneficiary will be Charlbury Pre-School.
Andy insisted the festival was about much more than music.
“It’s a great family event,” he said.
“But we have story-telling and arts and crafts, as we don’t go in for fun fairs. This year’s theme is mystical woodland creatures.
“So get your pixie ears and fairy wings on and enjoy the fun – or come along and make your own.”
GO ALONG
Riverside Festival takes place on Saturday (noon to 10pm) and Sunday (11am to 8pm) in Charlbury.
Entry is free.
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