IT is one of Oxford’s little gems – a music festival taking place in a day in a beautiful pub garden beside the Thames.

Since being launched four years ago, Halfway to 75 has become one of the city’s loveliest summer events, succeeding in attracting an impressive line-up Oxford and national talent to the Isis Farmhouse, beside the Thames at Iffley Lock, Oxford. And this Saturday’s instalment is no exception.

Billed as a celebration of all things “Americana, roots and good honest music,” it is headlined by Hannah Johnson & The Broken Hearts and The Doel Brothers.

It also features the talents of Speedbuggy USA and The Epstein (both stars of last weekend’s Riverside Festival, in Charlbury), Loud Mountains, Francis Pugh & The Whisky Singers, The August List, below, The Shapes, and the always-impressive Jonny Payne & The Thunder.

For younger music fans there is that purveyor of all things funny, cheeky and engaging Nick Cope.

The event, which takes place from 1-11pm, is run by music fan Will Banks, and takes its eccentric name from its original purpose – to celebrate a milestone for the promoter, whose day job is assistant editor at BBC Oxford.

“I was 37 and a half,” he says. “My birthday is in January, but that’s not a great time to hold a festival – which is something I’d always wanted to try.

“I originally conceived it as a party for friends, but opened it up, sold some tickets and waited to see what happened. It caught everyone’s imagination, and is still going.”

He laughs: “It should technically be called halfway to 81 now, but the festival hasn’t changed much and has built a name for itself. It’s also got the biggest line-up yet with 10 bands, so I’m very excited!”

And he is delighted with the line-up. “We always try and do something different” he says, “but ultimately we stay true to the premise of celebrating all things Americana and roots.”

Will explains: “Things just seemed to fit together right from day one, but there’s always something to learn, and this year we’re improving the lighting to hopefully make a really impressive backdrop as the sun sets over the fields.”

  • Tickets are £14 for adults (£8 under 13s, free for under fives) from wegottickets.com