Tim Hughes investigates one of city’s newest and most beautiful music traditions as a mix of established and up-and-coming artists converge to take part in the Irregular Folk Summer Sessions

It sounds idyllic: 14 incredible artists playing a quirky mixture of alternative folk, dream-pop, gentle electronica and acoustic music over the course of the weekend in a lovely tent in a riverside pub garden.

Oxford’s Irregular Folk Summer Sessions are Oxford’s newest – and most beautiful – traditions. Taking place this Saturday and Sunday at the Perch in Binsey, the weekender brings together a selection of established and up-and-coming musicians united by their talent and off-kilter charm.

There are no headliners with all acts getting equal billing. Music comes from artists as diverse as rising star C Duncan, avant-garde electro-cello mister Laura Moody, lilting Dutch acoustic artist Gitta de Ridder, otherworldly Emma Gatrill, the orchestrally-influenced Wooden Arms and The Little Unsaid, and offbeat American singer-songwriter Angela Space – aka Rainbow Reservoir.

Both days will be compered by sharp-witted performance poet George Chopping, and there will be more laughs from National Musical Comedy award winner Tina Turner Tea Lady.

It all amounts to the perfect summer weekend, says organiser Vez Hoper. “We are all about inspiring summer sounds for stunning lazy, hazy days,” she smiles.

“It will be a weekend to drift off into the magical tent and gardens of The Perch – and we hope it will be a jewel in your summer crown. This year we’ve artists from all over the UK as well as some international names and a mixture of established and brand new locally based artists from Oxford.

“It’s our summer mix tape for you. Only we get the bands to play it live!”

While tagged Irregular Folk, Vez is quick to point out that the music does not fit the traditional definition of folk. This is no place for Arran jumpers and tankards – though, inevitably, there will be plenty of beards.

“As the name says it’s Irregular, not folk,” she says. “Folk stands for independently-minded, creative people who aren’t afraid to push boundaries and do something a bit different, and that, we like to think, also includes our audiences. We are partial to alt-folk but we stick to no rules.”

Among the biggest draws is classically-trained indie-pop artist and composer Chris ‘C’ Duncan.

The gig comes in a busy summer which will also see him play Latitude, Green Man and Wicker Man festivals and support Bell and Sebastian at London’s Somerset House. Next month sees the release of his debut album Architect. “I’m looking forward to playing,” he said. “I’ve never played Oxford before but I have always wanted to.”

He described his music as “chilled, choral dream-pop,” adding: “I get labelled as folk but I don’t know where that comes from – probably because I play a nylon-stringed guitar. But it’s something people can relax to. There’s nothing heavy – and it’s very chilled out.”

Gitta de Ridder also promised a relaxing session, for her acoustic folk, saying: “ It all looks lovely. Vez is so enthusiastic and the location sounds amazing. I’ll be staying for the whole day to soak it all up.”

Salters Steamers are laying on a boat to Folly Bridge at the end of the night. The boat leaves at 11pm Saturday, and 10.30pm Sunday.

Tickets £8 from wegottickets.com

THE LINE-UP
Saturday 2-11pm
C Duncan; Laura Moody; Bastardgeist; Gitta de Ridder; Esther Joy Lane; Theo Bard; George Chopping
Sunday 2-10.30pm 
Wooden Arms; The Little Unsaid; Joey Hughes; Emma Gatrill; Rainbow Reservoir (solo)
Tina Turner Tea Lady