Hit albums and world tours can’t hold a candle to putting on the Big Feastival, as Alex James tells Tim Hughes

Alex James is a lucky man – and this is his summer.

The Magic Whip, the new album by his band Blur is being hailed one of the best of the year and has seen him and his art school mates, once again touring the world, to huge acclaim.

When he’s not being a rock star, the gently-spoken but fun-loving bassist can be found, on his scenic Cotswold farm, with his idyllic family, tending to his livestock, hanging out with famous friends and coming up with ideas for interesting cheeses. Oh, and he has his own music festival – the Big Feastival, which begins tomorrow.

“It gives me a chest-beating sense of joy that people are coming!” he says with genuine enthusiasm.

“It’s really exciting and there’s not long to go now. Everything is in place. We’ve done it – now we’ve just got to believe it!”

Organised with his celebrity chef friend Jamie Oliver, the Big Feastival is based on Alex’s three main passions: music, food and family. Indeed, the festival embodies the James philosophy of living well and nicely… and having a bit of fun along the way. And Alex could not be more hands on. Nothing, not even Blur’s first new album for 12 years and a world tour gets in the way of this weekend.

“We are continually bringing in new things and making it better all the time,” he says, while taking a break from putting the finishing touches to the festival at his farm in Kingham, near Chipping Norton.

“The place looks great, and all the portable toilets are here too,” he laughs. “It’s good to get the glamorous stuff out of the way!

“I spend a whole year making decisions and having phone calls, and now it’s the lull before the storm. The Big Feastival weekend is the easy bit; it’s making all the decisions that does your head in.”

For the first time, this year’s festival features a full programme of music and food-related entertainment over three full days. The line-up too, is the best yet, with appearances by Groove Armada, Example, Dizzee Rascal, Grandmaster Flash, Paloma Faith, Ella Eyre, Heaven 17 and Sophie Ellis-Bextor among many others. How does he manage to assemble such a dream team?

“You’d be surprised what you can do with a bit of food bribery,” he grins. “And I can always send people some of my cheese!

“The fact we all have such a good time means it’s easier to get people involved. And I couldn’t be more thankful.

“The thing that makes it work is we are all so busy. If you want something doing, ask someone that’s already busy. And I’ve got five kids, so I’m busy before I start!”

While he cannily deflects the suggestion of Blur playing a secret show at the festival, he doesn’t rule out getting on stage. Previous Big Feastivals have seen him and Jamie donning outlandish lycra outfits and joining The Cuban Brothers in front of admiring fans. This year too maybe?

“I have been banned from wearing spandex this year,” he laughs.

“But there is all sorts of super stuff happening which is best kept secret.”

As well as the usual culinary attractions – with the likes of Michelin-starred Oxford chef Raymond Blanc joining the fun – scores of local producers also get in on the act.

“The local community are right behind it,” he says. “We are giving a chance for all these amazing producers around here to show what they do. We do go to great lengths to make sure everyone knows what’s going on and that everyone gets it.

Oxford Mail:

  • Alex, right, with his pal, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver

“It’s very gentle and family friendly, and lots of local people are involved. And we are making it longer, rather than bigger.”

If there’s something that excites him more than the music, it’s the chance to show off the area’s great foodie culture.

“This is the great heartland of British food,” he says. “You used to have to go to France for great food. Around here we do things even better.”

The event also feature loads of children’s activities, with the Little Dudes’ Den, a mini farm hosted by Countryfile’s Adam Henson, and a ton of Lego.

“It’s a great weekend,” he goes on. “Jamie describes it as a turbo-charged village fete!”

And few people like it more than his own children. “We have been to all these amazing festivals with Blur,” he says. “But all the children want to know is where is Adam Henson and where is the Lego!”

“It’s great to go round other festivals though, and see what they do well,” he says conspiratorially. “If we see something we like, but don’t have it, we knick it!”

And, he says, he couldn’t be happier.

“Playing with Blur is totally and utterly brilliant. And it’s wonderful how the record has been received.

“But there’s something special about having the Big Feastival here. We have a great time from beginning to end and I couldn’t do it without my family. It’s great fun for all of us. And when the children go to bed, the cheese comes out!”

GO ALONG
Alex James and Jamie Oliver’s The Big Feastival takes place at Alex’s farm in Kingham, near Chipping Norton, this weekend.
Tickets and details from jamieoliver.com/thebigfeastival/