Don’t be late, for this very important date....

‘Curiouser and curiouser!’ In the spirit of Alice in Wonderland, The General Elliot pub in South Hinksey is taking music-lovers through the looking glass, and down the rabbit hole, for a live music all-dayer.

The Oxford Rabbit Hole Festival features 14 bands playing from 1pm to midnight – with sets coming from local Americana feel good favourites The Epstein, buzz band Balloon Ascents, Brazilian bossa nova and samba kings The Illustrious Sambistas, and the endlessly-talented Matt Winkworth.

Also playing are blues act The Howlin’ Taildraggers and The Great Western Years – featuring members of country-rock favourites Swindlestock.

They will be joined by The String Project, The Matt Chanarin Band, Ben Avison, Charlie Leavy, Adam McMillan, Nick Higton, Gregog Owen, and, appropriately enough, The Wonder Rabbits.

There will be an open-mic Cheshire Cat stage, hog roast, pizza oven and Himalayan delights from Taste Tibet.

While free, the event supports Hog Agre Common eco-awareness group and Oxford Friend, which provides support for the gay community.

The event is organised by music lover Ed Reckitt, who hopes to turn it into an annual event.

“I love live music and I’ve always wanted to put on a live music event,” he says.

“The overriding factor is that I am doing it for the passion; to share live music with others and to promote and support the talented local artists that we have in Oxford.”

He goes on: “I held a small one-day music festival in a private garden last year, with nine bands playing in exchange for free food and beer.

“Although it was a glorified garden party, it had a great festival feel with a stage, banners, BBQ, PA system and sound man and hay bales.

“I thought 40 people might come, but we had twice that – the only criticism being the venue was too small.”

This year, he said, things were different. “I hope to put on more Rabbit Hole events, with the main one being the festival.

“Next year we will have to charge, but to spread awareness as much as possible, this one is free.”

The General Eliott is at 37 Manor Road, South Hinksey, Oxford. Walkers can reach the pub along a footpath via Hinksey Lake, off Abingdon Road.