A squirrel shimmies along a veranda into overhanging foliage, dodging barbecue smoke, while the haunting harmonies of Oxford band Family Machine, drift on the air.

We’re in the secret garden that is East Oxford’s Restore Cafe, tonight hosting its first festival. And it couldn’t be going better.

The mental health charity, invited some of Oxford’s favourite acts to perform at a one-night fundraising festival dubbed In The Garden. And as the last rays of the setting sun bathe reclining festival-goers in warm orange hues, one of Oxford’s hottest young bands, Balloon Ascents, tune up for their set.

In the past two years, under the tutelage of Stornoway’s Oli Steadman, this bunch of gangly youths have gone from just another high school group into a serious contender for Oxford’s next big thing. It doesn’t hurt that lead singer Thomas Roberts has a cracking pair of pipes and all the other members can provide four-part harmonies, but that could be wasted if they hadn’t developed their mature sound, heavily reminiscent of Oxford’s previous favourites Spring Offensive. And the crowd are blown away. Swedish-born singer Julia Meijer slightly awkwardly takes to the stage, just one woman and her guitar, but wins over the crowd with a short, sweet set of dreamy folk ballads.

Family Machine are one of those acts other bands just hate, because they nail it every time. They don’t seem capable of doing wrong. It’s all the more impressive when lead singer Jamie Hyatt reveals he became a father for the second time just days before, and he does look as if he could fall asleep at any moment. Even if haunting harmonies aren’t your cup of tea, the band’s mastery of their own voices, guitars, synth and electronic harp is a mesmerising spectacle.

The event is headlined by another haunting artist – Humphrey ‘Huck’ Astley, tonight playing with lightning guitarist Billy Quarterman. It’s a startling set of new tunes culminating in the anthem from his “queer folk operetta” Alexander the Great. It’s stirring stuff; the duo’s interweaved guitars – alternately skeletal and propulsive – frame Huck’s bluesy, swampy vocals through to a thrilling climax.

A great end to a wonderful night. Let’s hope it’s back next year.

PETE HUGHES & TIM HUGHES