THEY may have their roots in the freewheeling hippy ideals of the 1960s, but music festivals today are big business.

With weekenders becoming ever more corporate, security reaching prison camp proportions, and ticket prices topping £100 – and some costing twice that – the days of the humble free festival are well and truly a thing of the past.

Or are they? In one corner of Oxfordshire, the ideals of the free festival movement are alive and well.

In recent years the Riverside Festival, in Charlbury, has seen its reputation as a showcase of homegrown Oxfordshire talent soar.

Among the first events of the summer, it remains one of the most fun and certainly the most laid back. Oh, and yes, it is absolutely free.

This year’s two-dayer takes place on Saturday and Sunday, and features a typically tantalising line-up of largely local names.

They include cult experimental instrumentalists The Rock of Travolta; Joe Swarbrick’s suited-and-booted cabaret rockers Borderville; Supergrass’s Charly Coombes and The New Breed; and The Prohibition Smoker’s Club – fronted by the charismatic, manic, and quite likely certifiably bonkers Lee Christian, from punk-pop shockers Smilex (pictured), who also acts as compere.

They will be joined by stars of this year’s Oxfringe and Wychwood festivals, Black Hats; loveable retro-mod-rockers The Anydays; infectious summery popsters Alphabet Backwards; the bluesy Tamara & The Martyrs; and blues master 3rd Degree LeBurn.

The weekend also features a couple of slices of rock heritage. Sunday will see sets by The Fenns – a family band of brothers and sons, which boasts 10CC guitarist Rick Fenn and blues rock trio Steamroller – a band who have been playing since the 1960s, and who have shared stages with The Rolling Stones, the Animals, Tom Jones, Steve Winwood and Dusty Springfield.

And with 30 bands gracing two stages, that’s only scratching the surface. “Riverside is now in its 16th year, now and has become a major fixture in the musical calendar,” says friend of the festival Kathryn Custance, who lives in Charlbury.

“What makes it unique is that it’s a community-run event, put together by people, and bands, who do it all for free. Everyone gets involved for the fun of it.”

The event, organised by local man Andy Pickard, pays for itself by selling food, drink and merchandise and through stall concessions.

And because money-making is such a low priority, even the drinks are cheap, which, unsurprisingly, only serves to make it even more popular.

“It’s a polite and family-friendly festival,” adds Kathryn. “It’s safe for teenagers and fun for younger children, with a dedicated kids’ area kitted out with a bouncy castle and activities. But it is also popular with older people, who come to enjoy a wide variety of music – from rock and pop to folk and blues – and meet friends.”

Lee ‘Smilex’ Christian said: “Riverside means a lot because it has such an incredibly homely feel. It is quite big now but has retained an idyllic ‘all-comers welcome’ vibe.

“It has a lavishly diverse bill with a really wide spread, which, through its welcoming attitude, has a broader appeal than many much bigger festivals.

“Smilex have been inextricably linked to Riverside for the best part of a decade, and I’m delighted to have been welcomed into its bosom with The Prohibition Smokers Club.”

Up to 2,500 people are expected at the event on each day, with entrance on a first-come-first in basis.

“We do offer more than many paid-for events,” Kathryn agrees. “And it’s a great place to see the wealth of new and emerging bands we have in Oxfordshire. In fact, that’s one of the most important things we do – nurturing new talent.

“Come along and see for yourself.

“You might be surprised!”

The festival takes place on The Mill Field, Charlbury, on Saturday (noon-10pm) and Sunday (11am-8pm). Entry is free.