FOOD lovers joining this weekend’s British Street Food Festival will also be treated to food for the ears – with an impressive line-up of musical talent.

Organisers of the four-day event at Oxford Castle Quarter, which begins today (Friday), will be serenaded by stars of pop, country and hip-hop, while they graze on the culinary delights on offer. Acts include reggae and dubstep artist Kiko Bun, who plays at 8pm today (Fri) and 3pm tomorrow; last year’s winner of BBC1’s The Voice, Jermain Jackman, at 8pm tomorrow (Sat); British country-pop duo The Shires, at 3pm on Sunday; experimental artist Kimberly Anne at 8pm on Sunday; and Moelogo at 2pm on Monday.

Local unsigned acts are also invited to come along and chat to industry insiders from music distribution service Spinnup, for advice on getting signed. Scouts from Island Records will also be listening out for new local talent.

Food on offer will include cup cakes from Oxford’s Happy Cakes, crab burgers from Dougie Crabbieshake, puddings from Crumble Shack, and adventurous Latin offerings from The Cheeky Italian.

British Street Food founder Richard Johnson, a food writer, broadcaster and restaurant critic, said: “Everything about this year is a step up.

"The music will fold around everything that we’re trying to do, while the entertainment – from a beer/food matching experience to a high-end food quiz – will blow people’s minds.”

The Shires – Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes – are the first British country band to reach the Top 10 in the UK album chart, with their debut Brave. They return to Oxford fresh from a show at the city’s O2 Academy.

Ben said: “We can’t wait to come to Oxford.

"We had such a great gig at the O2 Academy on our tour and are so excited we get to come back so soon. We had a bit of time to explore and it’s such a great city. The Truck Store in Cowley Road is a really cool place too. It was awesome seeing our album for sale in there.

“At the festival we will be playing a stripped down, acoustic set of songs from our album Brave. It’s how we started out playing, so it’s going to be great fun for us. We’re really excited.”

Kiko, who is half Panamanian and half Italian, will be playing Jamaican-inspired sounds.

He said: “I am really excited to be playing at the street food fest. I’ll be singing my reggae music to ‘vibe up’ the place and can’t wait.

"I’m a big fan of good street food so it will be nice to be there – hopefully with a shining sun.”

To book tickets and for more information, go to britishstreetfood.co.uk