Tim Hughes looks forward to a sneak preview of this summer's Wilderness festival - at the Ashmolean

WHILE festival-lovers will be digging out sleeping bags and wellies, and scraping the mould from badly-packed tents ahead of this weekend’s Wychwood Festival, attentions also turn to this summer’s Wilderness Festival, which, tomorrow evening takes over the Ashmolean Museum.

As part of preparations for August’s bacchanalian feast of music, dining, dancing, revelling and wholesome country pursuits, the organisers hope to bring a taste of the festival’s magical quality to the hallowed surroundings of Britain’s oldest public museum.

Wilderness Festival, which is now in its third year, runs from August 8-11 at Cornbury Park, near Charlbury. Acts include Empire of the Sun, Noah and the Whale, Rodriguez, Martha Wainwright, Sam Lee and The Bees.

Tomorrow’s event, part of the Ashmolean’s LiveFriday series, will give a flavour of the festival’s freewheeling spirit, and will follow the theme of festivals through the ages.

Attractions will include taking part in a play in a gallery; a ‘philosophy slam’ with The School of Life, a lecture on Merry-Making with Idler Editor Tom Hodgkinson and musician Michael Tyack, an exploration of ancient British Shamanism courtesy of the Shamanic Street Preachers, and a display by the Siobhan Davies dance company. There will also be performances by Petersham Playhouse and Oxford University Dramatic Society, and poetry from Oxford’s George Chopping. Music comes from the Baroque Theatre Co and Rainbow Reservoir.

Organiser Tim Harvey says: “With ancient arts inspired by nature and a love of adventure central to the Wilderness ethos, we promise to take visitors on an unforgettable journey.”

Activities run from 7–10.30pm and entry is free.

For details on the festival, and to buy tickets, go to wildernessfestival.com

  • FANS of the outspoken, and ever-creative, John Lydon will be in their element with news that the former Sex Pistol is returning to town with his band Public Image Ltd.

The artist made no secret of his love of our city when he spoke to us this week. “I love Oxford,” he said. “Last time we played was amazing; the audience was so damned good!”

The gig, at the O2 Academy on June 9, will follow a hometown show for the post-rock pioneer, with PiL the surprise support for The Stone Roses at London’s Finsbury Park the day before.

Tickets for the Oxford show are £26.50 from ticketweb.co.uk.

See next week’s Oxford Times for a full interview with John Lydon.