AFTER starting out as an afternoon of folk music in a pub more than two decades ago, Chalgrove Live Music Festival is now well and truly on the map.

It can’t compete with the likes of Cornbury or Truck festivals, but the three-day event attracts about 1,000 festival goers each day from across the country.

Tickets are now on sale for the music extravaganza at Moors Field, off Mill Lane, which runs from Friday, August 3, to Sunday, August 5.

There will be 20 live bands, a beer tent, and camping facilities on the site.
The festival is back this summer after taking a break last year. It celebrated its 21st birthday in 2010.

The line-up features tribute acts including Bon Giovi, Pure Purple, Rainbow Rising, Thin Lizzy Experience and Whole Lotta DC.

Alongside the music, there will be fundraising for forces charity Help for Heroes.

The head of the festival’s organising committee Kelle Nixey, of Mill Lane, Chalgrove, said: “It’s great to be back this year. Now all we need is some good weather.

“We had a break last year because of a family bereavement but now we are back with a bang.

“We are really pleased with our line-up so far. Josh Dubovie, who plays on Friday is quite a high-profile singer and presenter who is often on the BBC.

“On the same day, there will, no doubt, be a big cheer for Run Devil Run, which is a band from RAF Benson.

“On Saturday I am looking forward to seeing Jenny Jones, who performed on the BBC TV show The Voice. And acts from Talent Oxford are bound to appeal to the kids.

“People in the crowd love singing along to the classics and the tribute bands do a great job of covering them.

“We get demos from about 600 acts a year who want to appear at our festival.

“We cover the costs of running the festival, but we are not here to make a profit.

“Any profit after the running costs goes to our chosen charity Help for Heroes.”

Mum-of-four Ms Nixey, 30, who has been in charge of the organising committee for the past 12 years, said that on August 5 a motorbike show would also be staged to raise funds for the Clic Sargent charity.

Adult festival tickets are £20 for the weekend. Camping costs an additional £10.

She added: “This festival is totally family-friendly and under-14s get in free, although they must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

“Our concessionary tickets, which are also available to the disabled, are half-price. And we make sure that carers for the disabled also get in for half-price.”

There are two camp sites which are situated next to the main arena. There is also free parking.

For more details, click on the link.