A weekend of sterling local live music across three stages drew in the crowds for the 25th Charlbury Riverside Festival.

The award-winning event gives a host of local bands a chance to play on a big stage on front of hundreds of fans.

There was also food and drink, children’s entertainment, crafts, clothing, jewellery and festival shopping, mosaic workshops and story telling.

For years, music fans have enjoyed spending a summer weekend at the event which has grown into the largest free music festival in Oxfordshire and beyond.

It is a key date in the county's musical calendar with part of the attraction being the beautiful site on Mill Field, which is a lush green ‘island’ on the River Evenlode.

Witney Gazette:

The last live festival was held pre-pandemic in 2019 – nearly 25 years after the first two-day music bonanza was staged. 

Forty acts across three stages included four-piece Oxford band Kanadia, 10-piece pop covers band The Standard, soul-blues-rockers The Deadbeat Apostles, Barracane, European-Middle Eastern fusion band Brickwork Lizards, Jonny Payne and The Thunder, Dolly Mavies, upbeat garage punk band Self Help and many more.

A second stage headline slot was filled by dance music artist Adamski.

The DJ, musician, singer and record producer, is best known for his tracks N-R-G and Killer – a collaboration with Seal which went to number one in 1990.

Despite some challenges from hit and miss card machines and a train strike which meant there was heavy demand for parking, music lovers declared the festival ‘absolutely amazing’.

Caren Evans said on Facebook: "A group of us came from Banbury, had a great time listening to some amazing music. Everyone involved is absolutely amazing....we can't thank you enough for another great day. See you next year ! Xxxx

Witney Gazette:

The festival is entirely free to enter thanks to the astonishing community effort that goes into staging it.

It is organised by a small team of enthusiastic volunteers and funded entirely by sponsorship, donation and pitch fees.

Jeremy Hughes posted: "A lovely festival. Great to be back at Riverside. Thanks for all the hard work! ❤️☮️

Ock Street Band said: "We had such a great time. Lovely festival and fab to chill listening to brilliant live music."

And Rich Craven added: "Incredible day, and absolute honour to compere and DJ on the Quick Fix stage, what a lovely festival, run by great people, cracking line up, everything about today was perfect."

 

 

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