There will be no singing in the rain in Charlbury Oxfordshire  this weekend (16/17 June)  as the risk of flooding has forced the organisers of this year’s Riverside Festival to postpone the event . This popular free music festival will now take place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July. The organisers are aiming to keep to the same line-up.  Watch the website or follow Riverside on Twitter: @Riversidefest for any changes in the timing of the acts.

RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL, CHARLBURY 28-29 JULY 2012 

Riverside 2012 lowdown 

FREE family-friendly music festival in idyllic riverside setting, with more than 30 bands playing across two stages, rock, indie, jazz, and folk. Saturday 28 July (12pm – 10pm) Sunday 29 July (11am-8pm)

Entrance opposite Charlbury Railway Station 

Twitter: @Riversidefest Facebook:  

Oxfordshire’s favourite family-friendly festival is back by popular demand! 

Riverside Festival may not have the starry Iine-up of a Reading or Glastonbury, but when it comes to the feel-good factor, Riverside beats them hands down.  It’s not just the idyllic setting beside the Evenlode river in the Cotswold town of Charlbury that makes Riverside so special, nor the easy-going atmosphere, great music and good food. In these straitened times what makes Riverside exceptional is that it’s totally FREE!

Now in its 17th year, Riverside has become a major fixture in Oxfordshire’s music calendar, with more than 30 acts playing across two stages. Despite the work involved and the cost of putting on an event of this size, the festival is still run entirely by volunteers and still free for all to enter. It’s a truly family-friendly festival, with a dedicated kids’ area kitted out with a bouncy castle and activities. Last year over 5000 people attended Riverside and the organisers are expecting similar numbers this year. 

THE MUSIC

Riverside has become a ‘must-play’ festival for the cream of Oxford bands and this year is no exception.

Riverside 2012 line up – to be confirmed 

Saturday 28 July: Main stage
9.00 pm: Smilex
8.00 pm: Black Hats
7.00 pm: dB Band
6.00 pm: Deer Chicago
5.00 pm: Secret Rivals
4.00 pm: Dirty Royals
3.00 pm: Graceful Slicks
2.00 pm: Dance a la Plage 

Saturday 28 July: Second stage
8.00 pm: Undersmile
7.15 pm: Hot Hooves
6.30 pm: Von Braun
5.45 pm: The Hawkhurst
5.00 pm: Beard Of Destiny
4.15 pm: Listing Ships
3.30 pm: Matt Midgley
2.45 pm: Colour Change For Camouflage
2.00 pm: Twisted State Of Mind (presented by Witchwood School Of Rock) 

Sunday 29 July: Main stage
7.00 pm: Alphabet Backwards
6.00 pm: The Epstein
5.00 pm: Brickwork Lizards
4.00 pm: The Inflatables
3.00 pm: The Mighty Redox
2.00 pm: Tamara and the Martyrs
1.00 pm: The Byronics
12.00 pm: Blin’ Johnny 

Sunday 29 July: Second stage
5.30 pm: Superloose
4.45 pm: Mogmatic
4.00 pm: Count Drachma

3.15 pm: Richard Walters
2.30 pm: Flights Of Helios
1.45 pm: Lost Dogs
1.00 pm: James Foley Band
12.00 pm: King Terrible

NEW FOR 2012

THE RIVERSIDE FRINGE

This year Riverside invites anyone with a talent, be it stand-up comedy, juggling, streetdance, snake charming, storytelling or even just standing still as a statue, to compete in a battle of the buskers. The way it works is that each festival goer is given a token which they give to their favourite busker. At the end of the weekend whoever has the most tokens wins. This is a free festival, so none of the acts nor the festival crew are paid, but it's a great opportunity to showcase your talent and there will be a meaningful prize for the most popular act, tailored to suit the performer(s). Anyone can take part, but to be assured a time slot register before the event by sending your name, a one line description of your act and when you’d like to perform to [email protected].  

THE RIVERSIDE DUBARRY LIVE LOUNGE

This year Riverside fans can watch interviews with their favourite performers, hear acoustic versions of some of their songs and get the behind the scenes gossip from this year’s Festival on Oxbox.tv, filmed in Riverside’s Live Lounge sponsored by the Dubarry boots and clothing company. 

RIVERSIDE EVENLODER BEER

Local brewer, Wychwood is brewing a special beer called Evenloder, which will only be onsale at the Riverside Festival. To mark the occasion, Wychwood is giving away a year’s supply of beer to one lucky winner.  For details and to enter visit the Riverside Facebook page. 

RIVERSIDE AND OXFORDSHIRE MIND

Riverside relies on a dedicated team of stewards from Oxfordshire Mind to keep the Festival running smoothly. This year, as well as ensuring that Riverside is a safe family-friendly event, Oxfordshire Mind is running an information service at the festival offering free advice, and information on the support available locally for people dealing with mental health issues.www.oxfordshire-mind.org.uk 

RIVERSIDE RASCALS

This year there will be even more to keep youngsters occupied. For pintsized Riversiders there will be hands-on music sessions, butterfly painting, clay modeling and other craft activities. And, in addition to our popular hiphop workshops, older Riversiders can learn survival skills from Bushcraft experts and have a go at whacky ‘Physics in the Field ‘ experiments run by volunteers from the Institute of Physics. 

HOW TO GET THERE

Location: The Mill Field, Dyers Hill, Charlbury, Oxfordshire  OX7 3QG

Entrance to the Festival site is down Mill Lane, virtually opposite Charlbury railway station. The station is on the First Great Western London Paddington to Hereford and Worcester line, 15 minutes from Oxford. On the Saturday there are buses to and from Oxford, Woodstock, Witney, Chipping Norton and Banbury to the centre of Charlbury, five minutes walk from the Festival.

WHERE TO STAY

No camping onsite but local campsites are available. 

RESTRICTIONS 

Due to licensing laws and health and safety regulations, festival goers cannot bring glass bottles and cans into the arena, but the two bars and other refreshment stalls will be selling drinks at very reasonable prices. No dogs other than assistance dogs.