So now we know the full lineup that the Cornbury Festival will be presenting for the 2018 weekend and impressive it is. One of our favourite Italian artists Zucchero will be playing. This man always has the world’s best musicians in his lineups and he will surely add a large tranche of fans to his following going by his last few shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall, The mighty sultans of songcraft Squeeze are performing. Kings of the funk Staks are a Cornbury staple and worth catching for Tony Remy’s fiery guitar alone! All this plus a female artist-slanted Saturday roster will make for a fine weekend’s comfortable fun.
Here’s what we know, dear readers…

Oxfordshire’s much loved Cornbury Festival is making its unexpected return a truly international affair. Following the all female announcement for Saturday 14th July with Canadian Headliner Alanis Morissette. UB40 will be topping the bill on Friday 13th and long-time festival favourites Squeeze will be closing the party on Sunday night.

The International flavour will be carried throughout the weekend with Dutch Jazz singer Caro Emerald, Jamaican Reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff, Italian chart topper Zucchero, American Folk, rock singer (Walking in Memphis) Marc Cohn, Israeli starlet Irit, Memphis Soul five piece Southern Avenue, Chicago soul sweetheart Mavis Staples, LA Soul Sista PP Arnold, Hawaiian son of Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real and all the way from Rick Island Illinois comes the remarkable Lissie.

Representing home grown talent from the British Isles a strong Scottish contingent is headed by Glaswegian pop-rockers Deacon Blue, Cornbury favourite Amy Macdonald and Edinburgh’s Nina Nesbitt. Breaking blues girl Grainne Duffy and hotly tipped Catherine McGrath bring their songs from the Emerald Isle. Amen Corner frontman and guitar hero Andy Fairweather Low will ably represent his Welsh countrymen, whilst a few Londoners will be popping up from the Sarf for a weekend in the country.

Deptford royalty Squeeze will lead the home counties pack on Friday with Bromley girl Pixie Lott on Saturday, Essex star Megan McKenna, currently smashing the country music circuit will be bringing some TOWIE glitz to this year’s festival, joined by North London 80’s queen Mari Wilson & The New Wilsations, whilst South London hip hoppers Stereo MCs will be keeping it real and getting connected with the country folk on Friday 13th. Local Oxfordshire blues band Danny & The Champions of The World and house band STAKS with a very special local guest (if he’s not been caught by the fuzz)! Complete this year’s unique line up!

‘I’m so excited to return with such an amazing mix of brilliant artists’ says organiser Hugh Phillimore. ‘It’s rather extraordinary to be back quite so soon and able to work with such an international cast. It’s a real honour for a musical trainspotter like me!’

The Day Splits are as follows:

Friday 13th July 2018 

UB40 (Headliner)

Zucchero

Jimmy Cliff

Stereo MC’s

Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real

Danny and The Champions Of The World

The Tall Poppies

IRIT

Saturday 14th July 2018

Alanis Morrisette (Headliner)

Mavis Staples

Amy Macdonald

Nina Nesbitt

Pixie Lott

PP Arnold

Grainne Duffy

Megan McKenna

Southern Avenue

Ten Millenia

The Adelaides

Kolars

Sunday 15th July

Squeeze (Headliner) (You can read all of our articles on Squeeze here: http://bit.ly/2Fyjkhr )

Caro Emerald

Deacon Blue

Marc Cohn

Andy Fairweather Low

STAKS With Special Guest

Mari Wilson and The New Wilsations

Lissie

Catherine McGrath (You can read all of our articles about Catherine McGrath here: http://bit.ly/2IkVaIV)

Police Dog Hogan (You can read all of our articles on Police Dog Hogan here: http://bit.ly/2lbR2Sm)

The Might John Street Ska Orchestra

Ferris & Sylvester

Riley Pearce

Pete Sargeant