Look yonder! Tis the Ghost of Festivals Past returning …yes, the Cornbury Festival makes an unexpected comeback for Summer 2018 and very welcome this most civilised of gatherings is, too. Already the Saturday lineup is mostly confirmed and looking at the acts listed, you don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to spot the feminine stars motif.

What this festival does is eschew trendiness and fashion and go for acts that have proven performance quality and experience. It’s almost as if the genre of music of each artist or group matters very little, as long as a credible and accomplished stage performance is on the cards. Loudmouths shouting over a dodgy DJ mix are not likely to make the cut. To an extent this does demand real open-mindedness on the part of attendees but the many successful years under the Cornbury belt attest to the fact that mostly the organisers get it right. For us, seeing acts we have not seen before is an immensely attractive notion. The ones we particularly like will receive our support in future days. We can give you the following ‘story so far…’

Responding to a clarion call from fans to return after last year’s Fabulous Finale, the rejuvenated Cornbury Festival is back for 2018 with a fantastic UK festival exclusive. Alanis Morissette will headline the festival’s Saturday line up on.  14th July 2018. The Queen of Alt-Rock and author of the iconic ‘Jagged Little Pill’ album which has sold over 33 million copies since its release in 1995 will be the headline artist for the festival in Great Tew Park.

Now in its celebratory 15th year and back for the year that wasn’t meant to happen. ‘I’m still in shock from the massive outpouring of love and support for Cornbury’ says promoter Hugh Phillimore. ‘We’re back thanks to the incredible loyalty of our fans’.

Joining Alanis on Saturday are a host of great female music stars from the legendary Mavis Staples, Scottish rocker Amy MacDonald, fellow Scots singer songwriter Nina Nesbitt, singer & actress Pixie Lott, Sixties soul star PP Arnold, Itunes chart topping new country star Megan McKenna breaking blues guitarist Grainne Duffy,  Ten Millennia, new US soulsters Southern Avenue, sonic thrill duo Kolars and harmonic trio The Adelaides.

The rest of the Cornbury line-up for Friday 13th and Sunday 15th July will be announced on Thursday 1st March 2018. The three day festival in Oxfordshire is a family friendly event, commended to be one of the safest festivals in the UK with activities for all ages and a favourite of local celebrities and their children.

Pete and Glenn Sargeant