A MUSIC festival in Drayton set up by a music lover from the village is returning for its sixth year tomorrow.

Craig Evans began DFest six years ago at a pub in Drayton, but the event has grown to the point where there will be three stages for revellers to choose from when it returns this weekend.

Mr Evans’ family moved to the village when he was four and went to Drayton Community Primary School before going on to St Birinus boys’ school in Didcot.

In his late teens he formed the Dead Jerichos, a three-piece band, which he fronted as singer and guitarist and the group went on to play at O2 Oxford, the Bullingdon, Jericho Tavern and support Ellie Goulding.

A year later in 2009 Mr Evans founded DFest, which he said was intended to give Oxfordshire bands a chance to come together for a festival.

He added: “When I grew up I was inspired by Truck Fest, which is run by the Bennett brothers, so all I wanted to do was play at Truck Fest.

“But the idea was to get friends together in the community and put loads of bands on that were up and coming in the area.

“The first was in 2009, we started off with about 10 bands in our local pub.”

Since the first event at the Red Lion pub in Drayton, the festival has gone from strength to strength and now boasts three stages.

More than a dozen bands will take to the main stage, in the field behind Lockway, during the day at the free festival, including Oxford’s Esther Joy Lane, folk band Water Pageant and Three Empty Domes from Witney.

In the acoustic lounge there will be solo sets from Alphabet Backward and Mew, Wooster and Boon, a three-piece set from Abingdon, as well as comedians.

When the sun sets the Hall Stage, in Drayton Village Hall, will have DJs playing a range of dance, club and house tunes late into the night.

Mr Evans, now 23 and head barber for men’s grooming brand Murdock London, said he was delighted the festival had proved such a success over the years.

He added: “We just want it to grow, to improve, and make it more exciting and keep taking it up to the next level.

“Now instead of just having local bands we have picked bands from all over the country.

“It is now a unique opportunity to see this level of talent for free.

“We have brought together some of the best bands in the country that are up and coming.”

There will also be a Champagne and Pimms bar, craft beers and ales and a children’s play area, complete with entertainer.

The festival is due to kick off at 1pm and runs until late in the night.