The time has come to don your finest sunglasses, grab that ludicrous hat you wouldn't usually be seen dead in, and head to a sunny field for some prime al-fresco music, writes Tim Hughes.
The mother of all summer festivals, Glastonbury, has been and gone, but for those who lacked the time, money, or organisational skills needed to secure a ticket for last week's gathering, fear not. You should be able to find something even more laid-back this weekend, without leaving the county.
Fans of rock, blues and folk can enjoy a very pleasant, low-key outdoor bash, in the rustic surroundings of Ferris Hill Farm, Hook Norton.
The seventh Music at the Crossroads features special guest artists and local bands.
Headline band Freeway Jam
Formerly known as Folk in the Field, it takes place within spitting distance of the famous brewery and on the doorstep of The Gate Hangs High pub. Hook Norton's great contribution to the world of ale is also on sale in the festival's beer tent, adding to its heady charms.
Headlining this year are Freeway Jam.
Since 1986, this north Oxfordshire band has become festival stalwarts around the Midlands, with original material and crowd-pleasing covers.
Also appearing are The Stealers, a classic rock and blues band, who combine BB King with Jimi Hendrix; Red Hot and Rollin', rock 'n' rollers who capture the feel, look and sound of the 1950s; modern folk outfit The Goats, making their third appearance; and Banbury indie act The Cry, a new band who have already built up a large and loyal local following.
For country fans there is The Bullfrogs, a five-piece playing original country rock.
Kicking off the festival will be Welsh rockers The Steps.
Playing a mix of original rock, Steps are hard to pigeon-hole, but if you like the sound of The Manics and Supergrass and the energy of The Who, you are advised to get there early.
One highlight is expected to be The Box Hedge Clippers - a truly original group with wit, style and showmanship. They have been described as not so much a band as a 'movement'.
The event is hosted by field owner Nigel Matthews, of Banbury Plant Hire.
The name change has coincided with a shift towards a rockier style of music.
Musical director Pete Watkins explains: "There was a folky feel to the early events, but that quickly changed.
"The music now is a mix of blues, rock, folk and everything in between. We chose Music At The Crossroads because the event is a meeting place for a range of musical styles - and because it takes place in a field by a crossroads!"
Organising committee member and keen blues fan Peter Bassett says: "The event raises up to £10,000 for charity, and we wanted to attract more people.
"Last year a folk fan said there was not enough folk, while those who are into the blues didn't go along as they were not into folk."
For blues-lovers, there is also the reference to Mississippi bluesman Robert Johnson who, legend has it, sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads, though the only cloven hooves expected this weekend will be those belonging to livestock on neighbouring farms.
Organisers are keen for the festival not to lose its intimate atmosphere.
Peter explains: "We do not want the event to lose its local flavour, it is primarily entertainment for the village. We don't want it to become a huge Glastonbury affair.
"This will be the best yet. There are some great bands, with acoustic performances in between. It builds up to a crescendo throughout Saturday, and by the evening everyone will be on their feet.
"It is a family event, with things for the kids and a real village fete atmosphere."
All profits go to the Hook Norton Charitable Association, which has raised thousands of pounds for local and
national charities and organisations, including National Leukaemia Research, Cancer Research, Katherine House
hospice, and the Fire Service Benevolent Fund.
Gates open at 1.30pm. For information check out www.hookymusic.co.uk Tickets are £8 adults (£4 concs) in advance, or £12 adults (£6 concs) on the gate. Tickets are available in Hook Norton from The Bell Inn, The Gate Hangs High, The Pear Tree Inn, The Sun Inn and, in Banbury, from One Man Band.
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