Charlbury Riverside Festival 2026

Mon 20 Jul, 22:21

I didn't mention topless women. An in joke with a friend! 😅

Mon 20 Jul, 09:01 (last edited on Mon 20 Jul, 09:10)

I agree. Although I only dropped in for an hour or so yesterday, I could see it was all so well organised - a boon for Charlbury. Well done Andy and co.

And as for Charlie's mention of the lack of topless dancers, Charlie, I'd be happy to dance topless with you at next year's event, but I think we'd probably both get arrested! And clear the field!

Mon 20 Jul, 08:36

WOW - what can I say!

I want to thank the organisers, volunteers, helpers, bands, security folks, and not forgetting everyone who went, for making the 30th Charlbury Riverside Festival the best ever!

My first Riverside was the second, in 1997, and it has grown a little bit since then. But it has always been a joyous occasion!

There were various highlights for me this year, and this is going to be a very long sentence! I particularly enjoyed Folly Oh Yes, Cymbal Shards, Weekend Warriors, Seamus Foley, Life Underground (by the way, I'd love to know what the last song of their set was ... being a massive Byrds fan, the addition of an electric 12-string is always a joy!), The Knights of Mentis (both for their great set on the Main Stage and the set up the field later on, which has become a much-loved "institution" of Saturday evening Riverside!), the "hippy punkulation" of The Mighty Redox (the Zombie Horse is another Riverside institution!) ... but special words must be reserved for a special act ...

Life goes on, people leave us ... and what happened on the Main Stage at around 5pm on Saturday evening was very special. The return of Billy Pure. Thirty eight minutes of joy and memories of the past, coupled with thoughts of Gary Walker and Tim Duquenoy. it was great that Andy put the band back together ... and it was great to see him playing on the Main Stage again. And Tom and Tommy (guitar and drums respectively) did an exceptional job.
Yes, that was my highlight! (Not to mention Andy's description of topless dancers 25 years ago ... I don't think there were any on Saturday!)

Thank you, one and all. I hope that we can all reconvene in 2027?

Charlie x