Catapulting gleefully into what will be its third year, the one of a kind festival will be curating a weekend custom made for the curiously minded.
Featuring another bill brimming with artists of the esoteric and eccentric, some guest speakers of the seriously strange variety, cerebral cinema showings, plus palate-popping delicacies and more, the refreshingly different, adult-only (16+) festival arrives on 7th – 8th July 2018.
Whilst its home will be remaining in the heart of Oxfordshire, there are big plans afoot for the bespoke bash’s latest edition. For the very first time, IFSS will not only be taking place across two days, but will also be pitching up at an exciting new site, as hosted by the T.O.A.D.: The Oxford Artisan Distillery, Oxford.
osted once again this year by the inimitable gag-slinging comedy outlaw PAUL FOOT, this year’s entertainments will span across two expertly individual stages.
Taking stage on The Music Tent, expect to see tip-top performances from some of the finest left-field talent around. Feel the force of BAS JAN, the latest all-female alt-chamber-pop-punk project from Serafina Steer; get blown away by the hypnotic Jazz-tinged RnB of accomplished double bass player BELLATRIX; float amidst the dreamy landscapes and laugh out loud at the hilarious rants of ALABASTER DE PLUME; marvel at the talents of a former Stornoway supremo JON OUIN as he makes his solo live debut; plus don’t forget to tuck into other sets throughout the day from ALICE HAUGHTON, DESPICABLE ZEE and SEPHINE LLO. With a unique policy of booking no individual artist as a ‘headline act’, get down early and indulge in phenomenal performances from start to finish.
(Pics: Sephine Llo, Paul Foot)
Over at The Odditorium stage, revellers will be able to expand their noggins with nuanced knowledge at a number of talks selected by the delightfully deranged mind of DR DAVID BRAMWELL. A talented spoken word artist and musician with a penchant for the fantastical, Dr Bramwell is perhaps best known for his SONY silver award-winning BBC Radio 3 programmes The Haunted Moustache, not to mention his Sing-Along-A-Wickerman live performances. In this Victorian-parlour style tent, give yourself over to Dr Bramwell’s sturdy, if slightly silly, hands as he gathers the most eye-opening enthusiasts, polymaths and eccentrics from across the land. Watch this space for the full programme to be announced in due course. Expect the unexpected…
Orbiting the site throughout the day, there will also be plenty of chaos and creativity to stimulate all senses with Other Side Shows happening at the festival. Don’t miss DRUNKEN DRAWING, as Simon Mandator’s ingenious and interactive art pop-up staggers back to the festival for more mischief in 2018. Plus, don’t forget to pick up some rare finds at the IRREGULAR FOLKS MERCH STALL – as ever sporting a luscious back catalogue of limited edition releases by artists who have played Irregular Folks past and present that are sure to satisfy even the most hardcore record junkies.
Second Helpings: The Lazy Sunday Film Day … (8 July 2018)
Following the festivities on the Saturday, the Irregular Folks invite you to an extra, completely FREE, day of fun and entertainment: The Lazy Sunday Film Day (8th July). In collaboration with the local, independent and very brilliant cult cinema experience Ultimate Picture Palace, the Sunday will present revellers with a collection of weird and wonderful films to sit back and feast your eyes on as you kick back with a beer. Expect special Q&As with some of the directors too. Full programme to be announced in due course.
Fantastic Food & Drink
Helping you feed your stomach as we feed your mind throughout the festival, there’ll be grub and grog to grab from the likes of Brighton’s bohemian Bread For Life Mobile Pizzeria, artisan pick me ups courtesy of the Jericho Coffee Traders, T.O.A.D. beer stocked bars, popcorn and more to be announced.
More to be announced…
Watch this space for extra line up additions, and info on the range of tasty treats and challenges that will be on offer at this year’s festival…
T.O.A.D.: Behind the new location
The festival’s 2018 location at T.O.A.D.: The Oxford Artisan Distillery, is both brilliantly central and stunningly inventive and is found right at top of South Parks, Oxford. The fantastic people at T.O.A.D have cleverly converted a collection of old council equipment barns to house their wonderful distillery. With principles completely aligned with that of the Festival’s, their love of the arts, passion for sustainability, as well as shared passion for making dreams come true, meant bringing Irregular Folks Summer Session to this exquisite new location was something of an unmissable opportunity.