Alex James: 'Food, music go well together'

Blur bassist Alex James has explained his reasons for organising a food and music festival.

The event, which is titled Alex James Presents Harvest, is due to take place from September 9 to September 12 on the star's farm in Kingham, Oxfordshire.

"Food and music go so well together. Music has come to represent something else, it's a different kind of oblivion than what it used to be. Eating is the new getting pissed," he told the Daily Star.

"I've wanted to do a festival on my farm for a while, it seems like the best use of my fields I can think of."

Acts confirmed to perform include KT Tunstall and DJ Jo Whiley, with a special guest headliner due to be announced soon.

Taking care of the food for the event, James has booked chefs Richard Corrigan and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for appearances.

"We're up to a ridiculous number of Michelin stars, all my favourite chefs are coming.

"There will be mad cheese experiments, oysters and the best burger you've ever tasted. I hate food snobbery, so anything delicious is in – candy floss and toffee apples as well."

James also revealed that he is working on "a record of lullabies" that he plans to play "in a bandstand at Harvest for people to fall asleep to".

Tickets for the festival are on sale now.

James was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Bournemouth last year.