"My CV reads: 'A lot of tunes, a lot of cheese, a lot of children, lives on a farm, loves a party," the Blur bassist says. "It's no small undertaking, running a festival, but it sits completely within my preoccupations."
Our exclusive shoot and interview with the affable musician, whose love of a good anecdote makes for entertaining company, takes place at the sprawling 17th-century, honey-toned farmhouse in Kingham, Oxfordshire that he shares with his wife Claire and their five children - Geronimo, 20, 18-yearold twins Artemas and Galileo, Sable, who turns 16 next month, and Beatrix, 14.
It is also the HQ for his other business ventures, including his award-winning artisan cheese and Britpop sparkling wine, while he continues to perform and tour with one of Britain's most successful and enduring bands.
UNITED BY MUSIC
But it is the three-day family-friendly event, this year featuring headliners Snow Patrol and Becky Hill, that gives him the most joye specially when his teenagers get involved with the DJing.
"I gave Beatrix a go last year and she was up there, banging out Rihanna," he says proudly.
"Then she called her sister up, because it was her birthday, then her brothers joined her, and then me and Claire and both the grannies were up there.
"Beatrix put on We Are Family by Chic and we were all bouncing up and down together. It was a purely magical moment, the culmination of everything we'd been working towards."
Alex, 55, and Claire, who met in a nightclub in 2002 and married in 2003, bought the farm on their honeymoon, moving there from London shortly afterwards.
Beautifully renovated over the years, the main house combines a contemporary look and a farmhouse aesthetic, with six bedrooms, several bathrooms and a mezzanine library, glass-ceilinged extension, large kitchen, snug and family living room.
This story is from the July 15, 2024 edition of HELLO! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 15, 2024 edition of HELLO! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MAKING A CAREER COMEBACK AND DEEPLY IN LOVE KEANU REEVES HITS NEW HIGHS AS HE CELEBRATES TURNING 60
He has long held a reputation for having the biggest heart in Hollywood, and as Keanu Reeves celebrates his 60th birthday, life seems to be treating him well in return.
OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS ALICIA VIKANDER ON PLAYING HENRY VIII'S LAST WIFE IN NEW FILM
When Alicia Vikander signed on to play one of the most famous women in British history in the new movie Firebrand, she knew it was important to get her portrayal right. But despite spending many hours researching the significance of Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII, she also acknowledges that becoming a mother she shares two children with her actor husband Michael Fassbender was invaluable when it came to getting into such a historical character.
BERNARDO SILVA AND MODEL WIFE HAVE A BALL AT DAUGHTER'S FIRST BIRTHDAY BASH
Dribbling, (sleep) training, athome games, even changing ends for Premier League footballer Bernardo Silva, they have all taken on new meaning over the past 12 months.
QUEEN RANIA OF JORDAN RADIATES ELEGANCE IN LATEST BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT
Becoming a grandmother certainly hasn't robbed Queen Rania of her sparkle. Judging by a new official photo released in celebration of her 54th birthday (left), it has merely enhanced it.
NICOLE KIDMAN A PERFECT BELLE IN BALENCIAGA AS SHE STEALS SHOW AT LONDON PREMIERE
She and her husband Keith Urban might be considered The Perfect Couple, but Australian superstar Nicole was only too happy to go it alone when she donned a stunning black Balenciaga gown for the London premiere of the new Netflix show, in which she stars as matriarch novelist Greer Winbury.
KATE BECKINSALE PLAYS A SHORT - AND A LONG-GAME AT VENICE GALA
The star-studded amfAR Gala in Venice was a peachy occasion for actress Kate Beckinsale, who walked the red carpet dressed in the cheerful hue last week.
RED HOT ON THE RED CARPET COUPLES COSY UP IN VENICE THAT'S AMORE FOR GLAMOROUS STARS AT THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
For many it's the city of love - and Daniel who looked smart in a Meanwhile, fans of Lady Gaga who accompanied her to the the film stars descending on bespoke suit by Loewe plays one of were treated to a glimpse of her new year, we offer film, in which she Venice for this year's International Film Festival certainly made it live up to that name, cosying up to their partners on the red carpet.
AS SHE UNVEILS HER LATEST FASHION COLLECTION LAURA WHITMORE ON STYLE INSPO AND THE JOY OF A MULTI-FACETED CAREER
Posing up a storm in our exclusive HELLO! photoshoot, Laura Whitmore is reminiscing about when she first discovered an interest in fashion growing up in Bray, Co. Wicklow.
PROVING THAT HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS THE PRINCE OF WALES SHARES STORIES WITH ARTISTS AT SHOW INSPIRED BY HOMELESSNESS CAMPAIGN
Fresh from his summer break, the Prince of Wales returned to royal duties last week, sporting the beard he debuted in August.
VINTAGE FASHION FAN LADY AMELIA WINDSOR ENJOYS AN INTIMATE BELATED BIRTHDAY BASH
When it comes to celebrating in style, Lady involved. Sipping on a chardonnay from Chile's neither confirms nor denies if she will be attending Amelia Windsor knows how to deliver.