Standon Calling is the fairytale festival success story- starting out as a house party it has grown to accommodate huge headliners without losing that sense of intimacy that made it special in the first place. Keeping it's numbers small, Standon Calling has concentrated on curating a truly unique experience, both in terms of music but also the incredible decor, themes and general tomfoolery on offer. We had a chat to its accidental founder, Alex Trenchard on the highs and lows of running a festival.

Run-Riot: How did Standon Calling get started?

Alex: I never planned to create a festival. In the early years Standon was a birthday barbecue for friends with DJs and innocent games of 'kick the can'. When we started having live music in about the third year I had no idea the event would snowball into what it has become now. I certainly don't have a birthday anymore. I think it's the overgrown house party vibe that makes Standon unique. Part of the festival takes place in the grounds of a manor house with swimming pool whilst the rest in fields with rolling hills as backdrop. It's a small site which means you keep remeeting the same people over the course of the weekend which adds to the friendliness of the vibe. But having said all that Standon isn't some country fete. We book headliners that match festivals more than twice the size and we have a proven record in spotting emerging talent.

RR: What are the key ingredients to a good festival?

Alex: For me festivals are about time away from having to be in a place at a certain time. To get away from the mechanics of planning your life. I don't think big festivals deliver this as well as small ones as it's always a nightmare getting from A to B. Festivals are also about making new friends away from our immediate network and work environment. The faster our lives get the less chance we have to do this. Then for us at Standon music is clearly key but also all the stuff that happens around the fringes and in the small hours. This year we have created loads of micro venues to encourage late night roaming and the 3am chance encounter with new friends or a new experience.

Run-Riot: You've experienced a few financial 'hiccups' during the festival's early years- what are the hardest part of running Standon Calling these days?

Alex: So many people have supported the festival over the years and for me the hardest thing is to deliver for them and make good on their belief and trust. It has been a rocky road and I've made mistakes but I am really excited that we are about to deliver what will be the best Standon Calling we've ever had.

RR: What's been the greatest Standon Calling moment for you?

Alex: In one of the early years we revealed a secret fairy glade stage completely unexpectedly after midnight. The looks of complete joy on the audience's faces are something that has kept me pushing on with the festival ever since. Then there have been some amazing sets. Florence & The Machine in 2009, Etienne de Crecy's giant cube in 2010, Mumford & Sons storming the folk stage in 2010, Friendly Fires in 2008 and for me Metronomy in 2010. Introducing Buena Vista Social Club to a rammed main stage field in 2010 was a pretty special way to close the festival that year.

RR:Which acts are you most looking forward to seeing this year?

Alex: !!! (Chk Chk Chk)'s only UK festival performance. This year Standon is all about live performance and I can't wait to get amongst during their set on the Saturday night. I've wanted to book Fat Freddy's Drop for years and that really will be an amazing festival close. Beardyman's specially curated first UK headline performance will also be pretty unique and Death In Vegas on the Saturday too. Willy Mason will be really special in what will be a rammed folk stage. Then Time & Space Machine in the Cowshed Club for a properly psychedlic final live set on that stage. This year we've created a new dance stage in a Secret location that will feature some of the hottest names in UK bass culture including Julio Bashmore, Kode 9 as well as legends such as Shy FX and DJ EZ. Toddla T opens it. No one knows where it will be and I'm really excited about the way its going to go off when the stage emerges out of nowhere. And when I can't dance anymore I'm looking forward to getting away from it all in the Autumn Shift produced "The Land Of The Lotus Eaters" for songs by the camp fire, cinema and sock workshops!

RR:Dream Festival Lineup for Standon?

Alex: My dream mainstage headliners would be The Strokes on Friday, Daft Punk on the Saturday and I've always had a soft spot for Bjork. She would close the Sunday.

Standon Calling takes place this weekend- buy tickets here.