It's a sleepy, old-fashioned family resort in the wilds of Irvine, but each Fourth of July weekend Oak Canyon Ranch has become the venue for some of the country's hippest festivals. The roots/rockabilly Hootenanny is in its sixth year, while the indie-rock outing This Ain't No Picnic returns for the second time and the hip-hop Live at the BBQ makes its debut.

Chris Isaak, Beck and De La Soul headline the respective festivals, but the low-key venue itself is a major player.

"It's more like your uncle has a farm and a bunch of bands come to play," said Paul Tollett, head of festival organizer Goldenvoice. "But not like Woodstock."

The Hootenanny draws roots-rock, swing and rockabilly fans from across the West for what looks like a dysfunctional family picnic circa 1952 -- hair grease, hot rods and hula-girl tattoos. "There's nothing like it in the country," said Tollett. "It's unbelievable." And because it's held on a holiday weekend, "it's sort of a destination spot for rockabilly people."

Some of the music is as genuinely vintage as the gingham dresses and red lipstick (past years have featured pioneering artists including Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buck Owens and Bo Diddley). The rest, whether modeled on old-fashioned swing or straight-ahead hardcore, are direct descendants of the rock 'n' roll pioneers who didn't even know they were punks.

The headliner slot has traditionally been reserved for first-generation veterans, but this year it belongs to revivalist Chris Isaak, he of the Roy Orbison-via-Bakersfield croon and post-apocalyptic Nudie's suits.

"We just wanted to change it up," said Tollett. "It's still in the right vibe."

Some acts, like the "psychobilly" Reverend Horton Heat, have become favorites at the Hootenanny, which also features several reunions -- the Knitters, featuring X's John Doe, Exene Cervenkova, DJ Bonebreak and former Blaster and one-time X-man Dave Alvin; '80s rockabilly revivalists/New Wave outfit the Kingbees, featuring Jamie James; and the re-teaming of two-thirds of the Stray Cats, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom.

Things could also get interesting, considering that Dave Alvin's brother, Phil, returns with the Blasters. The bill also features a pair of bands who tangled in court over their names, the Royal Crown Revue and the Amazing Crowns (the Amazing Royal Crowns before the lawsuit; their new album is called, coincidentally, "Royal").

The festival, produced by Goldenvoice and 98 Posse, has spawned its own record label (Hootenanny Recordings) and a couple of albums -- a 1998 compilation and the brand-new "Live at the Hootenanny Vol. 1," featuring past performances by the Reverend Horton Heat ("Five-O Ford"), Social Distortion front man Mike Ness ("I'm In Love With My Car"), Deke Dickerson ("Muleskinner Blues") and others.

"Oak Canyon Ranch is a big part of the secret for this festival," Tollett said. "The combination of the talent, the crowd and the venue -- the three things really clicked."

Classic cars and hot rods occupy the far end of the small, tree-lined lake. Vendors set up camp on the side nearest the two main stages. They're side by side in the outfield of a baseball diamond so one band can perform while the other stage is readied for the next act; concertgoers can stand in front of the stages or watch from the tree-shaded bleachers and picnic tables. There's a smaller, permanent stage near the covered picnic tables and food vendors.

Last year the Hootenanny split the weekend with the eclectic This Ain't No Picnic, which features a more modern, experimental lineup that can range from dreamy to droning pop or from experimental to just plain weird music.

"There's no specific criteria to be on the show, it's just a feeling," Tollett said, adding that acts tend to share a like-mindedness rather than a sound.

Beck attended the first Picnic as a spectator (Sonic Youth headlined) and didn't have to be asked twice if he'd like to play at the second edition. His show won't be the same full-on RB extravaganza as his recent tour -- but it won't be one of his solo folk outings, either.

"It's gonna be a scaled-down version of the band, but it's not acoustic," Tollett said.

This Ain't No Picnic, named after a song by hardcore/alternative pioneers the Minutemen, also includes the return of that band's bassist, Mike Watt. Some of the acts don't qualify as indie anymore -- Built to Spill is on Warner Bros.; there was a bidding war for Modest Mouse, which just released its first Epic album; space-pop outfit Grandaddy is on V2. Meanwhile, the hushed Yo La Tengo and country-pop buzz band Beachwood Sparks are on major indie labels. However, the bulk of the lineup is definitely still indie darlings and features a solo appearance by the Sea and Cake's Sam Prekop; vintage-sample trip-hop duo DJ Me DJ You; and "sadcore" folk-pop singer Shannon Wright.

The event will also include a special appearance by the experimental theatrical troupe the Blue Man Group, which blends comedy, science and music and perform in cobalt blue body paint. BMG uses drums and custom-made instruments such as airpoles and tubes made from polyvinyl chloride-pipe (specifically, the PVC, drumbone, tubulum and backback tubulum -- so members can launch rockets as they play).

Live at the BBQ is an amalgamation of the multiact Spitkicker tour headlined by De La Soul and Common, plus similar hip-hop renegades rounded up by Goldenvoice and the LA Fat Beats record store -- and, just for fun, a hip-hop basketball tournament (long before he became an acclaimed rapper, Common was a ballboy for the Chicago Bulls).

The BBQ lineup has a more artistic, experimental and political edge than the term hip-hop usually implies. It's led by the laid-back De La Soul, reunited for their first album in four years. "Art Official Intelligence (Mosaic Thump)," the first in a planned trilogy, will be in stores July 18; guests on the album include Busta Rhymes, the Beastie Boys, Chaka Khan, Redman and Xhibit.

Unlike traditional multiact tours, Spitkicker's intention is to have all its artists perform together -- including Pharoahe Monch, veteran rapper Biz Markie, Reflection Eternal and Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek. No one is sure what the addition of other acts will mean as far as interplay.

"It's anyone's guess. It's gonna be unbelievable," Tollett said.

Souls of Mischief, Dilated Peoples, Jeru the Damaja, Medusa, Aceyalone, X-ecutioners, Craze, Cash Money and the Beat Junkies -- along with Kweli's partner in Black Star, Mos Def -- are also scheduled to appear.

"The amount of talent that's going to be on that show, it's unprecedented," Tollett said.

This is also the first time such an event has taken place in Orange County, and Tollett thinks hip-hop fans will appreciate Oak Canyon just as much as the rockabilly and indie crowds.

"They're gonna like the vibe."

TO HEAR THE MUSIC: Ranch hands: To hear samples of performers at Hootenanny, This Ain't No Picnic and Live at the BBQ, call NewsLink: Riverside-Moreno Valley, (909) 222-7000; Hemet-San Jacinto, (909) 765-2833; Temecula-Murrieta, (909) 693-3338. Category 8148. Toll charges may apply outside local calling areas.

Hootenanny, This Ain't No Picnic and Live at the BBQ

Hootenanny: Chris Isaak; the Reverend Horton Heat; the Knitters; Royal Crown Revue; Lee Rocker, Slim Jim Phantom and Friends; Hank Williams III; the Damned's Dave Vanian; the Cadillac Tramps; the Blasters; the Kingbees; James Intveld; Hot Rod Lincoln; the Road Kings; Blazing Haley; the Amazing Crowns; Los Infernos; Still Dreadful; Joe Wood; 3 Bad Jacks; Billy Kernkamp; and the Riverboat Gamblers. Saturday, $40. Includes car show and vintage merchandise.

This Ain't No Picnic: Beck; Yo La Tengo; Built to Spill; Modest Mouse; At The Drive-In; Sensefield; Sam Prekop; Grandaddy; Don Caballero; Creeper Lagoon; Mike Watt and the Pair of Pliers; the Bicycle Thief; Delta 72; Beachwood Sparks; Pedro the Lion; Shannon Wright; Wisky Biscuit; DJ Me DJ You; Radar Brothers; the Pressure; Tristeza; the Sadies; and the Blue Man Group. Sunday, $30.

Live at the BBQ: De La Soul; Common; Reflection Eternal; Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek; Pharoahe Monch; Biz Markie; Mos Def; Dilated Peoples; Aceyalone; X-ecutioners; Souls of Mischief; Medusa; Craze; Cash Money; Beat Junkies; Dusk; Mark Luv; Drez; Higher; Jeru the Damaja; and Gabe Real. Monday, $30. Includes basketball tournament. For more information, call (213) 368-9632 or (323) 663-3717.

When: Gates open at 11 a.m., music noon to dusk each day.

Where: Oak Canyon Ranch, 5305 Santiago Canyon Road, Irvine. Take Highway 91 west to the Highway 241 toll road, exit at Santiago Canyon Road and go east. Or take Highway 91 west to Highway 55 south, exit at Chapman Avenue and go east through the city of Orange; Chapman turns into Santiago Canyon Road. Concert site is east of Irvine Lake; turn left.

Parking: Included in ticket price.

Information: Ticketmaster, (714) 740-2000 or (619) 220-8497.

On the Internet: http://www.goldenvoice.com