Peerless Pirates High Seas High Jinks with Oxford’S Pirate Pop Adventurers

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[email protected] @NightshiftMag NightshiftMag nightshiftmag.co.uk Free every month NIGHTSHIFT Issue 252 July Oxford’s Music Magazine 2016

“There are piratical references but most of it is about bawdy capers and suspect antics. We’re the Carry On team in tricorns.” peerless pirates High seas high jinks with Oxford’s pirate pop adventurers. Also in this issue: common people reviewed Introducing KANADIA Plus - all your Oxford music news, reviews, previews, and eight pages of local gigs. NIGHTSHIFT: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU. Phone: 01865 372255 photo: Giulia Biasibetti on the Oxford

. Following the rd e of the release of about alking , as well as playing at Truck Festival on Friday Truck July, as well as playing at st t ve been ha Thursday 21 on , following on from their show at Common People in May. The band will in May. , following on from their show at Common People th 15 their debut album next month and the future of the band as two memberstheir debut album next abroad. for jobs head off at The favourites launch their eponymous album The local electro-rock Cellar MAIIANS also play a show at London’s Seabright Arms on July 23 Seabright also play a show at London’s scene with their powerful and atmospheric instrumental electro sound,scene with their powerful and atmospheric instrumental elements of techno andpowered by two live drummers, which blended compared to the likestrance with post-rock and Krautrock and saw them Banco de Gaia. `Lemon’,of Kraftwerk, Fuck Buttons and trance pioneer second was voted Nightshift’s `Tokyo’, the lead track from their debut EP global hit Animals’ favourite track of the year in 2014, beaten only by Glass The band were handpicked by Rob de Bank to help launch single `Gooey’. The Cellar at the start of 2016. Common People at of their rapid rise to the status of local favourites and one of the Talking most popular live bands in Oxford, James said, “the first time I remember thinking we’d really connected with an audience was at the Punt last year, and from that we had an amazing run of shows: headlining the Friday night at the Week Venue was fantastic; Independent Truck in the small tent at All of our shows have been really fun, this band and Common People. Cellar, is really fun. Seeing crowd reactions is the absolute best.” “Some of the shows we’ve played will live in our memories for a lifetime,” tons two drummers, “and that’s added Matt Goolding, one of the band’s genuinely just had fun with We’ve more than we expected at the beginning. amazing for that to be positively received. Oxford’s what we write and it’s , and been unbelievable for us; the support of our mates, BBC Introducing Nightshift has really helped to fill those venues. Oxford has always been from the norm and we are very very supportive of anything slightly differing grateful for that” promises James, while but certainly not forever,” the end for a little “It’s just having a break and we don’t future plans. “We’re talking of the quintet’s to Japan before, just after `Tokyo’ lost a member We know how long for. came out, and we carried on. People will be back and taking it online might make it even easier to write; we are all capable of sequencing drums and in the country back so when the stars align and everyone’s recording stuff The album should be say when yet! just can’t We shows will happen. We’ll available late July; we’re releasing it digitally and on a limited 12”. have copies at the launch shows and you’ll probably be able to pick up a store or our Bandcamp after that.” Truck copy from release of the album keyboard player Sam King is moving to Japan, whilerelease of the album keyboard player Sam King The States. drummer Callum Peaston is heading for The band insist the departures are not the end of Maiians though, with new as and when all the fiverecordings planned online and future live shows members are in the UK together. end of this summer would be a natural stopping been aware that the “We’ve keyboard player James Cunning told Nightshift in point for a while now,” triumphant performance on the Uncommon stage the wake of Maiians’ our eyes was to collectat Common People, “so the best thing to do in had left, and see if we couldeverything we’ve done before, record what we remastered and `One of Each’ We had `Lemon’ fit it onto two sides of vinyl. takes time with Writing as we were never that happy with the originals. this band; there are no songs per se, but ideas that are jammed to within The aim was always to an inch of their lives, then cut up and reassembled. the way it sounds, because itreplicate the sound live. I’m really happy with of the band, and the tracks sit very well next to each does capture the energy other.” Formed in 2013, Maiians quickly became big favourites

th October. Also an Zeller. Earlybird th October. The annual October. th August at the Oxford th City ground in Marston with bands Any paying a small fee to enter. bands, or coalitions of bands wanting Aiden to take part should email Canaday at aidencanaday@gmail. com for more information. GENGHAR, Hudson Scott and are among acts confirmed Yuck for What Became Of Us Festival The two-day event, in October. by promoters Future organised Perfect, takes place at The Bullingdon from Friday 14 nationwide network of gigs in aid nationwide network of at various of Oxfam runs all day venues on or near Cowley Road, including East Oxford Community The Library; Arts; Centre; Fusion and Joe Perks, Tavern, James Street with more venues to be added. are now looking for local Organisers acts who want to play the event. Anyone interested should email oxjamoxfordproduction@gmail. com or send a message via the Facebook Takeover Oxjam Oxford event featured sets page. Last year’s Death from The Balkan Wanderers; of Hi-Fi; Duotone and Little Brother Eli, among others. Additionally Oxjam are running a six-a-side football tournament in The Gatehouse conjunction with as a fundraiser for both charities. The tournament will take place on Sunday 7 – Saturday 15 Willie J Healey, confirmed are Willie Cabbage and V tickets, priced £10 for both days, are What Became the Visit on sale now. of Us Facebook page for details. Us & They’; `Well Fed Worms in a Worms Fed They’; `Well Us & All the Graveyard’, and `Ignoring & Lights’. Tunnels OXJAM returns to Oxford on Saturday 15

June st rd hone: 01865 372255 Phone: 01865 Online: nightshiftmag.co.uk August. Tracklisting th release a new EP in release a new EP email: [email protected] October with Declan Sinnott solo studio album. Tickets, October. The quartet, who have The October. th th th O Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU Kidlington, PO Box 312, Nightshift: NEWS and Jim Higgins as part of a tour new album `Lily’, his to promote 27 on priced £36.15 (plus booking) are sale now on 0844 871 3020, or via Ticketweb.co.uk. Y MOORE plays an CHRISTY Irish The show in October. Oxford folk legend, a founding member of Planxty and Moving Hearts, comes on Wednesday to The New Theatre 12 sold over 500,000 copies of debut album `Zaba’, and enjoyed 200 million Spotify streams worldwide, played a secret hometown show The Bullingdon on the 3 at October as part of a national tour to Be To promote second album `How Human Being’, including a show A The Roundhouse in London on the at 25 ahead of the release of come-back single `Life Itself’,Annie was which World. Hottest Record in the Mac’s on sale for the O2 show are Tickets priced £15, from the venue box now, Ticketweb. office, or through CASSELS The Chipping Norton duo, August. who starred on the Uncommon stage will at Common People in May, on Big They’ Us & release `You, August. Scary Monsters at the end of with The brothers will launch the EP Wheatsheaf on a headline show at the Thursday 25 GLASS ANIMALS have announced their biggest Oxford show to date in band play the The October. O2 Academy on Friday 21 for the EP is: `Cool Box’; `You, is: `Cool Box’; `You, for the EP AS EVER, don’t forget to tune into BBC Oxford Introducing every Saturday night between 8-9pm on 95.2fm. The dedicated local music show plays the best Oxford releases NEWS and demos as well as featuring CARNIVAL RETURNS TO COWLEY ROAD ON SUNDAY 10TH JULY. interviews and sessions with local The annual celebration of east Oxford’s multicultural life takes place acts. The show is available to along the length of Cowley Road, from The Plain to the top of Magdalen stream or download as a podcast at Road, from midday through til 5pm, with a series of post-Carnival bbc.co.uk/oxford. parties and gigs planned at the venues and pubs in the area. As ever music plays a huge part in Carnival, with myriad live stages OXFORD GIGBOT provides a and sound systems along the road. The Bullingdon, The City Arms; The regular local gig listing update on Black Swan; The Library and The Cape of Good Hope are among pubs Twitter (@oxgigbot), bringing hosting stages, while there’ll also be live stages at The Music Box, 420 you new gigs as soon as they go VANGOFFEY play a show at Skates and Restore on Manzil Way, plus The Kate Garrett stage. live. They also provide a free The Jericho Tavern on Friday 7th Among the live acts performing across the event are Zaia; Maiians; weekly listings email. Just contact October. The gig, hosted by Daisy Chad Valley; Death of the Maiden; The Young Women’s Music Project; [email protected] to join. Rodgers Music, will mark frontman Rhymeskeemz; Inner Peace Records; Two Tone All-Skas; Mad Larry; Danny Goffey’s return to the venue Headington Hillbillies; Heavy Dexters; Flights of Helios and Ran Kan that launched his career with The Kan. Jennifers and later Supergrass in As well as the live music, sound systems and DJs, including the Free the early 90s. Now fronting his own Range Roots system, Carnival boasts its traditional cornucopia of world band Danny tours his debut album dance, theatre, food, poetry and spoken word, kids activities and more, `Take Your Jacket Off & Get Into including the main Carnival procession. Last year’s event attracted over It’. Tickets, priced £10 adv, are on 40,000 people to Cowley Road, making it the biggest event of its kind in sale from Wegottickets.com. the county. Post-Carnival the party continues at the O2 Academy with an official BLACKWELL’S MUSIC in after party featuring rap legend KRS-One, plus Statik Selektah; White Broad Street have announced Magic Sound; Dr Erbs; Sir Sambo; Rhymeskeemz and Flotecs. At The that they are now stocking a wide Bullingdon house club Simple host their own party, while The Black range of Tanglewood acoustic and And just because we couldn’t not Swan has sts from Dizzy Lizzy; DJ Tony Nanton; The Corsairs; The electro acoustic guitars to add to print this picture of Paul Chuckle Mighty Redox and more. their expanding range of musical with Public Enemy, taken at instruments and accessories. For all Common People in South Park. A All the latest Carnival news, and details of how to get involved and enquiries, phone 01865 333581 or culture clash in excelsis. Read our volunteer at the event, are at www.cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk email [email protected] full festival review in this issue. A Quiet Word With maybe broke some rules along the STU: “We certainly like to put on a strong image and so many songs the rum.” way but it has definitely come out a show: we dress up, we prance about pirates and the sea the band You’ve got a decent hardcore of sounding like us, which is the very about and we have a good time. And could paint itself into a corner? fans who dress up for shows; is that least we wanted.” because we love it, the audience know CLIFF: “I’m sure that may have something that you encourage and BARRY: “For me it feels like we’ve they can join in. The worst thing gone against us from time to time how much does it help make gigs into peerless pirates been working on it since 2010. This is a good band taking themselves but I really don’t care about it to be more special occasions? is like the end of the first chapter. too seriously as it detracts from the honest and, as I’ve said, we really CLIFF: “No, we never encouraged it. We wanted to make sure when we quality of the music. All musicians haven’t got that many songs that are People just started rocking up to the brought an album out that it would be play because it’s fun, so if it’s not fun, actually about pirates. Even the songs shows in that stuff. Just like anyone considered and received well. Now why the hell are you doing it?” that might mention pirates are just likes to wear a band t shirt to see a that people are starting to buy into delivering passing references and band they like, it’s probably their way us perhaps they can see through the One thing that stands out using it as an analogy for a tale about of showing us that they like what we pirate veil and just enjoy the music.” in many of Peerless Pirates’ songs is love or debauchery or exploring or are doing. It also shows that secretly KYLE: “I’d say this album has an almost heroic sense of romance, whatever. We could get up there in everyone likes to dress up and what’s achieved what we set out to do something that lends far greater jeans and t-shirts and sing songs about wrong with that? We’re just acting as though; it’s us at this point, on a CD, depth to the band than any superficial high school rejection… would that a catalyst.” exactly how it should sound. We may impression of daft rum-soaked fun. make us more palatable? Probably Barry: “Personally I love it! On sound like a totally different band in (“I must confess I am a romantic at not, but it would make us easier to another note, we didn’t introduce a a year, but I wouldn’t change a thing heart,” confirms Cliff, “but I’m also a pigeon hole. I’d rather get up and sing conga to our song `Bring Out Your about the album.” deviant and I believe that also comes about high school rejection in 1742 Dead’ either, that is something that across in the lyrics. I have to watch and have the protagonist slay his/her has developed of its own accord and One surprising omission myself pre-watershed”). Given this paramour on the deck of a ship. That’s always makes us smile!” from the album is Èl Gringo’, the oft overlooked side of the band, what much more interesting.” 2014 single that more than any song do they think is the most popular BARRY: “It is a fine line and one Looking ahead to the displayed Peerless Pirates’ wider misconception about pirates – and the which I feel we navigate very well. summer now, and there’s a swathe of musical horizons, with its strong festivals on the horizon for Peerless Tex-Mex flavour, accompanied by a Pirates, including a headline slot on knockabout video set in a Mexican “At the end of the day, if you’re being compared the Riverside at Cornbury Festival. restaurant. Did the band feel it didn’t Do they think their live show – lively, fit the narrative of the rest of the to one of the most influential bands of the 80s, inclusive, geared for a good time – is album and is that more spaghetti you must be doing something right.” particularly suited to a festival crowd? western sound something they’d like CLIFF: “I wouldn’t say we’re suited to explore further? to festivals in particular but I do think CLIFF: “Yes, for sure. All of our most popular misconception about It’s nice to have an edge that sparks we’re adaptable. I personally prefer material, up until the release of Èl Peerless Pirates themselves? creativity when writing but once you smaller intimate gigs where the sweat Gringo’, was painted on a nautical CLIFF: “That they were all bad. listen to our music you do tend to see collects on the ceiling. Festivals have canvas and I felt that the debut album True, most were but some were the bigger picture. Our songs are full an altogether different vibe. In terms should reflect that. Èl Gringo’ was also misguided. However, back in of romance, cheekiness and a little bit of festivals we have coming up I’d say perhaps a hint of a future direction the day, no leniency was shown to of organised chaos. I suppose we are Cornbury and Charlbury Riverside are where we will be exploring more of someone who probably just needed a who we are, minus any delusions of the two giving me the butterflies.” the Tex-Mex bandit sound and more comforting arm around the shoulder grandeur and as long as people keep BARRY: “Festivals are my favourite “There was no intention band took their rollicking rock and weary disquiet of the band) to The received singles and demos the surf and eastern European dynamics. or a massage. Let’s face it, executions coming to the gigs and enjoying our gigs. We get to perform to massive to be a pirate band or write about roll show to the stage at Common Smiths, particularly Cliff’s bold, rich band have put out over the last few That’s not to say I’m done with the were a family day out. Captain Kidd sound we’ll carry on.” audiences who have probably never pirates,” says Peerless Pirates People where they predictably went voice that touches on Morrissey at years. Do the band feel they’ve been seafaring lark but a band needs room was a decent bloke led astray, like a KYLE: “It’s always been more of heard of us, so the challenge is greater frontman Cliff Adams, a man regularly down a storm. A week later the times, and Kyle’s lively guitar work appreciated fully along the way or has to manoeuvre and this is ours.” lot of decent blokes.” a flourish than a peg leg and parrots to get them dancing. It’s fun to watch seen onstage dressed in elegant quartet launched their debut album which owes a little something to the pirate shtick hindered as much as KYLE: “Anyone who’s spoken to KYLE: “That they look like Johnny kind of affair. If people can’t see them gradually loosen up and end up buccaneer garb singing songs about with a headline show at the O2 Johnny Marr, Peerless Pirates are so helped them along the way? me for more than five minutes knows Depp when most of them looked like past the pirate thing then they aren’t fully jumping about.” high seas adventure and derring do. Academy. This month they head much more than this, owing as much CLIFF: “Our reviews have generally I’m a huge rock’n’roll and surf nut, a blind cobbler’s thumb.” listening. I love being a pirate, and KYLE: “We’ve had some dumpster “My late father played in a midnight out on further festival adventures, to bands like The Monochrome Set, followed the same pattern: `You so I’m always up for revisiting that! I STU: “That they were a disorganised the most pirate thing after all, is not fire festival gigs, and some gigs at league ten-pin bowling team in playing at Cornbury Festival and Adam & the Ants and The Ukrainians, sound like The Smiths. You never am also looking forward to exploring rabble; they were in fact an extremely caring what others think. That and your local Slug and Lettuce that have Birmingham in the 1960s called Charlbury Riverside and The Kids as well as composer Ennio Morricone, change. You think you’re real pirates some other styles in the not too distant democratic and fair society. As long as theft. And rum.” felt like Wembley. I really do think Peerless Pirates, basically consisting Are Alright charity show in the whose influence is pebbledashed all but we like you.’ This is a constant future. We decided fairly early on not you weren’t the ones being boarded.” STU: “I wouldn’t say we’d ever be a it’s the crowd that makes it. I think of staff from a company called Peerless rooftop amphitheatre of the Said over the band’s single Èl Gringo’. source of confusion for me, but I like to include Èl Gringo’. The album has CLIFF: “The most popular novelty. We play music that falls into Cornbury is going to be a banger! I Stampings Ltd. I still have his black Business School. For those who “It would be churlish of me to deny the fact that people eventually cotton a strong nautical feel – a narrative is a misconception about us is that we a mixture of genres including indie, can’t wait for that!” silk shirt with `Peerless Pirates’ on the prefer their musical grog in more that The Smiths were a big influence on to the fact that our piratical bent really good way to put it – and it was believe we are pirates and sing solely alternative, folk, surf, rock. But quite back. When I was between bands I just intimate surroundings The Pirates also on me, “ says Cliff as Nightshift chats is delivered with swathes of black something of a square peg in a round about pirates. There are one or two prominent and pretty uniquely, is a Peerless Pirates’ album thought that would be a good name for perform at Klub Kakofanney at The to Peerless Pirates ahead of their humour. As with all these things hole in that respect.” salient piratical references but most strong dose of shanty. It influences closes, as do their live shows, with my next venture.” Wheatsheaf on the 1st of July. hectic month of gigs. “However, I they take time and I think people’s of it is about other bawdy capers and the rhythms and the meandering a roustabout version of the classic A busy month, then, for a band who am always at pains to point out that initial reservations have made it more Ultimately Peerless suspect antics. We’re the Carry On melodies, and it’s infectious and `What Shall We Do With the Drunken Intentional or not have earned themselves a reputation my music collection is completely difficult for us but we have continued Pirates, as anyone who has ever seen team in tricorns.” addictive. We can’t deny that it is Sailor’. What would the band do with Peerless Pirates have carved out as one of the most out and out fun acts eclectic. I’m never dented by to have fun regardless of what has one of their superb live shows would Have you played any of the pirate key part of our music, so we embrace an actual drunken sailor? a singular niche for themselves in town. Along the way songs like comparisons to Morrissey, though. I been happening around us. It’s maybe testify, seems to be about having fun; festivals around the country? that in our image. And anyway, who CLIFF: “Kick him in the shins and locally since they formed in 2013 as `High Seas love Affair’; `Your Grace’ don’t mind it, but I don’t think I’m foolhardy, but I think it has taken do they feel enough bands make an CLIFF: “We’ve played at Hastings doesn’t love a pirate.” steal his boat.” purveyors of a swashbuckling form and `The Ghost of Captain Kidd’ have quite as miserable.” us longer than normal to become effort to have fun and encourage their Pirate Festival a couple of times but If the four of you were real pirates, KYLE: “Steal his rum!” of pop that pressgangs 80s indie, become singalong favourites “Let’s be honest here,” adds Barry, established locally because of it. audience to do likewise? we don’t do too many generally. We who’d be captain; who’d be the cabin STU: “Actually, we usually just give rockabilly, eastern European folk “being compared to The Smiths from Hopefully, it’s a hare and the tortoise CLIFF: “I’ve never been into trying mostly play our own stuff so pirate boy; who’d drink all the rum and him the lead guitar.” dance, spaghetti western soundtracks, The name Peerless the very early days has actually been thing. Seems like we got somewhere to gee an audience along. They will festivals have to stretch their roster a who’d end up keelhauled? surf rock and sea shanties and makes Pirates has been around for a while a blessing. We did moan about it in the end.” either have fun of their own accord or little to accommodate us. We do bring CLIFF: “Without going into details, `Peerless Pirates’ is out now. Peerless them dance a merry hornpipe that they now – an early incarnation of the initially but at the end of the day, if Full fruition is upon us now with the they won’t. Getting them to clap along a little light relief to the endless covers I guess I’d remain as Captain and the Pirates play Klub Kakofanney at describe as Pirate Pop. band, fronted by Cliff, existed in 2008 you are being compared to one of the album. Is it everything you wanted it is going to get right up their noses. of Friggin’ In The Riggin’.” rest could squabble over the dregs of The Wheatsheaf on Friday the 1st They don’t go overboard on the but soon fell apart, and the band we most influential bands of the 80s, you to be? I just get up and play and if it has a BARRY: “Pirate festivals are rum I’d left for them.” July; The Kids Are Alright 4 at Said costumes but there’s a strong pirate know now came together three years must be doing something right.” CLIFF: “It’s rather overdue. We positive effect then I’m humbled. amazing. Hastings Pirate Day was BARRY: “Yeah, I’d be keel hauled Business School on Saturday 2nd; image on show, one that’s been ago as Cliff was joined by guitarist actually have enough material now for I know I perform a little like I’m a amazing fun. I think it was about most probably. Ha ha. There can only The Riverside Festival at Cornbury increasingly taken up by the band’s Kyle Mundy, bassist Stuart Green and The release of the album a double album. We began recording mincing dandy caught up in my own 15,000 fully dressed up pirates during be one captain and that’s Cliff. Stu Festival on Friday the 8th, and devoted following. drummer Barry Short. `Peerless Pirates’ is the culmination back in October 2015 and Kyle and inflated tales, but the audience seem to the record attempt back in 2012, would be the cabin boy, and Kyle Charlbury Riverside on Sunday 24th. While comparisons have been made of that something right, a logical myself have spent the last three do the same so we’re all at it. This is which was pretty cool.” would definitely drink all the rum.” Hear them at At the end of May the (and made again, to the obvious extension of the succession of well- months mixing and mastering it. We what gigging is all about.” Is there ever a worry that having such KYLE: “I would absolutely drink all www.peerlesspirates.com Sponsored by and general pub gig distortion that adds to the overall spectacle live, Lucy Leave’s new RACHEL LUSCOMBE four-song EP throws both their strengths and KING weaknesses into starker light. Title track `Fighter Pilot’ is an odd lead- `Vivid EP’ RELEASED in since it’s the band at their most scrappy, (Self released) seemingly out of tune with each, coming on Claire Heaviside from Balkan Wanderers would PEERLESS PIRATES VARIOUS ARTISTS like some long lost (for good reason) mid-80s surely be a shoo-in to play the clarinet were an `Peerless Pirates’ `Bear on a Bicycle jangle band whose ambition probably extended Oxford super group ever to be assembled and its no further than playing first on to Talulah customary warmth is the best thing about Rachel (Pirate Music) Gosh. Luscombe King’s low key EP, `Vivid’, a release Peerless Pirates are doubtless one of the Volume 4’ They rectify things with `Friends’, now at that comes with aurora borealis artwork across county’s foremost good time bands, and many (Bear on a Bicycle) their sweetest, singer Mike Smith’s fragile swirling aquamarine. Too often, however, the a staid local scenester has been seen throwing While the continued survival of bedroom record voice reminding us of Robert Wyatt, while the wind instrument is forced to share house room some unattractive shapes to their high-octane labels remains a cause for celebration, the record band explore their more abstract, jazz-rock with the title artist’s cooing vocals and it would indie shanty bounce, sacrificing dignity in the label compilation album can be a minefield: side. `Carry’ is spikier by far, scurrying into not be unreasonable to wish for a little more in cause of buccaneering bacchanalia. Listening to few artists want to give their best material away Pixies territory, but it’s the seven minutes-plus the way of proper lyrics. this album, though, brings out the subtler side cheap, and unless a label has a tightly controlled LUCY LEAVE closer `40 Years’ that really steals the show, When the former singer of Ragdoll does deliver of their work. Just a scan of the titles throws aesthetic, the mix and match of acts can be more the trio doing what so many great bands over some recognisable words, few could have up some words that you wouldn’t find in the mixed than matched. `Fighter Pilot EP’ the years – Modern Lovers, Wedding Present, objections to the way they are delivered but mouths of your average party combo: gallantry; Thus it is with this fourth compendium from (Self released) Perfect Disaster – have done so well: nabbing the whole is pretty unexciting in the mode of palaver; gauntlet; moratorium. This excellent Bear on a Bicycle’, who have given us great There’s a consensus among the hardcore gig- an old Bo Diddley riff and running with it until incidental music from a 1970s kids’ TV show debut album is stuffed with light, eloquent fop album releases from Paddox and Jordan O’Shea going regulars of our fair city that Lucy Leave they’re over the horizon. with protagonists all crossed legs on mats and pop that puts these pirates closer to Guybrush Dale depth charges on `Your Grace’, Runrig in the past. Both of those figure here, though are one of the very best new live bands around, So, while this EP maybe lacks some of telling tales of damsels in distress, nasty wolves Threepwood than Bluebeard. Much has been stadium clarions on `High Seas Love Affair’ Paddox’s mictrotonal, Eno-esque somnambulating sharing an acclaim similarly afforded to the Lucy Leave’s raw live power, it succeeds in and forests that are black as pitch. It’s earnest made of the band’s Smiths influence, but and – yep – Johnny Marr shimmers on `The Àphrodisiaque 006’ is an old track from their likes of Cherokee, Kanadia and Slate Hearts. revealing what a great, genuinely quirky act and heartfelt but songs such as `Tread Lightly’ aside from a bit of Morrissey phrasing, such Ghost of Captain Kidd’. Fans may miss the debut album, while Jordan’s song comes under his Their appeal lies in a very fine balance they are. One that, like Bug Prentice in the and `Solar Eclipse’ fail to really catch fire, as the `Hand In Glove’-shaped outro to `The chipotle tang of recent single Èl Gringo’ from new Friday Night Film Club guise and is harsher between all-out sonic warfare and oddly local scheme of things, aren’t going to sit unlike the artist’s eyes which she claims came Greatest Explorer On Earth’, Salford’s passive- the tracklist, but the searing live favourite `Bring than we’ve come to expect of him. tender melodies, coupled with a feeling that around letting you second guess them. An a cropper staring for too long at just such a aggressive princeling is best reflected in the Out Your Dead’ is there to sweeten the absence, Still, they provide two of the compilation’s best everything is going to fall apart completely oddly shaped wee gem of a band. celestial event. fact that this record seems improbably arch and before the record ends with a proper traditional moments, alongside My Crooked Teeth, who in the next few bars. Stripped of the volume Dale Kattack So, that clarinet and some of the arrangements theatrical while it still exhibits an everyman shanty knees up. What shall we do with the injects some plaintive passion into proceedings; aside, the first four tracks are pastoral and earthiness which tugs at the hindbrain. sober sailor? Play him this album, and he’ll be Waltz In the Shallow End’s gently carouselling undemanding but the quality rises sharply with A lot of care has been taken to ensure the hanging from the tavern light fittings, swigging twee-pop, with its French café folk vibe, and Shapes single carries on in the grand tradition, the EP’s closer. The release’s second track, songs do not run together into a generic chug, back the rotgut and making good-natured in particular Be Good’s woozy and wobbly but singers Ant Kelly and Alix Cornhill reflecting `Beacon’, reappears, remixed by Omeron City and there are some nicely varied textures and romantic lunges at potboys and bar wenches surprisingly successful cover of Roy Orbison’s on just how quickly life passes, while turning Lights and the introduction of muffled beats rhythms, especially from Kyle Mundy’s guitar, alike before track 4 is out. `Crying’. the track into something of a love song to the and subtle changes of pace signify something which throws out Duane Eddy tremolo and Dick David Murphy After the Thought’s spacious, ambient Oxford of their younger selves (“the sound of instrumental of electronic pulses and bloops verges a whole lot more interesting, recalling Serafina the streets that make me feel so tall”). It’s a Steer, who attracted critical plaudits a couple on the hypnotic but maybe lacks context amid characteristically bittersweet lament that rises overpriced sportswear. of years back with her `The Moths are Real’ much of the company here, while Penny Lame’s from downbeat country-blues to rousing boogie `Blood Fluff’ might owe its life to Nirvana but album. Much of that is presumably also down to acoustic strum is sweet and sleepy-eyed enough to while remaining steadfastly misty-eyed. Like it’s the thrilling lo-fi mess of `Bleach’ rather James Schumann’s cajón, a Peruvian percussion appeal but struggles to live long in the memory. The Relationships’ Richard Ramage, at his best than the anthemic choruses of `Smells Like instrument that resembles an over-sized bird There’s little to actually dislike, although North Kelly has a knack for melancholic reflection, Teen Spirit’ that hold the tiller as the band head seed dispenser. Its quirkiness is a real antidote Beach’s stumbling r’n’b lacks any discernible and a softness of touch that wouldn’t shame for the rockiest path through turbulent waters. to the pleasant but less than gripping nature of character and Sier Pin Sky’s simultaneously Ray Davies, although more than anything `The Their formula is simple but highly effective: the rest of the EP but Luscombe-King deserves strangulated and lackadaisical funky electro-pop Passing of the Years’ reminds us of great lost sturdy beats and monolithic superfuzzed credit for opening the studio to something makes them sound like a poor man’s Thomas 80s pop romantics Dream Academy. guitars straight out of the Tony Iommi School different. Dolby. Instead it’s a lack of some kind of core to Elsewhere here Àpril Showers’ is a slightly of Granite Riffage anchoring songs that Rob Langham the album that lets it down – while understated cheesy jazz-flavoured pop swing that refuses veer between a strangely plaintive form of electronics and acoustic pop seems to be not to be compared to The Beautiful South, and sullenness and all-out hysteria, depending dominant, there’s little to tie one track to the THE SHAPES `Late Night at the Bully’, another ode to a local on whether singer Ellis Currell is feeling next, and none of the best acts here are at their fixture, one that nicks its tune almost wholesale murderous or suicidal. best. Better to check out the artists in their own `The Passing of the Years’ from The Kinks’ `Come Dancing’. The Shapes `Dreamboat’ is both at once, while even the right, while wishing continued power to BOAB’s (Self released) won’t ever be the coolest company in town but more monolithic `Monotomy’ (sic) drops down elbow along the way. Youth, as the saying goes, is wasted on if you’re going to stay up all night drinking and from its beefy Sabbath worship at the end to Dale Kattack the young. It’s a philosophy that’s served dancing, you’ll struggle to find easier company. explore the edges of Thom Yorke’s self doubt. songwriters well over the decades, and this latest Dale Kattack SLATE HEARTS If the moody, almost acoustic `Summer’ shows the band’s ability to change tack with ease, `Blood Fluff EP’ it’s the dense guitar blizzard of `Sandra’ that (Self released) proves the EP’s high point, a blistering show EN-TRANCE vs DEATH OF HI-FI If the Oxford Punt is a reliable bellwether of of sonic strength that, at just over two and half current local music then the noisier end of minutes, is way too brief and could carry on `Lazarus’ (Harder Remix) rock is what’s rising right now, with the likes grinding for another half an hour before we (Substance) of Too Many Poets, Cherokee, The Beckoning even started to check our watches. Since coalescing fully into a three-piece with from Tracey Thorn’s work with Massive Fair One, Kancho! and myriad others mining Oddly they leave what is undoubtedly their Lucy Cropper on lead vocals, Death of Hi-Fi have Attack – into a four-to-the-floor early-90s hard the darker vaults of grunge, hardcore and most instant, and melodically strongest track, headed more and more into tripped-out electro, trance banger, Cropper’s dreamy, crystal-cut classic hard rock for inspiration. Slate Hearts `Take Me To The Green’, til last, possibly an personified by last year’s swoonesome `Swim voice just about surviving the onslaught intact, too, whose recent Demo of the Month in act of deliberate truculence that sits perfectly Away’ single and their awesome contribution to the breakdown and rebuild a neat reflection of these pages signalled a love for grunge’s first at ease with Slate Hearts’ spiky, spiteful re- the `We Do Not Have a Dinosaur’ compilation, the Lazarus myth itself. If DOH-F are Sunday flowering, for when it was an unholy mess appropriation of grunge as a musical weapon `Roses & Guns’. Here they hand `Lazarus’ to morning reflection, En-Trance ensures they’re of punk and Black Sabbath riffage, before it rather than an advertising jingle. fellow local producer en-Trance who turns the equally Saturday night party. was airbrushed to fit marketing campaigns for Ian Chesterton sparse, atmospheric original – not a million miles Dale Kattack Interested in a career in the Creative Industries?

FOR THIS Come along to our Open Day on Saturday 18th June at SEPTEMBER both campuses and check out our facilities and courses. Witney Campus: Abingdon Campus: Creative Production, Level 2 Performance and Production, Level 2 Music Technology, Level 3 Backstage Production, Level 3 Performing Arts, Level 3

Foundation Degree Broadcast Production, Foundation Degree Communication Design Open Days: Abingdon and Witney campuses Saturday 18th June 10.00am-12.30pm www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk

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THE CELLAR FREWIN COURT OXFORD OX1 3HZ WWW.CELLAROXFORD.CO.UK MUSIC HISTORY BEGINS UNDERGROUND! lo-fi art-rockers SPQR and Manchester’s EASY STAR ALLSTARS: The Bullingdon – uptight post-hardcore duo Duke Mercury Back on a European tour to celebrate the tenth support. anniversary of their `Radiodread’ reworking of SUPERLOOSE + BEARD OF DESTINY ÒK Computer’, playing tracks from the album as + PURPLE MAY + SPOON THEORY + well as live favourites from their dub and reggae SAMMY POPE: The Wheatsheaf (3.30pm) remodelling of The Beatles and Pink Floyd. – Free unplugged live music session hosted by GIG GUIDE Giddyup Music in the downstairs bar. th TUESDAY 5 MARK ATHERTON & FRIENDS + DMA’s: O2 Academy – Having been banished School (6pm) – The fourth annual outing for MATT SEWELL + MOON LEOPARD + to the colonies 20 years ago, Britpop’s prison nd The Kids Are Alright once again sets up an Saturday 2 EMI & JULES: Donnington Community ship has docked in Botany Bay and Oasis, excellent selection of local bands on the rooftop Centre (6pm) – Live acoustic folk, blues and The Verve and Cast have alighted to bring the amphitheatre of the Said Business School in IRREGULAR FOLKS psychedelia at the monthly Donning session, message of mid-paced indie rock trudge to aid of children’s charities. Topping the bill are hosted by Moon Leopard’s Jeremy Hughes. Australia’s youth. DMA’s’ debut album `Hill’s SUMMER SESSION: JULY rockabilly faves The Long Insiders, Gretch- st End’ suggests they’ve lapped it up. FRIDAY 1 wielding singer Nick Kenny and band mixing th Saturday 2nd Hogacre Park KLUB KAKOFANNEY with PEERLESS MONDAY 4 GROOVE ALCHEMY: The Bullingdon – Irregular Folks organiser Vez Hoper has up classic 50s rock’n’roll and surf sounds in PIRATES + ART THEEFE + KANADIA OMMADON + LEGION OF ANDROMEDA The Bully’s free weekly jazz club hosts groove- earned a reputation over the last few years of the vein of Jerry Lee Lewis, The Cramps and DEAD BELGIAN / + DAN McKEEN: The Wheatsheaf – Klub + DRORE: The Wheatsheaf – Death to led outfit Groove Alchemy. making every gig an event, with the sort of Sun-era Elvis. They’re joined by this month’s Kak’s genial bag of musical magic opens once summer. Death to nice things. Death – see main SPARK’S SIDE OF THE MOON: James LES CLOCHARDS: attention to detail – from handmade tickets, Nightshift cover stars Peerless Pirates; soulful again with this month’s Nightshift cover stars, preview Street Tavern – Weekly open mic night, hosted to stages covered in frosted branches – new wave pop and Americana crew The Peerless Pirates, playing alongside this month’s by Sparky. The Bullingdon normally the preserve of boutique festivals. Shapes; folk outfit La Phooka, mixing good nd Introducing featured band, Kanadia. There’s Saturday 2 TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE: The Half Even if you haven’t heard Jacques Brel, Which will make this year’s Summer Session time tunes and ballads; authentic western also 60s-styled pop from Art Theefe. Moon – Modern jazz and grooves from the you’ll have heard his songs, often translated something special. As the name suggests, this barroom tales from Great Western Tears, and ALL TAMARA’S PAVES + BALLIN’ JACK’S WHYTE Hammond/sax/guitar/drums outfit, playing their into English. The Belgian singer and isn’t a regular folk session, with the nebulous western pop-Indian classical fusion sounds LYTES: The Bullingdon – Blues-flavoured monthly residency. songwriter is possibly the greatest exponent genre’s more eclectic and esoteric innovators from The Fusion Project. Money raised goes to PARTIES SUMMER roots rocking from London’s Paves, out on tour of modern chanson, and since his death, stretching the boundaries in often spectacular All As One UK, Belle House Drayton Ward and th to promote recent single `Take Me While I’m FESTIVAL: WEDNESDAY 6 aged just 49, in 1978, his legend and fashion. Having seen C Duncan play at last Paediatric Diabetes. Here’. VIDAR NORHEIM: The Library – Glitchy, influence has only grown stronger. David year’s event before going off to be shortlisted POLEDO + RADICAL BOY + LONG WAY TOO GULLY: The Cellar – Drum&bass The Perch, Binsey understated electro-pop from Norwegian Bowie, Scott Walker, Nina Simone, Frank for the Mercury Prize, this year’s highlights LIMBS: The Wheatsheaf – Poledo make a club night with Rich Raw, Greencode B2B Having made its reputation with a singer, beatmaker and vibraphone player Vidar Sinatra, Bellowhead and Marc Almond are are Liverpool’s STEALING SHEEP welcome return to their home town at tonight’s Bolo, Mark B and Beatsurfer. succession of intimate shows in often Norheim, recalling a tripped-out Pet Shop Boys just a small handful of the artists who have (pictured), their olde worlde wyrd folk all Idiot King show, the duo’s majestically messed- MOGMATIC + GELATO + THE unusual venues – from college chapels to at times on his debut EP. kept his songs alive over the decades, in close harmonies, eerie atmospherics, and up melodic noise-pop recalling Dinosaur Jr, VIMDICTA + PICTURE PALACE + health food shops – All Tamara’s Parties some cases recording entire albums of his dark, droney psychedelia, with hints of The Built to Spill and Yo la Tengo. They’re joined LUKE MITCHELL: The Jericho Tavern – presents its first summer all-dayer, taking th songs. Lyrically and musically Brel saw Velvet Underground at times. Folktronica on tour by Sheffield’s lo-fi garage-pop and THURSDAY 7 Blues rocking from local veterans Mogmatic the place at the picturesque perch pub in the darkness in life and love and classics doesn’t really describe the trio’s music, noise rock duo Radical Boy and Glasgow’s SNAKE DAVIS & ROSS STANLEY: The at tonight’s It’s All About the Music show, Binsey of Irregular Folks, whose summer like Àmsterdam’, `My Death’, `Jacky’, although there is folk and they do use sweet-natured grunge-pop perpetrators Long Wheatsheaf – Spin jazz club with funky soul plus a swift return to town for Los Angeles all-dayer takes place on the same day over `Next’ and `The Dove’ carry the mark of electronics. Deep within the mix you’ll Limbs. and jazz saxophonist Snake Davis. psychedelic power rockers The Vim Dicta, at Hogacre Common. a genius. Liverpool quartet Dead Belgian hear Indian temple music instrumentation INFURIOUS + 1000 CHAINS + FORCE OF MORALITY + HOLY the young trio earning themselves an enviable Hosted by local singer Tamara Parsons- have sought to take Brel’s songs out of the as well as Toytown synth plonks. Returning WAYS ACROSS + MINDFUL EYE + MOMENTS + YOUNG AT SEA + DIN reputation in the States for their raw, riff-heavy Baker, today’s almost exclusively locally- realms of cabaret and back to the streets after last year’s star showing is Chicago’s REPERCUSSIONS OF YESTERDAY: The TWINS + RICHARD MOOR: The Jericho blend of Led Zep, Janis Joplin, The Doors and sourced bill includes a headline set from and bars where they were first performed, BASTARDGEIST, whose real name, Joel Cellar – Classic thrash in the vein of Slayer, Tavern – It’s All About the Music local bands Jefferson Airplane. punk and indie-infused eastern European while bringing the influences of various Midden, (un)neatly reflects his brilliantly Metallic and Lamb of God from local boys showcase. SPARKY’S SPONTANEOUS SHOWCASE folksters THE BALKAN WANDERERS, European folk traditions and modern rock messed-up approach to songwriting – more Infurious at tonight’s Church of the Heavy, with CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford & SPOTLIGHT JAM: James Street Tavern fresh from headlining the Uncommon to bear on them. The result is inventive like uneasy tapestries of sound. There’s also support from melodic metallers 1000 Chains, Community Centre – Oxford’s longest running – Genial open mic club veteran Sparky hosts his stage at Common People. They’re joined reinterpretations of the songs you know Dutch singer JESSICA SLIGTER, whose and Cheltenham’s Paramore-styled alt.rockers open night showcases singers, musicians, monthly bands’n’jams night, with guest turns by alt.country rockers THE EPSTEIN and some you maybe on’t. Where better to wide-ranging voice and luxurious electronic Ways Across. storytellers, poets and much more every from Savannah, Tony & Sal, and Cosmosis. (pictured), playing songs from their new hear Brel’s music than in a dark backroom soundscapes recently saw her support Thursday. FEROCIOUS DOG: The Wheatsheaf, FREERANGE present WHAT YOU CALL `Burn the Branches’ album; rousing funky bar, possibly with a fair few glasses of wine Jenny Hval on tour; one-woman dinosaur SPARKY’S FLYING CIRCUS: The Half Banbury – Nottingham’s folk-punk road IT, GARAGE?: The Cellar – UK garage, blues’n’soul stars LITTLE BROTHER inside you. Suitably smoky support from Les obsessive and viola maestro WAITRESS Moon – Open mic night. warriors hit the Shire ahead of a tour support grime and bassline club night with residents ELI; decidedly chipper riot grrl pop-punk Clochards, whose Brel influence is clear to FOR THE BEES; local Bon Iver and Low ACOUSTIC THURSDAY: Jude the Obscure to The Levellers later this year. Having playing the best underground sounds. act RAINBOW RESERVOIR; gorgeously hear as they take languorous pop for a few Anthem-influenced folk-pop duo WATER – Unplugged open mic night. become the first unsigned band to sell out their THE MIGHTY REDOX: The Red Lion, downbeat dustbowl gothic alt.folksters THE drinks in a Parisian dive bar. PAGEANT; sultry accordion-led blues and BLUES JAM: The Catherine Wheel, hometown’s 2,000-capacity Rock City venue, Eynsham – Blues rock, ska, psychedelia, funk AUGUST LIST; Ameripolitan country shanties trio WHISKEY MOONFACE, Sandford – Open blues jam. they recently played on the Leftfield stage at and oddly-shaped pop from the ever-gigging troubadour AGS CONNOLLY; Tamara’s kletzmer, Arabic and Mediterranean folk, Indian and sea song chanteuse JESS HALL. The Glastonbury and are earning a reputation as local vets. own new band, the baroque pop DEATH classical and dancefloor jazz. She’s touring emphasis is on invention as well as a great th one of the most hard working and entertaining STEAMROLLER: Annie’s Tea Room, OF THE MAIDEN, and Yorkshire-born FRIDAY 8 to promote her most recent album, `Born in songwriting, and today’s is one of the most live bands in the country. Drawing on the punk Thrupp – The local blues-rock vets rattle the poet and playwright CAROLINE BIRD. CORNBURY FESTIVAL: Great Tew Park Parallel’, orchestrated with David Murphy, ambitious line-ups of any event this summer. spirit of The Clash and Celtic folk traditions, china at Annie’s with their blend of Hendrix Given the setting, the emphasis will be on – Jamie Cullum, Wilko Johnson and The Beat whose previous work has involved premiering As an added bonus there’s a very special they’re in the traditions of bands like The Men and Cream. a laidback vibe as well as quality music; head up the first day of the annual festival –see music by Ravi Shanka. Bossaphonik host Dan compère for the day, but we’ll put our foot in They Couldn’t Hang, Tansads and Flogging CHILTONFEST: Chilton School – Blues your ever-enjoyable and genial host for main preview Ofer, meanwhile, spins world jazz dance tunes. it if we give their name away and that would Molly- angry and uplifting in equal measures. rockers Steamroller play the charity mini-fest. the day is poet and storyteller GEORGE KANADIA: The Bullingdon – Stadium-sized MASIRO + SOCIAL DISCHARGE + LEE be appauling. CHOPPING. indie rocking from Abingdon’s new stars on RILEY: The Wheatsheaf – Math rockers nd rd the scene, exploring rock’s wide-open spaces in Masiro launch their new EP, mixing Pink SATURDAY 2 SUNDAY 3 the company of Radiohead, Muse and U2 – see TOO MANY POETS + SLATE HEARTS + Floyd-like atmospherics with angular Mars IRREGULAR FOLKS SUMMER SESSION: Introducing feature SPQR + DUKE MERCURY: The Library – Volta-inspired prog noise for a simultaneously Hogacre Common – Inventive folk and not BOSSAPHONIK featuring DAPHNA Too Many Poets launch their new EP with a free cerebral and visceral rock attack. Punk/grunge so folk fun. In the sun. With Stealing Sheep, SADEH & THE VOYAGERS: The Cellar gig for Smash Disco, the molten gothic rockers’ support from Social Discharge, and atmospheric Bastardgeist and more – see main preview – World jazz and global fusion club night all-action live performance perfectly suited drones from Lee Riley. DEAD BELGIAN + LES CLOCHARDS: Bossaphonik hosts Israeli-born composer and to the none-more-intimate Library. Similarly FIREGAZER + TONY BATEY + BLIN’ The Bullingdon – The Belgian bard brought double bass player Daphna Sadeh and her band ferocious noises from grunge newcomers Slate JOHNNY: James Street Tavern – Dark, back to life in gritty style. There will be wine – The Voyagers – featuring new Indian singer Hearts as they launch their own new EP, taking inventive folk led by singer and accordion see main preview Jyotna Srikanth, fusing the worlds of Jewish player Alan Foulkes from Firegazer. THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT 4: Said Business grunge back to its belligerent roots. Liverpool’s th th SUNDAY 10 WEDNESDAY 13 th th CORNBURY FESTIVAL: Great Tew Park FLAMENCO LIVE!: The Cellar – Live Friday 8 – Sunday 10 – Third and final day of the festival, with Seal, flamenco music and dance from Barcelona CORNBURY FESTIVAL: James Morrison, Newton Faulkner and The and Madrid, with guitarist Jero Ferec, dancer Zombies – see main preview Madalena Mannion, and singer Nieves Molina. Great Tew Country Park CARNIVAL: Cowley Road (12-5pm) – WAY UP: The Cellar – UK garage, funky, It might live under the shadow of its nickname JOHNSON, who plays on Oxfordshire’s biggest free party returns for house and summer dance anthems with DJ Poshstock, and a regular guestlist that includes Friday. The last time Wilko its annual take-over of Cowley Road, the Platinum. much of the Chipping Norton set as well as performed at Cornbury, back afternoon dedicated to a world of live music everyone from Orlando Bloom and Sienna in 2013, was as part of his and sound systems, plus a similar palate of THURSDAY 14th Miller to our ham-faced lord and master David farewell tour. The pioneering Monday 4th dance, food and costumes. Separate stages PIERCE BROTHERS: O2 Academy – Cameron only adds to the label, but the reality guitarist, whose work with Dr below: Following on from their showing at Cornbury of Cornbury is that it’s probably less posh and Feelgood not only revitalised OMMADON / LEGION GEORGE HUXTABLE + THE WIND over the weekend, Melbourne’s twin brothers, poncy than either Wilderness or Big Feastival, British r’n’b but also laid the AND RAIN + PAUL DAVIS + MARK & who began their musical lives busking on and unlike those two it’s very much about groundwork for punk, had OF ANDROMEDA / CARLEY: Cape of Good Hope the streets of their hometown, head out on a the music rather than gurning celebrity chefs, been diagnosed with terminal HI-LO SOUND SYSTEM: Hi Lo full UK tour, their energetic, feelgood folk- outdoor banquets and ironic silliness. cancer and instead of retiring DRORE: THREE FACES OF DEATH + pop inspired by the likes of Ben Harper, who Cornbury founder and main man Hugh to undergo treatment, he RHYMESKEEMZ + INN ER PEACE they’re back home to support on his upcoming Phillimore lives for his music and has built decided to go out like the The Wheatsheaf RECORDS + MORE: 420 Skates the festival in his own image – a deceptively trouper he is – playing live Summer? Fuck off – bring on the Australian tour. THE MAD LARRY BAND + TWO TONE eclectic line-up of acts that range from until he no longer could. Hugh thunderstorms. Bring on the lightning. CLUB SODA + THE ILLUMINATI: The ALL-SKAS + THE NIGHT WRECKERS: major league superstars, through cult heroes; Phillimore introduced him to Bring on Ragnarok. This is how every Jericho Tavern – 80s-flavoured pop from Club Music Box enduring hitmakers and pop idols, to the odd his friend, the esteemed cancer summer should be soundtracked – with Soda at tonight’s It’s All About the Music show, CHAD VALLEY + DOCUMENT ONE novelty surprise thrown in for good measure specialist Charlie Chan, who darkness and brutality and the feeling, with post-Britpop rocking from The Illuminati. + MAIIANS + ZAIIA + GEORGE’S (BJORN AGAIN! Yes!). persuaded Wilko to seek a halfway through the gig, that maybe there is NICK SMART: The Wheatsheaf – Spin jazz MUSICAL MEDICINE: The Bullingdon second diagnosis. Three years actually no escape and you’re demon fodder club night with trumpeter and head of jazz at HEADINGTON HILLBILLIES + UKEY Of those on this year’s bill who could on, Wilko is fully recovered now, for all eternity. Glasgow’s Ommadon the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart. DUKES + MORE: The Black Swan justifiably count themselves in the global and still playing, still one of are drone-doom behemoths of the sort that CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford FUNK, SOUL, ELECTRO & HIP HOP superstar category, BRYAN FERRY, who the most livewire performers normal behemoths cower from like terrified Community Centre DJs: The Library headlines Saturday’s main stage, remains one on the circuit, and a guitarist kittens. Their new album is a single-track SPARKY’S FLYING CIRCUS: The Half CIRCLES DINER + JACK LITTLE + of the most suave men in music, musically, with few equals. It’s gonna be form of Yorkshire soul singer CORINNE 45-minute monolith, self-titled because, Moon LEWIS SCOTT + LAURA JONES + vocally and sartorially. From his pioneering emotional. BAILEY RAE, a return visit for BEVERLEY in the words of the band themselves, ACOUSTIC THURSDAY: Jude the Obscure MANNY McGURN: Restore glam days helming Roxy Music to becoming KNIGHT, playing with Cornbury’s “we aren’t entertainment and we aren’t BLUES JAM: The Catherine Wheel, LANI SINGERS + RAN KAN KAN + arguably the UK’s finest crooner and If Wilko should provide Cornbury’s finest hour, classic soul residents STAXS, and singing easy listening.” No they aren’t. They’re Sandford DELNAVAZ: World Stage interpreter of classic songbooks, he’s a near other high points will come from enduring supermarket JAMES MORRISON, while an unrelenting rumble of doom from the DEATH OF THE MAIDEN + JADE perfect headliner for Cornbury – bags of hits ska hitmakers THE BEAT, back to relive among the newer faces on show will be netherworld. But, oh, they’re a cheeky th TARQUIN + YWMP + MRY JAMES + FRIDAY 15 and even bigger bags of style. classics like `Mirror in the Bathroom; `Hands authentic Nashville-style country duo chappie, high-fiving bundle of merriment TRUCK FESTIVAL: Hill Farm, Steventon – MOONRAE + BURT COPE: Kate Garrett Off She’s Mine’ and `Too Nice To Talk To’; THE SHIRES out of Bedfordshire and compared to Tokyo’s Legion of Andromeda, Catfish & the Bottlemen top the bill on the first Stage The weekend’s other headliners might not veteran country star LUCINDA WILLIAMS, Hertfordshire, duo Ben Earle and Crissie a band who sound like someone recorded a day of the newly expanded Truck – see main NAT & THE NOISE BRIGADE + HEAVY have Ferry’s near-50-year back catalogue whose work has become hugely influential Rhodes becoming the first British country Balrog’s worst nightmare and set it to some preview DEXTERS + FLIGHTS OF HELIOS but both count their album sales in the multi on subsequent generations of alt.country act to sign to a major Nashville record label, serious galley slave beats. They quote Big PAK-MAN: O2 Academy – Legendary Night + DECADENT DAYZE + BUFFALO millions. SEAL, who tops Sunday’s bill, was musicians, and reformed 90s girl band ALL releasing their debut album, `Brave’ last year; Black, Eyehategod and Godflesh as primary presents an evening of emerging London hip CARTEL + THE STRING PROJECT: City the surprise guest turn during last year’s show- SAINTS, who at one point seemed better sombre, sensitive and soulful acoustic folk- influences. We love them unconditionally, hop talent, including rappers Pak-Man, making Arms stealing set by The Trevor Horn Band, so he’s known for their various showbiz relationships pop from the Teesside outfit CATTLE & however much they set out to hurt us. Can his Oxford debut, Shaker the Baker, Big Tobz KRS-1: O2 Academy – Rap legend, activist back in his own right, performing 80s hits than their hits, though a listen back to the likes CANE, named after The Go-Betweens’ classic any Oxford band stand up to such company? and Goldie 1. and Temple of Hip Hop founder brings the like `Crazy’ and `Kiss From a Rose’, as well of `Pure Shores’ and `Never Ever’ is a reminder single, and folk-pop singer GABRIELLE In the brutish, downtuned form of Drore, THE CORSAIRS + TRAUMA UK + rhymes post Carnival – see main preview as songs from his most recent Horn-produced of why they were serious contenders to The APLIN, best known for her John Lewis advert indeed, yes. D-beat and crust given a doom JUNKIE BRUSH + STRIKE ONE: The SIMPLE: The Bullingdon – Carnival after album `7’, and he’s a serious showman. Spice Girls’ throne back in the day. Frequent soundtracking cover of `The Power of Love makeover with ferocious results. If this is Wheatsheaf – Church of the Heavy night with party. Friday’s headliner is JAMIE CULLUM, who visitor to Oxfordshire NEWTON FAULKNER in 2012. what the end of the world sounds like, roll classic rockabilly, ska and rock’n’roll from is apparently a singer and multi-instrumentalist reprises his showing here a few years back, the credits. local veterans The Corsairs, plus metallers th in the jazz-pop scheme of things and is a highly likeable singer whose rather too- As is traditional at Cornbury the festival’s MONDAY 11 Trauma UK and agit-punk warriors Junkie apparently very popular if the triple platinum pleasant albums don’ reflect his quirky, oddly third stage is run by the folks behind th ALBANY DOWN: The Bullingdon – Brush. SATURDAY 9 awards for his `Twentysomething’ album are charismatic live persona. Charlbury Riverside Festival, so a strong local CORNBURY FESTIVAL: Great Tew Park Heavyweight blues, melodic metal and AOR THE HIP DROP LIVE: The Bullingdon to be believed. contingent includes PEERLESS PIRATES; – Brain Fury tops the bill today, with sets from from London’s Albany Down out on tour. – 60s and 70s soul, funk and jazz tunes with 60s stars THE ZOMBIES will undoubtedly SAEDLY DORUS & THE HOOLIE All Saints, Booker T and Lucinda Williams – a live set from The Tropics, featuring Holly Moving swiftly on…. Particularly onto be another big draw, Colin Blunstone and BAND; THE INFLATABLES; MAYHEM; see main preview th Lawson. TUESDAY 12 much happier things and they don’t come Rod Argent still helming the band who went ZURICH; ALPHABET BACKWARDS; EVAROSE: The Bullingdon – Alt.rock and BLAKE’S SEVEN: The Bullingdon – Funky SOUL SESSIONS: The Cellar – 60s and 70s much happier than the story of WILKO global with timeless classics `She’s Not There’; GREAT WESTERN TEARS; LOUD post-hardcore pop from Banbury’s starlets, jazz from the crew of the Liberator at the soul, funk and disco classics. `Time of the Season’, and MOUNTAINS; THE BALKAN back in live action. Bully’s weekly jazz club night. MUDSLIDE MORRIS & THE `Tell Her No’. Pianist WANDERERS; THE MIGHTY REDOX; 31HOURS + FASHIONPROOF + INTRUSION: The Cellar – Monthly goth, REVELATORS: James Street Tavern and organist BOOKER TWO-TONE ALL-SKAS and HATTIE SILVER RAVENS + JINJACOOZE + industrial, ebm and darkwave club night, with LES CLOCHARDS + PAUL GALLEY: The T is another 60s star BRIGGS, while Nightshift’s evening generally LUKE ALLMOND: The Cellar – Woozily Doktor Joy, Bookhouse and more. Mad Hatter’s – Loungey classic rock’n’roll whose legacy remains ends somewhere near THE DISCO SHED. atmospheric indie-electro from 31Hours, plus FELIX M-B + SYLVA KAY + LORKIN with a French café folk twist from Les undiminished, his work dark electro-rocking from Fashionproof at O’REILLY: The Library – Heartfelt acoustic Clochards. with The MGs at Stax A by-word for civility in the festival world, tonight’s It’s All About the Music showcase. folk-pop from Derby singer Felix M-B at Records providing the Cornbury is as laidback as standing in a field TERMINUS: The Wheatsheaf – Hard rock tonight’s Tigmus show, with support from th SATURDAY 16 sound of southern soul on alongside 15,000 other people is likely to get, from Terminus at tonight’s Rocksoc show. sweetly soulful acoustic singer-songwriter TRUCK FESTIVAL: Hill Farm, Steventon hits for Otis Redding; Sam and apparently punching Jeremy Clarkson MUDSLIDE MORRIS & THE Sylva Kay. – Anthemic rocking from The Manic Street & Dave and Wilson Pickett in the face if you see him is against festival REVELATORS: The Rock of Gibraltar, SPARK’S SIDE OF THE MOON: James Preachers on the second day of the festival – among others, as well as his rules, but at its heart it’s the sort of celebration Enslow – Slide and harp-led blues and boogie Street Tavern see main preview own monster instrumental of music for music’s sake that the likes of inspired by Seasick Steve and White Stripes. OSPREY & FRIENDS: St Aldates Tavern – BLACK NEVADA + REVELLER + RAISED hit `Green Onions’. Wilderness will never be in their wildest STEAMROLLER: The Eight Bells, Eaton Veteran bluesman and promoter Osprey kicks BY HYPOCRITES: The Bullingdon – Riff- More big names in the dreams. out the jams with chums. SYMBOL OF ORION + CRIMSON TUSK heavy melodic hard rocking from Bishop th th Auckland’s Black Nevada, kicking it out in + OF GIANTZ + R.O.Y: The Wheatsheaf Friday 15 – Sunday 17 the vein of I Divide, Deaf Havana and You – Prog-metal and djent mixed with traditional Me At Six, out on tour after supports to the Nepalese music from London’s Symbol of TRUCK FESTIVAL: likes of Funeral For A Friends, Hactivist and Orion. Support from local doom/groove Hill Farm, Steventon The Blackout. Support from local metalcore metallers Crimson Tusk. Can it really be Truck Number 19? That seeming overnight crew Reveller and Witney metallers Raised By RACHEL RUSCOMBE KING + TREVOR means there will be a sizeable percentage success nine years Hypocrites. WILLIAMS: Art Jericho – Genteel, rustic of fans, not to say bands, here this year in the making. If DE:FORMED PRESENTS: The Bullingdon acoustic folk from local singer Rachel who weren’t even born when Robin and they’re a long way THE SOUTHMARTINS: O2 Academy – Ruscombe King, launching her new EP `Vivid’ Joe Bennett handpicked a handful of their off having the same Tribute to The Housemartins and Beautiful tonight, with support from soulful acoustic pop rd th favourite local acts to play on a flatbed truck catalogue of songs as South. balladeer Trevor Williams. Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 in a field for Robin’s birthday party back in their neighbours to CHRONIXX: O2 Academy – A return to the FLUID: The Cellar – Bass, garage, grime and RIVERSIDE 1998. While here at Nightshift we’ve been call on, the Number Academy for rising young Jamaican reggae techno club night in aid of Restore, with Vern & coming back every year since that inaugural 1 success of second star Chronixx (Jamar McNaughtn Jr – son of Milla, Masp and Zyklon Sound. FESTIVAL: shindig, and we’ve seen it grow and change album `The Ride’ in singer Chronicle), mentored from a young age SWANFEST: The Swan, Ascott-under- over the years, witnessed every triumph and May should ensure by Danny Browne and going on to sing with Wychwood (1pm) – Wychwood Folk Club Mill Field, Charlbury tragedy along the way. Far more of the former, enough singalong Lutan Fyar amongst others before striking out host their annual all-day festival, this year Second only to Carnival as Oxfordshire’s thankfully. moments for an as a singer in his own right. Heavily inspired topped by veteran welsh singer Martyn Joseph, biggest free live music event, Riverside is well This year sees a very major change to that inevitably packed by Marley, musically and stylistically, he’s whose extensive career takes in 30 years and 32 into its third decade now, firmly established as core weekend of the Oxfordshire music field. of TIBET; CUT RIBBONS; HVNTER; back over in the UK with his band Zincfence albums, along the way seeing him compared to a local festival for local people, played almost calendar that is Truck, with the festival upping We’re struggling to summon too much CASEY; MELLT; WE’RE NO HEROES; Redemption on the back of a string of singles Springsteen, John Mayer and Bruce Cockburn, exclusively by local bands. And it says a lot in size significantly, while expanding to three enthusiasm for Sunday’s headliners, ROUGHION; REUEL ELIJAH and a and EPs, including mega US hit `Dread & but an influential roots star in his own right. about the quality of the line-up each year that days. That happened once before of course, KODALINE, having seen them playing The band called AFROCLUSTER, who we just Terrible’. He’s supported across the day by Acousticana, even in such a packed summer of festivals, with less than successful results, but under Jericho Tavern not so long ago and failed checked out in case they were some bizarrely Under the Wychwood, Redwing, Noah’s Cape, thousands flock to Charlbury for Riverside, the stewardship of Count of Ten, who also to fall for their polished indie-boy-band brilliant Afo-pop/Krautrock fusion and turn James Bell & Friends, Mad Larry’s Band, and its location next to the river and a five minute Sunday 10th run Derbyshire’s Y Not Festival, Truck has crossover brand of pop. out to be a pretty superb hip hop/acid jazz/ The Ponderosa. walk from the train station an added attraction regained its strength and sold out every year funk-soul fusion outfit. See – it’s all about JOHNNY’S SEXUAL KITCHEN: Three for city-dwelling fans. recently, so it’s not quite the risk it once was. Instead we’ll move swiftly on to more discovering something new. KRS-ONE: Horseshoes, Long Hanborough – Classic rock There are some 40 acts across three stages appealing matters, including, on the main covers. over the two days. Headlining Saturday’s O2 Academy With a bigger capacity, of course, you stage, LA hip hop giants JURASSIC What else? The Market Stage features main stage line-up are eclectic electro-indie Hip hop has produced more than its fair get bigger names, and MANIC STREET 5; Manchester’s eclectic indie crew SOAK; DMA’S; SWIM DEEP; MYSTERY th faves NEVERLND (pictured), and they’re share of philosophers, visionaries, pioneers SUNDAY 17 PREACHERS are among the biggest EVERYTHING EVERYTHING, whose fluid JETS and DANNY & THE CHAMPIONS joined by alt.country heroes THE EPSTEIN; and activists, but KRS-One is up there with TRUCK FESTIVAL: Hill Farm, Steventon – names Truck has boasted in its history, the fusion of indie, r’n’b, electronica, prog and OF THE WORLD, as well as two more stadium-sized rockers LEADER; bluegrass the best. The rapper born Lawrence Parker Kodaline close the final day of Truck; ah well, welsh rock giants still capable of filling more has earned them a Mercury nomination of the weekend’s most promising treats and country ensemble KNIGHTS OF in The Bronx has long seen hip hop not as you can’t have everything – see main preview arenas far larger than this, with a catalogue as well as Foals tour support last year, and, – Edinburgh’s Scottish, Liberian and MENTIS; Afro-pop-flavoured math-rockers a commodity, or even just a style of music, DONALD CAMPBELL + TONY BATEY of hits going back a quarter of a century possibly the band we’re most looking forward Nigerian rock-hip-hop-electronica-tribal BRIGHT WORKS; goodtime heavyweights but as a widespread political movement & SAL + PETE LOCK & MARK BOSLEY that’s perfect for a festival headline set, to seeing all weekend – PUMAROSA, whose pop fusion collective YOUNG FATHERS, CRYSTALLITE and atmospheric progsters bordering on a religion and a force for + PUPPET MECHANIC + FEEMANTLE: from `You Love Us’ and `Motorcycle witchy, serpentine mix of gothic pop, and and Brighton’s brilliant BLACK HONEY, THE AUREATE ACT. Sunday’s bill comes positivity and self-awareness. As part of The Wheatsheaf (2.30pm) – Klub Kakofanney Emptiness’, to Ìf You Tolerate This Your something decidedly sexy and pagan, made mixing alternately epic and ethereal indie, topped by punk-disco ceilidh band SAEDLY this view he started the Temple of Hip Hop, host their monthly free session in the Sheaf’s Children Will Be Next’ and À Design For them one of the best new bands we’ve seen surf-rock, Ennio Morricone soundtracks and DORUS & THE HOOLIE BAND, with and perhaps more importantly the Stop downstairs bar. Life’. An added kick comes with this being over the past year. grunge, with charismatic singer Izzy Fraser support from the likes of southern states th the Violence Movement. The latter came the 20 anniversary of the band’s classic These stars will be joined on the big channelling Lana Del Ray, Nancy Sinatra country rockers SPEEDBUGGY USA, from in the wake of the murder of his Boogie th Èverything Must Go’, their fourth, and the stage over the weekend by the likes of and Ronnie Spector in a voice that veers MONDAY 18 California; swashbuckling indie-rockabilly Down Productions partner Scott La Rock, first to be released after the disappearance of COASTS; CIRCA WAVES; RAT BOY; dramatically from dulcet croon to startling stars PEERLESS PIRATES; funtime as well as a young fan murdered at an early Richey Edwards. While they’re a band who SUNDARA KARMA; JACK SAVORETTI; scream on a sixpence. th blues, ska, folk and funk stalwarts THE gig. La Roc was Parker’s youth counsellor TUESDAY 19 understandably split opinions, they’re also a BLOSSOMS and BEACH BABY. when he was an aspiring teenage MC living THE OXFORD JAZZ QUINTET: The MIGHTY REDOX, and country rockers band tailor-made for a gig like this. As ever the local contingent are well Bullingdon – Free live jazz at the Bully’s HEADINGTON HILLBILLIES. on the streets and starting to discover the With so many acts playing across six stages, represented across the various stages, from weekly club. The second stage is again hosted by spiritualism of the Hare Krishna movement. The Manics top the main stage bill on the plus late night parties hosted by SWITCH, PIXEL FIX and HUDSON SCOTT on SPARK’S SIDE OF THE MOON: James Truck Store and Rapture, with sets from In the wake of La Rock’s murder he carried Saturday. On the Friday night it’s the turn and featuring sets from WILKINSON, the main stage; ESTHER JOY LANE, Street Tavern CHEROKEE; LUCY LEAVE; RUSSELL on alone, his freestyling approach to rap, of fellow welsh heroes CATFISH & THE PREDITAH, BIG NARSTIE and NORMAN WILLIE J HEALEY and DREAMING OSPREY & FRIENDS: St Aldates Tavern MORGAN; MUDDY JOHNSON; THE drawing on Jamaican influences, leading the BOTTLEMEN, the Llandudno quartet’s JAY, previewing everything at Truck is SPIRES on the Market stage; CASSELS BLACK HATS, and SYLVA KAY on way for subsequent generations of MCs, and impossible and in The Nest, and a whole host of them on th Saturday, plus THE LOTTERY WINNERS; while he didn’t enjoy the big hits of many of WEDNESDAY 20 experience has taught the Veterans and Virgins stage, including THE HUMMINGBIRDS; THE his 80s contemporaries, tracks like `Sound WILLIE J HEALEY: The Cellar – Rising us to simply wander MAIIANS; NEVERLND; LEADER; BECKONING FAIR ONES; PAPRIKA of da Police’ and `MCs Act Like They Don’t local rock’n’stroller Willie plays an intimate between stages and LUCY LEAVE; BE GOOD; KANCHO!; BLUES BAND; CHARLIE LEAVY, and Know’ have remained classic rap anthems. hometown show ahead of the release of his new discover unexpected FAMILY MACHINE; INNER PEACE A RELUCTANT ARROW. Plenty more For a man whose live battle cry remains EP later this summer. treats as and when we RECORDS; TOO MANY POETS and, besides, including an acoustic tent, and if the “I want you to leave here inspired,” KRS- find them. returning to the place where he made his sun shines, there are few better places to be on One has always walked it like he talked it. THURSDAY 21st Truck’s key appeal name as Oxford’s finest rock and roll nutter Inspiring indeed. a summer afternoon. with Smilex, LEE CHRISTIAN. MAIIANS + SALVATION BILL + SHH! for us at least, remains its ability THE DEAF HAVE AIDS: The Cellar – wryly humorous songsmith Salvation Bill. to thrill and surprise All this and far more besides. Anything Following on from their triumphant set at IDIOT KING PRESENTS: Modern Art on its fringes. Last we’ve not had room to mention here can just Common People in May, Maiians launch their Oxford – Bands tbc. year’s most enjoyable be part of your own personal Truck journey debut album, their double drummer, double JAMES ALLSOPP: The Wheatsheaf – moments came on of discovery. Whether you’re a Truck veteran synth, all-action ambient electro/trance/ Spin jazz club with multi award winning the new Palm City or virgin yourself, you’ll either already know Krautrock instrumental journeys proving to saxophonist, clarinettist, band leader and stage, particularly why it remains one of the UK’s best small be one of the most exciting sounds in town composer James Allsopp. a host of welsh festivals, or you’ll quickly find out. As ever, over the last couple of years. Make the most CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford acts, and it’s back happy trucking. Seriously – can it really be of this launch gig though as the band are going Community Centre again this year, with number 19? It’s no longer the wee baby we their separate ways for the foreseeable future. SPARKY’S FLYING CIRCUS: The Half sets from the likes once knew, but we’ll always love it. Support from alternately dark and barbed, and Moon supporting cast, including London’s metalcore TUESDAY 26th THURSDAY 28th Americana, folk and country crew Stoneghost; Belfast hardcore merchants ALVIN ROY & REEDS UNLIMITED: The THE REVEREND PEYTON’S returns – see main preview By Any Means and our own grindcore heroes Bullingdon – Trad jazz, swing and bop from BIG DAMN BAND: The GAPPY TOOTH INDUSTRIES Black Skies Burn. veteran clarinettist Roy and his reeds band at Bullingdon – Authentic banks-of- with ART THEEFE + LET THE LADY SING with CALLOW the Bully’s free weekly jazz club. the-Mississippi blues with punk SHRINKING VIOLETS SAINTS + DEADBEAT APOSTLES + SPARK’S SIDE OF THE MOON: James attitude from The Rev and Breezy + CHARLIE LEAVY: The THE OTHER DRAMAS + OUT OF THE Street Tavern – see main preview Wheatsheaf – GTI’s bountiful VILLAGE + ROSE SEGAL + SARAH DE OSPREY & FRIENDS: St Aldates Tavern CATWEAZLE CLUB: East mixed bag throws up another trio WARREN + MEREDITH BAKER: O2 Oxford Community Centre of acts, with Catweazle Club host Academy – It’s All About the Music presents th SPARKY’S FLYING CIRCUS: Matt Sage’s Art Theefe – also its monthly showcase of female singers and WEDNESDAY 27 featuring Little Brother Eli’s Josh th LEADFOOT TEA: The Wheatsheaf – One- The Half Moon Thursday 28 female-fronted bands, tonight with Aylesbury’s Rigal – brewing up a blend of man surf-rock and classic rock’n’roll action. ACOUSTIC THURSDAY: Jude melodic rockers Callow Saints and bluesy 60s pop, blues, soul and country, WAY UP: The Cellar – UK garage, funky, the Obscure REVEREND country hoedown crew Deadbeat Apostles. taking in Fleetwood Mac, Steely house and summer dance anthems with DJ BLUES JAM: The Catherine BOSSAPONIK with MANKALA: The Dan, Bob Dylan, Donavan, Van Platinum. Wheel, Sandford PEYTON’S BIG Bullingdon – Dancefloor Latin, Afrobeat, Morrison and The Rolling Stones Balkan beats, global grooves and nu-jazz club th at various points. They’re joined DAMN BAND: night, tonight with a live set from Bristol’s FRIDAY 29 by Redditch’s synth-tinged KANADIA + COLDREDLIGHT multicultural eight-piece band Mankala, th popstrels Shrinking Violets and Saturday 30 + THIRD LUNG: The Jericho The Bullingdon back at Bossaphonik after their show here recent Punt star Charlie Leavy, Tavern - Epic, reverb-laden Named in a roundabout way after a stuffed last year, and whose sound spans the grooves whose bitter-sweet acoustic soul HALFWAY TO 75: stadium pop inspired by Radiohead, bear Reverend Peyton won at the fair while of central African soukous, South African touches on Tracy Chapman and the Muse and Jeff Buckley from the on a first date with the woman who was township dance, Afrobeat and the juju and tribal The Isis Farmhouse Indigo Girls at times. fast-rising Abingdon stars, tonight to become his wife and bandmate The polyrhythms of west Africa. Bossaphonik host One of those tiny mini-festivals that Oxford HOPE BURDEN + STOLBY + playing alongside fellow recent Big Damn Band have unusual origins and Dan Ofer is on the decks playing world jazz does so well, Halfway To 75 hasn’t taken LE PUB + MARK COPE: The Punt stars Coldredlight, whose unexpectedly wide appeal. The Rev met dance faves. long to establish itself on the calendar, Bullingdon – Rock and blues lost highway blues sounds like a Breezy when she was nursing him back TERRAFORMS: The Cellar – Drum&bass with each event sold out. The premise show case. haunted liason between Mazzy Star to health after an operation on his hand. star Commix comes to town ahead of his is simple and sweet: get the best local EXTRA CURRICULAR – and Ry Cooder at times. He introduced her to Charley Patton; she second album for Metalheadz, following the roots and Americana acts and put them on MOVE: The Cellar – Bassline, SKYLARKIN’ SOUNDSYSTEM played him Jimbo Mathus. A decade and success of his influential 2007 debut `Call To with some of the best touring roots and garage and grime club night with with THE ED ROME BAND: a half later they average 250 gigs a year, Mind’. Sets too from Bolo, Greencode, Vyper, Americana acts on one day in the frankly Pavv, Barely Royal, Bunnie, Oli C The Cellar – The classic sounds including a tour support to Clutch, gigs with MC KB and MC Sandman. lovely surroundings of the Isis Farmhouse, and more. of late 60s/early 70s Jamaica with Flogging Molly and a full Vans Warped TANNERS POOL + THE SHADES: The on the river near Iffley Lock. This year’s GIRL POWER + SCRAP a uniquely British voice, from tour. Not bad for a bluegrass band. They’re Jericho Tavern – Light, bubbly, funky rock star guests are California’s hard-gigging BRAIN + BASIC DICKS: The Ed Rome and his band, back at also frequent visitors to blues and country from local newcomers Tanners Pool, launching SPEEDBUGGY, whose southern states Library – Punk rock for free Skylarkin’s monthly party after bars across The States and Canada and went their new EP, plus moddish rocking from The country is inspired by Merle Haggard at tonight’s Smash Disco show. his show here last year; expect a down a storm at Cornbury Festival a couple Shades at tonight’s It’s All About the Music and Buck Owens, with its roots firmly Local hardcore crew Girl Power thrilling ride through vintage ska, of years ago. They’re fiercely proud of their show. in the Bakerfield Sound. They’re joined return to action ahead of a new reggae, soul and rocksteady. rootsy authenticity – The Rev’s dad was an THE MIGHTY REDOX: The Mad Hatter today by HANNAH JOHNSON & THE EP, mixing all-out d-beat violence HONKY + DESERT STORM occasional fur trapper and he learned to play BROKEN HEARTS, who evolved out of with angular Shellac-inspired + THE GRAND MAL: The guitar on his family’s front porch before rd The Toy Hearts, playing honky tonk, classic industrial clang. They’re joined by SATURDAY 23 Bullingdon – Hard-rocking blues acquiring his own handmade cigar box country, western swing and blues, mixing old skool punkers Scrap Brain and RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL: Mill Field, and boogie from Austin, Texas’ guitar to go alongside his 1930s steel bodied original material with authentic standards. Basic Dicks, the latter, featuring Charlbury – Neverlnd, The Epstein and Leader Honky, featuring Butthole Surfers’ National. What gives the band their broad Hampshire’s DOEL BROTHERS, members of Girl Power, Drore head up the first day of the annual free festival DJ Pinkus, back over in the UK appeal is their raw, punky approach to their meanwhile, bring a little 1950s Mississippi and Too Man Poets, harking back – see main preview after playing Stateside with the likes traditional music – Breezy’s washboards hillbilly rockabilly to the party, and an to early-80s anarcho punk acts EXTRA CURRICULAR: The Cellar – of Down, Fu Manchu, Karma To often ended up a splintered wreck after gigs excellent local cast includes alt.country and like Crass, Omega Tribe and Flux House, techno and bass club night. Burn and Nashville Pussy. Support and fragments of them can be bought from folk-rock heroes THE EPSTEIN, playing of Pink Indians – there will be STEAMROLLER: The Queen’s Arms, at tonight’s Buried In Smoke show the merch desk, while Rev’s voice is gutsy songs from their new `Burn the Branches’ revolution! And tofu! Horspath comes from local stoner/blues and full-blooded. Perfect for singing songs album; Connecticut brothers Kevin and THE MIGHTY REDOX: The BLACKTHORN: Finstock Village Hall – heavyweights Desert Storm and called things like `Let’s Raise Some Hell’. Sean Duggan’s harmony-heavy country Black Swan Traditional English folk from the local group. groove-rock supergroup The Grand They preach authenticity and it’s a sermon crew LOUD MOUNTAINS; whisky blues STEAMROLLER: The TEXAS GHOST TRAIN: The Brewery Tap, Mal, featuring members of Desert well worth hearing. from FRANCIS PUGH & THE WHISKY Turnpike, Yarnton (3pm) Abingdon – Blues rock covers. Storm and Mother Corona. SINGERS; gorgeous dustbowl Americana STEAMROLLER: Three MOLOTOV SEXBOMB from THE AUGUST LIST; feelgood Horseshoes, Long Hanborough ACOUSTIC THURSDAY: Jude the Obscure th + BROSEPHINE + THE BLUES JAM: The Catherine Wheel, SUNDAY 24 60s-style r’n’b, soul-pop and new wave RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL: Mill Field, SHOTGUN SIX: The Wheatsheaf Sandford from THE SHAPES; acoustic storyteller st Charlbury – Saedly Dorus & the Hoolie Band JONNY PAYNE, and ex-Candyskin-turned- – Indie rocking from Molotov SUNDAY 31 JOHNNY’S SEXUAL top the bill on the second day of the free music children’s songmeister NICK COPE. All Sexbomb, plus psych-drone rocking nd KITCHEN + SAL & TONY FRIDAY 22 fest – see main preview these and a Sophie Grigson cookery school from The Shotgun Six. BATEY + OSPREY + PURPLE RAGING SPEEDHORN + STONEGHOST onsite for the day. THE PETE FRYER BAND: The MAY + SONG & SUPPER + BY ANY MEANS + BLACK SKIES MONDAY 25th Baytree, Grove – Eccentric blues BURN: The Wheatsheaf – Back at the Sheaf rocking from the local veteran. ROOMS + FREE MENTLE: THE BLACK CIRCLES: The Bullingdon – after their triumphant reformation show here The Wheatsheaf (3.30pm) – Free After supporting Laurence Jones here in May, last year, Corby’s finest sons continue to soar th unplugged live music session Warrington’s electric blues warriors return to SATURDAY 30 on wings of pure fury, their sludgy, downtuned hosted by Giddyup Music in the the Haven Club, the pair’s alternately mellow HALFWAY TO 75: Isis attack dog hardcore, a melting pot of Iron downstairs bar. and energetic 60s-styled blues inspired by Farmhouse, Iffley Lock (midday) Monkey riffage and Black Flag fury, in no hurry Hendrix and The Bluesbreakers. – The annual celebration of to get from a to b, but getting there causing DEBBIE BOND + THE TED WHITE the maximum amount of damage. Fronted by BAND: The Jericho Tavern – Powerful, Nightshift listings are free. Deadline for inclusion is the 20th of each dual singers Frank Regan and John Loughlin, soulful blues from the veteran Alabama singer- month - no exceptions. Email listings to [email protected]. they’re unpredictable and inspiring musical guitarist, inspired by Bonnie Raitt and Maria All listings are copyright Nightshift Magazine and may not be reproduced violence incarnate. The pit awaits you. Great Muldaur, at tonight’s Famous Monday Blues. without permission. All photo by Sam Shepherd Esther Joy Lane Mr Motivator Duran Duran

South Park

less-remembered) stuff like `That Old SATURDAY Piano’, `The Diddlum Song (Diddle It’s been a decade and a half since Ummaday)’, which sounds exactly as Radiohead’s glorious South Park you think it would, and the frenetic show, but finally the festival spirit `The Sideboard Song (Got My Beer has returned to the centre of Oxford. in the Sideboard Here)’. They also It’s fair to say that the line-up is rattle through their wartime medley quite a grab bag of acts, and on first from last year’s VE Day `Party to impressions, it’s hard to imagine a Remember’ 70th anniversary concert large crowd heading out to see Chas and “new single” `Two Worlds & Dave, Mr Motivator, The Chuckle Collide’, which, you’ll be pleased Brothers and Craig David, even if to hear, doesn’t deviate from the Duran Duran and Primal Scream are rockney knees-up formula one bit. headlining. Evidently, the Commoners Despite every song having a different of Oxford are more than content to bassline, speed, vocal arrangement mix it up a little, and with the weather and, well, lyrics, they all manage to gods on their side, it’s fantastic to see end up sounding the same - which is just how busy South Park is, from the surprisingly comforting. very start on Saturday.

Our only prior exposure to THE Having legged it up and down the CUBAN BROTHERS was Let’s Peerless Pirates Undersmile Zaia Chas Neverlnd Katy B inclines of South Park, we’re feeling Dance For Comic Relief, which went far less motivated than perhaps we only a fraction of the way to prepare should by the time we finally get into us for their performance today. We the festival. It’s fortunate then that genuinely had no idea acts like this MR MOTIVATOR is the first thing still existed outside of Britain’s Got to come bounding onto the stage. It’s Talent. Part breakdancers; part DJs; hard to believe he’s 63 years old such part singers; part inappropriate jokes is the sheer energy he projects and that are presumably okay because although he fails to get us dancing “it’s a character”; part rappers; all on the spot, by the end of workout, cabaret, and 100% not Cuban, they he’s got most of the field moving and seem to be based around soul, funk he plays largely re-imagined hip hop songs don’t possess these qualities a bit of old school jungle, followed she dedicates new album track `I they’ve got the songs too. At times it In many ways they are perfect doing some weird crab dance. It’s like and hip hop b-boy action – some classics (Cypress Hill’s ‘Insane in the already, but here in the open air, by some dancehall then maybe some Wanna Be’ to “all the loves to be,” seems a little too smooth, but before headliners, especially for a family- watching a cult, where the uniform original, some of which they play Brain’, Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s ‘Shimmy they’re allowed to breathe and to Toots and the Maytals. These are gets the audience jumping around long the irresistible pop-hooks make friendly festival; they have enough is an orange leotard and motivational today (their track with Mica Paris – Shimmy Ya’, and Snoop Dogg’s ‘Gin reveal new depths. The contrasts all fired off while pogoing like a with our arms in the air to `Broken themselves known and dig in deep. recognisable old stuff (and rest speeches like “work it!” are barked `So Sweet’ – is actually quite good). N Juice’) as well as some reggae between light and dark, heavy and hyperactive teenager; his enthusiasm Record’ and singing parts of the There’s a real glut of quality bands assured that all the hits are present out at regular intervals. Lead Brother, Miguel, gets far more staples (Max Romeo’s ‘Wet Dream’ delicate are highlighted perfectly and for his beloved music and sheer chorus of `Crying For No Reason’, bubbling under in Oxford at the here today) even for youngsters to naked than anyone was expecting and ‘Chase the Devil’ as well as the the anticipated audience exodus never energy levels are clearly infectious. chucks in her number one KDA moment, and Neverlnd seem to be appreciate, and are able to introduce Filled with pep, and raring to go, it’s for mid-afternoon, and the whole obligatory Marley). Both upbeat and happens; in fact, they win quite a few collaboration `Turn the Music Louder shimmying their way to the top. Only enough newer stuff to keep the over to THE PEERLESS PIRATES thing culminates in some rather not too bass heavy, it provides a sunny over today. They might have made SOUL II SOUL have been going for (Rumble)’, and generally embodies a fool would bet against them making inebriated middle-aged Durannies to keep things going. Unsurprisingly, child-unfriendly near-naked running interlude before the grinding dub step one child cry, but there are plenty of nearly thirty years, Jazzie B reminds the perfect spring afternoon main it to the next level soon. who are struggling to stand up straight there’s something of a nautical theme around the crowd. We’re not actually of the rest of the afternoon descends. other kids actually dancing. Next year, us, and they’re very grateful to stage crowd-pleasing accessible-to-all in front of us happy, introduce a bit of to their show, and as luck would sure whether we’re laughing at them they’ll be sharing the stage with The everyone for their support. For their booking that festival organisers must When the sun is shining, and the variety for everyone else, and maybe have it there’s a massive tree trunk or with them or what, but the whole Every so often a voice comes along Chuckle Brothers. part, the exquisitely voiced Caron count their blessings to secure. weather is sweet, you need a bit of even hook in people who are familiar that looks like a mast, plonked right thing is undeniably entertaining, that simply demands your attention by Wheeler has rejoined the touring reggae to move those dancing feet. with their 80s ubiquity but haven’t in the middle of the stage acting as exhilarating and hilarious. virtue of its damaged, delicate quality. Back in the Uncontained tent, SIR band, and so expertly tight versions Having already charmed the festival To the rescue comes ZAIA, a nine- given any thought to listening to a support for the tent. And so, as if In the past we’ve had the likes of DAVID RODIGAN is no stranger of `Keep On Movin’’, `Love Enuff, on the main stage, ESTHER piece band that simply drips with anything of theirs released since then. they’re banging out punked up sea Although certainly royalty, in regards Richard Waters and Andy Yorke, and to the OX4 area, as the story of his `Back to Life’ and some other stuff JOY LANE pops up again on the professionalism. Amy MacKown is They slip in tracks from their latest shanties on the deck of Queen Anne’s to his reputation with dub/roots/ now we’ve got CAMERON AG early/pre-Capital/Kiss FM/BBC radio that sounds very plausibly more than Uncommon Stage and people can’t positively resplendent in a costume album, `Paper Gods’, so skilfully that Revenge they run through a set of reggae production techniques and whose vocals are impossible not to days hawking records in a Blackbird twenty-five years old delights the ears get enough. The bass she pumps that is part way between Egyptian a great exodus bar-wards is avoided, songs that gets people up and dancing output, PRINCE FATTY (real name fall in love with. It’s hard to imagine Leys car park is well known by now, of this more-than-twenty-five-years- out is ridiculous, creating tremors queen and a giant butterfly, and she give sufficient spectacle with films on like they’ve been tapping the admiral Mike Pelanconi) is certainly not fat. that he was stuck behind the drumkit and his various shout outs (“can I get old listener. Universal love still seems through the ground and knocking never stops grinning as she takes the the big screens behind them, confetti all morning. Their run through of But then neither was the late King in his old band Warhen when such some signal from the Cowley Road to be a policy for them: a musical the air out of the lungs of anyone too audience and band through laid back cannons and giant beachballs to `Swords Of A Thousand Men’ sums Tubby from whom he has clearly talent deserved to be out front. Today, massive!”) are well received by the theme that was as relevant in the late close to the PA. Evidently nobody’s tune after laid back tune. They’re a distract any waning focus, and present them up perfectly: they’re a bit daft, derived his name. Like Tubby, Fatty’s those delicate tones hang in the air locals in a rambunctious and well- 80s as the Soul II Soul sound was, and tired of dancing yet (it’s clearly the little one paced at times and in need of non-trite tributes to David Bowie but have great bit grin inducing tunes. neo-classicist analogue style, whereby like the seeds of dandelion cast out oiled crowd. A Rodigan gig is less a is as welcome now as their sound is. Mr Motivator factor) because they’re a few more lively tunes to perk things and Prince. At the start of the second he uses modern recording methods into the wind. It’s an elegant and straight up DJ set (he doesn’t really packing out the tent and dancing like up around the mid-point but frankly, encore, impossibly evergreen singer There are acts that go through the to get a very gritty, authentic sound charming set and it surely wins a fair mix, and in fact spends as little time Last time we saw r’n’b/dance/deep there’s no tomorrow. slow, languid dancing is perfectly fine Simon Le Bon points out they’ve just motions because they could do is instantly recognisable and public few over today. as possible behind the CD decks, house/everything-in-between singer when you’re filled to the gills with played an hour and a half of politics- them in their sleep, and acts that performances are rare, so it is a Although the weather has been rather preferring to jump up and down in KATY B in Oxford, after the release It’s rare to find a new band that cider and macaroni cheese. free music, which is a relief all round do it because they love it; CHAS refreshing treat to see him spinning warm and sunny, UNDERSMILE front of the barrier) than a mini lecture of her second album `Little Red’, looks like the finished product, at the moment, frankly. & DAVE give every impression of the vinyl alongside long term dready have a reputation of angering the (“this one, recorded in Kingston, she had a full band; this time, it’s but NEVERLND certainly look Speaking of acts that could play Whatever your feeling towards the latter. They zip through fourteen vocalist Horseman (who is neither weather gods every time they play Jamaica 1972…”) set to music. Also, just her and DJ Emerald – and four as if they could be on the main in their sleep, tying things up on Duran Duran, tonight’s performance songs with the experience, confidence very horselike, it seems) on playful outside. Today, thankfully, things whilst a more traditional DJ would extremely energetic dancers. Her third stage. Lead vocalist Thomas the main stage come DURAN underlines the impossibility of and even humility of people who MC duties on the Uncontained stage stay perfect and sunny throughout aim to get into a particular groove and and most recent collection, `Honey’, Roberts leads the line like a soulful DURAN. Thankfully though, they, denying their strength as a great know they’re an era-transcending today. Having worked with talent as the duration of their set. Even their play a few tunes, back to back from is an album of collaborations, but Morrissey, his implausible quiff, like Chas’n’Dave, still seem to be singles, and live, band. national institution. All the hits diverse as Mad Professor, Gregory normally crushing doom seems to roughly the same genre, Rodders is despite her coterie on stage today, apparently undaunted by the soaring enjoying it; so much so that they’re are present – `Gertcha’; `Snooker Isaacs and Hollie Cook (daughter of find new layers of nuance and beauty all over the shop, some Shaggy one Katy is more than capable of carrying temperatures, simply refuses to wilt. still recording and trying to be a still- Words: Kirsten Etheridge, Sam Loopy’; `Rabbit’; `Ain’t No Pleasing Pistol’s drummer Paul Cook), today today. That is not to say that their minute, Damian Marley the next, then a festival crowd. Her chat is friendly; Not only do they look the part, but current 80s band. Shepherd and Leo Bowder. You’ – along with lesser-known (or All photos by Giulia Biasibetti Craig David Little Brother Eli Public Enemy

SUNDAY Over on the Nightshift-curated stage Make no mistake, Common People is highlighting the best of the current a PROPER FESTIVAL, and it feels Oxford scene, one of the hits of the like an event that unites the city’s day are LITTLE BROTHER ELI, music lovers like no other since, well, whose stage presence and tightness that other event that keeps cropping elevates them instantly above the up in conversation all day – with level of ‘local band’ and sees them persistent (and untrue) rumours that well suited to a festival stage. Vocalist Radiohead and/or Thom Yorke might Alex Grew sways between earthy pop up in a random tent at some blues rock and some flamboyant stage. idiosyncrasies that bring Mike Patton Truth be told, special guest to mind, and he’s a basket of energy, performances like this – however working the crowd and throwing Vienna Ditto incredibly welcome they would have poses for photographers like a been – aren’t necessary when you’ve pro. They’re at their best when the got names like Primal Scream and energy levels are high and the pace Public Enemy coming to town, and is relentless; the first few songs of all the other trappings that make this the set are particularly impressive, exactly what Oxford’s been crying making us wonder whether they out for, after other abortive attempts might be the next Oxfordshire band to for a large-scale city-based festival in step up to the next level. THE AUGUST LIST, meanwhile, the past. Primal Scream Ghostpoet In fact it’s not until about midway make fine use of an ancient electric through Public Enemy’s set that it harp, combining with acoustic guitar really hits us – Public Enemy are and huge vocals to create a powerful, playing in South Park, Oxford. steely sound conjuring up images of a PUBLIC ENEMY! The erstwhile north American wilderness, with their most dangerous group in America, tales of grizzly bears and travelling purveyors of `Fight The Power’ into the darkness. The duo create a and `Don’t Believe The Hype’, bigger sound than many bands three performing in a space that, with or four times their size, with more Gaz Coombes one notable exception, is more atmosphere too. used to hosting ice cream vans and pretentious Cotswold food festivals. Over at the main stage the crowd has expanded substantially. The Such dangers aside, kudos too to prospect of THE SUGARHILL the organisers for doing their best GANG brings hope of seeing to give Common People a proper Keith Le Blanc, Doug Wimbish family feel rather than stopping at and Skip MacDonald, the rhythm tokenism: there’s a well-stocked and section that provided the backing well-thought through family area and, to so many of the New York label’s continuing in the Bestival style, it’s groundbreaking early hip-hop very much a ‘kids welcome’ festival. releases, before transforming into In this vein THE CHUCKLE the all-conquering Tackhead. No BROTHERS short set is a lot more luck there as this an all rapping and fun than it deserves to be, despite the turntables affair, but their credibility risqué lyrics, even stirring a spot of is assured by the royal presence of marred by spells of aimlessness. The billed as Craig David’s TS5, which mopping up the critical acclaim left, has finally edged out of fashion the full live band and a backup team of Never known for disappointing a audience participation. They even out Melle Mel and Scorpio from The songs display a maturity that leads us to expect a live band, but right and centre with his tight blend Chipping Norton boys have cleverly rappers. The magnetic centrepiece is crowd PRIMAL SCREAM plough themselves as competent musicians, Furious Five. Unashamedly old Supergrass never really achieved, what we get instead is Craig jigging of elements from the likes of Roots stuck to their guns, honing their of course Chuck D, as full of fire and through selections from their new to the surprise of many. When a skool, they achieve powerful takes but are often lack the substance to around behind a laptop holding a Manuva, Massive Attack, Moderat craft with proper songs interlaced anger as ever, and just as passionate album with a few old chestnuts selfie of Paul Chuckle emerges, taken on ‘The Message’ and ‘White Lines’, grab you the way that great pop microphone, looking for all the world and late-night pirate radio, and he’s with staccato breaks that add to the in his delivery of old classics like thrown in. In fact we’re lucky to see with Public Enemy backstage, it tunes attempted by but never in as music should. It’s only when he like he’s doing a session of Craig assembled a live band that expands tension. ‘Bring The Noise’ as he is with them at all as Bobby Gillespie injured quickly goes viral and seems to sum safe hands as the original creators. starts to rock out that we see some David karaoke in his bedroom and and enhances where his songs can newer cuts. his back falling off stage a few days up the wildly eclectic nature of this Back at the Uncommon stage sparks of the true genius we all know we’re all invited. He’s actually doing go in a live context. Thoroughly PUBLIC ENEMY over on the later and is out of action for eight inaugural Common People and how it the INNER PEACE RECORDS he’s capable of. In a nice twist he’s some pretty good stuff up there, live- satisfying stuff. main stage absolutely bring it. It’s a shame for the fabulously- weeks. While some songs still veer all unexpectedly seems to fit together. collective are an even bigger hip-hop barely yards from the spot where his mixing between his own tracks and There’s initial disappointment that named BALKAN WANDERERS into sub-Stones territory they always We await the release of Ìt Takes A treat, if only through the intimacy first band The Jennifers played at other garage/miscellaneous classics Once more to the Uncommon Flavor Flav doesn’t make it along that they have to clash with Primal hit their sweet spot quickly, and Nation of Millions To You, To Me’, of the tent and its excellent PA. Six Fun In The Parks in 1992. and belting out the familiar honeyed stage where VIENNA DITTO are (something about problems with Scream (hey, it’s a tough job, but ‘Swastika Eyes’ still has the power imminently. rappers joyously bounce rhymes R&B stylings. The set descends into creating a tangled storm of digital his passport, though it sounds like someone has to), but they play to a to thrill. off each other, with no-one’s ego “Ah, CRAIG DAVID, that’ll be a school disco mega-mix towards the mayhem, and the most enthusiastic there’s a story there) – but this is more than respectable crowd on the With fifteen thousand happy punters LADY LESHURR makes the hogging the limelight. The beats are laugh”, we said, expecting him to be middle, but by the time ‘Seven Days’ crowd response of the night. The tempered by relief given that he’s second stage, and manage to whip up and perfect weather the weekend trip from Birmingham to treat us tight and the basslines as infectious appearing mid-afternoon in front of comes around the crowd are eating two live stages emerge as perfect apparently spent much of recent a frantic dancefloor with their gypsy- exceeds all expectations, bringing to her ‘Queen’s Speech Episode as the mile-wide grins and positive a sparse collection of people dimly out of his hands. Craig David, 2016 counterpoints to each other, the local performances trying to sell copies ska Balkan stylings. This level of what feels like the whole city together 4’, probably the best rap about not vibes emanating from the stage. This remembering something about megastar. Who knew? bands’ raw energy a nice contrast to of his book. Otherwise, there’s a energy and fun is exactly what’s in music for the first time since, well, brushing your teeth in the hip hop could be the moment Oxford hip-hop “seven days” from about 15 years By contrast, GHOSTPOET is much the big acts’ slick professionalism. full complement, from the military needed to bring a triumphant two that OTHER South Park gig. We canon. Not everyone knows the truly came of age. ago. Instead, we come across perhaps more up our street, but manages to CASSELS are an increasingly shapes thrown by the S1Ws days on the Uncommon stage to a can only hope next year brings even responses expected, as she’s probably the biggest crowd of the entire day drive away half the crowd and – powerful beast, having developed (universally declared afterwards close, and a fitting demonstration of greater things. more of a Youtube star than anything In keeping with his records GAZ and rapturous enthusiasm of the briefly – the sunshine with his urban some serious songwriting skills since to be looking weirdly bored with the depth and quality of the Oxford else, but with some slick dance moves COOMBES’ set is frustratingly sort normally reserved for global anxiety. As his multiple Mercury their early, more tentative gigs. Just the whole affair, as if they’re on a scene in 2016. Big Sam would Words: Art Lagun and Stuart she pulls off a highly watchable set. close to being triumphant, yet superstars. To be precise, the act is nominations testify, he’s been as the vocals, guitar, drums and duo minimum-wage world tour) to a probably even try to sign them. Fowkes. Much like The Fall, The Nightingales are a band in constant BIG DEAL TEMPER TRAP LIVE transition, with the line-up changing The Bullingdon O2 Academy around Lloyd’s focal point. On Big Deal have become a big deal in their In 2009 The Temper Trap burst onto the tonight’s evidence, his current band own right, supporting Depeche Mode on scene with the release of indie-rock belter might just be the finest incarnation tour and becoming Radio 1 favourites. `Sweet Disposition’. It quickly became an yet. Whilst The Nightingales most The hype is justified by their performance indie anthem, and was what catapulted the photo by Sam Shepherd definitely play songs, tonight’s tonight at the Bully, despite rumours of band into the headphones of teenage fans show is a non-stop singular piece of Alice Costelloe’s laptop being stolen, all over the world. Now, seven years on, the performance with no gaps and no making her appear more frosty than shy on band have just released their third album, pauses for breath. Each individual stage. `Thick as Thieves’, and have begun a busy composition segues seamlessly into They open with Ìn Your Car’, reminiscent summer of festivals and touring; but do the next, and with every passing of The Lemonheads’ 90s college pop, they still live up to the name they built for moment, the tension seems to build, followed by new tracks from latest album themselves have a decade ago? as the band up the ante constantly `Say Yes’, sounding like a younger, brattier Yes and no. There are moments of throughout their hour-long set. Pixies. Àvalanche’ is a reverb-soaked brilliance tonight: the instrumental It’s impossible to pin them down dream, with Alice’s vocals echoing more breakdowns that begin quietly before as the set progresses. At times of Karen O than her usual Mazzy Star- growing into vivacious apexes lift the short they’re twitchy and angular post- style fragility. The new album’s title track set; the shiny syncopation and anthemic punk; then they drift into skewed is a longing teen anthem with a `Siamese vocals in these moments show where the Beefheartian blues. They find time Dream’-era Smashing Pumpkins vibe, band truly shine, but more often than not to mess around with nursery rhymes while `Saccharine’ could easily have been these peaks are pulled back by lifeless and when the mood takes them a Lemonheads cover, with the addition of a material. they head into drawn-out, hypnotic more powerful vocal than `June Gloom’ or New single `Fall Together’ fails to improvised jams. Ìn Your Car’ by Alice. `VITRIOL’ sounds encapsulate what made the band shine Leading it all is Lloyd, and he like `Heads Will Roll’ by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, all those years ago. Whereas their earlier switches roles constantly tonight. showing a band exploring their soundscape music was bright and engaging, this feels He’s a poet (he looks like John with the new four-piece line up. lacklustre, with sludgy reverb and a limp Shuttleworth’s angry older brother), Full band versions of tracks like `Talk’ chorus. `Burn’ appears to mimic what first a crooner, a barroom brawler and add a new leverage to well written duo made the band popular, yet lacks the certain a maniacal preacher. As important pieces, revealing the potential of the band. je ne sais quoi that once made their music as he is to the band’s aesthetic, it’s Lyrics like “All I wanna do is talk / But so interesting. impossible not to be impressed seeing you fucks me up” make them easily The encore couldn’t be anything other with his band. They’re tight and accessible and of course, make for a good than `Sweet Disposition’, and from the well-rehearsed, and in drummer singalong. shimmering opening you’re reminded what Fliss Kitson they’ve got a versatile Kacey and Alice’s duo encore of a great band The Temper Trap can be. The rhythmic powerhouse to rival any `Homework’ makes for a haunting end to energy that had drooped at points in the legendary tub-thumper you might the gig, followed by new track `Lux’, with set finally returns in full force, with the care to mention. its echoes of tour buddies Depeche Mode, audience drinking in every second. Tonight’s show is absolutely a song which appears to be about mental The Temper Trap are clearly a talented THE NIGHTINGALES magical, and any fledgling band health, ironic considering that Alice is band, but their new material has been would do well to study The The Cellar apparently a descendant of Sigmund marred by the overbearing success of Nightingales as they are at the Freud. Frosty or not, the onstage chemistry `Sweet Disposition’. Though there is no young from a hungry adder. As anyone who has been watching ever changing band creates are moment. They’re an idiosyncratic tonight is subdued, with Kacey cracking doubt they Trap can perform live, the Robert Lloyd, who has helmed Springwatch will know, nightingales fuzzy, mixed-up wonders, often shot wonder that makes a mockery of the the jokes, but all in all, letting the songs energy and shine that makes their encore the band The Nightingales since are renowned for their beautiful through with occasional glimpses notion of heritage bands. They’re speak for themselves. A promising set from soars sadly isn’t present throughout the their inception in 1979 could never singing voices and songs. As it turns of elegance and massive helpings still relevant and pushing at the a growing group. majority of the show. THE OXFORD really be described as having a out, they can also be fairly vicious of barely-contained anger and boundaries. This is how it’s done. Karlyn King Hannah Mylrea Hemmings and aggressive when protecting their beautiful voice, but the songs his malevolence. Sam Shepherd RECORD & CD FAIR St ALDATES PARISH CENTRE 40 Pembroke St, St Aldates, OX1 1BP KATHRYN JOSEPH / JESS HALL / COLDREDLIGHT Crow’, Joseph’s quavering voice – BRAIDS / ESTHER JOY LANE often compared to Joanna Newsom Saturday 9th July Modern Art Oxford but closer to Sneaker Pimps’ Keli O2 Academy Ali at times – is full of witchy 10am-4pm On a night when Oxford’s brief tomorrow Nightshift is off to buy a arias as folk songs. If a capella With Glastonbury and Truck festival a staggeringly impressive show; that there portent and catlike spite. Her lyrics Rock/pop/jazz/soul/reggae/indie/all other genres heatwave succumbs to thunder hat, so we can eat if Coldredlight number `The Table’ is too shrill and appearances ahead of her and a double is no recourse to their phenomenally good deal with tragedy and grief on an Accessories/memoriabillia/books. and lightning and a torrential don’t become the stars they so prosaic, `Dearest Heart’ is bright as showing at Common People in the bag, this first LP `Native Speaker’ emphasizes what intensely personal level (she lost Brand new and back catalogue/Rare Vinyl downpour, Coldredlight are the obviously deserve to. a summer morning. is proving to be Esther Joy Lane’s annus a stunning back catalogue they have built her first child a week after he was www.usrfairs.co.uk sound of a distant storm brewing. By contrast Jess Hall’s set feels But here comes the real darkness, mirabilis and it’s another spectacularly up. Clattering beats recall Efterklang while born), and more detached stories, Gaby-Elise Monaghan’s sleepy- like the fleeting sunny interval in the form of Aberdeen’s Kathryn accomplished set that we are treated to. pom poms and cymbals are afforded more such as the 1919 Iolaire disaster eyed voice carries a weariness before the storm really hits. If not Joseph, whose bleakly titled debut Pummelling synths and hallways of sound house room than is usual and Raphaelle near Lewis. Throughout she is that defies her tender years while exactly bright eyed and bushy `The Bones You Have Thrown Me that might make for a fitting soundtrack to Standell-Preston’s voice soars above all – a alongside her Casper Miles tailed, her romantic stories carry & Blood I Have Spilled’, released simply astonishing, a genuine force a procession scene in some dystopian sci-fi truly operatic supplementary instrument conjures a lost highway kind of an air of optimism about them, a shortly after her 40th birthday, won of nature as a singer and musician, drama are the solo artist’s stock in trade and that recalls Liz Cocteau. Inevitably, the blues on his guitar. Together they sense of naïve wonder about the the 2015 Scottish Album of the Year and when her set is over there’s there are inevitable comparisons to Zola highlight is `Miniskirt’, a career high point, create a wonderfully pensive world around her, particularly the Award. Fixing the audience with an audible intake of breath before Jesus and, in particular, Grimes. There are before which Standell-Preston warns us that atmosphere on tracks like `Bloom’ gorgeous `Sea Song’ from 2014’s severe stare throughout, her songs the rapturous applause. Acclaim changes in mood too, with slower numbers it’s important to refer to women as women that suggest something lurking just `Bookshelves’ album. Much of her virtually bleed hurt, stark piano may have been a very long time in recalling the salad days of dubstep while the and not as ladies. “It’s been a slice,” she beyond the horizon. In her more set tonight is lent added gravitas coupling with Marcus Mackay’s coming, but this most unlikely of artist’s command of a keyboard is absolute. remarks at the end, the unwitting recipient strident moments Gaby could be a by regular collaborator Barney superbly understated drumming to stars deserves every plaudit thrown Shy by her own admittance, confidence is of some advice from a purveyor of faux young Joni Mitchell but the softly Morse-Brown whose virtuoso cello create turbulent maelstroms that at her. Here’s one storm you really growing by the gig. cockney rhyming slang. That the O2 is only snarling `Little Scorpion’ suggests playing never imposes on Jess’s suck in the crowd’s rapt attention. do want to be caught in the middle It’s a fitting appetiser for Braids, a band that patchily attended is disappointing but no a midnight liaison between Ry pure, limpid voice that sounds like From the clamouring `The Mouth’ of. skilfully combine traditional instruments reflection on an extraordinary evening. Cooder and Mazzy Star and it would be as suited to singing to the softer, almost florid `The Dale Kattack and electronic innovation. Quite simply, it’s Rob Langham to his leads. photo by Karlyn King When things finally get going, the THE JOY LIVE whole set seems to teeter on the FORMIDABLE brink of falling apart. Yet despite the dour reputation Middleton O2 Academy possesses, he deals with all of these Amid mixed reviews for new bizarre and befuddling moments album `Hitch’, The Joy Formidable

photo by Sam Shepherd with a grin and some well-timed have the kind of confidence that humour. Only he could pen a song can only come from sharing stages entitled `We Are All Going To with heavyweights such as Muse Die’ and somehow imbue it with and the Foo Fighters, the latter positivity. By turns beautiful, sad, dubbing them songwriters of the and downright weird, tonight’s year for chorus-laden aural assault, show feels as if it’s been plucked `Whirring”’. from the same world that his album With fashionably late support from with David Shrigley documents. Demob Happy, a packed venue Tracks from his latest album warms up with a ramshackle riff find him opening his sound out fest, one for fans of the Queens considerably; by utilising support of the Stone Age or Fugazi. Solid act Pictish Trail as his backing two-stringed bass lines and muted band and presumably laptop vocals leave us suitably nostalgic wizardry, songs like `John Lennon for the Sub Pop glory days. Says’ and `Big Black Hole’ sound The Joy Formidable open a massive. `Summer of ’13’ takes the blistering set with 2011’s `Cradle’, form of a quirky club hit, just about a soaring pop song laced with offsetting the crushing opening line Ritzy’s signature guitar fuzz, of “I want to curl up into a ball with vibes of punk pioneers The and die” with its offbeat nature. Wipers. This continues with Ì New tracks from `Hitch’ are punters, gifts us with an unplugged where they disappear into a fog His entire set tonight stares Don’t Want to See You Like This’ definitely of a heavier, more version of new track `The Brook’, of My Bloody Valentine crossed deep into the jaws of defeat, and Àustere’ but at times, Ritzy’s driving persuasion, cementing showcasing how connected they with My Vitriol circa 2001. Their but Middleton’s way of dealing vocals are somewhat overwhelmed Ritzy’s status as a guitar force to be are as musicians who have played presence is both full on and fragile with misfortune and heartbreak by the massive guitar lines and reckoned with, channelling unique together for nine years and inviting all at once, leaving critics in a sea is to face it head on and write cymbal swell. This is, thankfully, atmospherics in contrast to her the audience to huddle round, of feedback, safe in the knowledge beautiful, heartbreaking, and interspersed with more fragile guitar-lite contemporaries. much to their enjoyment. that they are both a unique and occasionally very funny songs moments like `Liana’ and `Silent An encore featuring Ritzy and The set finishes with rousing new progressive band with or without about the situation. When he Treatment’, revealing how well she Rhydian repositioned from track, `Radio of Lips’, and Dave the hype. rocks out, as on `Red Travellin’ can actually sing. centre stage to the middle of the Grohl’s favourite, `Whirring’, Karlyn King Socks’, he’s facing adversity with aggression, and when he strips things back to acoustic guitar, he THE CULT OF DOM KELLER / RY X embraces it. Morrison’s might not MALCOLM MIDDLETON need a singer-cum-songwriter- MASIRO St John The Evangelist cum-record producer-cum-indie Ry X, takes to the centre of the from `pop’ musicians: allowing The Bullingdon schmindie guitarist-cum-moaning The Bullingdon stage amid a droning organ chord powerful section of a performance “Look mate, you can’t just…I astray tonight. Before Middleton’s “It’s performance art” he deadpans bastard miserabilist, as he Masiro might have a reputation drone rock forged in the heart of and a beautiful evolving texture to run along like a great rock jam mean thanks, but…” Malcolm even played a note, there’s a “without the performance.” suggests on `By-Proxy Song’, but as a band that other musicians the black sun that formed when that spills over from Nils Frahm of yesteryear, that feeling of the Middleton is addressing a member technical difficulty that means he’s “Or the art,” counters a wit in the almost everyone else could do love and admire, but for all the Spacemen 3 and Loop imploded territory to the borders of post-rock music sounding so good you don’t of the audience that’s just given scrabbling around with his laptop audience. with some Malcolm Middleton in complexity and cerebral nature is the order of The Cult of Dom grandeur, and despite this being need to stick to the four minutes him a pint mid-song. It’s just one and leads trying to get everything “That’s just your opinion…” their lives. of their instrumental post/math- Keller’s day, the quartet a blur a pop band they manage to keep the song was on the album; if the of a number of things that go to work. mutters Middleton before returning Sam Shepherd rock, they’re both accessible of shaggy fringes and reverb as that sense of emotive scale through band is swept away, the audience and visceral. Extremely visceral they plough onward, onward their entire set. will surely follow, and they are at times as they hit their mood through a scouring, soul-cleansing Australian singer Ry Cumming’s tonight, repeatedly. Whether it’s switch at will, transforming worldstorm that feels like its unique blend of falsetto and pre-orchestrated or not, it’s an SONA JOBARTEH passages of almost ambient Pink developing its own gravitational contemporary folk style lets his increasingly rare treat, as if bands The North Wall Floyd-inspired wandering into field as the set progresses. The voice float through as if James don’t believe our attention spans The stunningly beautiful Sona Jobarteh is billed as the first significant so while her band has a bass guitarist and kit drummer, merging this sandblasted Mars Volta-like band’s reverb pedals probably have Blake has started hanging out will last longer than the studio professional female player of the West African kora, the ancient 21-string traditional music with another genre – say jazz or hip hop – is clearly not angular prog noise with barely a extra reverb pedals attached, and with Keaton Henson. The deep arrangement. harp-like instrument with a 700-year history, and which Senegalese for her. pause for thought. Their set is one those have yet more reverb pedals, synth bass plays perfectly with At his core Ry is a musician, but maestro and Witney resident Jali Fily Cissokho has introduced to the She takes a lot of care introducing numbers, and her own songs in praise of peaks and troughs of noise, and just to make the whole thing feel the live percussion, which acts one who embraces the wide scope local Oxford scene. of women, in praise of the elders and in praise of Gambia are clearly if they can sink into ponderous like you’re mashed out of your as much more than holding the that pop music can possess. This It’s not the kora though, but Sona’s voice that first draws you into close to her heart. When announcing `Mamamusa’ in praise of her late noodling very occasionally, you’re skull at some narco-party hosted by band together and adds complex kind of music has been out there tonight’s gig. Gentle and strong, flowing and definitive, never harsh or grandmother, the emotion is clearly very near the surface and Sona only ever a turn-on-a-sixpence Hookworms inside a working jet rhythmic treats throughout, while for a while and has been done stretched, it’s suffused with a warmth that’s irresistible. Indeed, for much appears close to tears. moment away from some more of engine. A brief moment of levity the layer upon layer of organ, keys, well but perhaps a sweet-voiced, of the first set Sona’s kora is understated, just one instrument in the band. Along with her mainly London-based musicians, she conjures catchy that lovely bloody-minded noise. comes when singer and guitarist guitar and vocals evoke much more radio-friendly and charismatic However, when the first substantial solo comes along it’s like shards of rhythms that get some of the polite north Oxford crowd dancing. Nottingham’s Cult of Dom Keller Ryan mutters “as you can see, we avant garde music, and just as you Australian might just be able to soft light shining through finely woven cloth. Senegal-based Momodu Sarr on African percussion, whose huge smile seemingly have no truck with don’t say much,” the only words think a more casual listener might bring a mainstream audience with Born in London of Gambian heritage into one of the families with an is as dazzling as his polyrhythmic virtuosity, is particularly impressive, mood changes or complex musical he speaks all night. Instead it’s his be getting a little uncomfortable, him, to somewhere where walls of hereditary right to play the kora, Sona started learning it age three. She alongside Andi McLean’s less-is-more bass playing. diversions. Their world is dark spaced-out incantations, half lost a catchy reverb-drenched chorus beauteous noise can last for eight tells us she’s is aiming to innovate at the same time as sustaining that With the band’s energy complimenting Sona’s grace, warmth, and their groove goes from a, right in a blizzard of pummelling drums, floats to the top, or some Bon Iver- minutes, and choruses are less heritage, even setting up a music school in Gambia to that end. commitment and passion, there’s more than enough evidence on stage through b, c and d and crashes industrial bass groove and glowing style harmonies relax the mood. important than your emotional Her versions of the West African classics `Kanu-Jarabi’ and the tonight to suggest that in her hands this music will continue to evolve for gloriously through the back end of synth buzzes that do the talking. It’s What strikes me about this response; he certainly does instrumental `Kaira’ are very much in that spirit, taken at a faster rhythm generations to come. z, flattening everything in its way. relentless, and it’s utterly brilliant. expansive approach is something tonight. than usual, yet still deeply traditional. It’s evolution not revolution, Colin May No frills, no nonsense psychedelic Dale Kattack you don’t see often these days Matthew Chapman Jones INTRODUCING.... Nightshift’s monthly guide to the best local music bubbling under Oxford’s only centrally located music shop Kanadia Who are they? Abingdon-based alt.rockers Kanadia are James Bettis (guitar/vocals); Tim Lucas (drums); Melissa Marshall (keyboards) and Jack Ashworth (bass). James and Melissa were in a previous band in Devon but relocated after hearing about the thriving music scene in Oxford, where they met Jack and Tim. Despite only gigging locally over the past few months, the quartet have already won plenty of fans, notably at their recent Punt show, with more than one renowned local promoter proclaiming them the best new live band in town. Their self-released, eponymous debut EP was released in April and they’ve already started work on their debut album with Richard by a guy who demanded we use more electronics.” Neuberg, who produced The Epstein’s `Burn the Branches’ album. Their favourite other Oxfordshire act is: What do they sound like? “Coldredlight; we only recently discovered Gaby-Elise’s music but we “Big” is the word most often used to describe Kanadia, both live and on were absolutely blown away by her song `Little Scorpion’.” Oxfords oldest music shop is the place to visit for 01865 333581 record. Young, new and fresh-faced they’re already aiming for a stadium- If they could only keep one album in the world, it would be: [email protected] sized sound inspired by Radiohead, Muse and even some of U2’s wide- “Ìn Rainbows’ by Radiohead. • Rock, Pop & Chart CDs from £5 • 3 for 2 on selected sets of guitar strings screen rock, but invested with a sweet melodic golden thread that recalls When is their next local gig and what can newcomers expect? Blackwells.co.uk/oxford th th • DVDs, giftware & t-shirts • Printed music and books Jeff Buckley’s airy sense of longing and heartache. There is reverb and their “8 July at the Bullingdon and 29 July at Jericho Tavern. You can expect @blackwellsmusic choruses touch the sky. One Nightshift scribe described their “billowing some new unheard tracks, not yet released, as well as some of the more well • A selection of vinyl and record players • An ongoing programme of musical events musical confection” as sounding like the musical equivalent of candy floss known tracks from our upcoming album. Plus there will be free EPs on the fb.com/blackwellsmusic • A range of instruments & accessories flavoured e-cigarette vapour. door and some great support acts.” 53 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BQ What inspires them? Their favourite and least favourite things about Oxford music are: “New and interesting music; concerts; songwriting; reverb.” “Our favourite thing is the supportive local music community who want to Career highlight so far: hear live original artists; least favourite is the guy who follows us around “Recording the album, playing the Oxford Punt and winning the Witney stealing our plectrums and drum sticks!” battle of the bands.” You might love them if you love: And the lowlight: Radiohead; U2; Jeff Buckley; Muse; Foals; TV On The Radio. “Playing a certain anonymous venue in Reading, or possibly being Hear them here: suddenly cornered and challenged to an MC battle in the streets of Leicester www.kanadia.band

Dr SHOTOVER: Seeks stable relationship THIS MONTH IN OXFORD [In a whisper] Ah, there you are. [Louder] I said, AH, THERE YOU ARE. My voice - not T H E W H E A T S H E A F quite as hearty as usual? Yes, well-noticed, Dewdrop-Innes. Your prize for being st ALL OUR YESTERDAYS MUSIC HISTORY Friday 1 July – KLUB KAKOFANNEY really really observant is to get a round in. Mine’s a Lemsip and ginger wine… very now forgotten in time included Ampersand; Elton John played a show at The Kassam KANADIA + DAN MCLEAN 7:45pm civil of you…glugg, glugg… ah, that’s better. What happened, you say? Well, I was 20 YEARS AGO PEERLESS PIRATES Funbug; Stretch Princess; Lynus; Souled Out; Stadium this month and apparently many of those Saturday 2nd July – IDIOT KING singing along to FOALS and I got a little hoarse. A. LITTLE. HOARSE. Geddit? Oh There are gigs that have attained legendary status in suit yourselves. No, in fact my uncharacteristic quietude of tone is the direct and Oxford music history and July 1996 saw possibly Fat Freddy’s Fingertips; Elvis Virus and Baby in attendance that day never returned to the ground POLEDO RADICAL BOY + LONG LIMBS 8pm inevitable result of shouting at Young People. Justifiably? It’s always justifiably. the daddy of all of them: Radiohead’s two-night Grain, though encouraging to note that The Dirty until Oxford Utd played Swansea City’s reserves th Monday 4 July I was cycling over Magdalen Bridge yesterday, when a pair of mouth-breathing stint at The Zodiac on the 2nd and 3rd (the latter Earth Band and The Inflatables are still going in the FA Cup last season. adolescent numpties had the temerity to walk out in front of the ancestral strong two decades on. LEGION OF ANDROMEDA + DRORE 8pm an under-18s show), which was their first Oxford OMMADON velocipede. Not only that – they were texting and wearing trainers at the time. Thursday 7th July – THE SPIN JAZZ CLUB gig since attaining global superstar status on the 5 YEARS AGO What else could I do? Half-an-hour had passed before I finished my tirade, as back of `The Bends’. Fans queued down Cowley Talking of Spiers and Boden, who was that follows: ‘AND ANOTHER THING, pond life - you’ve made me LATE for an IMPORTANT 10 YEARS AGO SNAKE DAVIS & ROSS STANLEY Road to buy tickets when the gigs were announced It being July, the main event of the month was on the cover of Nightshift in July 2011? Why, Friday 8th July - IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC APPOINTMENT!’ With this, I cuffed the gruesome twosome round the backs of their spotty heads and pedalled on. Long story short, I arrived at my regimental reunion via some les than subtle hints in Nightshift, every Truck Festival. After a heatwave caused the Bellowhead, the ensemble declared the Official MASIRO SOCIAL DISCHARGE + LEE RILEY 7:45pm with only seconds to spare, and, what was worse, I had quite lost my voice. This one snapped up in under an hour. In perishing heat tarmac on the A34 to melt and cars to overheat, Best Live Band in the World following a slew of th Saturday 9 July – OXROX didn’t stop me enjoying several bottles of claret and a generous portion of Spotted- the band played for over two hours, including a those who made to Steventon on time were greeted major awards for their shows and set to headline Dick Wellington with lashings of brandy custard, but did make the sing-song at the ten-song encore, the set featuring at the time new by a sudden biblical downpour that threatened this month’s Truck Festival, having stolen the TERMINUS 8pm songs like `Paranoid Android’ and Ì Promise’, as to wash the festival into the sea for a few hours show the year before. Spiers and Boden talked to Thursday 14th July – THE SPIN JAZZ CLUB end a bit of a disappointment, especially when it came to my Jon Anderson-style harmonies on Eskimo Nell Does Didcot. Still, the whole thing degenerated (as well as `Subterranean Homesick Alien’; `Planet as the likes of Xmas Lights, Harry Angel, us about their roots in the Oxford folk scene. NICK SMART 8pm is traditional) into a monumental food fight, for which the Shotover vocal cords Telex’; Banana Co.’; Thinking About You’; `Lucky’ Kill Casino, Co-Pilgrim and Get Cape, Wear This was to prove a pivotal year for Truck, Friday 15th July – CHURCH OF THE HEAVY were not needed - so all was well. What’s that, Sidcup? I’ve still got some Stilton and `Fake Plastic Trees’, but, surprising for the Cape, Fly played on. When things brightened up expanding to three days and a bigger capacity but, tucked under my velveteen collar? That’s for later, dunderhead. Now then, what’s time, no `Creep’. Nightshift’s review of the show again the weekend’s highlights included Battles; sadly, being forced into liquidation after ticket TRAUMA UK + JUNKIE BRUSH + STRIKE ONE 7:45pm THE CORSAIRS this about some more equestrian local band names? RIDE, obviously, good. HOT Saturday 16th July – TWO FACE PROMOTIONS reported that Thom spent much of the gig joking A Suitable Case For Treatment; Skindred; sales failed to cover costs. HOOVES, like it, like it. with fans, claiming “I’m not very good at being The Futureheads and Forward Russia! on A shame since there were some serious star turns SYMBOL OF ORION CRIMSON TUSK + OF GIANTZ + R.O.Y7:45pm PONYCLUB – nice, nice. nice to people,” and drinking beers, while Jonny the Saturday, and 65Daysofstatic; Youthmovie over the weekend, not least from an acid-crazed Thursday 21st July – THE SPIN JAZZ CLUB (Yes, Totterdown, that’s Greenwood played with a brace on him arm. It Soundtrack Strategies; The Rock of Travolta; Fixers whose set has gone down as one of the what YOUNG KNIVES were concluded with the bold but not unreasonable claim Regina Spektor and Seth Lakemen on the greatest in Truck’s history. The Cellar Family, JAMES ALLSOP 8pm originally called, not many nd that “Radiohead are simply and indisputably the Sunday. Wild Swim, Trophy Wife and Sealings led the Friday 22 July – BURIED IN SMOKE people know that). THE best live band in the world.” Over at Cornbury, meanwhile, The Pretenders; local charge on Blessing Force’s specially hosted EPSOM? Hmm, maybe. RAGING SPEEDHORN STONEGHOST + BLACK SKIES BURN 7:45pm Elsewhere this month The Egg released their Robert Plant; The Waterboys; Texas and Robyn stage, while Phil Selway, Young Knives, Spring Wednesday 27th July – IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC RODEOHEAD! [Fanfare of trumpets, lights flash, chorus debut album, Àlbumen’ (named after a pun in an Hitchcock graced the main stage with Spiers Offensive and The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm early Curfew review) on China Records, while and Boden and Kate Rusby on the Oxford Folk Band also flew the Oxford flag with pride on a bill LEADFOOT TEA 7:45pm girls enter carrying a large Friday 29th July cake, all cheer]. Ambassador, The Mystics announced they had parted company Festival stage. that featured John Grant, Galaxie 500, Nathaniel you spoil us! Crack open with their label Fontana. “It was a marriage that Away from festivals, Winnebago Deal released Rateliffe and Graham Coxon. Thankfully the BROSEPHINE + SHOTGUN SIX + SCALS 7:45pm MOLOTOV SEXBOMB another vat of Lemsip and promised great sex but turned out to be frigid,” said their album `The Raven’ on Fierce Panda, while story had a happy ending with Truck’s takeover Saturday 30th July – GTI Crabbie’s – cheers! singer Sam Williams to Nightshift. The band’s debut Youthmovie Soundtrack Staretgies were off on by the people behind Y Not Festival. This year ART THEEFE SHRINKING VIOLETS + CHARLIE LEAVY 8pm Next month: Everybody ‘Guten Tag, Dr S – we’re the National Velvet album would later be released on Rotator. tour with Forward Russia! ahead of the recording they’re expanding to three days and upping the The Wheatsheaf 129 High Street, Oxford OX1 4DF / www.facebook.com/wheatsheaf.oxford Needs Good Neigh-Bours Underground. Fancy a canter?’ In an otherwise quiet month for gigs locally names of their third album. capacity. Fingers crossed, eh? drum strapped on his back and a pair of THE KARLOS mini cymbals between his knees as he KOLLECTIVE negotiates a ramshackle version of `Streets Something else that’s in the Nightshift fridge of London’ for bemused commuters – long DEMOS is a big block of cheese, since great pop ago became obsolete with the advent of Sponsored by Demo of the Month wins a free half day music and cheese have long been good bed home recording technology, but it’s good to at Soundworks studio in Oxford, fellows. The Karlos Kollective here have know that some people still adhere to that courtesy of Umair Chaudhry. Visit an entire cheese board to slather over their play-everything-at-once-all-by-yourself www.umairchaudhry.co.uk/nightshift odd little songs. Take opener Àtmosphere’, ideal. Max Schnupp here sounds like he’s which sadly, despite their letter promising a contorting himself into all manner of odd mix of original songs and covers, isn’t either shapes in his bedroom while trying to allergic). Why? Because throughout the the Joy Division classic or Russ Abbott party recreate the sound of a full free jazz band, entire duration of the demo there’s a high- DEMO OF banger. Instead it’s a happy clappy folk-pop like a game of muso Twister. Abstract 01865 240250 pitched whining noise somewhere in the number that might have been half inched beats, funky guitar, random keyboard hums middle distance. It becomes so incessant from a 1980s Christian pop festival, with a and squeaks and some decidedly doleful THE MONTH we end up calling the doctors surgery and set of rhymes to make Liam Gallagher blush. vocals don’t suggest someone clinically in booking an ear test appointment. Too many That’s nothing compared to`Livid Leon’, control of the recording process. “I can’t nights in the company of Killing Joke, BLACK CAT TANGO which might be a lo-fi take on T-Rex’s glam change my mind,” mumbles Max as he Coltsblood and Hang the Bastard have Aim for the stars and you might reach the boogie with cheap electro-pop bells and charges round the room hitting, plucking, finally done for us, obviously. But as soon Moon goes the old cliché and Black Cat trinkets attached, or `Take the Taxi Dear’, tweaking or generally trying to understand as we turn the music off to use the phone the Tango are at least aiming high. Or maybe which starts off as a synth-string-laden each and every instrument he encounters whining stops. Turns out Amanda Aalto here not; mostly they sound like they’re aiming electro-soul torch song before someone along the way. It’s a mess but it sounds has decided the best way to lift her demo for the bottom of the rankest gutter in town, drops the world’s largest slab of cheddar on pleasingly organic compared to most of the out of the floaty, fluffy acoustic-guitar- but, like, in a good way, if you get our drift. top of it and it sails off into cheesy yellow bedroom-bound efforts we get sent. No need and-a-voice ghetto is to stick a constant Their Facebook boasts motivational quotes sunset power ballad. Or maybe `Lucky Life’, to change, Max. Maybe move to a smaller synth whine behind every song. Every from Frank Zappa and Tom Waits, while which begins life as a 60s-style folk-rock bedroom though – much easier to reach bloody song. Thanks. Beyond that incessant their Bandcamp self description promises lament before Karlos decides to whip out everything without falling over on top of the whining Amanda tends to flit between “In a moonlit alley on the wrong side of the the world’s most incongruous guitar solo cymbals all the time. tracks, somewhere between comic-book slightly shrill emoting, stepping over the and take everything to hero level, his voice blues, jazz-noir and thumping 50s rock lays line into full-on wailing on `Without Your cracking under the strain of trying to keep up Black Cat Tango.” All of which point in Love’, a slightly tipsy song which sounds with such epic endeavors. On the one hand roughly the direction the band are coming like it necked a couple of cheeky glasses of it’s verging on pop nightmare material, but THE DEMO .co.uk from, though you could add Nick Cave’s Prosecco before committing itself to tape, on the other, hey, why not – who wants to be TURAN AUDIO Professional, independent CD mastering murder ballads, Stray Cats’ rumble and and airy coo-ing, which makes her sound sweet and sensible when there’s the chance of The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band’s like she’s singing love songs to a toddler. DUMPER a party breaking out and terrible dancing to Artists mastered in the studio last month include; gin-soaked hot jazz and r’n’b to all that. There are occasional flamenco flourishes, be done. Awful and brilliant in almost equal And they make a reasonable fist of it, a bit the odd nod to something Cajun, and some measures. THE ILLUMINATI ALMA, CAPTAIN KUPPA T & THE ZEPPELIN of swing and some down and dirty blues obligatory melisma and if it’s not exactly That high pitched whine/warning signal from and rockabilly to soundtrack late nights in offensive it does tend to feel like you’re the fridge we seem slightly obsessed with? CREW, ALISTAIR MELVILLE, DEM BONES, THE dive bars counting the nickels and dimes trapped inside an advert for herbal teabags. BETAJAXX Reckon it has more nuance and melodic SAD SONG CO, PRINCE, WINTERFYLLETH, for that next shot of sourmash. Right now, While stood next to a fridge door that’s been It’s been a good couple of years since we appeal than this demo. Nightshift’s enduring MARK CROZER, RIDE, TEMPER CARTEL, though, they’re still not entirely convincing; left open too long. reviewed anything from local singer Clea love for workaday blokey rock bands is well singer SJ Salem (if that’s his real name De Sebrock, mostly one-song demos on an documented (mostly in the Demo Dumper, LOWLY HOUNDS, GRAHAM PARKER, BE GOOD. we’ll scoff our battered trilby with a side upbeat trance tip. So what’s new? She has a it must be said), and yet still they come. order of custard) yet to achieve the weary, SOLAFIDE new band name for starters – Betajaxx being This, as is ever the case, is well prepared 01865 716466 [email protected] lived-in crack in his voice that can make Solafide is the work of a guy called Chris a collaboration with Brazilian producer Pablo and produced, much like a supermarket all the difference. They’re a new band in and this demo is a one-song affair called Henrique. Otherwise what we have here is a own brand meat pie, but as adventurous and town though, so there’s ample room for `Hyannis’. The Soundcloud page comes with one-song demo on an upbeat trance tip. And deviant as that particular pastry-cased delight. a fuller descent into those sought-after this choice quote about the song: “Hyannis is really, when you consider the alternatives Give us crazy culinary messes laced with COURTYARD gutters, with demo highlight `Bad Things’ located on the east coast of the United States. (see certain other demos this month and ghost chillies or weird cauliflower, chocolate RECORDING STUDIO the darkest shot on show and hopefully an It is the home of the Kennedys and steeped every other month), what’s wrong with that? and gin combos – something to challenge 2 Tracking Rooms. Superb Control Room with: indication of the way things might from here in the history of America’s discovery by As before there’s something a bit timeless our palates. That The Illuminati list Oasis, NEVE 5106 32 Channel Console. ProTools HD3 (downwards, if you get what we mean). In European civilization. The song is an attempt about Clea’s club-friendly electro. `Say You The Libertines and Ocean Colour Scene as MTR 90 2” 24 Track Tape Machine. Vintage EMT Plate Reverb Loads of Brilliant Outboard Gear the meantime get a couple of pints of Mark at evoking the spirit of promise and tragedy Will’ here is far less jarring than the Daft primary influences says everything. Here that seems audible in the sound of the waves Loads of Great Mics, Vintage and Modern Lanegan down you chaps and come back Punk-ish `Time’ we heard on her previous is sullen, plodding, earnest soft rock with Old School Akai/Roland Synth Modules sounding like you crawled out of a drain. and the roar of the planes ferrying tourists demo, her voice softer, more Madonna, less absolutely no comprehension of what real Upright Piano, Fender Rhodes, Amps and great vibes. and workers out to Martha’s Vineyard. It is Goldfrapp, but the Guetta-like production excitement is, just a safe, stodgy gloop of Residential recording studio in Sutton Courtenay. a romance between peoples centuries apart turns it into an everyman house banger that tried and tested, polished and pruned musical www.courtyardrecordingstudio.co.uk and divided by cultures which are , on the might have come from any time over the past and lyrical clichés. The idea that Britpop’s In-house producer: Ian Davenport www.ian-davenport.co.uk AMANDA AALTO one hand , intent on survival, and on the 20 years. Well-orchestrated summer anthem second tier also-rans still exert such an Email: [email protected] Listening to music all day every day can other, domination.” We’ve printed it for stuff but maybe lacking an edge to lift it influence on modern music is something that Phone: Kate on 01235 845800 do strange things to your brain, particularly you to read because we had to, and why above and beyond the background buzz of a would make us weep if that didn’t constitute making you hear things that aren’t there. should we suffer alone? It’s here so you can million similar pieces. an emotional reaction to something that And going to loads of gigs without wearing start to understand what we are up against doesn’t deserve it. In fact we’re off downstairs earplugs apparently gives you tinnitus. Thus sometimes. It’s not actually too bad really now to repeatedly slam our heads in the fridge it is we spend the duration of this four- – bit overwrought and recorded so that MAX SCHNUPP door for an hour until the pain of that idea song demo wandering around the house everything keeps distorting the more racked The old fashioned idea of the one man overcomes the pain of listening to this. Then to see if we’ve left the fridge door open with emotion Chris gets as he contemplates band – some mad old goat standing on we’re going to drink the entire bottle of salted (it has a tendency to shout at us in fridge all that promise and tragedy and survival a street corner with a guitar in hand, caramel vodka so we can’t remember a single Three state of the art rehearsal rooms. language if it’s left open for more than 30 and domination. Sort of like a strangely harmonica scaffolded to his mouth, bass thing about it. seconds, which is a right bugger if you’re over-intense meeting point between For bookings. stuck deciding between a can of Scrumpy Jack Savoretti and The Blue Nile. We’ve Send demos for review to: Nightshift, PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU, or email links to Call Jamie on 07917685935 Jack or that bottle of salted caramel vodka probably overlooked something deep and [email protected], clearly marked Demos. IMPORTANT: no review without the birthday fairy just delivered) or one important here but for some reason we keep Glasshouse studios, Cumnor, Oxford a contact address and phone number; no more than four tracks on a demo please. If you glasshousestudios.org of the cats is torturing a rat downstairs in thinking about salted caramel vodka, which can’t handle criticism, please don’t send us your demo. And don’t fucking whine about your the kitchen (no UB40 jokes please, we’re prevents us from concentrating properly. review on Twitter either, else we’ll print a screenshot and make you look like a prize tit. facebook.com/o2academyoxford twitter.com/o2academyoxford instagram.com/o2academyoxford youtube.com/o2academytv

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