[email protected] @NightshiftMag NightshiftMag nightshiftmag.co.uk Free every month NIGHTSHIFT Issue 292 November Oxford’s Music Magazine 2019

“Our insecurities have been commodified by the likes of Google and that doesn’t feel like a comfortable LOW place for society to be in.” ISLAND

Oxford’s club-friendly electro-pop crew talk technology, mental health and dancing into the revolution. Also in this issue: RITUAL UNION reviewed Introducing THE GRAND MAL plus All your Oxford music news, previews and reviews, and seven pages of gigs for November NIGHTSHIFT: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU. Phone: 01865 372255 NEWS Nightshift: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU Phone: 01865 372255 email: [email protected] Online: nightshiftmag.co.uk

Liverpool and Glasgow as part of a JD-sponsored tour.

MY CROOKED TEETH are included on a tribute album to Canadian indie rockers The Weakerthans this month. ‘One Great Tribute’ is released on the 15th November and includes 23 cover THE SHAPES release their debut album next month and bandleader version, including tracks by Frank Anthony Kelly has been talking to Nightshift about the record and the Turner and Billy Pettinger among DIVINE SCHISM are starting band’s new line-up. others. All proceeds from the sale a record label to run alongside “A full album has been on the cards for a while, as we have produced their live music promoting. The of the album will go to The Centre six EPs to date, the last one being ‘Oh You’ earlier this year. Being in first release will be Lucy Leave’s for Addiction & Mental Health such a large band and everyone having busy lives with many members second album ‘Everyone Is Doing and The Canadian Mental Health in other bands, it’s hard to find time to make a plan and finance a record, So Well’ on 24th January; this will Association. especially after a very busy summer with festival gigs.” be preceded by a triple A-side My Crooked Teeth also release their Big favourites on the Oxford scene over the past few years for their single ‘Thumbs’ / ‘Snow’ / ‘Hey, own new single ‘Something Real’ th mix of 60s r’n’b, new wave pop, punk and folk, as well as their strong Male Saviour’ on 22nd November. on the 8 November, available at storytelling, often based on Anthony’s years growing up in Cowley, The Check out facebook.com/ soundcloud.com/my-crooked-teeth. Shapes’ album will feature a mix of new songs and reworked oldies. DivineSchismPresents for more “We toyed with a ‘Best Of’ album from our previous EPs but then release and gig news. GLITCHKRIEG release a single in decided to record five new songs. I then wanted to add brass to some of aid of local anti-abuse charity Clean our old songs and to remix them, so we could create a different feel, so OXFORD CITY FESTIVAL Slate this month. The band, formed we added brass and remixed ‘Passing of the Years’ and ‘April Showers’, returns this month, with two weeks by Brendan Morgan from Grub and as they were all a bit rushed when we originally recorded them. We also of gigs by mostly local acts across Twat Daddies’ Jon Little, release’ re-recorded ‘Mr Sandman’ in a different key and have created a more various venues around Oxford. Touch Me I’m Six(teen), a twisted rustic version. We also have a really good live recording of last year’s Organised by local musician and dance cover of Mudhoney’s grunge Christmas gig at The Bullingdon, so have added a live version of ‘The promoter Mark ‘Osprey’ O’Brien, classic ‘Touch Me I’m Sick’. It’s Sunshine Song’ to honour the memory of the late, great Tony Jezzard. st the festival kicks off on the 15th available from the 31 October. Get “I’m aware it might be the only album we ever record, so I wanted it November and runs til the 30th, your copy at to cover the whole range of The Shapes’ years, with some new songs taking in some 30 shows at The glitchkriegox.bandcamp.com. added to keep it fresh. The album also includes ‘Till They Put Me In The Half Moon, The Wheatsheaf, The Ground’, plus ‘Oh You’ and ‘New Train’ as the original recordings. 14 Bullingdon, Cirkus and The Port AS EVER, don’t forget to tune into tracks in total, which also includes a very new song which isn’t listed and Mahon. Full OCF listings in this BBC Oxford Introducing every most of the band don’t even know about!” month’s gig guide. Saturday night between 8-9pm on Over the past year or so The Shapes have expanded to include a full 95.2fm. The dedicated local music brass section, which has taken their sound to another level. show plays the best Oxford releases “We’re now a nine-piece, which I love. One of my favourite albums is and demos as well as featuring ‘Searching For The Young Souls Rebels’ by Dexy’s Midnight Runners interviews and sessions with local and I always loved the brass section on that record and how they blew it acts. The show is available to stream hard and loud with attitude. I always hoped that one day I would have a or download as a podcast at bbc. brass section in The Shapes. I was really excited when Andy, Clare and co.uk/oxford. Bethan signed up to play, as they are all great musicians and the easiest going bunch I’ve ever worked with. We have enjoyed the most wonderful OXFORD GIGBOT provides a year of gigs; we all get on so well and are a really happy unit, which I regular local gig listing update on think manifests itself in our live shows. Twitter (@oxgigbot), bringing “We’re launching the album at the Bullingdon on Saturday 2nd you new gigs as soon as they go November with support from Edwin & The Keepers and Vernons Future, live. They also provide a free and then we’ve got our traditional Christmas party on the 20th December, weekly listings email. Just contact again at The Bully – it’s our spiritual home. [email protected] to join. “We have crowd funding page toward financing the album and promo LACUNA COMMON supported video and have been overwhelmed with the support that has been shown Biffy Clyro in October as part of PLEASE NOTE that due to the already after a few days of launching it.” their prize for winning Jack Daniel’s sheer volume of releases we are To contribute to the album fundraiser, visit www.gofundme.com. Sound of Summer competition, a being sent now, we can no longer national battle of the bands that saw promise to review everything the Oxford indie rockers triumph submitted. This month alone we A VERY FOND NIGHTSHIFT musician and DJ, most recently Nell over 1,000 acts from around the UK. received 18 new releases and had FAREWELL to our chum Nell was instrumental in the return of live They opened for the chart-topping room to review nine. For the best Wimpenny who leaves Oxford music to The Port Mahon where she Scottish rockers at Birmingham’s chance of getting a review, please this month to return to her native was manager, restoring the pub to its Digbeth Arena on the 17th October submit tracks as early as possible Manchester. A long-time part of rightful place in the local scene. All as well as playing shows in London, before release. Oxford’s live music scene as a the best for the future, Nell! A Quiet Word With getting on board just to make it It was really frustrating to hear these with the internet, particularly the with masculinity, online loneliness, happen.” phrases because the person sounded likes of Google. How unhealthy do and external social pressures that Do you feel you’re bigger in like some sort of involuntary Low Island feel people’s increased felt globally relevant when I was London than Oxford? spokesman for a distinct and ancient reliance to the online world is? learning more about them. I won’t Jacob: “What a question! The brand of male repression, one Carlos: “I think it’s unhealthy, and pretend to have the answer for Japan, honest answer is, I have no idea. which people are finally starting to we all know it. In terms of search or anywhere else, but I do think that LOW ISLAND Oddly this will be the first tour in question.” engines, I don’t think it’s all bad. we need to safeguard against the which we’ve played in both London What do you think needs to change It has opened up the possibility for manicured social media environment and Oxford so I guess we’re about to as regards how mental health is people to look into things about where everyone lives an imagined find out!” seen and treated? It seems to be their health, sexuality, identity and life. We are creating a non-existent something that, at last, people, a whole host of other issues which ideal to measure ourselves against Low Island’s desire to particularly men, feel able to talk they might not have done otherwise even though we know it’s unrealistic. break out from the standard band- about. Do you see grounds for as a result of feelings of shame, or It’s not healthy.” doing-a-gig format has also taken in optimism? being stigmatised in their peer group interactive choreograph pieces and a Jacob: “There are definite grounds or community. What is unsettling Given the subject live soundtrack to a catwalk show at for optimism; it’s becoming a is that the information and data we matter of ‘Search Box’ but set University of the Arts London; what national discussion which is really provide when we search is being against its thumping dance different challenges do those projects important. Artists like Idles and sold to third parties. Our insecurities soundtrack, not too far removed bring them compared to writing new Dave are breaking ground in the have been commodified, and that from Underworld, Nightshift’s songs, and what things have the band debate and it feels like this is an doesn’t feel like a comfortable place review mentioned the idea of learned from each that have maybe issue that is really cutting through for society to be in.” partying while the world burned: fed into their songs and live show? and resonating with everyone that And that song followed ‘In Person’; music as an escape while dealing Jamie: “We’ve always enjoyed with what is quite a grim subject; do collaborating with artists from Low Island ever feel they just want different mediums on their projects “There are grounds for optimism. Artists like to forget about what’s wrong with and ours. There are so many the world and dance? technical differences to each art Idles and Dave are breaking ground in the Carlos: “As someone who is half- form, which can pose difficulties debate and it feels like this is an issue that is Colombian, yes!” because everyone is speaking a The anarchist political activist different language. But there’s really cutting through and resonating with Emma Goldman famously said also a lot of common ground and everyone that listens to their records.” “a revolution without dancing is understanding when it comes to not worth having” – a line later the more fundamental aspects like borrowed by Alan Moore for V For form, pace, journey, meaning and listens to their records. Obviously does the way technology and Vendetta; is that a philosophy you emotion. For me, these processes it’s all part of a process and there’s a humanity interacts scare you? Do can subscribe to? point out the elements of music that long way to go but if everyone keeps you see humans becoming more Jamie: “Yes, but only because of “Music doesn’t have back to Oxford for a show at The 6Music playlist; we’ve played a festivals in Europe; often there is matter, and those that really don’t! the conversation going, I feel we’re isolated and thus feeding into mental the word worth. Revolutions are borders in terms of our ability to Bullingdon on the 6th December as lot more in Europe; we supported only one band playing at a time We’re often more experimental in heading in the right direction.” health problems? definitely possible without dancing, listen to it,” says Low Island’s well as featuring a one-off reprisal Crystal Fighters at our favourite and the audience move altogether these collaborations, which allows Jamie: “Yes. It’s sad to hear stories but there’s probably little point in it Carlos Posada; “we can listen of their Low Island & Friends venue in London, Brixton Academy, between stages. Obviously for us to discover new sounds, which Musically, ‘Long of lives being ruined through social if people weren’t to come together to music from all over the world multi-media shows in London that and we played at Glastonbury. artists like us that’s amazing as it we then take back into our songs/ Answer’ is heavily inspired by media, and it’s worrying to think that and celebrate. We’re all fans of without lifting a finger. But in sees the band collaborating with It’s important to give a shout out guarantees a massive crowd… and productions.” Brazilian and Congolese music; small groups of people are in charge electronic dance music, and while I terms of travel, this question is artists to make for something more to the lowlights too: gear failure the catering is better.” having lived in Brazil for a while, of these platforms, doing little to don’t know how essential it’s been to particularly important for British than a simple gig night. at Glastonbury in the 30-degree That said, the band are excited to The latest set of those Felix experienced the country’s intervene. We are only now starting the success of any revolution, it most artists at the moment. Touring in heat; being accidentally booked be heading out on a headline tour songs takes the form of that new musical roots first hand and brought to see the effects of social media on likely provided a purpose.” Europe is a really important part Low Island are Carlos, for a drum&bass festival with an here in the UK, with a full stage EP this month. The four songs on it that inspiration back to the UK with mental health, particularly amongst What do you think of the current of any UK band’s career, and up alongside fellow singer and multi- unsympathetic crowd, and missing production to complement the share a common theme of people’s him. the youngest in society, who have Extinction Rebellion protests? What until now it’s been relatively easy instrumentalist Jamie Jay, bassist our flight back from Malaga after music. connections with each other through “Yeah, I moved to Rio after I never known a world without it. do you think is the best way to force and feasible to do on tiny budgets. Jacob Lively and percussionist a show in Gibraltar because the Jacob: “We’re buzzing. The the prism of online technology, from graduated from music college. I’d It’s scary to think how much worse change in the world? All of this could change after and drummer Felix Higginbottom. border guards were trying to charge Arts Council have given us some search engines to social media and been playing a lot of Brazilian music this could get, as the technologies Felix: “A thousand times yes. Brexit and, needless to say, that is Childhood friends, the band formed us €3000 duty on our own gear!” financial support so we’re bringing the effects, often detrimental, that in London but I wanted the real shit. become more and more ingrained Educate yourself and talk about a huge shame. We work on such from the ashes of previous local “This year has been really great a proper production with us on the can have on them. Most recent single So I found a room, brushed up my across future generations.” it. Also, stop eating beef: there is tight margins on tour; throw in a favourites Wild Swim who split for us, especially squeezing in road. Although we’ve played round ‘Long Answer’, which came out Portuguese and tried to integrate; it Much of the core themes of ‘Shut absolutely no excuse for it and it’s carnet, higher merch taxes, more around the time the members several outings into mainland the UK a fair amount in the past, close to World Mental Health Day, was pretty difficult. Being a white Out the Sun’ were inspired by very easy to stop doing.” paperwork, and the whole thing headed of to university. Europe... while that’s still possible this feels like something exciting deals with mental illness and the skinny guy from Oxford, I was a Carlos reading about the Japanese immediately becomes far more United by a love of electronic for a touring band,” adds Jamie; and new for us.” way society views it, in particular bit of a target. Music is treated very Hikikomori – young men, haunted Low Island’s challenging to do on your own.” dance music, Low Island’s mix of “I’m sure all these shows have got Having previously toured their the damaging way people can be differently there: it’s not special that by a sense of failure in life, who seal homecoming show in December house, funk, synth-pop and airy, us better known, but that’s probably ‘And Friends’ night, this time round embarrassed to talk about how you can do it; literally everyone is themselves off from the world. Is will give Oxford gig-goers a chance Carlos and his almost ethereal vocals has seen their easier to judge from the outside. only London gets the full works. they feel. It’s written from close expected to sing and play percussion. that a particularly Japanese thing or to think about the ideas discussed bandmates in Low Island are talking shows blur the lines between gig Ultimately, we’re having a good Felix: “Low Island & Friends personal experience of a friend. Was It really changed how I played does he see it happening in the UK here as well as have a good to Nightshift in the wake of a hectic and club night: like neighbours and time and playing to new audiences originally came from getting bored it difficult to write a song like that and thought about music. I got the and elsewhere? dance, and the band’s popularity year that’s seen them playing across friends Glass Animals, they’re a in new places… and they seem to with the standard format of gigs. when it concerned someone so close chance to play with local musicians Carlos: “The Japanese Hikikomori is increasing at a rate that means Europe where their star is very band to dance to. be into the music.” We wanted to share the platform to home? every day for six months. Obviously are a generation of young men hopefully many more people will much in the ascendance, as well as with phenomenal artists from Jamie: “We like to think that our with rhythm/groove based music, who’ve shut themselves away in get the same chance on this tour festivals and shows across the UK, It’s been two years Mainland Europe in beyond music. We offer them a songs apply to a lot of people’s it doesn’t get much deeper than their bedrooms because of perceived and beyond. Before we let them go including Glastonbury and a tour since the quartet last appeared on particular has taken to Low Island, fee that we pay out of our own experiences, so it was much more traditional music from Latin America failings in their lives. I am no expert though, if Google could definitively support to Crystal Fighters. the cover of Nightshift, so Carlos where they are regulars on the pocket and they bring their dance, painful to see a friend go through and Africa. We want to make people but a huge part of their strife seems answer one question for the, what This month the quartet head out updates us on some of the stuff festival circuit, and the band have performance or artwork to our such a horrible time than it was to dance, so we’re totally open to to come from a claustrophobic would they ask? on their biggest headline tour yet, they’ve been up to in recent times. noticed the difference between unsuspecting audience. Sometimes write a song about it. The worst any influence that might sink in from Japanese society that deeply Jacob: “What’s up with Jeff in support of a new EP, ‘Shut Out “The last two years have gone gigging there and back in the UK. we can afford to do this, sometimes part was the stiff upper lip things genres that do it much better.” stigmatises failure of any kind. It can Goldblum?” the Sun’, that gathers together by in a semi-blur of van calls and “It’s such a cliché to say but we can’t. To be honest, the amount they said: “it’s just one them lead to a profound level of isolation, recent singles ‘In Person’, ‘Search fiddling about on synths at 2am in from an artist’s point of view the of organisation and red tape it takes things”; “it is what it is”; “this is so Sharing a similar far-reaching family tensions and ‘Shut Out the Sun’ is released on Box’ and ‘When You Wake’ as studios, but thankfully I can still difference is really night and day,” to get the industry to do something embarrassing”, and “I’m supposed to theme to ‘Long Answer’ on the new surrounding mental health problems. the 19th October. Low Island play well as most recent release ‘Long remember some of the highlights; says Felix; “there is a very different different, especially at our level, be there for everyone else”, some of EP, summer single ‘Search Box’ Whilst much of this is specific to The Bullingdon on Friday 6th Answer’. The tour will bring them our song ‘In Person’ got on the infrastructure around organising means that it takes a lot of people which ended up as lyrics in the song. deals with the way people interact Japan, there are elements to do December. Sponsored by the genre’s heartland of heartache, with lonely night laments like ‘Indian Sign’ and album highlight ‘Lonely Nights in Austin’ typical of his way with a through-a-glass-darkly storytelling and late-night reflection. RELEASED Connolly is joined by a sterling band across these ten songs, including fiddle player Eamon LINA SIMON MOWVES McLoughlin, who’s worked with Emmylou Harris, ‘Live a Little’ ‘Wet Signal’ and Michael Guerra, the in-demand accordion maestro whose credits include The Maverick. (Self released) (Self released) The former brings a sweeping elegance to songs As Young Knives said in last month’s cover It’s been a curious few years for straight up, like ‘Early Morning Rain’, while the latter’s feature, when you have no-one to answer to other wiggle your hips and pump your hands in the contribution to the sparse ‘Lonely Nights...’ brings than yourself, only then do you have musical air techno. Twenty years on from the Phils from the song fully to life. Perhaps the unsung hero freedom. Lina Simon sounds free. This new Bedford of this world ringing in to make a request of ‘Wrong Again’ though is bass player Anna seven-song EP is the follow-up to her Demo of for Dave Pearce’s Love Groove Dance Party, Robinson, particularly on the album’s title track the Month-winning debut at the end of last year. naked showmanship at Manumission and the with some inventive underpinning of the song. It’s an EP of mischievous, lopsided tunes that original release of Goldie’s ‘Saturnz Return’, the These are Ags Connolly’s songs though and are alternately languid and scurrying, hysterical movement has been through the wringer. The AGS CONNOLLY as ever he sounds older than his years and like MSRY and playful, intricate and slipshod. It sounds comedown has been hard and had seen dance a man steeped in the spirit and traditions of like music made by actual pixies (as opposed to music disappear under a rock of introspection ‘Wrong Again’ American roots music. The album finishes with ‘Loss’ Pixies, although there’s some seriously uptight in some quarters and repackaged in a highly (Finstock Music) the ironically titled ‘Sad Songs Forever’, the most (Self released) guitar on the go here that Mssrs Black and commercial way in others, the latter following the The photos of Ags Connolly on the cover and upbeat song on it: barroom sing-along western Sprechgesang is the word used to describe a vocal Santiago would be happy to call their own). America’s refashioning of the genre as EDM. inside the album sleeve show the singer sat swing with the fiddle to the fore, and even as Ags style partway between singing and talking. We’re From the high-wired Knife-like synth-pop over-enthusiastic record company PR person has In the former camp, the likes of Factory Floor, alone in a bar, looking variously wistful and sings “I want sad songs forever” he sounds like not sure if there is an equivalent word to describe opening number ‘Meet You There’, through the sent us the new Sherlocks album no less than four Jon Hopkins and Daniel Avery have returned defiant. Perfect for the music really, since Ags’ he’s having the best time he’s had in a long while. that meeting point of screaming, bellowing and tense, fidgety ‘Conch’ and messy, half-asleep times and its pale, male staleness has threatened dance to its intelligent beginnings but there have unreconstructed old time country is set firmly in Dale Kattack vomiting, but if there was it could be MSRY ethereality of ‘Never’, to the playfully sleazy to tip us over the edge, Lina’s busy-bee, butterfly- been encouraging signs lately of a return to the vocalist Kial Churcher’s new middle name. ‘Tortoise’ with its chitter chatter beats, rambling pretty take on lo-fi synth-pop, post-rock and hedonism of the glory days. A recent release by After the huge critical acclaim afforded last synths and Lydia Lunch-goes-pop feel, to ‘My general wobbly oddness makes it feel like we’ve Maya Bouldry-Morrison as Octo Octa has proved THE GRAND MAL heavy and beefed up but with the quartet keeping year’s ironically titled ‘Safety First’ EP, ‘Loss’ Embrace’, where Lina fully crunks up her guitar, bypassed autumn and winter and gone straight to be something of a landmark in this respect to a medium paced assault for the most part, the finds the band in no mood to rein things in, six ‘Live a Little’ sounds like an artist taking a pair back into fresh-aired, sunlit spring but still get to but Oxford has also not been slow to produce ‘The Grand Mal’ album can feel like it lacks variety. ‘Glitch’ ups belligerent blitzkrieg slabs of virulent metalcore of scissors to the component parts of her songs keep our Christmas presents. Oh, that more music some highlights. Pandapopalypse have created the pace a few notches but seems to sacrifice some with no room for niceties or anything clean, the and cutting them into shapes that don’t quite fit makers would approach their art with such a a stir with their Fat Boy Slim homages and now (Self released) weight in the process and on occasions across the addition of bassist Harvey Lake since the last EP together, so the finished article is wayward, often childlike sense of freedom. Mowves have followed suit with a quite frankly The Grand Mal is made up of Desert Storm twins album the vocals don’t lock into the music, making only serving to further bolster a sound that already on the brink of collapse. In a week where an Dale Kattack exceptional four track volley in ‘Wet Signal’. Ryan and Elliot Cole alongside Dave Olgesby and the band sound like they’re still finding their feet. had its dials set in the red. The title track begins with the headbangingthump Rob Glen, of the now defunct Mother Corona. ‘Black Spiral’ manages that balance between a ‘Imposter’ actually seems to features the sound of of a Paddox or Coloureds – two Oxford outfits of Stylistically there are few surprises on this debut everything is exquisitely observed and refined faster pace and staying true to the heavyweight Churcher vomiting for real, but the way he spits the past, and it’s from the ashes of the latter that album: steady, solid stoner and desert rock riffage, ‘til it is sublime. cause but often you’re wishing they’d really tear it the words out across the EP suggests a man whose Mowves have sprung – but laces the brutality over steady, solid rhythms and Oglesby’s rasping Simple details, like keyboard choice, up and Oglesby fully let rip and ruin his tonsils. mind is a burning building and his ideas can’t with a dancefloor ready wail of a refrain, creating vocals, partway between Ozzie Osbourne and characterise each intro; the woozy pub Joanna Maybe The Grand Mal are victims of their own get out fast or furiously enough as guitarist Keir an instant earworm. ‘Bad Graph’ then recalls Billy Corgan. Steady and solid really the order of of the flaming back-draft ‘Headlights’; the pedigree: we love their parent bands that much we French fans the flames with spiky sheet metal another Oxford enterprise, Tiger Mendoza & the day across these ten songs, mostly sounding warm electric keys of the soul gushing ‘Night expect magic each and every time. If not exactly guitar carnage. High point of an exhilarating ride Dave Griffith’s landmark ‘The Shadow’, with like they’ve been cut from granite and standing Sky Lies’, and the damped down Lennon growl an album that’s going to lay waste to all before is closer ‘Still Breaks My Heart’, featuring a guest its beginning of real menace but then spills into imperious in the face of relentless sandstorms. of the title track. In between, the radio hugging it, like much of Desert Storm’s output, this is a turn from Cancer Bats’ Liam Cormier, one of another mood entirely, evoking Calvin Harris of But there’s not much here that’s truly inspiring. indie pop of ‘Pillar To Post’ and the faintly decent album that should appeal to fans of Kyuss, MSRY’s closest musical kin and chief influences, all people and providing less an invitation to toe ‘Synapse Transmission’ is a stand out piece – a Gilbert O’Sullivan jaunt of ‘Suitcase’ keep Sabbath, Clutch etc. but at this stage, MSRY are leading their own thump, more an absolute obligation. ‘Dry Signal’ towering song that even in this company sounds you skipping through the newly liberated Ian Chesterton charge – full pelt to death or glory. Or, given maintains the mood, an anniversary two fingers sense of space and atmosphere. Only the Churcher’s onstage antics, both at the same time. to the Criminal Justice Bill with its insistent penultimate song, ‘Photographs’, seems like an Ian Chesterton BPM assault but then producing something really unleavened and anaemic misstep, but given the special with a nagging keyboard ringtone. MOOGIEMAN & THE breathless tour de force before it, this is a very By now, were this a club, shirts would be off and small nit to pick. wheeling skywards, Fabrizio Ravanelli style, and MASOCHISTS LOW ISLAND In 2016 Cameron appeared on a respected ‘Chrono Trigger’ does everything to maintain trendsetting list of 20 people most likely ‘Ghost Driver’ the mood as the denouement, sending us into the ‘Shut Out the Sun’ CAMERON AG (in the upside down vernacular of youth) to virtual taxi queue with a warm feeling of euphoria (All Will Be Well) (Self released) blow. Whether the track-listing ends in a bang in our hearts. “Monsieur Descartes, if you’re so smart / Why Low Island have been drip-feeding tracks from ‘One By One’ or a whimper doesn’t alter the fact that this gem Rob Langham do ghosts and zombies always live apart / One is this new EP for a few months now. The first two (Is That It) is packed with enough affecting ordinance to disembodied, the other has no mind / Now isn’t singles, ‘In Person’ and ‘Search Box’, explored If Cameron AG’s self-released EP’s ‘Way Back finally launch him as a star. that a match of the perfect kind?” our relationship with technology, and how much Home’, and ‘Homeward Bound’, from either end Paul Carrera Never one to tackle things in the most obvious of the internet distorts how we connect with each of 2016, hinted at a crystalline talent, then ‘One fashion, Shan Shriharan once again takes an other, by way of a Friendly Fires-esque electro- by One’, the multi-instrumentalist singer- oblique approach to life on this elaborate, jam and big house beats respectively. However, songwriter’s full-length platter of new material, J.O.S.E.P.H. meandering, engaging new single, which clocks ‘Long Answer’ – the third and most recent is notable for its soaring confidence. in at over seven minutes, has no obvious chorus single – moves to challenge poisonous notions Where once his timorous, high-register vocals ‘Enlightenment’ or hookline beyond sporadically yelped “I’m a of masculinity (“You can shake all the old ideas were shyly masked behind layers of echo and (Substance) ghost!” and seems to exist on a different plane to of how you should be… we need to talk about distortion, now they are seated right at the Another new alias for Substance Records’ Joe most music. Pretty much like ghosts themselves. The’s ‘Soul Mining’ in the style of Gary Numan’s it”) over a glorious groove that harks back to the microphone, and boy does it pay off. His is a Truby as he explores his more progressive house It’s both a mood piece and a motorik journey, ‘Dance’ album. Of course it shouldn’t work. Burundi beat drumming and rambling ostinato voice of no little addictive purity as it captures the side on this seven minute thumper, bringing a a tangle and jumble of oddly shaped, disparate It should be a complete mess, and yet it’s both basslines of early 80s bands like Bow Wow Wow. essence of enjoying love and then mourning it. sense of euphoria to a characteristically fluid parts that somehow manage to coalesce into a hypnotic and immersive, the musical equivalent The message is emphasised by the juxtaposition The whole package is a fascinatingly beautiful rave banger that favours melody and, well, far greater whole. Shimmering, middle-distance of finding a battered box wrapped in newspaper of this sadly only fairly recently openly piece of art: the lonesome, elevated beach house progression, over wham, bang, thank you m’am, guitar, handclaps, sax skronks, softly bubbling under the Christmas tree and finding a strange acknowledged sentiment with the retro-sounding on the cover; the clever semantics of its name, but ticks every hands-in-the-air box you need and electronics, some elegantly soulful backing vocals looking but ultimately beautiful stray kitten synthesisers; how did we get here? Where did we and the recordings completed in Bristol and New fair flies across its expansive duration. and the odd bit of wandering Mick Karn-style inside. The very best kind of surprise. lose our way? We really do need to talk about it. York with Brooklyn producer Doug Schadt; Ian Chesterton bass. It sounds like The Fall having a pop a The Dale Kattack Kirsten Etheridge WEDNESDAY 6th gigs in university lecture halls and call centres THE CRUSHING + NEW DEPTH: The as well as supporting the likes of Noisettes, The Wheatsheaf – Classic metal and thrash from Twang and Biffy Clyro on their way up. The Crushing at tonight’s Rock Soc show, plus DEAF HAVANA: O2 Academy – A first Oxford anthemic alt.rockers New Depth. show in half a decade for Norfolk’s Pop-friendly PADDY STEER + KNOBBLEHEAD: Tap stadium rockers – though they did perform at Truck Social – a strange and exotic world of music from back in 2017 – whose staying power sees them GIG GUIDE Paddy Steer, sometimes dubbed the Mancunian approaching veteran status as they release their new Moon Dog, at tonight’s Upcycled Sounds and ‘Live at Brixton Academy’ album. FRIDAY 1st musical kindred spirits Mumford & Sons. Tandem Collective show, the cosmic sound CHARLIE CUNNINGHAM: Holywell Music JACK SAVORETTI: The New Theatre – Rich, reflective, flamenco-flavoured folk- SUNSET SONS: Truck Store – The Anglo- explorer mixing up electronic experimentation, jazz Room – Saturday 9th Australian surfer-rock crew launch their new NOVEMBER Gravel-voiced blues and soul from the singer, fusion, Balkan folk, noise-rock and drones into an pop from Bedfordshire-based singer and guitarist album, ‘Bloodrush Déjà Vu’, following their jungle club night. touring his sixth album, ‘Singing To Strangers’, his eclectic, spaceward stew. Exuberant psychedelic Charlie, once of this Shire, and out on tour to SINK YA TEETH / showing at Truck Festival in the summer. FLAT LAGER + SELF HELP + STUPID first Number 1, and back in Oxfordshire for the first pop and shoegaze noise from local ensemble promote his second full album, ‘Permanent Way’. SHAKESPEARS SISTER: The New Theatre – BLOODY TUESDAY: The Jericho Tavern – time since playing at Truck and Cornbury festivals. Knobblehead in support. ADAM GLASSER: The Wheatsheaf – Spin Jazz TIGER MENDOZA Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit ride side by Double headliner from boozy punk rock fighters OPEN MIC NIGHT: Harcourt Arms – Weekly COME JIVE WITH ME: The Bullingdon Club welcomes chromatic harmonica player Adam side once again – see main preview Flat Lager and ebullient pop-punk stars Self Help. open session. Glasser, who has worked with Martha Reeves, / MEANS OF KLUB KAKOFANNEY with BRITE Tuesday-phobic sounds from the openers. TRACY ISLAND + BEARD OF DESTINY THURSDAY 7th Jimmy Witherspoon, Hugh Masekhela, and Dudu SPIRES + THE SCOTT GORDON BAND WHOLE LOTTA DC: Fat Lil’s, Witney – AC/ + FRANKLIN’S TOWER: Donnington Pukwana, back to town. PRODUCTION: Community Centre (6pm) – Free evening of live LITTLE COMETS: O2 Academy – Newcastle’s THRILL COLLINS: The Jericho Tavern – Pop + RICHIE STIX & THE BRAIN PEOPLE: DC tribute. ebullient Afro-pop-flavoured indie rockers return Sleek’n’shiny silicon synth- music with 60s and 70s-inspired prog pop from classics skiffle style. The Wheatsheaf – JK CHAMELEONS: Woodstock Social Club – to town after their last show here in 2017, playing Fusion Arts pop from recent Nightshift Top Tracks crew Tracy Island, blues from Beard of Destiny, Grateful CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford Nightshift fell in love with Sink Ya Teeth the Dire Straits tribute. songs from their new single ‘3 Minute Faltz’, Brite Spires at this month’s Klub Kakofanney, Dead-inspired rock from Franklin’s Tower. Community Centre – After last month’s 25th moment we heard their debut single ‘If You having originally made their name playing guerrilla See Me’ back in 2017 – it’s woozily dubbed- the band’s pop inspired by Ladytron, Pet Shop nd anniversary celebration, Oxford’s longest-running Boys and Ultravox. Support from blues-infused SATURDAY 2 th open night gets back to showcasing singers, out electro pop equal parts discomforting, WONDERLAND: The Port Mahon – Having MONDAY 4 Americana man Scott Gordon and band. th musicians, poets, storytellers and performance seductive and hypnotic, like the greatest lost reformed last year for sets at Cornbury and CATE LE BON: The Bullingdon – Pop Monday 4 RAWDIO: The Bullingdon – Drum&bass and artists every Thursday. gem from post-punk’s first flowering. Its Riverside, the local goth-pop stars return, contrarian Cate returns, fresh from her Mercury nomination – see main preview follow-up ‘Glass’ was even better, a slinkily showcasing new songs alongside 90s classics like CATE LE BON: propulsive slice of crystalline Moroder FEEDER: O2 Academy – Grant Nicholas’ pop- FRIDAY 8th st ‘Falling’, Children of the Sun’ and ‘Crushed’, the disco-pop. Then came ‘Substitutes’ – fidgety Friday 1 friendly post-grunge rockers return to town after The Bullingdon THE ROARING 2.0s: O2 Academy – 1920s band finding a spangled middle ground between electro-punk-funk that sounds like it their show here in 2017 on the back of their tenth If Cate le Bon looked less than happy at themed club night with period dance troupes, All About Eve, The Sundays and Skeletal Family. shimmied out of the same late-70s wormhole SHAKESPEARS studio album, ‘Tallulah’. the Mercury Prize awards ceremony last burlesque, big bands, electro-swing DJs and more. THE DUALERS: O2 Academy – Ska and as LCD Soundsystem. Here is a band who MAKING TRACKS: The North Wall – A month it probably more to do with not NIGEL GARAGE: The Bullingdon – Puntastic reggae from Croydon’s enduring outfit, formed can do no wrong. Hailing from Norwich, the SISTER: The New touring celebration of world fusion sounds, fitting into the music industry and its glitzy garage club night. back in 1999 by brothers Tiber and Si Cranston, duo – Maria Uzor and Gemma Cullingford including Orcadian fiddle player Louise Bichan; trappings than not winning. Throughout her WHITESNAKE UK: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Tribute themselves sons of renowned 60s ska DJ Bill – are veterans of their hometown music Theatre Kenyan nyatiti and obokano player Rapasa career, from early days singing in her native to the metal legends. If Banarama’s reunion back in 2018 was a nice Cranston. After Top 40 hits in 2004 with ‘Truly Otieno; Czech kantele and guzheng player Welsh and supporting Gruff Rhys, to her scene, with Gemma previously a member of surprise, few could have seen Siobhan Fahey’s Madly Deeply and ‘Kiss On the Lips’, they KaitO and Maria in gothic blues outfit Girl Barbora Xu; Spanish-French singer Luna Silver; current status as one of the most respected th other band getting back together. Such was the continue to tour, despite the departure of Si back SATURDAY 9 Turkish fiddle player Melisa Yildrim; Anglo- and uncompromising musicians out there, in a Thunderbolt, but together they’ve found rancour surrounding her split with Marcella in 2010. OMD: The New Theatre – The synth-pop legends Indian santoor player Kaviraj Singh and Estonian le Bon has played no-one’s game but her something magic: a bedroom-made disco- Detroit back in 1993 (Fahey essentially sacked THE SHAPES + VERNONS FUTURE + return with a sold-out show – see main preview bagpipe, mouth harp and sax player Katariin own. Become part of Welsh pop royalty? friendly update on those sublime bands like her via a third-party speech at that year’s Ivor EDWIN & THE KEEPERS: The Bullingdon – SINK YA TEETH: Fusion Arts – Return to ECG, Liquid Liquid, Bush Tetras and The OPEN MIC NIGHT: The Castle – Weekly open Move to LA! Attract serious record label Novello Awards) the pair didn’t speak for Local stars The Shapes play songs from their full town for the electro-pop/post-punk duo – see main night. interest? Leave LA and move to Cumbria! Delta 5 that came up in the wake of punk, 25 years. A sad end to a regularly intriguing debut album, the band mixing up a nostalgic sense preview ignored rock’s cast-in-stone rules and cut a ANDY IRVINE: Nettlebed Folk Club – An Find yourself unable to write anything band, best known for their mega hit ‘Stay’, of longing and melancholy with an up’n’at’em SNARKY PUPPY + CHARLIE HUNTER + intimate show for the Irish music legend, an icon but beautiful pop songs with tunes to die swathe of fresh air and sounds through the which sat atop the charts for eight weeks in party vibe, where The Pogues, Tom Petty and LUCY WOODWARD: O2 Academy – Jazz, of traditional folk music and a pioneer of world for? Stick them through a strange, warped scene. Following a tour with A Certain Ratio, 1992, but who had so much more about them Van Morrison get their 60s r’n’b vibe on. They’re lounge rock, funk and much, much more from sounds, from his spells in 60s and 70s stalwarts psych-folk blender until they sound like they released their debut album last year, than that epic slice of polished pop. ‘Stay’ joined by Oxford/London indie survivors Vernons Michael League’s fusion big band whose ever Sweeny’s Men, Planxty and Patrick Street as well something from a different planet! Le Bon’s earning across the board praise and frankly saw Detroit taking the lead vocal role for the Future, with their roots in Liverpool’s 80s scene. evolving, revolving membership has seen some as work with Dick Gaughan and Paul Brady, to music has always been a balance between they’re one of the best bands we’ve heard in first time, which precipitated the tensions REGGAETON PARTY: The Bullingdon 50 members come and go across 13 albums – more recent experiments with Usher’s Island. awkwardness bordering on ramshackle, and the past few years. Gloriously inventive stuff. between her and Fahey and Shakespears Sister – Puerto Rican melange of hip hop and Latin including new one ‘Immigrance’ – with a core of Widely considered one of the greatest Irish folk the sweetest melodies you can imagine, her And glorious local support too from electro/ (the name is a misspelling of The Smiths’ American and Caribbean dance club night. 25 or so jamming out mostly instrumental pieces. singers of all time as well as a renowned social voice, a thing of strange wonder in itself, industrial/hip hop crew Tiger Mendoza and single which stuck) has always really been ROLFE HIND’S BEYOND THE ISLAND: DR SYNTAX & PETE CANNON: O2 justice campaigner. the magic ingredient that sprinkles even her austere electro-pop/post-punk duo Means of Holywell Music Room – Oxford Contemporary Much-travelled Banbury rapper and Fahey’s solo project, beginning after she quit most oddball moments with musical fairy Academy – Production Music host an evening exploring Indonesian producer Dr Syntax, who has worked extensively Bananarama back in the 80s, disillusioned dust. It can be as warm, rich and homely as music, featuring Javanese metallophones th alongside Foreign Beggars and collaborated with with the direction they were being forced into, TUESDAY 5 a hearth, but simultaneously as unearthly as interweaved with gong chimes and prepared HANG MASSIVE: O2 Academy – Rhythmic Rizzle Kicks and Del the Funky Homosapien and intermittently continued after Detroit’s a siren song. Seriously, she could sing the DAY OF THE DEADBEATS XI: Isis piano. The show also includes a chamber work by ambient world sounds from the hang-playing duo. as well as fronting Manc hip hop outfit Mouse departure, but the reunion between the pair Welsh phone book and make it sound like Farmhouse – The Deadbeat Apostles host another Symon Clarke for gamelan instruments and flute. Rearranged from last month. collective, returns to the Shire alongside long-time sees the classic form of the band back and a love letter from the gods. She is an artist free evening of roots music and Americana, kicking 105AD + CAITLIN ASHCROFT: The REEL BIG FISH + [SPUNGE] + collaborator Pete Cannon, playing songs from their on tour to promote a Best Of compilation, whose thought trains don’t run along everyday out a wonderfully soulful blend of country, blues Harcourt Arms – Jazz, blues, ska and pop from LIGHTYEAR: O2 Academy – Aaron Barrett’s new album ‘Wallop’, with an irreverent approach ‘Hits Party’, featuring old faves like ‘You’re tracks, but for all that, she can’t help conjuring and r’n’b. Tonight’s they’re joined by Ameripolitan the guitar and harmonica duo. Orange County ska-punk veterans come to town, to rap and techno. History’ and ‘I Don’t Care’ as well as irresistible pop gems out of bits and pieces songsmith Ags Connolly, who’s just released RATPACK LIVE: The Cornerstone, Didcot – touring their latest album, ‘Life Sucks, Let’s new material – spaghetti western-themed that shouldn’t really fit together. She is unique SWITCH feat. SAMMY VIRJI: O2 Academy his third album, ‘Wrong Again’, and Tennessee- Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Dance’, still a major cult concern, and mainstay of Long-running club night Switch hosts Oxford/ comeback single ‘All the Queen’s Horses’ and and one of the finest musicians of the modern – flavoured Americana from The Holy Fools. Davis Jr. the Vans Warped Tour, two decades on from their Newcastle bass, bassline and garage star Virji, the gorgeous team-up with Richard Hawley, era. Cherish her. ELLES BAILEY: The Jericho Tavern – Rootsy ‘When She Finds You’. CENTRELINE: Kings Head & Bell, Abingdon commercial peak in the 90s and breakthrough alongside Mind of a Dragon, Silk and Burt Cope. blues, country and soul-rock from the Bristol – Noughties pop-punk and alt.rock covers. album ‘Turn the Radio Off’, myriad line-up SIMPLE feat. DR RUBENSTEIN: The singer and guitarist whose debut album ‘Wildfire’ changes having failed to halt the band’s enduring Bullingdon – Hypnotic trance, acid house and earned her four British Blues Awards nominations; SUNDAY 3rd popularity. Tewksbury’s ska-punk survivors 90s techno from renowned Israeli DJ Marina tonight’s Glovebox show comes as she returns EVERYBODY YOU KNOW: O2 Academy – [Spunge] support. Rubenstein at long-running techno/house club from recording the follow-up in Nashville. The London-based rap/electro-pop duo tour their THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD: The New night Simple. BOOGIEFEST with MUDSLIDE MORRIS new ‘Look After the Pennies’ EP. Theatre – Enduring big stage Floyd tribute. THE DELINES + THOSE PRETTY & THE REVELATORS: The Port Mahon – BEARS DEN: O2 Academy – Plaintive folk- OXFORD IMPROVISERS LUNCHTIME WRONGS: St. John the Evangelist – Willy Classic blues, boogie, rhythm’n’blues and rock pop from Communion signings Bear’s Den, back CONCERT: Wesley Memorial Church (12- Vlautin and Amy Boone’s alt.country dreamers get from Morris and his band, in the vein of Seasick in town to promote third album ‘So That You 1pm) – Lunchtime improv gig in aid of the church back on the road after Boone’s horrific accident – Steve, John Lee Hooker and Rory Gallagher, plus Might Hear Me’, following tours with chums and restoration fund. see main preview Revelators DJs spinning rare boogie, blues and Schism – his Oxford debut. Taking inspiration to retell the story of Mahajanaka Jataka, one from the local septet. Ragga Twins, Cutty Ranks and Too Many T’s. from Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed of the oldest surviving folk tales in the world. OSPREY & CO.: The Half Moon – Funky blues Local dub-pop stars Zaia support. and Townes van Zandt, Joyner has gone on The show features live Thai music performed from Oxford City Festival organiser and local PROFESSOR GREEN: O2 Academy – He’s to influence Beck, Gillian Welch and Bright by Pradit Saengkrai and Great Lekakul, and scene legend Osprey and chums. not a real professor but he is a proper polymath; Eyes along the way. John Peel was a huge electronic soundscapes performed by Sebastian CRYSTALLITE: Cirkus – Oxford City Festival welcome back to town, Mr Manderson – see main fan, famously playing Joyner’s ‘94 album Reynolds. gig with the local post-grunge rockers. preview ‘The Cowardly Traveller Pays His Toll’ in its MUDLSIDE MORRIS & THE SWITCH feat. HYBRID MINDS: O2 Academy entirety on his Radio 1 show. He’s touring new THURSDAY 14th REVELATORS: James Street Tavern – – Drum&bass duo Hybrid Minds come to the album ‘Pocket Moon’, recorded with a band of THE SMYTHS: O2 Academy – The Smiths Unplugged show from the blues and boogie band. long-running club night. musicians he’d never previously met. Very much tribute play the band’s debut album in full, plus PINK MAC: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Pink Floyd and ALASKALASKA: The Jericho Tavern – a singer-songwriter with a difference. assorted hits. Fleetwood Mac double tribute-in-one treat. Polished synth-pop, experimental jazz and disco Saturday 9th OPEN MIC NIGHT: Harcourt Arms GHOSTS IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS + fun from London sextet Alaskalaska, back in town SUNDAY AFTERNOON SOCIAL: The CIPHERS + MASTER OF NONE + BRUNO SATURDAY 16th after playing last year’s Ritual Union and touring THE DELINES: Wheatsheaf (3.30pm) – Free afternoon of live MUERTE: The Library – All Will Be Well SNOW PATROL: The New Theatre – debut album ‘The Dots’. music in the downstairs bar with Tony & Sal Records showcase, with cinematic post-rock Relatively intimate show from the mega-selling MUSICAL MEDICINE with FOLAMOUR: St. John the Evangelist Batey, The Delta Hardware, Larry Reddington, instrumentalists Ghosts in the Photographs, who indie hitmakers – see main preview The Bullingdon – Soulful house and disco from Fate has a way of chucking all manner of shit The Cat Shakers and Fancy Wootton. released their epic ‘Taylor Mountain Memorial’ DUB PISTOLS + ZAIA + ZEN LEWIS: O2 French DJ and producer Folamour at tonight’s Wednesday 13th at musicians as they strive to make their mark. single on the label recently, heading into the sonic Academy – Wall-to-wall festival-sized bangers Musical Medicine club night. In the case of The Delines it was a traffic MONDAY 11th maelstrom via Mogwai, Ride and Explosions from Barry Ashworth’s enduring electro/dub/big/ THE OVERLOAD + RESTRUCTURE + MY LANKUM: accident that left singer Amy Boone with two ELDER ISLAND: O2 Academy – Atmospheric in the Sky. They’re joined by drama-laden alt. beat/jungle/hip hop stars, keeping true to their DIABLO: The Wheatsheaf – Back in action shattered legs and three years in recovery. Up blend of electronic, soul and pop from Bristol’s rockers Ciphers, finding a neat meeting point tried and tested formula on most recent album, with a new line-up as part of Oxford City Festival, The Bullingdon until that point the band had been on a steady Elder Island, touring their debut album, ‘The between Slowdive and Skunk Anansie; electro- ‘Crazy Diamonds’, featuring guest turns from krautfunk, post-punk poets The Overload bring Watching Lankum play at The North Wall and certain road upwards on the back of their Omnitone Collection’, produced by Ali Chant gothic explorers Master of None, and cigar box the revolution and the party back to town where last year we did wonder how much better the acclaimed 2014 debut album ‘Colfax’, picked who has previously worked with Portishead, PJ guitar swamp blues from Bruno Muerte. Ian Dury and Happy Mondays meet Can and Dublin quartet might go down with a more th up and championed by Drive By Truckers’ Harvey and Perfume Genius. ROCKETMAN: The New Theatre – Big stage Monday 6 The Sex Pistols. They’re joined by electro-hip rock audience than the slightly buttoned-up Patterson Hood among others. Then again The OXFORD CLASSIC JAZZ: The Harcourt tribute to Elton John. hop hoolies Restructure with a witty, ire-fuelled St Edward’s crowd, and tonight’s we’ll get Delines was already a band with some serious Arms – Classic jazz and ragtime from the local DAVID GORDON: The Wheatsheaf – Pianist OMD: stomp, and heavyweights My Diablo. our chance to see. Lankum – previously pedigree – formed by ex-Damnations singer ensemble, playing Jellyroll Morton, Louis and composer David Gordon is the guest at this GARDEN CENTRE + ROBERT SOTELO known as Lynched, a play on founding Boone and Richmond Fontaine leader Willy Armstrong, Fats Domino and more. week’s Spin jazz club. The New Theatre + JACK GOLDSTEIN + SHAKE CHAIN: brothers Ian and Daragh Lynch, but changing Vlautin alongside Decemberists keyboard THE POOZIES: The Cornerstone, Didcot SO FETCH: The Bullingdon – Noughties retro OMD were one of electro-pop’s finest Oxford Deaf & Hard of Hearing Centre – their name in protest against racist murders player Jenny Conlee and Minus 5 pedal steel – Founding member Mary Macmaster and long- dance night. hitmakers, selling millions around the world former King of Cats man Max Levy returns to in the US – are a folk band, but with several player Tucker Jackson as well as Vlautin’s time cohort Eilidh Shaw are joined by newcomers CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford with hits like ‘Enola Gay’, ‘Souvenir’ and Oxford with a full band and a new album, ‘A big differences. Not least among those are a Richmond Fontaine band mate Sean Oldham. Sarah McFayden and Tia Files as the leading Community Centre ‘Joan of Arc’ in the early-80s. As such it’s Moon For Digging’, with his unnerving mix of fondness for acts like Can and Cluster (“This Boon’s soulful voice was at the centre of it all: stars of the UK folk scene continue to explore REVEREND BLACK’S ACOUSTIC easy to think of Andy McLusky and Paul lo-fi punk, cartoon creepiness and queasy pop. is a krautrock take on an old Donegal fiddle heartache and longing pervade every corner of eclectic trad paths, from Gaelic waulking songs to CABARET: The Half Moon – Acoustic blues, Humphreys as simple purveyors of pristine He’s joined by oddball lo-fi chap Robert Sotelo, tune,” was just one of the more unexpected her tales of luckless lovers, late-night drinkers old-time Americana and more contemporary pop- country, folk and classic rock night with Bone pop perfection – and they were, to the Nth psychedelic showman Jack Goldstein and Shake introductions in that North Wall show), and PTSD-suffering war veterans. ‘Colfax’ infused folk and country. Machine, Dada Paradox and Richard Brotherton. degree, but to anyone with a serious interest Chain, the new band formed by Permanent as well as My Bloody Valentine, Michael was the sound of a beat-up bar midnight OPEN MIC NIGHT: The Castle in electronic music the pair were true Slump’s Kate Mahoney. Nyman and Portishead, all of which make pioneers, firstly with their homemade tape SLOW WEDNESDAY UKULELE BAND: The their songs and stories – gathered from their confessional, where Dusty Springfield, Tom FRIGG: Nettlebed Folk Club – The seven- FRIDAY 15th Waits and Mazzy Star came to buy rounds and machines and modular synths and abstract Harcourt Arms travels around Ireland and often taken from strong Finnish fiddle group return to Nettlebed JAMES MORRISON: The New Theatre – Is swap hard luck stories. Second album ‘The initial experiments, and later with the likes of LA PHOOKA: The Half Moon traveller traditions and legends – a highly after last year’s debut, playing jigs, reels, polkas this the guy who does ‘Babylon’? Or are we Imperial’ was all ready to go when Boone was ‘Dazzle Ships’, the follow-up to their multi- DOCTOR STEEVO + GREAT APE: Cirkus unusual window into traditional music. Like and bluegrass tunes. thinking of ‘You’re Beautiful’? Actually, can we hit by that car. Now recovered, The Delines’ million-selling magnum opus ‘Architecture – OCF show with the local electro-pop producer all great folk acts the quartet are adept at the not think about him at all, please? story continues and will hopefully suffer no and Morality’, and the album that almost Steevo and grunged-up indie-punk and garage close harmony singing chemistry that brings TUESDAY 12th EASTER ISLAND STATUES + BLACK HATS more such setbacks and tonight’s gig, for broke the band: utilizing samples and cut-ups rock crew Great Ape. the best out of their songs, and the between- YONAKA: O2 Academy – Epic pop-friendly + THE AUGUST LIST: The Wheatsheaf – Top Empty Room promotions of course, is already years before such things became mainstream A TRIBUTE TO PRINCE: East Oxford song banter that brings the fun alongside the post-grunge rockinge from Brighton’s Yonaka, drawer triple bill of local heroes as part of Daisy a sold-out. No there’s a happy ending for some and more fully exploring the political edge Community Centre – Live tribute and more. drones, scrapes and esoteric diversions. Star touring debut full album ‘Don’t Wait Til Rodgers Music’s 10th birthday celebrations, with seriously sad songs. that was too often overlooked simply because A-WATTS: East Hanney British Legion – 50s of the show is Radie Peat, whose intense, Tomorrow’ following their showing at Truck recent Nightshift cover stars Easter Island Statues’ the tunes were so bloody great. The pair did and 60s rock’n’roll. hymnal voice on songs like ‘Granite Gaze’ Festival in the summer. rough’n’ready anthemic indie alongside bolshy eventually fall out and McLusky just about brings to mind a gothic Kirsty MacColl. The rhythm’n’blues tracks. SPECTOR: The Bullingdon – Back after dub’n’goth-tinged post-punk from Black Hats kept the name going with diminishing returns, th band have a new album, ‘The Livelong Day’, CHRIS CLEVERLY TRIO + KITH & SUNDAY 17 playing Truck Festival in the summer, the and the peerless dark-folk and drone-rock of The but a reunion was never too far away and out, and we look forward to seeing them play KIN: Tiddy Hall, Ascott-under-Wychwood enduring indie stars are back with a brace of new August List. FLIGHTS OF HELIOS: Ultimate Picture since returning fully to action, revisiting Palace (2.30-5pm) – Local psychedelic star- to the kind of crowd they really deserve. – Wychwood Folk Club hosts award-winning singles, doubtless ahead of a third album. Arch THE TREATMENT + AIRRACE + LAKE many of those earliest triumphs and making sailors FoH perform a live soundtrack to the guitarist and singer Chris Cleverley with his showman Frederick Macpherson and his band ACACIA: O2 Academy – Classic hard rock and new music that skips the cheesier pop period 1926 film The Adventures of Prince Achmed – the haunting tales of ghost women, lonesome clock have enjoyed the hype and endured the backlash punk from Cambridge’s riffmeisters and recent in favour of more cutting edge electro-pop oldest surviving animated movie. The soundtrack, European tour, and local mayhemic hardcore crew towers, lovelorn mariners and hospital beds, and come out unbowed, their chrome-plated tour support to Buckcherry. and lyrics, OMD have at last achieved the part of the UPP’s Weimar film season, features Blood Horse. inspired by his childhood in Cornwall and Brecon. 80s-styled electro-indie inspired by Joy Division BLACK PARADE: O2 Academy – Noughties critical acclaim they always deserved. Not flute, violin, guitars, tabla, percussion and THE STEPHEN EVENS BAND + ALLY MOVE IT: Woodstock Social Club and Roxy Music initially and making them perfect emo club night. just pioneers and not just creators of great pop processed vocals. CRAIG + APHRA TAYLOR: Oxford Deaf & festival favourite fodder. TRACKSUITS & TRANCE with N’TRANCE: music, OMD are also a superb live band and, BLACK WATER COUNTY: O2 Academy – Hard of Hearing Centre (3.30pm) – Lunchtime th INTRUSION: Cirkus – Monthly goth, industrial, The Bullingdon – Retro run through of club SUNDAY 10 really, everyone should see Andy McLusky Punked-up Irish folk fun from Bournemouth’s For the Wild Youth host their second matinee ebm and darkwave club night. classics, with Manchester’s million-selling A NIGHT LIKE THIS + EVADE ESCAPE + dance before they die. A dying squirrel being Black Water County, infused with the spirits gig, with sometime Graham Coxon, Charlotte hitmakers N-Trance reliving ‘Set You Free’ and LONESOME + MELWOOD: The Bullingdon the best comparison we’ve read. of The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys and The Hatherley and Damned drummer Stephen Evens th ‘Forever’ as well as covers of ‘Stayin’ Alive’ and – Emo and post-hardcore from south Wales’ A WEDNESDAY 13 Rumjacks and out on a headline tour after with his wistfully idiosyncratic wobble-pop and ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’. Night Like This, who’ve previously supported MYSTERY SKULLS: O2 Academy – Neo-soul supporting Flogging Molly. anti-folk. Ally Craig supports with an abrasively MOOGIEMAN & THE MASOCHISTS + THE Shields, Holding Absence and Parting Gift. and disco house from Luis Dubuc, whose eclectic MANNEQUIN PUSSY + SCRAP BRAIN + whimsical mix of Slint, Sonic Youth, Deerhoof GOLDEN DREGS + PUPPET MECHANIC MARILLION: The New Theatre – The list of collaborators includes Nile Rodgers, Adam BLOOD HORSE: The Jericho Tavern – an and Ivor Cutler, while opener Aphra Taylor mixes enduring progsters celebrate 40 years of defiantly Lambert and Avicii. + ENJOYABLE LISTENS: The Port Mahon Oxford debut for Philadelphia’s Mannequin Pussy stark acoustic folk-pop and ethereal dreaminess unfashionable rocking by releasing a set of LANKUM: The Bullingdon – Irish folk on the – Kicking off this year’s Oxford City Festival at tonight’s Freak Scene show, Marisa Dabice’s on her deeply emotive songs. orchestral reworkings of old favourites. autobahn from the experimental Dubliners – see is arch local pop maverick Moogieman, on the band continuing to expand their sonic palate on ALIENS: Truck Store – Stripped-back instore RACHEL DADD: Truck Store – The Bristolian main preview back of his band’s latest single, ‘Ghost Driver’, third album ‘Patience’, the early punk anger of set from the jazz-infused rockers. indie-folk singer plays tracks from her new ‘Flux’ MAHAJANAKA DANCE DRAMA: their best so far. They’re joined by melancholic, debut ‘Gypsy Pervert’ increasingly mixed in with OPEN MIC NIGHT: Harcourt Arms album. Jacqueline du Pre Building – Oxford based downbeat popstrels Puppet Mechanic and emo anguish, epic stadium rock and shoegaze SUNDAY SOCIAL: The Half Moon (3pm) – SIMON JOYNER: The Library – Intensely composer and producer Seb Reynolds and Neon 80s-styled electro-pop chap Enjoyable Listens. but still managing to balance strong poppy Free afternoon of live music as part of Oxford personal and poetic songsmithery from Dance director Adrienne Hart collaborate with PANGOLIN + DAN RAWLE: The Jericho melody with full-on fury. They’re joined by City Festival with Tim May, Ady Davey and The Nebraska’s Simon Joyner at tonight’s Divine award winning Thai dance artist Pichet Klunchun Tavern – Funk, jazz, soul and hip hop fusion regular visitors to town Scrap Brain, fresh from a Accompanied. tonight’s Nettlebed showcase. hop from Captain Kuppa T. CRAIG CHARLES’ FUNK & SOUL NINA JADE: The Harcourt Arms – r’n’b, CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford CLUB: O2 Academy – BBC Radio’s most soul and urban pop from the acoustic TUESDAY 19th Community Centre infectiously enthusiastic DJ and space singer-songwriter. traveller brings his party-starting collection PRIMAL SCREAM: O2 Academy – Enduring THE OXFORD BEATLES: The leading lights of the UK indie and rock scene FRIDAY 22nd of soul, funk and rare grooves back to Sheldonian – The local Beatles tribute town. th since the mid-80s, Bobby Gillespie’s magpie- HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT: O2 Academy celebrate the 50 anniversary of ‘Abbey minded gang return to town after their show – Nigel Blackwell and Neil Crossley return to BLACKWATER CONSPIRACY: Road’. here in 2017, and before that their Common town with the mighty Half Man Half Biscuit. The Bullingdon – Rootsy blues and FRANKLIN’S TOWER: The Half Moon People headline in 2016. From the commercial Since their seminal 80s debut ‘Back In The country rocking from County Tyrone’s – Grateful Dead-flavoured fun. and critical peak of 1991’s epoch-making DHSS’, Blackwell’s none-more-sardonic hard-gigging Blackwater Conspiracy, A-WATTS: Woodstock Social Club ‘Screamadelica’, through the krautrock-inspired outlook, inventive punnery and Fall-esque post- channelling The Rolling Stones, Black Crowes and Faces, touring their new th th highs of ‘Vanishing Point’ and ‘XTMNTR’ via punk racket has documented smalltown English SUNDAY 24 Saturday 16 album ‘Goodbye to Yesterday’ following dalliances with blues rock and a recurring dip life, football and crap telly in peerless fashion, a SUNDAY AFTERNOON SOCIAL: The appearances at Download and Ramblin’ SNOW PATROL: back into The Rolling Stones’ catalogue, they’re rare example of laugh-out-loud humour mixing Wheatsheaf (3pm) – Free afternoon of equally nostalgic and pioneering, militant and seamlessly with great music. From ‘McIntyre, Man. live music in the downstairs bar as part of hedonistic, and even as an elder statesman of Davitt & Treadmore’ to last year’s ‘No-one CUT THE TRAP: The Bullingdon – Hip Oxford City Festival. The New Theatre hop and trap club night. Or ‘Snow Patrol Reworked’ as this tour of music, Gillespie remains very much his own Cares About Your Creative Hub, So Get Your SUNDAY AFTERNOON SOCIAL: The EMMA HUNTER + NEON TEEPEE + relatively intimate shows for the Scottish/Irish man. Fuckin’ Hedge Cut’, they remain the same but Half Moon (3pm) – Free afternoon of THE HOLY FOOLS + SHIV3RS: The pop giants is titled. The idea that The New JON BODEN & THE REMNANT KINGS: always on top of their game, with an uncanny live music in the downstairs bar as part Wheatsheaf – Oxford City Festival show Theatre would be considered an intimate show The Bullingdon – Former Bellowhead and knack of splicing together popular culture, of Oxford City Festival, with Sal & Tony with drama-laden baroque/surf pop singer for Gary Lightbody and his band back in 1998 Spiers and Boden singer and fiddle player Jon everyday life and biting sarcasm. A national Batey, Artisan Blues Trio, Mojo Demon and Emma Hunter and more. when they released ‘Songs For Polarbears’ heads back out on tour, promoting ‘Rose in June’ treasure, as the late, great John Peel more than Delta Hardware. GNOME + BAD BLOOD RECOVERY and were playing at The Point seems almost with his string trio The Remnant Kings, playing once declared. OPEN MIC NIGHT: Harcourt Arms + GRAND MAL: The Port Mahon – laughable now, but two decades, five platinum original tunes and traditional folk songs. BLUES JAM: Fat Lil’s, Witney (3pm) – Beast-heavy instrumental stoner-metal albums and an Ivor Novello Award later, the ARISEN + LEAKY TENT + BLACK TISHII Monthly open jam. from Antwerp’s Gnome at tonight’s Buried band are in the A League as far as popularity + SPIKE HOLIFIELD: The Wheatsheaf – th Saturday 16 in Smoke show, with support from local goes. People have questioned Nightshift’s Local rock newcomers Arisen headline tonight’s th heavyweights Bad Blood Recovery and MONDAY 25 love for Snow Patrol over the years, but from Oxford City Festival show. PROFESSOR The Grand Mal – see Introducing feature PIANO JAZZ: The Harcourt Arms that raw first album, with what now feels PIZZA MIC: The Library – Monthly open SON OF DAVE: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Raw OPEN MIC NIGHT: The Castle like a weird leaning towards Dinosaur Jr and session hosted by Ian de Quadros. GREEN: O2 Academy and rootsy blues from London-based PETER KNIGHT’S GIGSPANNER BIG elements of hip hop, through the undeniably IF ON A WINTER’S NIGHT: The Old Fire A true polymath, Stephen Manderson’s is also Canadian singer, beatboxer, harmonica BAND: Nettlebed Folk Club – Nettlebed superb ‘Run’ and ‘Chasing Cars’ (the most Station – Oxford Improvisers night. a story of triumph in the face of adversity. The player and loop pedaller Benjamin Darvill, hosts former Steeleye Spanner fiddle player played song on the radio of the 21st Century kid who would grow up to be Professor Green HARCOURT ARMS the former Crash Test Dummies man Peter Knight, now concentrating on his so far), to arguably the band’s best album, th was raised in Hackney by his grandmother WEDNESDAY 20 inspired by Little Walter, James Cotton Gigspanner band, giving a modern folk ‘Eyes Open’, featuring ‘Set the Fire to the and great grandmother, his chief involvement November YAZZ AHMED: St John the Evangelist and Sonny Terry as he mixes up gospel, twist to traditional songs on most recent Third Bar’, a sublime duet between Lightbody with his father being having to identify – Psychedelic Arabian jazz from the British- Chicago blues, r’n’b and hip hop. album ‘Layers of Ages’. and Martha Wainwright, and onto stadium- Bahraini trumpeter and composer, blurring the his body when he died when Stephen was 2nd 105AD + sized glory, they have simply done what any 24 – something that led Manderson to give lines between jazz, electronic sound design rd TUESDAY 26th globally successful band should do – write and traditional Arabian music. Tonight’s show, up drugs for good. Refusing a scholarship SATURDAY 23 Caitlin Ashcroft big hit singles for big occasions, and if they to a selective school and staying true to his THE MONOCHROME SET + FONTAINES DC: O2 Academy – Dublin hosted by OCM, sees her playing music from her comes alive in raw and romantic rocking don’t come with the rough edges they did latest album, ‘Polyhymnia’, backed by her Hafla working class roots, he won rap battles and PEERLESS PIRATES: The Jericho fashion with the Mercury nominees – see 11th Classic Jazz back in the beginning, then tough. After last band. attracted the attention of Mike Skinner who Tavern – A return to town for post-punk survivors The Monochrome Set, whose main preview year’s ‘Wildness’ album comes ‘Reworked’, DODO + THE SATURN FARMHOUSE signed him to his The Beats label, while early embracing of lounge and surf pop, FLINTLOCK RIFLES + EARINADE 16th Slow Wednesday an album of hits and more “reimagined”, and + BOREDOMS IN THE BATHROOM + surviving an attack where he was stabbed in as well as an idiosyncratic approach + WATERFOOLS + SPRUNG FROM that provides the basis for tonight’s show; BLUEBYRD: The Wheatsheaf – Oxford City the neck. But it was after singing to Virgin CAGES: The Wheatsheaf – Fuzzy and unsurprisingly it sold out in a matter of hours. Festival showcase gig. that he became the household name he is now, to rhythms and melody and an ironic, Ukulele Band Lighters aloft, people. releasing two Gold-selling albums, ‘Alive oblique lyricism set them apart from the frantic indie rocking from Flintlock Rifles leftfield rock of the late-70s. They’ve split at tonight’s Oxford City Festival show, st Till I’m Dead’ and ‘At Your Convenience’, 23rd Nina Jade THURSDAY 21 and collaborating with the likes of Lily Allen, up and reformed twice in their lifetime, alongside post-punk and new wavers A + ’68 + FALSE HEADS: O2 Academy – Earinade, Witney’s grunge duo Waterfools NIKKI PETHERICK + HEX COLLECTIVE Emili Sandé, Example and Maverick Sabre, founder Bid and long-term guitarist Andy Jason Perry’s reformed post-grunge alt.rockers and punk starlets Sprung From Cages. 25th Piano Jazz + BRODIE JOHNSON: Abingdon Guildhall earning a Best Hip Hop Act award at the Warren still helming the band as they return to Oxford for the first time since 2009, (2-5pm) – As part of the Make Music Abingdon MOBOs in 2010. Hip hop moves on quickly tour their latest album, ‘Maisieworld’, MONKEYFIST: The Wheatsheaf fresh from a summer of festivals, including 2000 30th Andy Robbins programme, started by the late Sam Prince, three but so has Green, expanding his work into film which, characteristically brings Latin Trees, and revisiting 90s and Noughties hits like acts perform live and then talk about the craft of and documentary making and campaigning on pop, bossa nova, Indian raga and chanson th ‘For Starters’ and ‘Nothing’. WEDNESDAY 27 writing music. a number of issues, particularly male suicide, to its melting pot. Great support from PENELOPE ISLES: The Jericho Tavern Open Mic Every ALIENS + THE PINK DIAMOND REVUE mental health, homelessness among young longstanding local faves Peerless Pirates, – Swoonesome indie from Brighton’s + MAKE FRIENDS + STARBELLY: The Sunday th people and the rise of the far right. If music themselves inspired by The Monochrome harmony-pop heroes – see main preview MONDAY 18 Bullingdon – Funk, soul and jazz-infused hasn’t exactly taken a backseat, he’s got a lot Set as well as The Smiths, The Ukranians Dick live music at the heart of jericho SCOUTING FOR GIRLS: O2 Academy – In rocking from Aliens, the band formed by Del ELECTRIC SIX: O2 Academy – of fingers in a lot of pies and if his planned and a whole lotta seafaring fun. Cranham Terrace Jericho Oxford ox2 6dg the words of Marwood, “will we never be set Amitri’s Iain Harvie and writer and film-maker Valentine’s garage-glam crew still doing tour earlier this year had to be postponed after OCTAVIA FREUD + MOJAVE + 01865 556669 free?” Tim May, playing songs from their debut album the rounds over a decade and a half on from he fractured his neck after a seizure, he’s back MEANS OF PRODUCTION + DJ ART hits ‘Gay Bar’ and ‘Danger! High Voltage’, JAWS: The Bullingdon – Birmingham’s dreamy ‘Terradome’ at tonight’s Oxford City Festival LAGUN: The Wheatsheaf – Electronica on the road for this ‘Matter of the Heart’ tour. playing it deliberately dumb with their shoegazers return to town off the back of new show alongside electro-acid-surf stars The Pink night at Oxford City Festival with A great musician, but so much more besides. tongue-in-cheek rock disco bombast. album ‘The Ceiling’, mixing up the influences Diamond Revue and goth-glam heavyweights experimentalist Octavia Freud alongside BEN POOLE: The Bullingdon – A of Ride, The xx and Friendly Fires into their Starbelly. laptop soundscapist Mojave, steely post- return to town for the rising UK blues- atmospheric, sometimes ethereal indie pop. THE MATT CHANDLER BAND: The punk synth-pop duo Means of Production rock guitarist, drawing comparisons to Joe MSRY: The Library – Virulent, visceral Wheatsheaf – Versatile guitarist Matt Chandler, and Nightshift’s own Art Lagun on the Satriani and Joe Bonamassa, winning fans metalcore from local stars on the rise MSRY whose eclectic style has seen him play with decks. in Bernie Torme and the late Gary Moore as they kick off a national tour to promote their Youth, Poly Styrene and Arno Casterns, brings BIFFY McCLYRO: O2 Academy – along the way. new ‘Loss’ EP, including single ‘Still Breaks My his jazz trio to the Spin, alongside Hammond and Tribute night. DAVID THOMAS BROUGHTON + Heart’, featuring Cancer Bats’ Liam Cormier. drums. REGGAE GOT SOUL with DADDY G: Remove all breakables and prepare for battle. THE SCOTT GORDON BAND + CAPTAIN The Bullingdon – Deep, dubby reggae, BELL LUNGS + BETH SHEARSBY: OPEN MIC NIGHT: The Castle KUPPA T & THE ZEPPELIN CREW + hip hop, garage, drum&bass and block Florence Park Community Centre – THE LADIES OF NETTLEBED: Nettlebed DAZE: The Port Mahon – Blues-infused party classics from the Massive Attack Another chance to catch the West Yorkshire Folk Club – Charlie Dore, Rowan Godel, Megan Americana from Scott Gordon and band at man, back in town after his show for troubadour in Oxford after his show here Henwood and Jackie Oates takes centre stage at tonight’s OCF show, plus a capella folk and chap Skylarkin’ Soundsystem in 2017. in February. His ethereal, often improvised greatest hits set, so get ready to twist your melon unapologetically unreconstructed tales of booze, to ‘Wrote For Luck’, ‘Step On’, ‘Kinky Afro’, chicks and fighting. ‘Lazyitis’ and more. SWITCH: O2 Academy RHYS LEWIS: O2 Academy – After sold out SIMPLE: The Bullingdon – An already sold- shows at The Cellar and The Bullingdon under out night in the company of hot UK producer his belt in recent times, local bluesman Rhys Ross From Friends at tonight’s Simple, the man Lewis follows up with his biggest hometown born Felix Clary Weatherall – latest signing show yet, with a soulful take on electric blues, to Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label mixing up including new single ‘What If’. myriad influences, from hip-hop cut’n’paste THIS FEELING with THE CLAUSE + THE culture, 80s Eurobeat to Hi-NRG and Italo. WHITE LAKES + ARTCLASSSINK + OUT GAPPY TOOTH INDUSTRIES with BLUE: The Bullingdon – Indie club night MASTER OF NONE + STEALING SIGNS th This feeling returns to Oxford, with a mix of + SPILL THE RIVER: The Wheatsheaf – Tuesday 26 classic indie disco and new bands showcase. Another quality monthly dose of mix’n’match Tonight’s line-up features Birmingham’s The music from GTI, tonight with gothic electro- FONTAINES DC: Clause, inspired by Oasis, The Courteeners rockers Master of None channelling Mark O2 Academy and Kasabian, plus a trio of local bands, Lanegan, Nick Cave and The National, plus If you want any more encouragement to get including shoegaze and psych-tinged indie crew Essex’s Stealing Signs, mixing Foals-y fidget- out and experience new young bands, consider Artclasssink. This Feeling DJs spin Beatles, pop with U2’s stadium excess, and local this: 18 months ago Fontaines DC were Stones and Bowie to Smiths, Stones Roses and sensitive folk-pop types Spill the River. playing to barely two dozen punters at The more. OXFORD CITY FESTIVAL CLOSING Cellar. Tonight the Dublin quintet will face THE LATIN BREW-UP: The Wheatsheaf – PARTY: The Half Moon – Osprey and Co. an already sold-out crowd at Oxford’s largest Latin-flavoured jazz at tonight’s Spin. bring the month’s festival fun to a close. regular gig venue, and this off the back of BLACK FEATHERS: The Jericho Tavern – ANDY ROBBINS: The Harcourt Arms their Mercury Prize nomination. Crosstown Gentle, harmony-heavy Americana and folk from FALLEN ANGELS: Woodstock Social Club Concerts’ Simon Bailey, the promoter who the Cirencester duo. brought them on, did the same for Idles and CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford Shame, so maybe check out his shows a bit Community Centre th more closely in future. Anyway, Fontaines REVEREND BLACK’S ACOUSTIC Wednesday 27 DC: their album ‘Dogrel’ was unlucky to CABARET: The Half Moon – Acoustic blues, come up against such a strong field for the country, folk and classic rock night with Delta PENELOPE ISLES: Mercury Prize; it’s a superb debut: raw and Hardware and Richard Brotherton. romantic, if not exactly a love song to Dublin, The Jericho Tavern Bella Union was practically invented to then a record as steeped in its architecture and th FRIDAY 29 provide a home and an outlet for bands like stories as anything by James Joyce or The MAD DOG McREA: O2 Academy – Folk- Penelope Isles. They are one of those bands Pogues – an obvious and readily admitted rock, bluegrass and gypsy jazz from Plymouth’s who sound like third generation descendents influence on Fontaines DC frontman Grian Mad Dog McRea, championed by Mike Harding of label founder Simon Raymonde’s old Chattens. There’s melancholy, defiance, and Seth Lakeman. band Cocteau Twins, possessed of an almost ambition, violence and love ingrained in LONDON CALLING: The Bullingdon – Clash ethereal grace and spectral spangle that draws his words, his rich Irish brogue bringing tribute. together spider silk threads of 60s West Coast stories and characters to life over the band’s SOUL SISTER: The Bullingdon harmony pop; shimmering dream-pop; classic propulsive, angular mix of Joy Division and THE JERICHOS + THE RELATIONSHIPS: indie jangle and the wooziest of motorik Fugazi. Which would mean nothing if the The Wheatsheaf – OCF show with local scene grooves. Formed in Brighton by brother and songs weren’t so bloody great: ‘Boys in the godfathers The Relationships with their wistful, sister Lily and Jack Wolter, who’d grown up Better Land’; ‘Too Real’; ‘Dublin City Sky’ – tweedy psychedelic pop. playing music together in the Isle of Man, each and every one a readymade festival sing- THE PEOPLE VERSUS: The Jericho Tavern and friends Becky Redford and Jack Sowton, along. Their rapid ascent is well deserved; it’s – EP launch gig for the local chamber pop crew. Penelope Isles have spent the past few years also a reminder that the grassroots is awash FACES OF EVE + DREAMEATER + drip feeding fans with single releases but with rough diamonds awaiting your discovery. INDICA BLUES: The Port Mahon – signing to Bella Union finally brought their Dancingman presents a heavy-duty triple bill debut album, ‘Until the Tide Creeps In’, in with Hertfordshire’s prog metallers Faces of the summer. Inspired by the highly textured style of experimental folk music utilises loops, Evil and Andover’s metalcore crew Dreameater sounds of Radiohead and Deerhunter, their field recordings and the use of radios, alarms alongside local riff behemoths Indica Blues. delicate touch, driving grooves and multi- and tellies alongside his delicate, ethereal voice, FIREGAZERS: The Half Moon – Trad and way harmonies have seen them compared to which has seen him compared to Anthony contemporary folk tunes. Hegarty/Anohni. Support from electro/dream- Grizzly Bear, Tame Impala and Beach House, though they might be what Magic Numbers poppers Bell Lungs. th MARK COPE + JAMES KIRBY + CAOLA SATURDAY 30 would have sounded like had they signed to BEN OTTEWELL: The Jericho Tavern – The McMAHON + DANIEL MA’ANi: The 4AD back in the late-80s, or kindred spirits Gomez frontman returns to town to promote Wheatsheaf – Oxford City Festival show with of lost etherealists AC Marias. Last time they his most recent album ‘A Man Apart’, his deep, former Candyskins and Ninestone Cowboy man were in town was supporting BC Camplight soulful voice bringing rootsy life to his blues Mark Cope and more. on tour, but now the spotlight is all on them and folk songs and doubtless a few Gomez and on the evidence of that last gig and the favourites. new record, they’ll shine. th THURSDAY 28 DEFINITELY MIGHTBE: O2 Academy – YOUNG WOMEN’S MUSIC PROJECT: Oasis tribute. Truck Store – The local community music AIRBOURNE: O2 Academy – Gruff, primal project launch their 2020 fundraising calendar rock and roll from Australia’s Airbourne, back with sets from Theo and Julia Meijer. with new album ‘Boneshaker, the follow-up to HAPPY MONDAYS: O2 Academy – The Top 10 album, ‘Breakin’ Outta Hell’, staying Madchester reunion continues to roll on, the true to their simple and effective AC/DC, original, and definitive, line-up of Manchester’s Thin Lizzy and Spinal Tap-inspired hard rock baddest gang back round again, this time with a sound, all big riffs, even bigger choruses and

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Organiser SimonBaileyand It’s asuperbendtofantastic musical universe. out theothersideintoawholenew drives RitualUniontoitscloseand hammering outamilitanttattoothat MUSIC PROJECT drumline, stage bytheYOUNGWOMEN’S it can’t getbetter, they’rejoinedon just fantastic,andwhenyouthink points butateverysinglepointitis Sort of.It’s downrightobliqueat journey before.It’s tribal;it’s funky. some placefewhaveeverdaredto they’re determinedtotakethisset – ‘Owlsof Athens’, ‘Terra Firma’ – innate waywithaglorioustune noisy arethey, andforalltheir noise pioneersSPK,soobstinately to goheadwithindustrial the triosoundlikethey’repreparing There aremomentstonightwhere their malevolentlyskewedmusic. percussion andshe’s aperfectfitfor Self Esteem Death of the Maiden by Geoffrey Head defuses the tension, as does the fact the vocalist looks like Cheech Marin with defuses the tension,asdoes thefactvocalist lookslikeCheech Marinwith have beenpenned byIdles.Itendswithatossedoff gag,whichsuddenly with animpassioned meditationonthecomplexities ofmasculinitythatcould whereas ‘Practice PunchingMyHands,Son’ isabreezyambient washcoupled the sortofcheekytuneMoogieman mightcomeupwithinapensivemoment, Himself Go’ isamelancholicrantaboutlifeonminimumwagedeliveredover bulges wheretheywon’t fitmakeforfascinatinglistening.‘Spiderman’s Let minutes squeezinghugeemotionsinto cheapsynthesisedpopsongs,andthe bathetic; it’s aperfectsummation ofNorwich’s BirdsOfHell,whospend30 “Thissong’s setinthefuture. 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ForalltheirNew York cool,whattheymostresembleisa60s gong (nottobeconfusedwithhittingagigbong,thoughthismayalso their maintechniqueistokeepriffinguntiloneofthemstartshittingabig Local heavypsychfavouritesShotgunSixdealinglassy-eyedriffing,and The THE BEVISFROND/BIRDSOF HELL /SHOTGUN SIX BUTTERFLY areimmediately Bristol’s DRUNKEN boundary-pushing day. set themoodforadiverse,quietly complement eachotherperfectlyand jazziest rising-star, butthetwosets drone-band followOxford’s programming, asOxford’s loudest Tamara Parson-Baker’s bravura straightaway showingofforganiser PHOTOGRAPHSIN THE, swiftly followedbyGHOSTS her sunny, jazz-inflectedsongs, JOELY kicksthingsoffwith Jericho Tavern.the soon toberolledoutscene-wide– bill andno-asshatpolicy–surely bringing itsinclusivevibes,11-band another all-dayinstalment,thistime All Tamara’s Partiesisbackfor The ALL TAMARA’SPARTIES LIVE Jericho Tavern Jericho Tavern For You’ isthebestpopsongto JENBERKOVA’s opener‘Crazy reasons, youmightwanttoknow.” not aboat–forallsortsofpractical understated anger:“She’s awoman blending deadpanhumourand her inch-perfectlyrics,deliciously up provestheperfectplatformfor pop gems. The stripped-backset- versions ofhersometimespunkier performs intimatekeyboard-only songwriter Angela Spacetoday RAINBOW RESERVOIR striking, intoxicatingsound. back toaukulelenumber;it’s a Riot Grrlterritory, beforestripping out guitarsfirstintoshoegazethen on record,arepushedbythefuzzed- folk-tinged protestsongs,acoustic-y impressive, theirmainlywaltz-time ONES thenleanintotheirpunk-pop LondonfourpieceTHEOTHER Patrick’s ever-delicate key-twinkling. over bouncingbasslinesandpianist follows, dual-harmonyvocalssoaring inspiration. Energetic newmaterial spin joyousmusicfrompoignant Round’ showcasestheirabilityto siblings RobinandCat.‘FeelItGo CATGOD , ledbyanimal-monikered upbeat tonesanddownbeatlyricsof She’s followedthesoothing, synth-bass. to wallowinthatsublime,squelchy staccato drums,leavingspaceforus phrase-endings settingoffclipped, of feels,Berkova’s clipped,staccato with potentialhitsthefunkiest good whileandhersetisstacked come outofthelocalscenefora David Murphy on, dearFronds, you’ve earnedit. years say“we’re going todoanewone”andget rousing cheer?Sochug the lasttimeyou heard anactwithadiscographystretching backover30 cult bandlikethishasboughttheright todowhatevertheywant;whenwas Richard Thompson tryingtogetonthe‘C86’ compilation. Frankly, though,a the setis‘He’dBe A Diamond’, alovelylittlefolkyjanglethatsoundslike an affableeffortlessnessit’s impossibletodislike,butthebestmomentof rock andadeptfretboardflightpaths arebadthings,andthebanddoesitwith exists toletoneofthemvisitthecarvery. 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The when Hannoncouldhireanentire raucous fun.Gonearethedays ‘Something forthe Weekend’ are hits like‘NationalExpress’ and Love’ isawonderfulballad; irresistibly catchy;‘Commuter thoroughly datedlyricallybutstill excellent. ‘GenerationSex’ isnow It helps,too,thatthesongsare loving everyminuteofit. with himatthesametime,and funny: we’relaughingathimand ironising thatit’s alljustdoubly charisma issoegotisticalandself- over thetoporcynical.Hannon’s Surprisingly, noneofthisseems buffoonery asthesongallows. dancing, andasmuchcamp croon withbounces,eccentric suit andpunctuateshisdeadpan Hannon’s dressedinacherryred Opener ‘Europop’ setsthemood: Kraftwerk. pastiches ofDepecheModeand improvisation, sillycostumes,and and gimmickstosuaveballads, treated toeverythingfromjokes Tonight he’s truetoform,andwe’re defines Hannonit’s unpredictability. 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so with a lot less punch than his odes JOHN / MILO’S PLANES to Maggie Thatcher. THE OXFORD LIVE While ‘Why Don’t You Answer The Wheatsheaf Your Telephone?’ shows off his skills Why have one drumkit when you can have one and a half? Bristolian four-piece Milo’s Plane RECORD & CD FAIR on the loop pedal, and his cover of fly out of the gate with jagged staccatto riffs, jumpy time changes and relentless hardcore photo: Jo Cox Don Henley’s ‘Boys of Summer’ WESLEY CHURCH HALL energy. As the set progresses what becomes striking is the endless variation of style, tone, New Inn Hall Street, OX1 2DH highlights his capacity to reimagine and even genre within every song. Classic walking bass lines shift to bursts of grindcore and old songs, it all feels a bit lacklustre, then on to intricate math guitar lines. The highlight of the set is when everything drops out to Saturday 2nd November as if the rage and fire of his previous mournful ambient emptiness punctuated with tortured prepared guitar, only for the band to 10am-4pm - FREE ENTRY work has subsided into a depressing explode with noise and throw us through the back wall like an old Maxell tape advert. acceptance of the state of the world. Headliners tonight are two blokes called John who make up a band called John, and Rock/pop/jazz/soul/reggae/indie/all other genres Though his closing rendition of John and John who together are John make a sublime noise. The riffs are catchy but Accessories/memoriabillia/books. ‘State of the Union’ brings back a without trying too hard and John’s drums are powerful and energetic in just the right way. Brand new and back catalogue/Rare Vinyl taste of the anger and pure emotion John’s aggressive sprechgesang vocals evoke Jamie Lehman in his Reuben days and the www.usrfairs.co.uk that normally carries a Ford show, humongous riffing takes on a Pigs x7-like powerhouse feel; it’s just an incredibly dense even this feels somewhat less than sound to be made by just two people (named John). normal, as if he has simply given up It would be all too easy for this kind of noise punk to feel chaotic but every song is finely the fight. honed and trimmed of everything extraneous and despite the barked vocals and recent Elsewhere ‘O’Sullivan’s Jukebox’ touring with Idles, it doesn’t feel aggressive; instead they are welcoming and enthusiastic. shows off Ford’s talent on the ivories The audience aren’t tearing the place apart as John and John might be used to – this and in writing rhyming couplets is Oxford on a Wednesday after all – but there’s an unavoidable positivity in the air. and ‘Ballad of Miss Lily’ shows Rebellious music doesn’t need to be angry, apparently. why, in my opinion, he’s one of the Matt Chapman Jones finest guitar players this country has produced. Nevertheless it still seems to all hang in the air, lacking any decisive direction. At a point GRACE PETRIE RICHARD HAWLEY DAVID FORD then when it feels like there is to be St. John the O2 Academy comfort from the current state of political unrest in a stranger and a “Dumbo could only fly if he was holding his The Bullingdon Evangelist feather,” deadpans Richard Hawley a couple On the brink of Brexit, how better Perhaps equally sick of the ongoing part of his collection. Instead he song, instead we’re left wanting and When themes of welfare, workfare, and of songs into tonight’s sold out show, “and to cure our woes than to listen to debate the vast majority of his draws largely from his latest album longing for a decision which never walls nestle within your setlist, it would I need to see my lyrics, cos I took a fuck David Ford sing about how shit it set sidesteps politics, which is an ‘Animal Spirits’ and whilst this seems to come. be easy for the night to become a sombre load of acid in the 80s and can’t remember all is. Sadly, Ford doesn’t deliver. impressive feat given that’s a large explores issues of economics it does Lisa Ford affair, but in the space of 90 minutes Grace anything now, so can we have the fans Petrie manages to take us on a journey that turned off onstage please.” contains rage, mourning, laughter and hope Hawley’s been slightly derailed by those in equal measures. PIP BLOM / onstage and Pip herself seems genuinely chuffed chorale ‘O Traurigkeit’ that becomes a rolling fans blowing his lyric sheets away and is that people in a packed crowd are dancing along. gospel blues driven on by Gustavsen’s left hand. For most, it’s probably hard to think up dealing with it in the dry, droll humour that PERSONAL TRAINER There’s more than a little bit of Tanya Donnelley It’s music of longing and despair in startling a song about zero hours contracts but it’s infuses his show and is as much a part of in her sunbeam vocals, while the influence juxtaposition with another music of longing and apparently not that hard for Petrie, who the man as his wonderfully rich, rough- The Bullingdon of Sleater Kinney brings a spikier edge to the despair also manages to take it a step further, hewn croon, one that brings a dashing sense This is only one of many twists. When ensuring the crowd are hollering “monkeys” We love it when we find a band who seem, band’s effervescent jangle on tracks like ‘Babies of romance to even the most down at heel Gustavsen plays loud he is surprisingly loud; and “nowt” at the tops of their voices to all intents an purposes, to be made up of Are a Lie’ and Pip Blom are just the latest in a backstreet soap opera. when he feeds in electronics it’s high pitched in the chorus of ‘You Pay Peanuts You spare parts of other bands and who probably line of bands bringing the simplicity, innocence Hawley’s last visit to Oxford was in the distortion not discreet background; when he Get Monkeys (You Pay Nothing You shouldn’t work as a unit but somehow do. and attitude back to classic indie pop. more elegant setting of The New Theatre plays Rachmaninov-style chords, somehow he’s Get Nowt)’. Elsewhere she ensures the but tonight’s show reflects the rather more On the one hand Amsterdam’s seven-strong Sue Foreman playing those blues as well, and also he leads the snowflakes are causing an avalanche and rock and roll spirit of his recent songs, Personal Trainer are all over the place: Mark E trio off briefly into free jazz territory. This adds adds in a few pops at Trump for good like set opener ‘Off My Mind’, a driving Smith leading a slightly wayward lounge jazz TORD GUSTAVSEN an edginess and struggle that both contrasts with measure. slab of gothic rock that’s could be a prime band? The Sugarcubes without Björk going and enhances the recurring, often pensive Nordic While it’s easy, then, to fathom Petrie’s Mark Lanegan cut. Similarly ‘Standing At krautrock? dEUS on a meltdown trip? Yes, St John the Evangelist lyricism, one passage of which is the most tender political leanings she manages to deliver the Sky’s Edge’, slower, more considered, yes and yes again. They hit a peak with some Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen has said that piece of music we’ve heard all year. them in a way that creates a sense of urgency almost a ballad, but infused with desert cheery chant-along cheerleader punk-pop but Norwegian hymns are his jazz standards. This Gustavsen’s pianism constantly merges intellect and humour in equal measures. Suffice to blues rawness. generally they’re great, messy fun and the lanky might not sound too promising but from the and superb technique with heart and soul; the say if Petrie is leading the next protest march A lightness of touch comes with the keyboard player and trombonist is a spectacle moment the church lights dim and he and his trio other members of the trio are cut from the similar it’s will be done with a degree of wry irony sprightly ‘I’m Looking For Someone To all by himself. walk unobtrusively on stage and begin playing cloth. The soft power of long-time collaborator and laughter. Nevertheless it’s not all politics Find Me’, Hawley channelling his young Neighbours Pip Blom aren’t nearly so off the we’re enveloped in ninety minutes of compelling, Jarle Vesperstand’s bass drum and the textures he and ‘Ivy’ is a touching ode to her niece and Elvis, but even by his high standards he wall, but manage to throw enough curveballs beautifully played, multi-layered music. creates with soft mallets on cymbols are intrinsic ‘Nobody Knows That I’m A Fraud’ speaks to takes things to another level with ‘Tonight, into their short, sharp, spiky set to keep Tord and his band are here thanks to adventurous to Gustav’s sound. Double bassist Ellen Brekken, the imposter syndrome that I expect many in The Streets Are Ours’, just glorious in its everyone on their toes. The band is very much programming by Oxford Chamber Music Festival, a substitute for the ill Sigurd Hole, joins in with Oxford feel is all too familiar. sweep and scope, but matched by the sweet, a family affair: singer/guitarist Pip is joined a gem of a event that regularly punches above its haunting drones and echoes of Norway’s national It’s ‘Black Tie’, however, that symphonic ‘Cole’s Corner’, the pavements unsurprisingly captures the crowd, with by brother Tender on guitar and occasional weight. instrument, the hardanger fiddle, and as she gains and streets of Sheffield never sounding more almost every single person here singing vocal sparring, while mum Leonieke is tour Much of what the trio play is based on ‘The Other in confidence the trio’s ensemble playing becomes beautiful. Side’, Gustavsen’s 2018 album, marking his along. The song, which speaks of the There are odd moments across the ninety manager and minds the merch stall. Dad Erwin, ever more intense. return, after an eleven year gap, to the trio format In between Bach chorales they play mainly issues facing those of us from LGBTQ+ minutes where he dips into slightly too cosy meanwhile, runs Pip’s social media and plays with which he earned an international reputation Gustavsen originals without break and with communities, has clearly increased her balladry, but mostly this is a reminder of in The Eton Crop, whose gig in Oxford last and, amazingly for someone catalogued as jazz, a one number merging into the next this becomes fanbase ten-fold, moving her from the much one of the finest voices in modern music, an year lead to tonight’s visit to Divine Shism. Number 1 in his national charts. a single rich mosaic of melodies, textures, smaller Old Fires Station to a sold out St heir to Scott Walker and Sinatra but with a All of which adds to the cheery, cosy vibe of Like the recent album, the concert is part jazz, dynamics, and atmosphere that seem to leave even John the Evangelist in the space of a year, bit of Yorkshire grit rubbed into its skin. “I Pip Blom’s set, which piles on the indie-pop part hymns and chorales, part classical and Gustavsen a little disorientated. and rightly so. Anyone who can wrap the hope the lyrics to this next song come true,” exuberance, just occasionally lacing it with part folk. On one level it’s a dialogue between For a final encore he plays a solo lullaby, which line “and the images that fucked ya, were announces Hawley at one point. “It’s called razor blades. Songs like ‘Daddy Issues’ are the chorales and Norwegian hymns that are in is just what is needed. It’s been an immensely a patriarchal structure” into a song about ‘I won a million pounds’”. Of course it isn’t fresh-air, off-the-leash fun: simple and just Gustavesen’s DNA, and his other influences and intimate and profound show in which Gustavsen how it feels to grow up as a lesbian women and Hawley doesn’t need to win that sum the right kind of ragged round the edges. his original compositions. has dazzled in a self effacing Scandi way while deserves every ounce of success she’s of money: he’s already worth his weight in Bassist Darek Mercks’ perma-grin sums up He starts with a probing flamenco-infused solo exposing his musical soul. Magnificent. gained. gold. @mephistofilms @Mephisto TV the enjoyment the quartet seem to be having as a prelude to the trio’s re-imagining the Bach’s Colin May Lisa Ford Sue Foreman @mephistofilms @mephistofilms CURSE OF LONO ACID MOTHER’S TEMPLE AND THYLA / OCEAN RUINS / DUMB The Jericho Tavern THE MELTING PARAISO UFO / APHRA TAYLOR The Wheatsheaf Like support act John Murry, his writing that brings comfort even FLIGHTS OF HELIOS Post-punk is having a moment; creative energy is matched in their Curse of Lono are very much at the in the murk and the mire. The Jericho Tavern it’s easy to drown in the relentless live performance. They hurtle gravelly, gothic end of country’s This certainly isn’t a downbeat The Bullingdon Just 17 years old, if Aphra Taylor’s heights and has seen her guesting wave of new bands popping up in through their repertoire, never broad spectrum. Maybe it’s the show. Roger Daltry lookalike Acid Mother’s Temple are an Tsu belts out beautiful tongues nerves are occasionally evident with Tiger Mendoza recently. They the genre. Oxford has seen many of slowing down, never staying in British weather, but while the guitarist Joe Hazell is happy to established Japanese psychedelic that mirror the lyrical techniques of tonight, she’s very much an ride a tight line between almost the more high-profile names pass one place longer than they need quintet are rooted in American fly off on wild rock solos that lift band stopping through Oxford for Kikagaku Moyo. They break into emerging talent: from her opening gothic moodiness and outright rock through its venues in the past year: to. They’re a band that work hard roots music, they’re less wide open songs to almost stadium level, their European Tour. Before they intense, impressive drum patterns, drum-machine-driven number, ‘I bombast, but for the most part keep Shame, Fontaines DC, The Murder and play hard, with a dogged work highways, more the dark streets of while bassist and occasional singer were due to perform, the five-piece courtesy of Satoshima Nani, the Thought You Wouldn’t Be There’, their focus and sound like they’re Capital. Dumb represent the other ethic balanced by a mischievous their native London. Charis Anderson (“she could drink are scattered about the venue with an energy of which sends the gig into she mixes the intimacy and melody born to perform on bigger stages side of the pond, hailing from the flare. Dumb’s lyrics show its Frontman Felix Bechtolsheimer everyone here under the table,” noticeably out-of-town presence – orbit. of folk with the slacker scuzz of than this. rainy streets of Vancouver. subjects no mercy: “Why are you has a weather-beaten growl of a announces Felix cheerily) is smiling probably all those vibrant jumpsuits What makes Acid Mothers Temple grunge. Her emotive confessional Brighton’s Thyla have a similarly At the Wheatsheaf, they show that talking so much? Put your head voice that betrays issues from an way too much for her not to be and kaftans – wading through the stand out is their stretch into lyrics work even better on the stratospheric sound about them, they belong up there with the big in a bag, dude,” Rossino shouts earlier musical life and this brings having fun up there, but Curse audience like patchouli. accessible genres which prevents more introspective ‘Red’ with its kicking out a driving powerhouse dogs. In some ways, they mirror on ‘My Condolences’, like a 90s a rawness to his band’s mix of of Lono are at their best when Flights of Helios set the mood with them from being trapped within neat “I want to go back to those spangle where epic meets ethereal their North Atlantic contemporaries movie high-school jock. bluesy country rock, r’n’b and they’re at their most reflective, as their thumping and rolling beats, the same audience, a fate many days” sense of longing, and if a and achieving an almost elegant Parquet Courts and Pavement, with In this sense, the Wheatsheaf barroom honky tonk. Early on on ‘Don’t Look Down’. A cover of softly guiding us through slippery, psychedelic bands suffer and couple of numbers feel hesitant and musical turbulence. Millie Duthie the scrappy, DIY ethos and dry is made for them, although they there’s a heavy hint of The Doors’ The Rolling Stones’ ‘Dead Flowers’ double-time grooves. Melodic, tonight’s set borders on a house unfinished, set closer ‘It Doesn’t has a voice that can switch from humour. In others, they channel deserve to fill out larger venues. ‘Riders on the Storm’ in the mood ups the mood, at least musically, approachable and dressed to the club night at times. The band’s Slow Down’ is a wonderfully sparse mellifluous and delicate to intense the angularity of A Certain Ratio. With no-frills staging, beers on of the appropriately titled ‘London a roustabout honky tonk finale nines with guitar effects, we couldn’t control over the audience and piece that recalls kd lang or Cat and questing but always cut-glass Whatever the influences, they tap and a casual atmosphere, their Rain’ and even the heartier boogie where they’re joined by Murry, help but notice the obsession of the transitions seam together the chaotic Power’s earliest outings. A few days clear and combined with the manage to reconcile blistering character is displayed: snarky, but numbers only let a certain amount and the band prove the old adage lo-fi megaphone aesthetic within the soundscape, clearly displaying later she enchants a packed Library band’s sky-searching shimmer and punk energy with an extensive undeniably likeable. of light in, with lyrics about red that you can be happy when you’re psychedelic scene. their experience and skill amassed as part of Ritual Union, already occasional delve into something musical education (contrary to Charlotte Banks wine and popping pills. “This is sad. “Going out West where they Then, Acid Mother’s Temple fully since their conception in 1995. sounding more confident. almost dancey, reminds us of what their name might suggest), a happy song about murderous appreciate me” chant the band in make their presence known. The Soon though, the intervals between Nothing sparse or intimate about Pumarosa or even early-90s John seamlessly incorporating elements jealousy,” Felix announces at unison at one point, a nod to the fact room is suddenly cut with screeches high and low energy became scarce Berkshire’s Ocean Ruins: theirs Peel faves Bang Bang Machine. of noise rock and shoegaze into one point. ‘I’d Start a War For they fit in better on the other side of of synthetic wails that suspend us and any sign of change is shown is a powerful bridge between Perhaps some of the subtleties their own distinctive sound. You’ is another early highlight, a the Atlantic, but their steadily rising within discomfort and intrigue. to be a ruse. It becomes clear that shoegaze and stadium rock, the that have seen them compared to Tonight marks the penultimate rumbling, bluesy road trip that’s a popularity in the UK, confirmed Out of this wall of sound, the they might have run out of tricks centrepiece of which is singer Cocteau Twins are lost in a live stop of a UK tour in support of oopsie love song to his wife, and for all with winning the Bob Harris recognisable tones of guitar emerge too soon, leaving us with high Kate Herridge’s piledriving voice; setting, but The Jericho Tavern’s their latest album ‘Club Nites’, the darkness in the music and lyrics Emerging Talent prize at the UK into a slow trance that echoes with expectations that can’t be delivered Cher’s strident soul laced with a new PA brings out Thyla’s sheer released in June of this year, the – with Bechtolsheimer touching Americana Awards, suggests Curse the babbling of high-pitched alien toward the end. Tanya Donnelly-like quaver that power and it’s all too easy to be latest offering in an unstoppable on the addiction in his past while of Lono are going to have plenty conversations. For all that, this is an exciting lifts songs like ‘Jenny’s Ghost’ and swept away in its onward rush. onslaught of releases since they introducing the band’s oldest more to smile about in the future. At first, their approach to and energetic event from ‘Broken Toys’ to almost stately Ian Chesterton formed in the mid-10s. The number – there’s a warmth about Dale Kattack psychedelia appears decidedly seasoned musicians. Will it evolve old-school, the mid-century charm further? Considering their 24-year with sound effects reminiscent of history, probably not if this is what is Star Trek, but the tone soon takes a consistently delivered. ACADEMY EVENTS BY ARRANGEMENT WITH PRIMARY TALENT INTERNATIONAL PRESENTS Academy Events by arrangement with Primary Talent International present darker route as lead singer Jyonson Ziggy Jinda 2019/20 Tour VANISHING TWIN / Saturday DESPICABLE ZEE PLUS GUESTS Deaf & Hard of Hearing Centre SHORTWAVE 16th T.J FLINT Zahra Tehrani’s Despicable and-white panther jumpsuit. But & THE BACKBONE November Zee project increasingly proves the music, too, sounds as nature: she’s one of the most inventive synthesiser notes emulate the trickle beatmakers around, mixing live of rain; the ticking of the drums drumming with loops, samples feels like the brushing of bushes; O2 Academy2 and electronics, all with a queasily guitar chords are shrieking birds, and lopsided vibe that marks her out as Lucas’ voice itself is a human being Oxford Oxford’s very own Gazelle Twin. finding its way through this jungle. Although Vanishing Twin are It is easy to get lost in Vanishing clearly influenced by the likes of Twin’s music. Some of the longer Doors: 6.30pm Stereolab, Silver Apples and The tracks they play tonight seem to United States of America (the 60s lead nowhere in particular, urging Curfew: 10pm band, not the shit show across the us to enjoy them in the present. As a Ticketmaster.co.uk Atlantic), there is an important result, the band occasionally verges difference that sets them apart. into the more boring territory; While the aforementioned bands they’re at their best with their more wear their electronica on their melodious songs, such as ‘Choose sleeves, Vanishing Twin’s sound is Your Own Adventure’. more organic. The technological Vanishing Twin have carved out aspects of their music merge with a a unique sound for themselves, SUN 3RD NOV 2019 plus guests distinctly human element. both experimental-electronic and O ACADEMY2 OXFORD The above is apparent from appealing to the ear. It is a pleasure 2 Zaia tonight’s setting: at the back of to witness their magic tonight DOORS: 7PM | CURFEW: 11PM | TICKETMASTER.CO.UK the stage hangs a wide image of and escape into their self-created Zen Lewis canopies of trees, and singer Cathy forests. Lucas herself is dressed in a black- Caspar Jacobs TIM TURAN’S SESSION NOTES Part Ten be able to detect any INTRODUCING.... meaningful difference. Our Nightshift’s monthly guide to the best local music bubbling under Streaming Audio (part 2: formats and stuff) ears unfortunately tell us otherwise. Is there really Carrying on from last month I want to look at formats and related topics for any musician or sound streaming audio. Unfortunately for studio owners, audio engineers and musicians engineer out there that can’t The Grand Mal music making is an expensive business. That gear you see in the studio costs a tell the difference … I truly lot of money. In the studio we strive to bring you the absolute finest quality audio doubt it. Who are they? using very expensive equipment. I know engineers (myself included) that will The Grand Mal is a hard rock band featuring twin brothers Ryan and spend upwards of £5,000 for a single piece of gear, be it a microphone or a fancy Really sorry about this Elliot Cole from Desert Storm (guitar and drums) and Dave-O and Rob valve analogue equaliser to realise your musical dreams to the highest technical but MPEG-4 (part III) Glen, previously of groove-metallers Mother Corona (vocals and bass). quality. The end result for the consumer will often be (these days) a digital stream audio uses a compression The band originally formed to help fill the time when Desert Storm and of substandard audio usually played back on a telephone. technique known as Mother Corona weren’t touring. In 2016 the band put out a three-track EP “TwinVQ’ – transform- but due to commitments in the other bands the project was shelved. Fully To me the sound of streamed audio is the equivalent of a thumbnail picture. domain weighted interleave back in action, the quartet’s debut album is released on the 18th October There’s a glorious full bandwidth version on the originators platform somewhere vector quantisation. It is on APF Records. but the consumer gets the thumbnail… and then pays for it! There are many used for ultra-low bitrates What do they sound like? companies who have authored file formats that claim to provide high quality around 8Kbit/s. Not too great for audio. I apologise for the tech stuff here; I Seriously solid, groove-led rocking; riffs come slow, steady and audio but in reality simply provide “audio vomit”. Here then are the most popular wanted to keep things light for the layperson or those of casual interest but, fuck it, Their favourite other Oxfordshire act is: irresistible as the tide, classic 70s heaviosity meets desert rock and stoner formats available. Downloads are different in that you can obtain full resolution I went and got technical again … sorry. “Winnebago Deal!” audio that is downloaded. Casual listening is always streamed. blues, recalling Black Sabbath and Kyuss in equal measures. Or, in the If they could only keep one album in the world, it would be: Next up is the FLAC format. It stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec. Now, words of JD Pinkus from Butthole Surfers and Melvins: “The Grand Mal “Black Sabbath – ‘Paranoid’.” Last month I mentioned OGG VORBIS. Ogg Vorbis actually describes two things. lossless is immediately appealing to audiophiles. It works on a principle not too sound like a mix of Queens Of The Stone-Age and 80s Ozzy!” When is their next local gig and what can newcomers expect? Ogg is a free open container format. A container (or wrapper) is a metafile format dissimilar to a ZIP file. It encodes the audio data and then decodes it back to the What inspires them? “Friday 22nd November at The Port Mahon with Belgium’s Gnome; ex which describes how data and metadata coexist in a computer file. Vorbis is a original full bandwidth sound we know and love. It was developed in 2000 by “Good music, such as Black Sabbath; Led Zeppelin; Soundgarden; Suitable Case For Treatment / Domes Of Silence members Bad Blood free “open source” software project that produces an audio coding format and a those pre-mentioned Xiph. Org Foundation people and therefore has a family link Kyuss; Monster Magnet; The Doors; Queens of the Stone-Age. Recovery and Bristol’s Blakrabbit. Expect big catchy riffs, grooves and reference CODEC (encoder-decoder). The compression is “Lossy” which means with Ogg Vorbis. It (unlike MP3) is a free open-source algorithm. It has support Their career highlight is: infectious vocals with a rockin’ live show.” data from the original file will be lost in order to produce smaller files. It was for tagging and album art. “Signing to APF Records and playing a packed out show at Manchesters Their favourite and least favourite things about Oxford music are: started in 1993 by Chris Montgomery while at MIT. The Xiph. Org Foundation I had to pay for my MP3 software in the mid 1990s in order to offer this new Bread Shed. Supporting Nashville Pussy at London Underworld was also “Favourite: lots of good music in all different types of genres. Least maintains Vorbis and Ogg (the container). The format is known as OGG VORBIS. format to my clients when floppy disks were the removable storage option, (2Mb) cool!” favourite: too many awesome venues closing down.” This file format was developed in response to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft whoopee. And the lowlight: Institute’s cute little invention: the MP3. MP3 (MPEG-1 or (2) Audio layer You might love them if you love: “We had a terrible gig in Milton Keynes. During the first song Ryan’s III) gets its name from the Moving Picture Experts Group. Like Vorbis it data As technology develops I’m sure audio quality in the streaming world will Queens Of The Stone-Age; Black Sabbath; Torche; Smashing Pumpkins; guitar kept cutting in and out; it turned out it was the guitar and there was compresses the audio using psychoacoustic modelling techniques. MP3 uses – improve greatly in the future. It has to. The £9,000 that a Neumann U47 Desert Storm; Kyuss; Jane’s Addiction. wait for it – ‘Modified Discrete Cosine Transforms’ to economically pack the data microphone costs sounds like a £9 microphone when spewed out of Spotify! no spare so we had to stop the set. Luckily only ten people were in the Hear them here: into the tiniest size available. It manages to cram full bandwidth audio signals room. We just went to the bar and got drunk.” facebook.com/thegrandmal into approximately 9% of the original size. The science tells us that we shouldn’t Next month: the mysteries of what people call the “dark art” – Mastering. THIS MONTH IN OXFORD T H E W H E A T S H E A F Dr SHOTOVER: Strictly Scum Dancing ALL OUR YESTERDAYS MUSIC HISTORY st Friday 1 November – 7:45pm Ah, there you are, Newbie. Didn’t recognise you in your sequins and 20 YEARS AGO Clamp, who dressed in wigs and bondage gear and November 2014 in the shape of Philip Guy Davis, feathers. Pull up a Fred Astaire and get a round in. But mind the camera ran around the room hitting people with comedy who had died at the age of 78. The flamboyant th November 1999’s Nightshift featured a run-down Tuesday 5 November – 7:45pm crew, the mirror balls and the red, white and blue spotlights. Yes, they’re of the best songs by Oxford artists of the 90s. props. That’s just crass and awful.” promoter, known as Silver Phil, on account of being set up for our special East Indies Club theme night – Strictly Come So spake Borderville, making their second his mane of silver hair and copious amounts of th Listed in chronological order, those included in the Wednesday 6 November 7:45pm Smegzit. Talking of which, make mine a pint of Old Remainer, with a Euro appearance on the cover of Nightshift back in jewellery, had co-run The Famous Monday Blues glug, glug, glug best of the decade included Ride (‘Drive Blind’); umbrella in the top. Merci, monsieur [ ]. Now, over there, November 2009, talking about their debut album, alongside Tony Jezzard and James Serjeant th Madamadam (‘Chinese Q-T’); The Anyways 7:35pm across the extra-polished dancefloor, you will see the Strictly judges. Firstly, Thursday 7 November – ‘Joy Through Work’; “we’re firmly in the realms for many years, taking over from Jonathan the excitable little poppy-eyed pixie who keeps jumping up and down to (‘Some Kind of Beautiful Nothing’); Death By of concept album here,” explained singer Joe Lee, previous landlord of The Brewhouse in th make his point (as sponsored by the Daily Heil ) – that’s Michael Toad. Then Crimpers (‘Obsessive’); The Nubiles (‘ I Wanna Thursday 14 November– 7:45pm Swarbrick. “The narrative over the course of the Gloucester Green. Philip, who cut his teeth there’s the grey balding zombie in the tatty fleece and trainers… that’s Be Your Kunte Kinte’); Supergrass (‘Caught By record follows the arc of a relationship, but what working with Kenny Ball, Tommy Steel and th Dominic Scummings. He’s the one who whispers sneery comments about The Fuzz’); The Mystics (‘Dead’); Radiohead Friday 15 November – 8pm that relationship is could be any number of things.” Alexis Korner, brought a stream of international ALL the performances. Funny how it’s always dark where he’s sitting. To his (‘Fake Plastic Trees’); Heavenly (‘P.U.N.K. Girl’); Away from such highbrow talk, The Port Mahon blues acts to Oxford before ill health forced him right is the over-made-up ex-ballerina, Andrea Ledbrain. The less said about The Candyskins (‘Car Crash’); Dustball (‘Senor Nachos’); Unbelievable Truth (‘Building’), and was set to re-launch itself as a live music venue this to take a back seat mere weeks before he passed th her, the better – but don’t ask her anything too complicated, know what I Saturday 16 November – 7:45pm month after being taken over by Joe Hill, previously away. mean? Finally, on the far right, Boris ‘The Octopus’ Nonson – always happy Beaker (‘Backgarden’), with The Daisies (‘Come singer with local metallers . While In somewhat happier news Truck Festival was to stand up in his ill-fitting suit and bore on for hours if given half a chance, On’), Arthur Turner’s Lovechild? (‘Lucy Black Candy th nominated for three awards at the UK Festival Tuesday 19 November – 7:45pm usually in Latin. His catch-phrase when it’s time for the scores? ‘Ohhh, crikey. House’), Squid (‘Even When I Fall’), The Egg it initially thrived, the venue closed to music five Awards, including Best Small Festival and Best It’s an’ [makes sheepish face] (‘Get Some Money Together/Shopping’), Nought years ago, but happily returned to action under the th Toilets. Even more exciting news came in the Wednesday 20 November – 7:45pm ‘OCTO from the OCTOPUS!’ (The (‘Ignatious’), The Bigger the God (‘If Everyone I stewardship of Nell Wimpenny earlier this year. form of a one-off reunion show from local metal female dancers have learned not Ever Loved Left Me’), Skydrive (‘Ulcer’) and The Also this month Little Fish released their debut st legends Sextodecimo this month. The band, who Thursday 21 November – 7:45pm to get too near him in the dressing Samurai Seven (‘Xeroxy Music’) also making the single, ‘Darling Dear’, for Linda Perry’s Custard had been named Oxford’s greatest ever metal band rooms, by the way). Otherwise all elite cut. Records, ahead of gigs with Eagles of Death Metal nd in Nightshift’s 2010 metal special, played at The Friday 22 November – 7:45pm the judges tend to hold up signs Dustball’s musical adventure was coming to an and Juliette Lewis. Library to coincide with the release of their long- throughout the programme, with end, though, with the band announcing their split Among a host of local gigs, one that sticks out is rd lost second album. A packed venue witnessed a Saturday 23 November – 7:45pm slogans such as GET SMEGZIT and bowing out with a final show atThe Point; a bunch of newcomers called Mumford & Sons suitably uncompromising performance from the DONE and WILL OF THE SHEEPLE, singer Jamie Stuart and bassist Tarrant Anderson playing at The Bullingdon. Elsewhere, queercore th 7:45pm band which culminated in the destruction of their Tuesday 26 November – not to mention BLITZKRIEG would later emerge with a new band, Dive Dive. pioneers Gay For Johnny Depp played The drum kit. “here is a band that can condense music BACKSTOP. Frankly I am going to Talking of re-emerging, Ride’s Andy Bell was Bullingdon; We Were Promised Jetpacks, The th 7:45pm into a point of singularity,” said the review of the Wednesday 27 November – finish my pint and see what’s on recruited into Oasis this month, following a stint Magic Numbers, Ringo Death Starr and Wavves the other side. Hopefully Lady with Gay Dad. Thankfully he’s now back with Ride at The Jericho Tavern, while the mighty N-Dubz show. None more heavy. th Friday 29 November – 7:45pm Hale and John Bercow attempting and seems none the worse for those excursions. were down at the Academy. On second thoughts, On the local gig front, Kate Tempest, Gerard to defend what’s left of British sometimes it’s best to stay well away from gigs. Way, Royal Blood, La Roux and Little Dragon th Saturday 30 November – 7:45pm democracy in a remake of Who Do were all in town, while electronic legends Silver You Think You Are Kidding, Nigel 10 YEARS AGO Apples headlined Audioscope at The Jericho “We try to put on a great show, but there’s a line, 5 YEARS AGO Tavern, joined by Stephen Mallinder’s Wrangler, Hitler? Cheers! Down the hatch. Dominic Scummings: ‘Get Smegzit you know. We played with a band called Scrotum Oxford music lost a genuine character back in and Public Service Broadcasting. Wheatsheaf 129 High Street, Oxford OX1 4DF / www.facebook.com/wheatsheaf.oxford Next month: Another Eton Mess Dung, Preciousss’

called themselves Blink Faced Cobain Lufthansa Terminal. Anyone who gets that or something. Still, nowt wrong with latter reference will hopefully enjoy this wearing your influences stapled to your demo. TRACks sleeves, chest, face and backside, so long Sponsored by Track of the Month wins a free remix as you’ve got the chops to carry them off. We guess this ticks a fair few people’s CHRIS KEYS from Soundworks studio in Oxford, Chris Keys’ solitary song here is called courtesy of Umair Chaudhry. Visit boxes as to what constitutes a good time, as the trio thrash and chunder through a ‘Rest Your Head’ and by the time it’s www.umairchaudhry.co.uk/nightshift chest-beating grunge/pop-punk anthem finished Nightshift is resting its head on alongside a video of them cutting shapes the desk and sobbing gently, contemplating blossomed into a hushed, breathless Low what we might have done with the four Anthem-like reverie with ‘The More I in a suitably cramped gig space intercut TOP with some skateboarding acrobatics and and a half minutes we will never, ever Know’. 2-0 down at half time, Eloquent get back. Make a cup of weak, sugary Youth quietly change formation and net it sounds exactly like you imagine it will. TRACKS Like every other middle-of-the-bill band tea perhaps, which would at least be in a last-minute winner. It’s not over til the keeping with the song in hand. It’s a skinny guys sing, or something. at Reading Festival between the mid 90s and mid Noughties. Or possibly, dunno, strained, overly earnest acoustic ballad that EB Stiltskin? An alt.rock ready meal for mass takes an awful long time to say virtually Pronounced Ee-bee rather than Ebb we consumption. Can we go and listen to EB nothing beyond a few trite inspirational/ OUTER BLUE romantic clichés, each line stretched like a think, EB (real name Emily Beth) is an From sedate, polished sweetness with again please? slightly perished elastic band and delivered artists who lives in Oxford and California Eloquent to rather scrappier sounds in a cracked voice somewhere between a (we nearly said between Oxford and from Witney’s no less sweet Outer Blue, mumble and a croak. It’s described as “a California, though that would place her in whose slightly messy indie punk totters BE STILL mix of folk, Americana and blues with a the middle of the Atlantic and there’s not rather than rampages along, held aloft If Rat Face Lewey want some tips groovy upbeat feelgood vibe.” In reality much of a music scene there so far as we by a determination to stay upright and on taking standard American alt.rock it sounds like Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones know) and has been picked up by the good on the straight and narrow and in doing influences and bringing them to life, with a hangover and writers block. people at Beanie Tapes. This debut offering so sounding a bit like Self Help’s baby they’d do worse than drop Be Still a is a peach. A strange, slightly misshaped brother wearing a pair of shoes three line. Their ‘Fairground’ alone has more peach but indisputably sweet. From its sizes too big on ‘Hurricane Lorraine’. individuality and life about it than many TOILET alarm clock and whistling intro, through You kind of wish they’d pick up a bit of notionally grunge bands manage in a to the vocal loops and synth hums and speed but ‘Whites Of Her Eyes’ lacks its lifetime, a rambunctious mosh-starter strange, almost childlike musical trinketry, that touches on bases as unexpected as TRACKS predecessor’s scrappy belligerent charm, a .co.uk it’s a somnambulating, slightly trippy slice New Model Army and Dead Kennedys TURAN AUDIO bit of a plod despite a neat strung-out lead Professional, independent of inventive home-baked electronica over guitar line. Thankfully they beef things up while at its core staying true to its Weezer/ JAPOR audio mastering Occasionally the only response we can which EB half speaks, half raps stuff about significantly for their final push, ‘China Green Day/Nirvana roots. If the band offer to someone’s music is, WTAF? Japor “quitting my job” and “drinking la criox Rose’, whose big, hook-laden stadium fair less well on the more restrained ‘No Mastered in the studio last month; claims to be a band but seems to be one Apple approved with my boy” that could be a playful kid rock sound is only slightly tempered by Sacrifices’, with its slightly formulaic JUDDAHS, SUPERGRASS, BURZUM, mastering bloke who has obviously spent about ten sister to Kate Nash or Kate Tempest. With the feeling it’s just crash landed from quiet bits/loud bits dynamic, ‘Five Stop THE PRAIRIE CLAMS, MADONNA, thousand more hours constructing his any luck she’ll be spending more time on 1986. Bit of a mixed bag all things Drop’ is bolshy and angular while ‘Radio ALCATRAZZ, THE MARK BOSLEY BAND, website than he has creating what he’s this side of the Pond: this is exactly the considered, but if we’re going to advise Silence’ is sneerily, snottily cheery as it NAZARETH, DIMORPHODONS, JEWISH BRITAIN attempting pass off as music. Music he ON FILM, VALERYAN, THE HAWKMEN, EAN JONES, kind of quirky musical invention we can Outer Blue which bits to pick out of the bashes and thrashes through its succinct describes as “amazing” but which would ACID REIGN, SIMON CARBERY, LOVENESS always do with more of in Oxford. bag and use in future, we’d say scrappy three minutes. It’s not rocket science this be more accurately described as “not RHYTHM SECT, ROOTS NYAH MAN. punk fun every time. noisy bastard band stuff, but still some bands get it far righter than others. music”. There is experimentation and then there is arsing about without a shadow of 01865 716466 [email protected] ELOQUENT JEREMY JOHNSON a hint of a semblance of any idea of what Talking of big stadium sounds with a MEGASLOTH you’re doing. Three tracks here described YOUTH With a name like Megasloth and a as “guitar instrumental” or “guitar and Much as we’ve learned not to leave a vaguely 80s vibe, Jeremy Johnson here COURTYARD sounds a bit like he’s trying to be a one- strapline about coming back from the drum instrumental” that are nothing more, football match until the final whistle, Pleistocene era, we really thought this lot nothing less than haphazard idle noodling RECORDING STUDIO because you just never know what your man U2 at times on his song ‘Runaway 2 Tracking Rooms. Superb Control Room with: would be some ageless, granite-carved on a detuned instrument and recorded NEVE 5106 32 Channel Console. ProTools HD3 team might pull out of the bag, we’ve Train’. If the title has more than a hint of Springsteen about it, that’s not too stoner-blues band. We certainly never on the cheapest cassette deck available MTR 90 2” 24 Track Tape Machine. Vintage EMT Plate Reverb learned that a bad start to a demo doesn’t expected some wafty, slightly drama-laden on ebay. Seriously, we like odd. We like Loads of Brilliant Outboard Gear far off the mark either, though vocally Loads of Great Mics, Vintage and Modern necessarily mean all is lost. Obviously if synth-pop that sounds like it’s apparated Jeremy’s more of a crooner, with a limpid, weird. We love odd and weird. But this Old School Akai/Roland Synth Modules you’re 5-0 down in injury time you’d be in from sometime around 1982, possibly isn’t anything. It’s the sound of a confused, Upright Piano, Fender Rhodes, Amps and great vibes. excused for making a quick getaway to questing voice that adds a soft-hearted warmth to his epic ballad. If the kitchen- riding piggyback on a New Romantic slightly addled alien picking up a guitar Residential recording studio in Sutton Courtenay. avoid the post-match traffic and if you’ve showpony, but there you go: even after all and working out what the hell it might be, www.courtyardrecordingstudio.co.uk just sat through twenty minutes of cliché- sink production makes the song feel a In-house producer: Ian Davenport www.ian-davenport.co.uk tad over-egged towards the end, it can’t these years we continue to be surprised. like the invading Martian in War of the riddled sub-Arctic Monkeys bilge, that off And pleasantly so. The early 80s might Worlds puzzling over a bicycle wheel in Email: [email protected] detract too much from its innate charm. Phone: Kate on 01235 845800 switch is all too tempting, but Eloquent as well be the Pleistocene as far as Tom Cruise’s basement. The only thing Youth here are evidence that good things A quick glance at the singer’s biog sees him claiming “My earliest memories of people born in the 1990s go, but there’s preventing us from thinking this is a joke are worth waiting for. Early offerings like something a bit debonair about flouncy is that the guy’s obviously spent some ‘Ordinary Dreams’ aren’t so bad really, music are of being sung to sleep by my mum. I don’t remember the songs, I just pirate shirts, too much eyeliner and self- time making his website and all the videos but tend towards the Wet Wet Wet school consciously longing vocals. So we’re not on it. We can only imagine what else he of polished soulful pop, or, with the sparse remember feeling warm, content and loved.” And with no little skill, Jeremy going to be shoving them back whence could have spent doing with that time. arrangements and slightly yearning vocals, they came for now, though the name will Repeatedly punching himself in the face The Beautiful South: all well crafted seems to have captured that soothing warmth in his own songs. have to go. How about something more perhaps. It would at least have been a bit Rehearsal and Recording studios but slightly stuck in a Radio 2-friendly appropriate, like Future Unicorns, or more musical. rut where safety is key. But as the EP Four state of the art rehearsal rooms progresses, you hear snatches of hope and and a professional recording studio. RAT FACE LEWEY a desire to stretch barriers a little appears Rat Face Lewey love Nirvana and – marching snares, whistling, handclaps, Send tracks for review to: Nightshift, PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU, or email links to For bookings call Jamie on 07917685935 Blink 182. We know this because... well [email protected], clearly marked Demos. IMPORTANT: no review without a close harmony singing, a folkier edge because it’s completely fucking obvious. Glasshouse studios, Cumnor, Oxford • glasshousestudios.org creeping and by the end they’ve fully contact phone number. If you can’t handle criticism, please don’t send us your demo. Same goes To the point they might as well have for your stupid, over-sensitive mates. facebook.com/o2academyoxford twitter.com/o2academyoxford instagram.com/o2academyoxford youtube.com/o2academytv

Fri 18th Oct • 6.30pm Mon 4th Nov • SOLD OUT Mon 18th Nov Thur 5th Dec Amber Run Feeder Scouting for Girls The High Contrast Band + Stereo Honey + Nova Club + The Dunwells Fri 6th Dec • 6.30pm Fri 18th Oct • 11pm Tue 5th Nov Tue 19th Nov Pearl Jam UK The Abba Party | Live Reel Big Fish Primal Scream + Eddie Vedder Solo Tribute + [spunge] + Lightyear Tribute Thur 21st Nov Fri 6th Dec • 6.30pm Fri 18th Oct • 6.30pm Tue 5th Nov A Gentleman’s Dub Club Hang Massive + ‘68 + False Heads Ferocious Dog Sat 7th Dec • 6.30pm + Jess Silk + Paul Henshaw Thur 7th Nov Fri 22nd Nov • 6.30pm Absolute Bowie Sat 19th Oct • 12pm Deaf Havana Half Man Half Biscuit - Legacy Tour Ritual Union + Anavae + Howard Kaye Fri 22nd Nov • 11pm Wed 11th Dec • 6.30pm ft She Drew The Gun, Psychedelic Porn Thur 7th Nov The Craig Charles The Quireboys Crumpets, Bo Ningen, Another Sky, Do Little Comets Funk & Soul Club Nothing, Febueder, Candy Says, Max Fri 13th Dec • 6.30pm Blansjaar, Julia Meijer, Knobblehead, + Stay Lunar + Kiama + Brasc0 + Tony Nanton + Count Skylarkin Lee Riley Fri 8th Nov • 9pm Razorlight Tue 22nd Oct The Roaring 2.0s Sat 23rd Nov • 6.30pm Sat 14th Dec • 6.30pm Barns Courtney + The Electro Swing Circus Bingo Lingo Little Simz + Dutty Moonshine Dj Set Sat 23rd Nov • 6.30pm Tue 22nd Oct + The Jack Calloway dance band Sat 14th Dec Biffy McClyro (Tribute) Rhymeskeemz Live - Striking Matches Sat 9th Nov • 6.30pm • SOLD OUT + Tenille Townes + Dolly Mavies Sat 23rd Nov • 11pm The Christmas Party Snarky Puppy Wed 23rd Oct • 6.30pm + Charlie Hunter + Lucy Woodward Switch presents: Sun 15th Dec Jungle Cakes The Fallen State Sat 9th Nov • 6.30pm A Gospel Christmas + The Cruel Knives + Broken Empire Tue 26th Nov • SOLD OUT With John Fisher & + New Depth Dr Syntax Fontaines D.C. IDMC Gospel Choir Thur 24th Oct & Pete Cannon Wed 27th Nov • 6pm Sat 21st Dec • 6.30pm Headie One Sat 9th Nov • 11pm Switch presents: Sammy Ally Pally Little Brother Eli - Fri 25th Oct • 6.30pm Oxford Uni Darts Christmas Party Jake Clemons Virji - Like A Virjin Tour Wed 27th Nov • 6.30pm Tue 11th Feb 2020 + Ben McKelvey + Danny Mellin Mon 11th Nov Electric Six Sat 26th Oct • 4pm Elder Island Miz Cracker’s Oxtoberfest Thur 28th Nov American Woman Tue 12th Nov Happy Mondays Sat 26th Oct • 6.30pm Yonaka Fri 28th Feb 2020 • 6.30pm - Greatest Hits Tour Vex Red Guns 2 Roses Wed 13th Nov • 6.30pm + Jon Dasilva + MOTLEY CRUED Thur 5th Mar 2020 Mystery Skulls Thur 28th Nov Sat 26th Oct • 11pm The Aristocrats Switch presents: Thur 14th Nov Rhys Lewis The Smyths... Wed 11th Mar 2020 • 6.30pm Dimension Fri 29th Nov • 6pm The Calling A celebration of the debut L.P Ally Pally Oxford Mon 28th Oct Fri 15th Nov • 6.30pm Brookes Uni Darts Fri 13th Mar 2020 • 6.30pm Inglorious The Treatment The SUPERSONIC 70s Fri 29th Nov • 6.30pm + Mercutio + Airrace + Lake Acacia SHOW Tue 29th Oct Mad Dog Mcrea Fri 15th Nov • 11pm + Flats & Sharps Thur 19th Mar 2020 Friendly Fires Silent Disco Oxford - Sat 30th Nov • 6.30pm Lee Scratch Perry Thur 31th Oct • 10pm Bigger & Bolder! Fri 20th Mar 2020 • 6.30pm Halloween Special ft Definitely Mightbe Fri 15th Nov • 11pm (Oasis tribute) The Cat Empire Skepsis Black Parade Sat 30th Nov • 6.30pm Wed 25th Mar 2020 • 6.30pm Fri 1st Nov • 11pm – 00’s Emo Anthems Airbourne Plain White T’s NOCHE DE TRAVESURAS + Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown Sat 16th Nov • 6.30pm + Harry Marshall - DIA DE LOS MUERTOS Dub Pistols Satu 30th Nov • 11pm Fri 17th Apr 2020 • 6.30pm Sat 2nd Nov • 6.30pm + ZAIA + Zen Lewis Switch presents: Goldie Lookin Chain The Dualers Sat 16th Nov • 6.30pm Kanine / Darkzy / Sat 18th Apr 2020 • 6.30pm + Kioko + Count Skylarkin Window Kid / Indika / + Tony Nanton Professor Green Fell Out Boy Lazcru Sun 3rd Nov Sat 16th Nov • 11pm & The Black Charade + We Aren’t Paramore Bear’s Den Switch presents: Sun 1st Dec Hybrid Minds The Chats Sat 25th Apr 2020 • 11pm Sun 3rd Nov King Shine Vs Empire Everyone You Know Sun 17th Nov Thur 5th Dec + Shortwave + T.J Flint & The Black Water County Carols at Fri 11th Sep 2020 • 6.30pm Backbone + The Lagan O2 Academy Oxford The Dualers

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