[email protected] nightshift.oxfordmusic.net Free every month NIGHTSHIFT Issue 211 February Oxford’s Music Magazine 2013 “There’s always room for a spoon solo!” STORNOWAY telling tales

Also in this month’s issue: Introducing DALLAS DON’T Foals’ `Holy Fire’ reviewed plus All your local music news, reviews, previews and five pages of Oxford gigs. photo: Pal Hansen

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: nightshift.oxfordmusic.net

Bands or solo acts wanting to play at The Punt can submit demos, either by emailing links to online music (no sound files, please) to [email protected], or sending CDs to Nightshift, PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU. In both cases, please clearly mark STORNOWAY play an acoustic set your demo PUNT and include both as part of a Childish Things music phone and email contact details and special at The New Theatre this a brief biog of the band. Only acts month. The local folk-pop heroes, from Oxfordshire may apply, you whose two headline shows at can’t apply if you played The Punt Oxford Town Hall this month have last year and, due to the licensing already sold out, join KT Tunstall, conditions of all the venues, only Newton Faulkner and Bug bands aged over 18 will be eligible. Prentice on Monday 4th February. Deadline for demos is the 10th Childish Things, now in its ninth March, with the line-up announced year, is an annual fundraising on the 15th. concert for Helen & Douglas House As ever, a limited number of all- Hospice, the world’s first children’s venue Punt passes will be on sale hospice. Hosted by comedian Rob from early February. GUNNING FOR TAMAR play their biggest hometown show to date Brydon, this is the first dedicated when they headline the O2 Academy on Saturday 16th March. Childish Things music concert and TRUCK FESTIVAL TICKETS The local math-rock faves are launching their new `Camera Lucida’ is followed on the Tuesday and go on sale from 7pm on Monday 4th EP, which is released on Alcopop! that week. The EP is also released in Wednesday by the traditional music February. This year’s Truck takes France, The Netherlands and Belgium on Hip!Hip!Hip! Records and in and comedy nights. Tickets, priced place on Friday 19th and Saturday Spain on Desert Pearl Union. £25, are available from the New 20th July at Hill Farm in Steventon. The Academy show is the first date on an extensive UK tour throughout Theatre box office or online at www. Last year’s event was the first March and April, followed by a month-long tour around Europe, finishing atgtickets.com. Tickets are also under the new management of Y in Germany on 11th May. on sale from all Helen & Douglas Not Festival and sold out, earning a Support for the Oxford show comes from Wot Gorilla?, Salvation House shops in Witney, Thame, number of nominations at the annual Bill and Phil McMinn. Tickets, priced £6, are on sale now via Abingdon, Chipping Norton and UK Festival Awards. Visit www. Ticketweb, or from the Academy box office. Visit www.facebook.com/ Wallingford. Visit www.facebook. truckfestival.com for more news. gunningfortamar for more news and gig info. com/childishthingsshow TRUCK STORE celebrates its THE OXFORD PUNT is open for second birthday this month with a Salvation Bill, New Carnival and local shops like Truck. As well as acts to apply to play. As reported in full day of live music instore. The Jordan O’Shea are the acts already a wide selection of CDs and vinyl, last month’s Nightshift, the annual Cowley Road shop is Oxford’s lined up. they also sell a comprehensive range showcase of unsigned Oxford only independent record store and, Other Truck instores planned for of local bands’ music and provide an talent takes place on Wednesday depending on the future of HMV, February are Artclasssink and The important service for local acts and 8th May, featuring 16 acts at The may soon be the only dedicated Method on Thursday 14th, and Very promoters. Use them or lose them. Purple Turtle, The Cellar, The music retailer in the city. Nice Harry and The Drakes on Visit www.truckmusicstore.co.uk Wheatsheaf, The Duke’s Cut and The birthday celebrations take place Friday 15th. for all sorts of news and stuff. the newly-opened White Rabbit in on Sunday 10th February, starting We know we bang on about this Friar’s Entry, off Gloucester Green. at 1pm. Trophy Wife, Rhosyn, kind of thing, but it’s vital to support BBC OXFORD INTRODUCING has moved to a new time slot. The dedicated local music show is now OMD head a host of big names coming to The broadcast on Saturdays at 8pm, New Theatre later this year. The synth-pop putting it in line with all other BBC legends return to Oxford on Monday 6th May, Introducing regional shows. Dave their first show in town since 2007, to promote Gilyeat presents the hour-long new album `English Electric’. Tickets, priced show on 95.2fm, playing the best £33.50, are on sale from www.atgtickets.com. new Oxford releases and demos, Other shows of note at the venue include Simple as well as featuring interviews and Minds on Thursday 3nd May, as part of their sessions with local acts. The show is Greatest Hits tour, and an evening with Bryan available to listen to online all week Ferry on Sunday 3rd November. at bbc.co.uk/oxford as well as to Also coming to the New Theatre in 2012 is download as a podcast. a feast of big-name folk acts in the form of Regularly updated local music Bellowhead (Wed 13th February); Formerly of news is available online at www. the Dubliners (Wed 20th March) and Steeleye musicinoxford.co.uk. The site also Span (Fri 29th March). Tickets for all shows, as features interactive reviews, a gig well as further gig news, at www.atgtickets.com. guide, photo gallery and more. COMING SOON TO THE NEW THEATRE

CHILDISH THINGS 9 NEWSgardens, the Newman Rooms and MUSIC NIGHT Gloucester Green. STARRING Last year’s Folk Weekend has been NEWTON FAULKNER shortlisted for an Epic Award, which STORNOWAY, celebrates amateur music and arts KT TUNSTALL events across the UK. & MORE Tickets for the festival are on sale LAST FEW now. Adult weekend tickets are £48 HOSTED BY SEATS ROB BRYDON (£42 concessions; £30 for under-18s REMAINING ALICE COOPER is the surprise and £20 for under-12s). Visit MILTON JONES JIMMY CARR headline act for the opening night www.folkweekendoxford.co.uk. FRI 1 FEB SAT 2 FEB MON 4 FEB of Fairport Convention’s annual Cropredy Festival this year. The THE CELLAR launches two new veteran rocker tops the bill on live music club nights this month. Thursday 8th August and is joined by CHILDISH Continuing to excel at hosting an rd Edward II and Fairport Acoustic, DAUGHTER play Oxford Town Hall on Tuesday 23 April. The Lon- THINGS 9 eclectic range of music, the venue don band, centred around singer and guitarist Elena Tonra, signed to 4AD among others. hosts The Hoodoo Club on Saturday COMEDY 10cc top the Friday night bill, last year and release their debut album, `If You Leave’, in March. The trio 2nd February, featuring alt.country alongside The Levellers and have enjoyed widespread critical acclaim for their fragile, brooding pop, NIGHT and Americana. The inaugural night Kathryn Roberts and Seth Lakeman, releasing their last EP, `The Wild Youth’, on Mumford & Sons’ Commun- STARRING features raucous Cajun, zydeco and while Fairport themselves play their ion label, and selling out their January UK tour. Tickets for the Town Hall JOSH WIDDICOMBE, bluegrass outfit Police Dog Hogan, traditional Saturday night headline show are on sale now, priced £13, from www.alt-tickets.co.uk. HAL CRUTTENDEN as well as local Americana crew set. Saturday’s bill also features Nik & MORE Swindlestock. On Sunday 17th, Reckless Sleepers, Traps, Chris Johnson at the Holywell Music Kershaw and Peatbog Faeries. Line-up varies each night, Brainlove Records kick off a new Grant, Firegazers and more to be Room on Thursday 28th February; Tickets for this year’s Cropredy please check when booking Label Profile Sessions night, each added. The entire weekend is free, Susanna Borsch and Daniel Teruggi Festival, which runs from Thursday PAM ANN month featuring bands and DJs from but donations are welcome and at Modern on Art on Friday 1st 8th-Saturday 10th August, go on sale TUE 5 - WED 6 FEB FRI 8 - SAT 9 FEB SUN 10 FEB small indie labels from around the there’s a raffle to help raise funds. March and Phill Niblock, Thomas from 1st February at country. Iceland’s Oyama play Visit www.wittstock.co.uk for more Ankesmit, Ornis and Valerio Trio www.fairportconvention.com. live, while label honcho Mat details. at Modern Art on Saturday 2nd Riviere is on the decks. Visit www. March. Exhibitions by Rolf Julius OXFORD FOLK WEEKEND cellaroxford.co.uk for details of all THE ORIGINAL RABBIT FOOT and Helmut Lemke run from 25th is set to return later this year. The the venue’s gig and club nights. SPASM BAND launch their own February through to early March at festival takes place over weekend brand of cider at a special show at Modern Art and Brookes University. of 19th-21st April. As with last ONE WEEKEND CLOSER The Big Bang in the Oxford castle Visit www.audiograft.com. year’s inaugural event, which took TO WITTSTOCK runs over the complex on Saturday 9th February. DAN AYKROYD & JUDITH BELUSHI PRESENT up the baton when the Oxford weekend of Friday 15th Sunday- The party-hearty hot jazz crew PASSION PLAY release a farewell Folk Festival was cancelled, most 17th February at The Hollybush apparently enjoy the odd tipple album this month. The band, which concerts take place at the Old Fire in Osney. The three-day mini on occasion. Samples of the new has essentially been singer and Station on George Street. Headline festival is set to raise funds for brew were handed out to punters at guitarist Justin Stephens since he CANNON, CAMPBELL, WATCHORN acts confirmed so far include BBC the main Wittstock Festival at the the band’s Christmas party at the left Oxford for Berlin a few years & O’CONNOR FORMERLY OF Folk Awards winner Jackie Oates; Railway Inn in Culham over the first O2 Academy in December, with back, releases `The Final Act’ BELLOWHEAD THE DUBLINERS Folk Awards Young Band finalists weekend in May. one Nightshift booze guinea pig before calling it a day. The 13-song WED 13 FEB MON 11 - WED 13 MAR WED 20 MAR Tyde; Turkish-Cypriot singer Dogan The February fundraiser kicks off admiring its subtle fusion of “sour album features re-recorded versions Mehmet and The Melrose Quartet. on the Friday evening with sets apples and lighter fluid”. of songs from 1998 EP `Name Local acts include Magpie Lane; Ian from Komrad, Demask Thyself and No Names’ and 1999’s `Stress Giles & David Townsend; Boldwood; Mammoth & The Drum. Saturday’s AUDIOGRAFT returns to Oxford Fractures’ album, plus five brand Jon Fletcher; Jenkinson’s Folly; proceedings run from 2pm through from the end of February. The third new songs. Passion Play were cult James Bell and harpist Steph West. to midnight, featuring sets from annual festival of experimental favourites on the UK and European As well as concerts there will be Reservoir Cats, Von Braun, music and sonic art features goth scene in the late-90s and ceilidhs, family singing sessions, The Hawkhurst, Agness Pike, concerts and exhibitions at various early-noughties. Get the CD from Morris dancing and a traditional Junkie Brush, Gurp, Welcome To venues around Oxford. Among passionplay.co.uk. English village fete, taking in venues Peepworld, The Right Hooks, The the highlights are shows by John as diverse as the Ashmolean, the Method and Ideal Koala, with the Tilbury, Tim Parkinson, The Set SEBASTIAN REYNOLDS Westgate library, the Oxford Castle Sunday featuring The Goggenheim, Ensemble and Austin Sherlaw launches a new monthly remix project in aid of local charities FORK this month. Seb, best known as a MAJOR LAZER play the O2 BOOTLEG BEATLES FINNISH ACAPELLA SENSATIONS nd member of myriad local bands, Academy on Thursday 2 May THU 21 MAR SAT 23 MAR WED 27 MAR as part of a world tour to promote including The Epstein and Flights new album `Free The Universe’, of Helios, as well as promoter of out this month. The dancehall, the regular Pindrop Performance ATG THEATRE CARD MEMBERS: PRIORITY TICKETS, GREAT SAVINGS. shows around Oxford, is selling the reggae, hip hop and moombahton MORE INFORMATION - ATGTICKETS.COM/THEATRECARD mash-up project of Diplo have also remixes through Bandcamp. The first (SELECTED PERFORMANCES, TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY) been working with Snoop Dogg and offering is a remix of Meursault’s * No Doubt, having previously been `Dearly Distracted’, in aid of Helen 0844 871 3020 remixed by Thom Yorke. & Douglas House Hospice, with * Tickets, priced £18, are on sale remixes of fellow local acts promised now from the Academy box office or in the future. Get them at www. atgtickets.com/oxford www.ticketweb.co.uk. sebastianreynolds.bandcamp.com facebook.com/oxfordnewtheatre | twitter.com/oxfordtheatres *SUBJECT TO BOOKING/TRANSACTION FEE

Nightshift_A4_BW.indd 1 14/01/2013 09:45 a quiet word with `Tales From Terra Firma’, given the virtuosity in the band, romantic and widescreen; was it to whom they have previously been like its predecessor, is out on you could pick and choose to play written from personal experience of compared, releasing new albums the legendary 4AD label, host to anything or everything and fit it into the place? around now, that Stornoway might countless cult and pioneering acts the songs? Brian: “Yes, I did two trips out either get lumped in with them or over the decades. In an age where Brian: “Very much the former! The there, long-distance hiking the compared unfavourably, by critics record labels are quicker than ever arrangements and instrumentation Appalachian trail through Vermont who aren’t so well versed in the STORNOWAY to ditch bands that don’t produce we use are shaped by the mood and and New Hampshire, and the lyrics band’s history? out in full force at the museum, it immediate financial returns, 4AD is a feel of the original demos. Some are inspired by the feeling you can Jonathan: “No, it’s not a concern being a Sunday, and we discovered beacon of how labels should be run, arrangements are a bit more trial and get from being alone in a beautiful really. We’re always aware that a lot this whole new intriguing fanbase. staying loyal to their roster. We guess error than others, but we’d never bit of wilderness, with all the of people further afield might never photo:Pip They listen very attentively, and both band and label are still happy include an instrument unless we mountain air and physical exercise. have heard our music if it weren’t they buy t-shirts at the drop of a with one another. How do Stornoway thought it really fitted in with our The words also cover the kind of for comparisons with a certain Stornoway-branded hackisack. think they are different to other vision for the song. Unless it’s a reminiscing you can do when your massive band over the last three Sunday brunch gigs in the Pitt Rivers labels, from a band’s perspective, spoon solo – there’s always room for life revolves around the simple years or so, and in that sense we’re should become a regular feature in particularly as far as pressure to play a spoon solo.” needs of food, water, warmth and very grateful. But there’s a bit of a Oxford.” the industry game goes? Previously Brian was very much the shelter. The music was co-written balancing act, I suppose: like pretty Brian: “Our recent acoustic gig in Brian: “They are pretty perfect main songwriter; have such duties with Jon, and recorded in a church much anyone who writes and records a ‘boat’ perched on top of the QEII from our perspective. They were been shared out a bit more this time? on Cornmarket Street. It features their own music, of course we’d Concert Hall above the Thames incredibly hands-off during the Brian: “Um, not really. As with the my brother Adam on Appalachian love it if our album was listened to next to the London Eye was quite writing and recording of the album, first album Jon co-wrote a couple of dulcimer and Appalachian crisp on its own terms and not ‘lumped a treat too, especially as it was also which is exactly what we wanted. songs; the main difference is that the packets.” in’ (a lovely phrase!) with anyone our accommodation for the night, We can’t really say what it would else’s... but journalistic comparisons an incredible place to wake up! be like with another label. In terms with other bands are par for the Playing in the Sheldonian is still of our creative freedom it must help “We didn’t expect the explosion of latex course. Anyway, we live in hope probably an all time highlight for that 4AD are not all about the sales that it might be possible to listen to me, though.” figures. On the flip side, perhaps and spittle that showered the audience for our respective new albums and hear a more commercially driven label pretty distinct musical approaches!” In the middle of the would inject more money into the duration of the trumpet solo. It’ll be Brian: “I love Villagers! I’d be tour, of course, comes the new promoting us, but then you hear the something to live up to in February.” very happy to be compared to them. album release. How different was horror stories as to how the ‘majors’ Who are Mumford and Sons?” (cue the writing and recording of `Tales can behave. I’m reading Little Fish’s derisory snorting). From Terra Firma’ compared to book at the moment and feeling song arrangement and recording has `Tales…’ closes with `Beachcomber’s Windowsill’? The pretty lucky we didn’t have their been much more of a team effort, `November Song’, which noticeably So what does 2013 hold first album was made up of myriad record company experiences!” so our individual influences can be carries some wonderfully cosy, for Stornoway now? Is it constant recording sessions from across a Being signed to 4AD, Nightshift heard much more within the songs. rustic lyrical imagery. Does it reflect touring and another summer of period of time. Was the new album jokingly wonders whether One of Oli’s bass parts features a a happiness with Brian’s lot in life? festivals? “Balloon modelling. With `Tales From Terra Firma’ set to `Zorbing’. They ascended towards written and recorded in a more Stornoway get to hang out with South African bird call!” Brian: “Yes I am now a smug and Ollie: “Touring is the life; the longer And I got a new phone.” be released in March, Stornoway this the stage lighting array in the roof. cohesive fashion? legendarily enigmatic labelmate The album starts off on such a high, contented slipper-wearing bearded the drive, the better. Seventeen hours month head off on an extensive UK We knew it’d be their last outing Brian: “The new album was Scott Walker. there’s a real feeling of euphoria bard with no major health problems. is a useful stretch, to catch up on Brian Briggs is, with tour to signal their return, starting of the summer, but didn’t expect written in a much more condensed Jonathan: “No sadly not, but I’m about `You Take Me As I Am’; do I reside next to a roaring fire in a the months of films and music you characteristically understated in Hebden Bridge and ending up at the explosion of latex and spittle period; most of it was written not convinced he’d really want to, so you think that will take people by cottage in a wood near Netherton- missed out on, being holed up in a humour, explaining to Nightshift The Forum in London – a sign of that showered the audience for the within the space of a few months, it’s probably for the best! Aside from surprise? under-Wootton-cum-Studley and rest studio. I like to use the van times to what he and the rest of Stornoway the staus they’ve achieved. The tour duration of the trumpet solo. It’ll be as compared with about five years the 4AD connection, our new album Brian: “I’d say `Zorbing’ was also my feet on a dachshund while my tinker with laptop electronica. I’ve have been up to since we last includes a two-night stint at Oxford something to live up to in February.” for the first. Having said that, I does have a tenuous link with Scott an uplifting album opener, although Thai wife massages my thighs with recently produced remixes for We interviewed them. Town Hall, both nights of which, at Brian “We are scheming plans to had been gathering lyrical ideas Walker, though. A musician called I think `You Take Me As I Am’ reduced fat margarine.” Aeronauts, Family Machine, Rich That was two and a half years ago, time of going to print, look likely to let rip on the big ol’ church organ in for the songs from long before Alasdair Malloy played the glass showcases a new, bigger sound Jonathan: “Really? I never knew. Walters, and Flights Of Helios... in the summer of 2010. It’s almost have sold out. Oxford clearly hasn’t there! I for one will be nervous about ‘Beachcomber’s Windowsill’ came harmonica (a bowl organ) on one of which may surprise people. We Must pay you a visit sometime.” It’s a great way of carrying your a year and half since the band last forgotten its heroes. Neither have showcasing the new album to our out, but without finding the time to the new songs, and the day after our certainly hope the album will sound Talking of home life, Brian, became favourite hometown tunes with you played a gig in Oxford. Nothing else they forgotten the city that helped long-standing supporters and friends; write them. So when we stopped session with him, I was watching like a development from the first a dad for the second time recently; when in distant lands.” to report? shape them and provided such we really want them to like it!” touring `Beachcomber’s…’ and a Scott Walker documentary called one, and hold plenty of surprises in how has that affected both his And, with the band’s well- “We have been trying!” offers enthusiastic support in the years they You’ve played pretty much every time finally opened up, I found 30th Century Man, and lo and behold store for people.” writing and plans for stuff like world documented academic backgrounds, Jonathan Ouin with the faint air of were crafting their distinctive sound. exotic Oxford venue there is now, that the songwriting really flowed, Alasdair appeared on screen – not By contrast `The Bigger Picture’ tours. Is it going to be all sentimental do they ever foresee a time in the desperation of a man who’s awoken and a few less than exotic ones. and I think it was the same for Jon. playing glass harmonica this time, and `The Great Procrastinator’ are lullabies and home to bed after each future when they might return to from a heavy night out and is trying The quartet (Brian and Wherever will you play next time? There was never a sense of it being but punching a piece of meat as more in the reflective Celtic Dorian show, or an ocean of sleep-deprived such cerebral pursuits. to recall where he left his trousers. Jonathan are augmented by brothers Brian: “Maybe we could do a U2 the ‘difficult second album’! Most percussion in the studio. The footage mode we’ve come to expect from rage coming out and jumping at Brian: “I’ll tell you about six Ollie and Rob Steadman) have style top-of-building type gig from of the songs were written in my was from when Walker was making Stornoway; are you still romantic the chance to tour Australia for two months after the album comes out!” What Stornoway have always been keen for local fans to the roof of the toilets on St Giles? Or campervan, tucked away behind my ‘The Drift’ album a few years ago, dreamers? months? Ollie: “I recently took a look at all been up to since they headlined a hear new songs first and have always maybe when the second album goes house in Temple Cowley. with Scott giving very incisive meat- Ollie: “Some of us are fans of the Brian: “I’m too tired to answer this my old chemistry papers stored on sold-out show in aid of the Sumatran strived to make Oxford shows a little multi-platinum we will have to play “The recording was also completed punching directions from the studio folk-tome Electric Eden by Rob one; can someone else do it and Google Drive from back in the day... Orangutan Appeal at the Regal back bit special, whether it’s playing at live on Skype from our respective in a far more condensed period, desk. My favourite album of his later Young. It covers the development make me a cup of Berocca. And also In a way it’s comforting to have the in September 2011, is touring the grand and unusual venues like The Californian mansions, and get our although the process was much like stuff is ‘Climate of Hunter’, and of modal folk and progressions in the next album while you’re at it, memories, but I almost fainted at globe and writing and recording Sheldonian, or intimate boltholes manager to put up a screen in the the previous album, in so far as we I’ve not given the new one a proper pastoral pop up to the end of the please?” the prospect of ever recalling what I their new album, `Tales From like the A1 Pool Hall off Cowley Purple Turtle.” did it all ourselves in Oxford. We listen yet, but I’m sure it will be... 70s... if there’s a romantic feel in meant by `Mechanistic Cleavage in Terra Firma’, the follow-up to their Road. The band remains, too, as recorded at home, mainly in Rob unnerving!” our music linking back to those While Stornoway are the Intradiol and Extradiol Catechol sublime debut, `Beachcomber’s modest and unassuming as they Even away from Oxford, and Oli’s garage, but also made legendary players of the 20th century long-time local heroes, beloved Dioxygenases’. Please tell me there’s Window’, an album of which ever were, armed with a quiet sense Stornoway have found themselves a few trips to St. Michael at the One of the striking it’s a huge honour! Our first tour of both local reviewers and session work out there!” Nightshift declared, “If critical and of mischief as they contemplate playing unusual venues. Last year North Gate church on Cornmarket facets of `Tales…’ is the sheer around the Highlands, Islands and broadcasters (BBC Oxford’s Tim commercial success evades them, interview questions. they played in the dinosaur hall Street, the East Oxford Community array of instrumentation on the new Ireland, exploring the ruined hilltop Bearder famously got himself into a Stornoway play Oxford Town Hall then we give up, because if music It’s been a long while since a at the historic Peabody Museum Centre, and the barn on Hill Farm album – from mandolins to autoharp towers and sitting in on a fiddle lot of trouble by playing the band’s on the 14th and 15th February. The this good is to be wasted on the hometown show; got anything at Yale. How was that as an in Steventon. We could have gone and harpsichord. There has always session in Stornoway, certainly left songs for a full hour while guest band also play an acoustic set at world, then the world isn’t worth special lined up? experience? to a studio but we’ve never really been a slightly dizzying virtuosity us some dramatic landscapes to presenting the breakfast show once) the New Theatre on Monday 4th bothering about.” Thankfully the Ollie: “Last time, at the Regal, Ollie: “The audience was very enjoyed working under that kind about Stornoway’s musicianship ad dream about, when back in sleepy as well as gig goers, we’re all too as part of Childish Thing’s music world did sit up and listen and which was the last show before it different to usual, you see. There’s of time pressure; we prefer to work willingness to try something new. Oxford town.” aware of the band’s history. But night. `Tales From Terra Firma’ is `Beachcomber’s Windowsill’ entered was churched, was the final night of an untapped music fan demographic out the arrangements in our own Was it case of writing songs and then And then there’s `Farewell beyond Oxford and their wider core released in March. the album charts at number 14, and a tour and we released some massive either side of the typical gig going time and try out lots of different thinking such and such an instrument Appalachia’, which already feels audience is there any worry that with Visit www.stornoway.eu for news was later certified silver. white balloons during final track adult: toddlers and grans. Both were instruments as we record!” would fit in, or was there a feeling, like a stand-out moment; wistful, Mumford and Sons and Villagers, and tour dates. Sponsored by had: the lyric-free build-up of ‘In The Branches This Town Needs Guns Of Yggdrasil’; the sparse IDM soundscape `13.0.0.0.0’ of ‘Nice Riff, Clichard’, or the album’s highlight of a two-minute meditation around a (Sargent House) deconstructed riff during ‘I’ll Take The Minute Avoiding the questionable and awkward decision Snake’. Such experimentation outside the RELEASED to shackle `13.0.0.0.0’ with meaning related to the familiarity suggested by much of the album skywards; it’s perhaps superior even to `Inhaler’ Mayan calendar system - the album is conceptual FOALS is a good sign; and listening to the rest of the and would make a great next single. `Bad Habit’ in as much as This Town Needs Guns’ debut album, it’s still possible to distil the complex too rises from uneasy beginnings, fidgety and, `Animals’ was: ie. artwork and some song names `Holy Fire’ guitar work into a second layer of melody (Transgressive) like the best of Foals, deceptively epic as it - this is a confident and solid collection of twelve steadily but unstoppably builds. tracks that represent just enough of a progression, which confirms that, at their core, This Town Yannis Philippakis promised us dirty funk and By contrast `Late Night’ is more reflective, a Needs Guns have ability in excess to create stinky grooves and `Inhaler’ duly delivered, and acceptance of change, since its full-length twinkling uncharacteristic lament, rousing itself predecessor four years ago. fantastic, catchy tunes. a thunderous shot of musical adrenaline that There’s a sense of tension exposed in several sounded like Foals getting down deep and dirty midway through before sinking into an easy funk The now-departed Stuart Smith’s rounded and jam. soulful tones are now replaced with the somewhat ways here: the odd semi-conceptual album with Bootsy Collins and Queens Of The Stone conceit that doesn’t seem to carry its concept Age, the song infused with a heady blend of The album’s final two tracks are similarly more pained and strained vocals of Henry through; the struggle between comfortable rage and claustrophobia, Yannis barely able to wistful. `Stepson’ is starry-eyed and mellow, Tremain; the rhythmically and structurally-obtuse, to insistent, repeated basslines and rolling, reliability and edgy exploration; the songs control his voice as he bellowed “I can’t get not unlike `Spanish Sahara’, while listlessly throw-in-a-few-more-notes approach of a flavour collapsing drum patterns. Across `13.0.0.0.0’ themselves, which sound rather more hurt and enough space”. So expectations are sky high for spacious closer `Moon’ is the least typically of post-rock that the band themselves helped to is an impressive display of musicianship and `Holy Fire’, Foals’ third album and the highly- Foals-like song here and all the more startling define has been extended and simultaneously virtuosity; the band successfully makes the tricky bare than on previous releases. Pleasingly, anticipated follow-up to the fantastic `Total Life for it. It’s a genuinely lovely but unexpectedly made fiercer and more slick. sound effortless, but there’s a slight danger that it’s this tension that helps to edge `13.0.0.0.0’ Forever’. downbeat ending to an album most people will Still, the core of a now-familiar This Town the band’s sound is too much of a safety blanket, beyond ‘good’ and into ‘great’; growing and Things start promisingly. `Prelude’ builds the have expected to punch harder and heavier, Needs Guns sound remains: clean, frantically- preventing them from truly exploring new moving on isn’t always easy, but it can be atmosphere and teases with its ambient swirl Woods’ could be Beggar & Co. while the closing line, “This is the end” is bound fingerpicked guitar complexity wends its musical avenues (presuming, of course, that such rewarding, and the album confirms this more and swarm of electronics before it turns militant Overall there’s too much mid-paced stuff here, to provoke all manner of debate as to the band’s way through meticulously-constructed songs, exploration is of interest). and more with every listen. and angrily industrial just as you’re getting and a couple of tracks at least, notably, `Milk future. But then, hasn’t it always been Foals’ harmonising and providing counterpoint That said, there are glimmers of newness to be Simon Minter comfortable. `Inhaler’ slams home the point. & Black Spiders’, that sound like they’ve been way to point to one path before merrily taking constructed from bits and pieces from the bucket the other. Foals aren’t just here to party; they’ve come to embellish the track. Despite a more commercial whole album is meticulously put together, the wreck the joint. marked “Bits Of Old Foals Songs”. For a band Print deadlines coupled with the late availability sound than fans might expect, the track exudes arrangements and production as professional Which makes what happens next all the more who’ve always kept their fans on their toes and of the album for review (understandable due to a homegrown feel; you can imagine it being as many a major label release, and before long puzzling and, if we’re honest, disappointing. never been afraid to take a deceptive side-step or worries over leaks and piracy) mean we only written and fiercely rehearsed in Juju’s garage. you can’t help but get lost in the strange, dream- `My Number’, which felt fresh and lively when great leap forward, it feels too comfortable. get a couple of full listens through, and perhaps However, with the electronic synths and like world it creates. Hopeless as background they played it on Later… With Jools Holland, That’s not to say it’s a poor album by any with time and effort greater depths will show foot-stomping bassline, ‘Melt Into The Sun’ music, it demands your full attention in brave and the track Yannis promised was unashamedly means. Half of `Holy Fire’ still mercilessly themselves in those tracks that initially fail to is less Patti Smith and more Marina and the opposition to a world where music is too often Curtis Mayfield just sounds like a mid-80s stomps all over pretenders to the indie disco impress. On balance though, `Holy Fire’ is a Diamonds. the soundtrack for running, travelling or some electro-soul song, something nabbed from Nik throne, like Friendly Fires or Peace. `Providence’ serviceable Foals album, still a step ahead of the Sure, Candy Says’ sound is a departure other multitasking activity. Kershaw or, whisper it, Level 42. Similarly in particular is storming: a steely space-funk competition, but maybe not quite the album most from the winning formulation Little Fish had Apart from the Antipodean influence, one of the `Everytime’ reminds us of 80s-era Hall & Oates attack, vocally much more uptight and turning people will have been waiting on. mastered. But isn’t that something to celebrate? few discernible reference points is The Durutti and even the decidedly funkier `Out Of The into an irresistible mantra as it aims Dale Kattack After all, creativity encourages development Column, the avant-garde Manchester band and and innovation. Juju cries, “everybody turn Factory Records stalwarts, particularly in the breath now, please? Cheers. “I don’t fucking Among the other highlights on this sophomore back time and start all over”, perhaps alluding piano and use of female guest vocalists, in this know you / I just fucking hate you,” rings the album is the catalogue of jolly, morbid realism to this new identity; a refreshed sound and a case Ditte Elly Goard and Rosie Caldecott. The raw-throated refrain from `Welcome To The on `Everybody Dies’; the stunningly moving rejuvenated image. Candy Says are running latter brings a pleasing lullaby refrain to ‘By Monkeysphere’, possibly a comment on the `Michael’s Song’, a questioning tale of the from “that quiet place”. They are out to make The River’ and adds some welcome colour and bellicose environment of the internet. Bad people trials of IVF, that ends in a prolonged battle CANDY SAYS a scene and 2013 can expect to see the band’s lightness to proceedings. beware; Junkie Brush are on your case for life in the special care baby unit; the clever journey continue to unfold and further evolve, ‘The Wanderers’ is typical in building up in an Dale Kattack use of the piano sample from Love Unlimited’s `Melt Into The Sun’ creating music which is respectful of old Little entirely unhurried way, almost echoing court `Walking In The Rain’, on `Guess I Never’, and (Own label) Fish fans whilst enticing the new. music from the time of Henry VIII. Elsewhere the optimistic coda of `Still Here’ (“Life is what Laura Hand we could be in the 1970s and elements of prog – The evolution of Little Fish into Candy Says CHIMA ANYA happens / When you just happen / To be busy even the ghost of Jethro Tull rears its head – but began far before the name change. Members planning / Something else”). still executed with a refreshing contemporary have come and gone, sounds have developed and `The Doctor’s Note’ As Chima says in his biog, “I rep Oxford twist. progressed. And in front of an intimate crowd SIMON BATTEN (Own label) because that’s the city I became a person Seventy minutes is a long time to ask of a at their Christmas gigs in The Rotunda, this `The Doctor’s Note’ is no embarrassing body, in”, to which I say, on the strength of this listener in a world of diminishing attention evolution became an official transformation. `Unsettled Weather’ but a seriously elegantly honed slice of UK very accessible CD, we’re pretty proud to rep spans, but this is an unusual album that fully The band’s name is, of course, a reference hip hop, or as Chima intones it, “real life seen you back. The Doctor will see you now. (Own label) deserves the investment. to The Velvet Underground’s song about a Simon Batten has previously fronted blues-rock through a Doctor’s eyes”. Yes, you heard me, Paul Carrera Art Lagun JUNKIE BRUSH this nationally-rated MC is also a bona fide transsexual, Candy Darling, in which Candy groups and been involved in electronica acts GP, whose long time family home has been says, “I hate the quiet places / That cause the Test Pilot and Dr Robotnik. This is his first `Placebo Perfecto’ Kidlington and whose working hours are spent smallest taste of what will be”. Pretty appropriate solo album but any expectations conjured by (Rivet Gun) in St.Thomas’ Hospital in London. If you add then, that the band are entering a new chapter that background get dashed from the first note. No-nonsense, no-frills, uptight, upright, militant that he has a Nigerian father and a Romanian that is far from those quiet places. This well-titled CD is a long, highly polished punk thrash double-a-side free download, no mother, and he spent his early life in Glasgow, If ‘Melt Into The Sun’ causes “the smallest and intense journey through a landscape that use for full stops, two songs done and dusted then you see he has a whole heap of cross- taste of what will be” then Candy Says are in veers from Americana around the world to in under four minutes frenzied fun from Junkie pollinated genes and back story to wax lyrical luck because the song exudes excitement and the recognisable influence of Oxford and the Brush, whose rabble rousing, get-to-the-point about. And boy, does he! Matching his nifty lines playfulness in a way that signals new beginnings Catweazle night, from which it emerged. style draws a line between Minor Threat and with some of the coolest beats and production supported by the experience that comes from The songs are driven by the percussive waves Black Flag on one side of the Atlantic and GBH around, courtesy of Berlin based Dexter (Caspar touring with the likes of Courtney Love and of acoustic guitar sometimes employed by and Angelic Upstarts on the other, charging – XOXO), creating, via Soweto Kinch, Tricky Blondie. As a vocalist/guitarist who enthuses Australian bands, overlaid with drums, bass, heads down across a crowded bar and hoping and jazzamatazz -era Guru, a very open hearted, over women in rock, Juju is a fine frontwoman. piano and keyboards. The vocals hang over someone will stand in its way so it can smack en plein air groove, while scratching the myth of Her lyrics are raw, eloquent and convincingly proceedings like a kind of running commentary, them repeatedly in the teeth before taking hip hop’s love of materialism. (“You won’t see heartfelt. An experimental and ultimately fun often heavily treated with echo and sometimes that line it’s just drawn and shoving down the me in the Bentley, brothers / Living the high life vibe is underlined by the playful percussion, backed by Gregorian-type chanting, so the often nearest Tory’s throat. Sorry, can we pause for at the expense of others” - from `I Made It’). handclapping and whistling which neatly obtuse lyrics tend to wash over the listener. The OPEN MIC CLUB: James Street Tavern TURL STREET ARTS FESTIVAL LAUNCH THE BLUEBIRD CLUB: The Oxford Blue with DEATH SHANTIES + MARVELLOUS – Catweazle’s newborn sibling club hosts local MEDICINE + LOS CAMPESINOS! DJs: singers, poets and more every Tuesday. The Cellar – The Cellar hosts the arts festival’s launch party, with live sounds from multi-media WEDNESDAY 6th free jazz collective Death Shanties and funky LEDDRA CHAPMAN: The Jericho Tavern reggae crew Marvellous Medicine, plus a DJ set GIG GUIDE from indie stars Los Campesinos! – Fluffy, soft-centred acoustic pop from the Essex singer-songwriter, set to follow up her STRENGTH OF THE BEAR: The st FRIDAY 1 Road (1pm) – Lunchtime show from the 2009 debut album, `Telling Tales’, which saw Bullingdon – Alt.rocking from the local band THE DALE WATSON BAND + THE Wittstock stalwart. her compared to Joni Mitchell and Alanis featuring former members of Verbal Kink et al. SHAPES: The Bullingdon – Vintage country FEBRUARY THE PETE FRYER BAND: The Cricketers Morissette. CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford Arms, Temple Cowley – First outing of the Community Centre – Oxford’s longest from cult hero Watson – see main preview new weekly electronic dance night – see main GURP + MASIRO + DIRTY SWEET LIES: month for the local blues-rock stalwart. running and best open mic club night continues JIM LOCKEY & THE SOLEMN SUN: preview The Wheatsheaf – Moshka club night with PROPAGANDA + TRASHY + JACK FM to showcase singers, musicians, poets and The Jericho Tavern – Folk-inclined stadium KLUB KAKOFANNEY with LES trashy punk-pop boozers Gurp; instrumental DJs: O2 Academy – Weekly three clubs in one, performance artists from around Oxford, as well rocking from Mr Lockey and band, on tour to CLOCHARDS + MOIETY + GREEN tech-core duo Masiro; rockers Dirty Sweet Lies, with indie at Propaganda; kitsch pop, glam and as regular national and international guests. promote new album `Death’. CHILDREN OF THE WOLFPIT: The plus a very special guest who we’re forbidden 80s at Trashy and dancefloor favourites from CHRIS RYDER: The Port Mahon – Acoustic SKYLARKIN SOUND SYSTEM: The Wheatsheaf – Klub Kak’s monthly outing to tell you about doing a warm-up show. Oh Jack FM’s guest DJs. folk and rock from the local singer-songwriter, Cellar – Rising north London six-piece General features Francophile folk-rockers Les yes. SELECTA: The Bullingdon – Drum&bass tonight launching his `Black & Blue’ EP. Roots are the star turn at tonight’s Skylarkin Clochards, mixing Parisian café pop with FREE RANGE: The Cellar – Drum&bass, hip club night. THE MIGHTY REDOX: The Wheatsheaf – club night with a fusion of dancehall, reggae classic 60s rock’n’roll. They’re joined by rustic hop and dubstep club night. Free unplugged set in the downstairs bar from and lovers rock, having previously toured with folk-pop types Moiety and traditional folksters th rd the local blues-rock faves. Wednesday 13 Laid Blak and Gentlemen’s Dub Club. Trojan Green Children of the Wolfpit. SUNDAY 3 th Soundsystem lynchpin Earl Gatehead is guest THURSDAY 7 OPEN MIC SESSION: The Half Moon PHIL MCMINN + JORDAN O’SHEA + BEARD OF DESTINY + THE ANDA UNION: St. John the Evangelist DJ, alongside Count Skylarkin. BLUES JAM: The Jack Russell, Marston BELLOWHEAD: MY CROOKED TEETH: Art Jericho – ACCORDION CREW + DANNY KAYE + – Oxford Contemporary Music presents a SWITCH featuring KIDNAP KID + Delicately proportioned pop treats in the refined MOON RABBIT: Donnington Community spectacular display of ancient Mongolian The New Theatre GORGON CITY: O2 Academy – a double th environs of Art Jericho. Phil McMinn bares his Centre (6pm) – Free acoustic session. music, collected and reinterpreted by Anda FRIDAY 8 One of Nightshift’s many, many eulogies dose of Black Butter Records artists at the O2’s soul in rarefied acoustic pop style, alongside RED CEILIDH: The Bullingdon – Folk dance Union – last seen in the UK at WOMAD JESS HALL + AGS CONNOLLY + ERICA to Bellowhead simply surmised that it’s with an alternative twist. Friday 1st elegantly atmospheric fella Jordan O’Shea, festival – combining massed strings and CONWAY: The Port Mahon – Tertium impossible to leave one of their gigs without and gentle-natured country and folk chap My percussion to evoke the traditions of their Quid teams up with Irregular Folk for a night having had a good time. And that’s the THE DALE WATSON Crooked Teeth. MONDAY 4th homeland. of acoustic roots music. Airily exotic local most important thing you need to know STEAMROLLER: The Red Lion, Cropredy CHILDISH THINGS MUSIC NIGHT: songstress Jess Hall is joined by cellist Barney about the band – a massed ensemble formed BAND: The Bullingdon – Heavy duty electric blues-rock from the local The New Theatre – After a series of highly Fridays 1st / 8th / 15th / 22nd Morse-Brown and We Aeronauts’ James by Oxfordshire folk scene veterans John More high-quality Americana courtesy veterans. successful comedy and music nights over the Cunning for her headline set. There’s star- Spiers and Jon Boden, with the intention of the reliably excellent Empty Room BREEZE: The Duke’s Cut – Lively covers past few years, the annual Childish Things SWITCH: O2 Academy spangled traditional country folk from Ags of reviving several centuries of traditional Promotions folks tonight with the visit of from the Duke’s Cut regulars. fundraiser for Helen & Douglas House Hospice It’s taken a while but Fridays once again Connolly and `Blue’-era Joni Mitchell-styled folk music and reforming into a frenzy of travelling troubadour Dale Watson, self- JONNY DARE + THE OH SO MANY + introduces a dedicated live music show to its means dance night at the O2 with the launch acoustic folk from Erica Conway. theatre and dance. From their live debut at styled guardian of authentic vintage country AFTER THE THOUGHT: The Port Mahon roster. KT Tunstall returns to the New Theatre of new electro and house night Switch. SWITCH featuring MOSKA: O2 Academy Oxford Folk Festival in 2004, to their now and a man who’s become a long-standing – Twinkly, lightweight math-pop from Jonny stage, having helped with the fundraising Aiming to showcase the best upcoming – Dutch house and progressive house from the legendary Truck Festival show in 2010 and critics favourite and cult concern for the Dare, plus folk-inclined indie pop from The previously. Loveably soulful songsmith and house, drum&bass, electro and future Colombian producer at the O2’s new electronic onwards to international fame and acclaim vitality he’s brought to traditional sounds. Oh So Many and glitchy ambient electronic raconteur Newton Faulkner joins the fun, garage acts, February’s line-up is a good dance night – see main preview via a succession of BBC Folk awards for st Having escaped childhood poverty in Texas soundscaping from After The Thought. alongside our own Stornoway, who play an springboard. The 1 features Kidnap Kid BOSSAPHONIC: The Cellar – Dancefloor Best Live Band, Bellowhead are first and through music – he was playing clubs from TOKYO FRIDAYS: The Bullingdon acoustic set; off-kilter rockers Bug Prentice, and Gorgon City from Black Butter Latin, Afrobeat, Balkan beats, global grooves foremost entertainers. While their love and the age of twelve – Watson has frequently DISCO MUTANTE: The Library – Cosmic featuring Ally Craig, and Charlotte Myerson. Records, the label that’s been scooping and nu-jazz club night, including a live set respect for everything from Napoleonic relocated, from LA, where he was part disco, funk, electro-boogie and acid house Rob Brydon hosts the night. award after award, including Best Small from London-based eight-piece Congo Dia ballads and Jacques Brel to classic English th of the legendary Palomino Club’s house session. THE BILLY WALTON BAND: The Jericho Label at last year’s AIM Awards. On the 8 Ntotila, with their horn-heavy fusion of rumba, folk dance is core to their appeal, they’re far band, to Nashville and on to Austin, he’s Tavern – Blues-rock in the vein of Hendrix, it’s the turn of Colombian producer Moska, makossa, zouk and sakade rhythms. from po-paced custodians of a by-gone age, become a recognisably tattooed figure of SATURDAY 2nd Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan from the whose fresh take on dirty Dutch house has THE CHEESEGRATERS: The Bullingdon – taking in New Orleans jazz, township jive seen him producing Calvin Harris. There’s Crazy covers and gratuitous kazoo usage. and even a hint of punk as they cartwheel fiercely independent standing against the THE HOODOO CLUB with POLICE DOG New Jersey guitarist, who has played around heavyweight glitch-house and crunked-up TOKYO FRIDAYS: The Bullingdon through the centuries, gay abandon an equal glossy modernisation of country music. HOGAN + SWINDLESTOCK: The Cellar – his local scene since his early teens, jamming bass from Bristolian duo Will Weeks and PROGRESSIVELY LESS ELEPHANT: partner to musical virtuosity. “Traditional Along the way he’s developed a style he Launch night for the Cellar’s new Americana, with Springsteen, Gary US Bonds and Double Jim Bastow, aka Koan Sound (pictured), Baby Love – Indie, soul and electronica club music has always been about communal calls Ameripolitan whose roots lie in classic bluegrass, old time and country night. One of Trouble along the way. on the 15th, the pair having moved away night. experience,” said Boden in the band’s country, rockabilly and truck driving songs. the stars of last year’s Cornbury Festival, Police BILLY THE KID + JORDAN O’SHEA: The from their early dubstep sound lately, having THE PETE FRYER BAND: Prince of Wales, interview with Nightshift a couple of years While he’s possibly more successful in the Dog Hogan’s lively, humorous, urbanised take Cellar – Canadian singer-songwriter Billy The previously toured with Skrillex and Diplo, Horspath Road back, and Bellowhead definitely practise UK and around Europe, his enviable back on bluegrass and Cajun is equal parts fun and Kid heads out on his Long Way From Home while the 22nd sees Surrey’s Disclosure – STEAMROLLER: The Crooked Pot what they preach. catalogue, dating back to the early-90s and funny. Support comes from local Americana tour, having collaborated with Garth Hudson, sibling duo Guy and Howard Lawrence including most recent album `Sun Sessions’, and country stompers Swindlestock. Followed Randy Cooke and Ringo Starr. – taking centre stage. After supporting th has earned him a small army of dedicated by UK garage, 2 step and bassline club night PATRICK WOLF: St John the Evangelist, SATURDAY 9 WE AERONAUTS + THE FAMILY SBTRKT and Hot Chip, they’ve become fans at home and abroad. What You Call It Garage. Iffley Road – Beard Museum host an acoustic MOTHER CORONA: The Wheatsheaf – MACHINE + RAINBOW RESERVOIR: festival faves and hit the Top 40 with their PROSPEKT + SOMNUS + KOMRAD + show from cult singer and multi-instrumentalist High-density groove and psychedelic rocking Modern Art Oxford – Pindrop Performance `Latch’ single last year. DKH + I CRIED WOLF: The Wheatsheaf Wolf, a regular visitor to Oxford over the years from Mother Corona, tempering their massed show with sweetly orchestral indie-folksters – Buried in Smoke metal night with a proggy and currently celebrating the tenth anniversary Sabbath and Kyuss-style riffage with Stooges- We Aeronauts celebrating their hundredth gig. edge. Local champs Prospekt take inspiration of his debut album, `Lycanthropy’, with a style garage noise and Smashing Pumpkins They’re joined by wistfully wonderful popstrels from Dream Theatre, Opeth and Rush for double retrospective album, `Sundark and melody. The Family Machine and quirky singer-pianist their elaborate, dynamic tech-metal sound, Riverlight’, featuring acoustic rereading of THE MECHANISMS + POCKETWATCH: Rainbow Reservoir, recalling Moldy Peaches while Komrad fuse awkward time signatures songs from across his eclectic career, taking in The Cellar – An Oxford steampunk soiree with and Jeffrey Lewis. and proggy diversions onto blitzkrieg noise, romantic folk, electro-pop and classical music. theatrical collective The Mechanisms airing THE ORIGINAL RABBIT FOOT SPASM partway between Dillinger and King Crimson. their space-pirate sci-fi opera `Ulysses Dies At BAND + SWINDLESTOCK + SERIOUS Bristol’s Somnus, meanwhile stick to the hard, TUESDAY 5th Dawn’, based on Homer’s The Odyssey. Dark, TYPES DJs: The Big Bang, Oxford Castle fast and damn dirty route with their thrash, JAZZ CLUB: The Bullingdon – Free live jazz orchestral folk from Pocketwatch in support. – Classics 1930s hot jazz, cider and sausages death and black-metal mash-up. every Tuesday, tonight with club regulars The Followed by techno, bass and house club night collide as TORFSB launch their own-brand PHIL GARVEY: Magic Café, Magdalen New Jazz Collective. Extra Curricular. fermented apple drink at the renowned banger MONDAY 11th Johnny Cash and The Shakin’ Pyramids. Street Tavern – Bluegrass, country and MONDAY 18th THE PAUL COX BAND: The Jericho Jazzman Records honcho Gerald Short Americana from the local regulars. DELPHIC: O2 Academy – Back in town Tavern – Gritty, energetic blues, soul and r’n’b spins rare shellac alongside club host Count SIMPLE: The Bullingdon – House and for the first time since 2009, Manchester’s from the veteran Wolverhampton singer, and Skylarkin. techno club night. club-friendly indie types prepare to former member of John Slaughter’s band, at the UNDERSMILE + X1 + AGNESS PIKE: The release their second album, `Collection’, Famous Monday Blues. Wheatsheaf – Tectonic uber-doom from the SATURDAY 16th the follow-up to 2010’s `Acolytes’. mighty Undersmile, brewing influences like SKELETOR with META-STASIS + Channelling several decades of their Earth, Swans and Melvins into what sounds like TUESDAY 12th K-LACURA + THE CRUSHING + home city’s musical heritage, Delphic a spectral moan from the cellar of a haunted draw straight lines between New Order’s LITTLE MIX: The New Theatre – Soul- LEST WE FORGET + PITCH BLACK dolls house. They’re joined by visceral hardcore `Brotherhood’, Doves and the spirit of scouring death-metal and industrial gabba SUMMER: O2 Academy – Seriously merchants X1 and theatrical thrash crew Agness the Hacienda, taking in 808 State along th mayhem from the radical Berlin-based extreme metal at Skeletor’s monthly riff- Thursday 14 Pike. the way. On record it’s polite enough collecti… oh sod it, you know who they are. fest in the shape of London’s Meta-stasis, VERY NICE HARRY + THE DRAKES: but comes to life more on stage. Having EVERYTHING X-Factor. Simon Cowell. Crucifixion of gorehounds fermenting an evil brew of Truck Store – Double dose of local guitar pop originally sounded like they were filling Damien Rice’s `Cannonball. That sort of stuff. death, thrash and grindcore. Or, in their instore. in a gap left by Klaxons’ journey into the EVERYTHING: Eat up, drones. own words, psycho-tech-death-neg beat- THE WITTSTOCK WEEKENDER: The void, they’ve outlived that band and are JAZZ CLUB: The Bullingdon – Live jazz industrial-lunatics. Local support comes Hollybush, Osney – Opening evening of a possibly set for even bigger stages and O2 Academy from The Hugh Turner Band. from metal-core crew K-Lacura; thrash A time traveller from today going back to weekend of free live music in aid of this year’s brighter lights. INTRUSION: The Cellar – Goth, industrial, merchants The Crushing and hardcore the mid-1980s would have been laughed Wittstock Festival, with donations and raffles IAN PARKER: The Jericho Tavern – ebm and darkwave club night. newcomers Pitch Black Summer. into the nearest asylum if they’d claimed raising cash. Tonight’s show features kooky Return trip to the Famous Monday blues OPEN MIC CLUB: James Street Tavern THE WITTSTOCK WEEKENDER: the predominant influences on early 21st posters Mammoth & The Drum, metallers De- for the Brummie roots-rock singer and THE BLUEBIRD CLUB: The Oxford Blue The Hollybush, Osney (2pm) – Full Century cool pop would be Hall & Oates, Mask Thyself and prog-core monsters Komrad. day of free live music in aid of Wittstock guitarist, owing as much to The Edge and Nik Kershaw, Level 42 and Tears For Fears. STEVE RODGERS + OSPREY & THE OX4 Mark Knopfler as he does to the classic th Festival. Among today’s highlights are After which, people might have held each WEDNESDAY 13 ALLSTARS: The Bullingdon – Son of Paul Bicester indie band The Method; southern American blues tradition. close and tearfully enquired, “what if it BELLOWHEAD: The New Theatre – Party Rodgers and former guitarist with Boa, Steve gothic acoustic popsters Welcome To DOT’S FUNKY ODYSSEY: The Cellar turns out to be true?” And so it’s come to time, folk style with the mighty award-winning Rodgers returns from a tour of Canada with a Peepworld; punk-pop thrashers Gurp; – Funk and soul night. pass. From our own Foals and Chad Valley big band – see main preview new EP. agit-punks Junkie Brush; theatrical thrash to the likes of Everything Everything, 80s KODALINE: The Jericho Tavern – Epic HEADINGTON HILLBILLIES: James metallers Agness Pike; folk-rockers The TUESDAY 19th electro-soul is considered valid treasure melancholy in a post-Coldplay style from Hawkhurst; Pixies-style grungers Von JAZZ CLUB: The Bullingdon – Live to be rescued from the depths of local Dublin’s non-threatening indie rockers, whose Friday 15th Braun and heavyweight blues-rockers jazz with The New Jazz Collective. charity shops and carefully snuck through video for their single `All I Want’ has been Reservoir Cats. OPEN MIC CLUB: James Street Radiohead and modern r’n’b filters. Which is watched about eleventy trillion times and HOWLING BELLS: MOSHKA: The Wheatsheaf – Local Tavern a bit worrying in theory if you lived through provoked a veritable ocean of lady tears. Can bands night. THE BLUEBIRD CLUB: The Oxford those dark days first time round, but not we just have a war or something and end all this The Jericho Tavern FRESH OUT THE BOX: The Cellar Blue nearly as bad as you might have imagined in excitement? Having made their reputation with their – Wonky disco, house and breaks with SUBVERSE presents FLORI: The Cellar – excellent eponymous debut album on Bella practice. Everything Everything’s Mercury- FOTB regulars. th nominated debut, `Man Alive’, came armed House, garage, techno and bass club night. Union back in 2006 and subsequently MAEVE BAYTON: Magic Café, WEDNESDAY 20 FREE RANGE: The Cellar – with almost too many clever ideas that supported the likes of Coldplay, Snow Magdalen Road (1pm) – Blues and Drum&bass, hip hop and dubstep. sometimes eclipsed the tunes, and they THURSDAY 14th Patrol, Placebo, Editors, Mercury Rev and ballads from the local songstress. do have the occasional tendency towards EVERYTHING EVERYTHING: O2 The Killers, it seems slightly strange that PROPAGANDA + TRASHY + JACK st stadium-sized indie melancholy, but amid Academy – 21st Century electro-soul, 1985 Howling Bells aren’t a bigger proposition FM DJs: O2 Academy THURSDAY 21 the overly busy complexity, there’s also style – see main preview than they are seven years on. Having TOKYO FRIDAYS: The Bullingdon JAKE BUGG: O2 Academy – The playfulness and some great pop tunes. But ART CLASSSINK + THE METHOD: Truck relocated to London from their native – Friday’s club night takes a holiday on Trouble Town troubadour plays his sold- really kids, if a stranger ever offers to play Store – Instore sets from local alt.rockers Sydney, the long, cold English winters Saturday. out Oxford debut – see main preview you a Level 42 album, just run. Run as fast Artclasssink and young Bicester rockers The left their mark on the band, becoming THE MIGHTY REDOX: The Red FRED EAGLESMITH + AGS as you can and never look back. Method. increasingly brooding as they melded Lion, Eynsham CONNOLLY: The Bullingdon – Alt. THE OXFORD RECORD HEADINGTON HILLBILLIES: The country with the gloomier end of the indie country, folk-rock and bluegrass from palace in the Oxford Castle Complex. Wheatsheaf – Valentine’s Day hoedown in spectrum, Juanita Stein’s breathy, kittenish th Ontario’s veteran troubadour at tonight’s DVD & CD FAIR PROPAGANDA + TRASHY + JACK FM SUNDAY 17 the downstairs bar with the local bluegrass and vocals lending the band a sound that found Empty Room Promotions show, the ever- DJs: O2 Academy THE LABEL PROFILE SESSIONS Americana faves. them compared to The Velvet Underground, touring Eaglesmith bringing his tales OXFORD TOWN HALL I LOVE THE 90s: The Bullingdon – 90s with BRAINLOVE RECORDS: CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford Mazzy Star and even Cowboy Junkies early of trucks, trains and tractors to town, th dance tunes. The Cellar – First night of a new club Saturday 16 March Community Centre on. Prone to label hopping, their second counterpointing his typically downbeat MATHEW SADLER: Magic Café, Magdalen at the Cellar, each month profiling a OPEN MIC SESSION: The Half Moon album for Independiente was more polished stories of Canada’s rural poor and Road (1pm) different indie label. Tonight it’s the turn 10am - 3.30pm BLUES JAM: The Jack Russell, Marston and synthetic, which is where the criticism unfortunates with comic monologues, started. Their third, `The Loudest Engine’, of Brainlove, home to Bleeding Heart which have earned him a small army Rock/pop/jazz/soul/reggae/indie/all other genres th Narrative, Pagan Wanderer Lu and We SUNDAY 10 th this time for Cooking Vinyl, was a better of `Fredheads’ in his homeland and the Accessories/memoriabillia/books. MODESTEP: O2 Academy – Stadium- FRIDAY 15 effort for the most part, leaning towards a Aeronauts among others. Iceland’s Oyama US. Joining him tonight is local country Brand new and back catalogue/Rare Vinyl CASH: O2 Academy – Tribute to Johnny pleasing, festival-pumping dubstep-cum- more psychedelic pop sound, but still awash headline, alongside Mat Riviere, plus a DJ songsmith Ags Connolly, evoking the www.usrfairs.co.uk Cash. electro-rock from the London types, as at home with uplifting misery, and with a new album set from label boss John Rogers. down-home spirits of Johnny Cash and SWITCH featuring KOAN SOUND: O2 playing Download and Reading Festival as the due, a return to early form and an upturn in THE WITTSTOCK WEEKENDER: Willie Nelson. Academy – Heavyweight glitch-house from club circuit. Are we meant to blame Pendulum fortunes are surely due. The Hollybush, Osney (2pm) – Third PAWS: The Jericho Tavern – After Bristolian duo Will Weeks and Jim Bastow at or Skrillex? day of the Wittstock fundraiser, with sets putting in a star turn at last October’s tonight’s Switch – see main preview from space cake psychedelic wyrd-jazz Gathering, Glasgow’s raucous, Oxford Punt TROPHY WIFE + RHOSYN + SALVATION HOWLING BELLS: The Jericho Tavern – Want to play? BILL + NEW CARNIVAL + JORDAN rockers The Goggenheim, alongside feisty cantankerous punk trio return to town, dead Brooding indie-country from the Aussie ex-pats Are you more entertaining than this? O’SHEA: Truck Store (1pm) – A full punk-poppers Traps, as well as Natural set on speed and musical destruction. Last – see main preview afternoon of live music to celebrate Truck Occurrences & The Brainmen, Firegazers, time out they were enjoying an on-tour THE BIG TEN INCH with BLACK KAT Store’s second birthday. Top-drawer local bill Chris Grant and Reckless Sleepers. game of trying to play one particular song BOPPERS + JAZZMAN GERALD: The includes airy electro-tinged indie stars Trophy MAEVE BAYTON + SIOBHAN faster each night, and various audience Cellar – Count Skylarkin’s monthly celebration Wife and inventively rocking string quartet McCLUSKY + TOMMO: The members seemed to be employed to try and of vintage rocking tonight hosts Southampton’s Rhosyn. Go along, have fun, listen to great Wheatsheaf (2.30pm) – Free afternoon of stop all their equipment falling apart mid- doo-wop, jump-jive and rockabilly outfit Black set. Somewhere along the line too many music and maybe buy some stuff – help keep acoustic music with the Klub Kakofanney Kat Boppers, harking back to the dirty roots bands forgot that such things were the true Oxford’s only independent record shop alive crew, including a set from local sounds of Johnny Burnette, Gene Vincent, spirit of punk rock. and kicking. blues’n’ballads songstress Maeve Bayton. Thought not SATURDAY 23rd harmonica from the West Midlands duo at BLASTED + DESERT STORM + WAR tonight’s Famous Monday Blues. WOLF + BEARD OF ZEUSS: The Cellar – Buried In Smoke metal night with the return TUESDAY 26th to Oxford of former-Winnebago Deal chap FIDLAR: O2 Academy – Primitive, brute- Ben Perrier with his new band Blasted, whose simple garage-punk and rockabilly rumble name suggests he hasn’t developed a love for from LA’s Fidlar (the name’s an acronym for Coldplay-style indie balladry lately. They’re something rude and they’ve got a chorus that fresh from touring with The Bronx and should be simply goes “I drink cheap beer, so what, fuck all set to dish out some serious cranial damage. you”), inspired by the likes of Black Flag and Support from stoner/blues metal heavyweights The Germs as well as The Cramps. They’ve st Desert Storm; ex-Dopefight types War Wolf, and toured with The Hives and are now Wichita Thursday 21 sludgy stoner-metallers Beard Of Zeuss. labelmates with The Bronx, so some no- JAKE BUGG: GAPPY TOOTH INDUSTRIES with TRAPS nonsense two-chord rock action is very much + GRANT SHARKEY + RAG DOLL: The the order of the day. And if that don’t appeal, O2 Academy Wheatsheaf – GTI’s monthly mixed bag of Fidlar have doubtless got some choice words Who’d have thought, a year back, that the live sounds, tonight with soulful rockers Traps, for you and your lily-livered musical tastes. brightest teenage pop breakthrough of 2012 leaning towards the Skunk Anansie scheme of LINDI ORTEGA: The Jericho Tavern – would come not from X-Factor or The BRIT things, alongside singer and double bassist Grant Soulful country from Toronto’s answer to Dolly School, but via some dedicated low-key Sharkey, balancing his songs between touching Parton and Emmylou Harris, re-establishing her gigging and forward-thinking local radio and hilarious, plus breezy, sophisticated folksters solo credentials after touring as backing singer patronage. But so it was, with Jake Bugg Rag Doll, in the vein of Edie Reader. to Brandon Flowers. holding the top spot in the album charts for CO-PILGRIM + OWEN TROMANS + UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION + his eponymous debut and somehow managing BILLY T’RIVERS: Modern Art Oxford – CRANIATION + MERIHIM: The to unite the MOJO-reading massive with Sunshiney alt.country-tinged pop from former- Wheatsheaf – After last month’s debut show their kids, and bringing the spirit of Lonnie Black Nielsen chap Mike Gale, now teamed up with Cerebral Bore, Slave To The Grind Donegan to modern day council estates – with Truck/Dreaming Spires fella Joe Bennett deliver another uncompromising dose of metal skiffle-infused tales of pilled-up nights out. in Co-Pilgrim, the duo’s debut album, `A Fairer brutality. Tonight’s bright, shiny treats include Chuck in a whole heap of vintage rockabilly, Sea’, produced by Mark Gardener. London’s intense, brutal death-metallers beatnik folk and a dash of country, draw a PETE GALPIN REMEMBRANCE Unfathomable Ruination, inspired by the likes line from Woody Guthrie to Lee Mavers, via CONCERT: Risinghurt Community Centre of Internal Suffering, Death and Dying Fetus Bob Dylan, and you’ve got the phenomenon – Maeve Bayton, Headington Hillbillies, Blues and now out on a headline tour to promote that is young Jake, at eighteen years old Rumour and The Wainrides are among a host of debut album `Misshapen Congenital Entropy’, and possessed of a great world-worn voice, local bands playing tribute to the late Pete `Mr which features guest vocals from Coldplay’s a proverbial old head on young shoulders. Chillout’ Galpin, the veteran blues, jazz and Chris Martin. Possibly. Bristol’s death-core Neither an exercise in cynical retro-fetishism folk musician who passed away last year. All crews Craniation and Merihim support or a lad stuck in a past he never knew, armed proceeds will go to the Mesothelioma Trust. MR GRUFF presents ALIX PEREZ: with songs like `Trouble Town’, `Country PROPAGANDA + TRASHY + JACK FM The Cellar – Drum&bass club night with Song’ and the ubiquitous radio hit `Lightning DJs: O2 Academy – Tonight’s triple club night groundbreaking producer and DJ Alix Perez Bolt’, Bugg’s simply a fantastic pop-friendly whammy features a live set from Coventry’s from Shogun Audio playing a 90-minute set. remodelling of a sound that’s timeless and lustily militant indie punks The Enemy, kicking He’s joined by Teknikal, Subtex and Rufus. classic for good reason. it out in the tradition of The Clash, The Jam and JAZZ CLUB: The Bullingdon – With The The Libertines. Hugh Turner Band. SENSIBLE DANCEHALL presents PON SANDRA SHALLIS: Magic Café, Magdalen OPEN MIC CLUB: James Street Tavern DE FLOOR: The Cellar – Dancehall, soca, Road (1pm) –Lunchtime show from the THE BLUEBIRD CLUB: The Oxford Blue reggae, afrobeat, calypso, moombahton, hip hop accordionist. and more at the monthly tropical party night. THE MIGHTY REDOX: James Street WEDNESDAY 27th Tavern CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford MAMA ROSIN: The Jericho Tavern – Fresh HODGE PODGE: The Bullingdon Community Centre from supporting Bellowhead on their last THE PETE FRYER BAND: The Wheatsheaf UK tour, Swiss trio Mama Rosin bring their th – Free unplugged set in the downstairs bar. SUNDAY 24 rough’n’ready brew-up of Bayou blues, Cajun, OPEN MIC SESSION: The Half Moon UFO: O2 Academy – The heavy rock zydeco and rock’n’roll to town. BLUES JAM: The Jack Russell, Marston behemoths continue to bring the noise, with SUBVERSE presents ALEX COULTON: original members Phil Mogg and Andy Parker The Cellar – House, garage, techno and bass FRIDAY 22nd still helming proceedings, the band playing club night. SWITCH featuring DISCLOSURE: O2 favourites from their 1970s commercial peak Academy – Garage, house and post-dubstep albums, `No Heavy Petting’, `Phenomenon’ and THURSDAY 28th `Lights Out’, as well as their recent twentieth from Surrey’s sibling duo at tonight’s Switch IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC ACOUSTIC outing, `Seven Deadly’. club – see main preview CLUB: The Bullingdon – Unplugged sets CHURCH OF THE HEAVY: The Bullingdon IN ZANADU + IN YOUR HONOUR + from Stuart Noah, Lewis Newcombe-Jones, – The Bully’s monthly metal night with local SANCTIFY: The Bullingdon – It’s All About Sharang Sharma, The Lost Art and Joshua The Music local bands night. acts DeMask Thyself and Empire Divided. Burnham. REEDS + DAMN VANDALS + OSPREY & THE OX4 ALLSTARS: The CRACKERDUMMY + PLAYER2: The MONDAY 25th Wheatsheaf – Free acoustic set from veteran Wheatsheaf – Darkly-inclined alt.rock in the WOODEN HORSE: The Jericho Tavern local songsmith Ospey in the downstairs bar. vein of The Godfathers, A House and Blue – Americana and country blues, replete with CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford Aeroplanes from former Nightshift Demo of the harmonies, slide guitar, stomp box, banjo and Community Centre Monthers Damn Vandals. TOKYO FRIDAYS: The Bullingdon Nightshift listings are free. Deadline for inclusion in the gig guide is 6pm on the 20th of each HQ: The Cellar – Cutting edge drum&bass month - no exceptions (not even for you). Call 01865 372255 (10am-6pm), or email listings to club night with Marcus Intalex bringing his [email protected]. All listings are copyright of Nightshift and may not be reproduced soulful take on d&b to the decks. without permission photo: Sam Shepherd LIVE

TALL SHIPS / LISTING SHIPS / MY GREY HORSE / are Brighton’s Tall Ships, and it’s fair to say there’s a considerable ROBOTS WITH SOULS buzz about the band. The venue is packed and fevered with 02 Academy expectation. The band themselves Having missed The Sea The Sea their most accessible in there, but Thankfully, Listing Ships take us seem a little thrown by it all, but thanks to the snow, we arrive at the for those for whom this is their in another direction, albeit one from the minute `T=0’ kicks in it’s O2 in time to catch Robots With first experience of Robots…it’s the that is also well worn. Post-rock clear to see why they’re so highly Souls’ first Oxford gig since his sheer wonder of watching Wilson may be nothing new, and the thought of. A mash of influences, triumphant turn at Truck Festival create such a blitzkrieg all on his loud/quiet template needs to be it’s possible to pluck out last year. In the interim period own that is most fascinating. given a rest sometime soon, but elements of krautrock, folk, Steve Wilson (Robots With Souls My Grey Horse somehow prove Listing Ships take their influences and post-rock as the set is but a single man) has moved that by being quite terrible, a band (on this showing you’d count progresses. Ric Phethean’s vocals away from Oxford and his head might become the most memorable Godspeed You! Black Emperor, occasionally threaten to get lost exploded (his words, not ours). So band on the bill. We’re fairly Suicide and Mono among them) among the powerful swells the it’s heartening to see him back on sure they think they’re treading a and try to create their own path. band creates, but he manages to stage once again and performing similar path to Band Of Horses or There’s a brief dalliance with Rick ride the sonic waves perfectly, with the same vigour that he Neil Young, on account of their Wakeman-style keyboards around only once hampered early on but always possessed. With a two- songs having a vague country the mid-point that threatens to be a technical fault. Minor glitches string bass perched on his drum feel and heaps of close harmony a prog step too far, but it’s quickly aside, this is a masterclass in kit, he creates a series of looping, singing, but the truth is those songs pulled in with some tight forceful emotive songwriting, and Tall fuzzed-up chunks of chaotic but are instantly forgettable. They’re riffing that escalates towards a Ships can only be destined for strangely pleasing noise. There’s no Band Of Horses, or Crazy joyful crescendo. great things. hints of Nirvana and Melvins at Horse, just pony. Carrying on the nautical theme Sam Shepherd photo: Pier Corona Warren. There’s no doubt that ‘The Art Teacher’ is once they start playing, its easy to see why. Like RUFUS WAINWRIGHT the set highlight tonight; as the band leave Rufus Stormbringer, they are all about riffs, and theirs are The New Theatre and the piano on their own, his voice shines in an colossal. Their presence on stage is both familiar Last time Rufus Wainwright played Oxford the especially stunning rendition. and relaxed, and they play with grins on their faces LIVE first half of the show consisted of him performing The encore is brilliantly bizarre and features and an enthusiasm that permeates the crowd almost the entirety of his last album, `All Days Are a man dressed as Cupid; Rufus as a Greek god immediately, and completely dominates the room. Nights: Songs for Lulu’, without allowing and a stage invasion from the first few rows for They say that a picture is worth a thousand applause between songs. So it’s safe to say I’m a rendition of ‘Gay Messiah’, with a giant foam words, and while this kind of sentiment could put wondering what to expect tonight; will it be more sandwich (I’m not making this up). It’s great to music magazines like this one completely out of of the same, or reminiscent of his earlier light- see Wainwright is taking himself less seriously business, I truly believe that the easiest way to hearted performances? I’m of course hoping for these days, and he certainly knows how to put on describe the music of Swindon’s Eye For An Eye the latter, especially given his most recent record a show. is simply to look at them: a band of large, hairy `Out of the Game’ was a return to form, but you Emily Bruce men. This places them at the heart of a crowded just never know with Rufus. genre, with plenty of fantastic (and hairy) bands The night starts well with a lovely set from like Black Label Society and Godsized to contend Teddy Thompson; just him, a guitar and some FRAGMENT / with, and at times during Eye For An Eye’s set, very pretty tunes. Then the eccentricity begins I question whether they have the charisma to with Adam Cohen – yes, he’s the son of Leonard EYE FOR AN EYE stand up against acts like these. With a littering and he won’t let us forget it, even performing a / EYES OF EVE / of technical issues, I get the impression they’re karaoke-esque version of his father’s ‘So Long, not having the best gig of their lives, yet they still Marianne’, but unfortunately that’s the high point STORMBRINGER aren’t half bad. of his set; while he’s inherited a good voice from By the time local headliners Fragment hit the his father, unfortunately the same can’t be said for The Wheatsheaf stage, The Wheatsheaf has returned to the same his songwriting skills. There’s an enthusiastic but minimal crowd gathered state of near-emptiness that met Stormbringer Then, Rufus – never one to blend in – takes to the in the Sheaf for Northamptonshire headbangers earlier in the night. Fragment are rather stage dressed, he tells us, as Rupert the Bear in Stormbringer’s opening set, and what a mistake incongruous on tonight’s Buried In Smoke line-up; bright yellow plaid trousers and a red waistcoat. those who showed up later have made. A listen as the self-stylized “only real death metal band He has a full band with him (including Teddy) through to a handful of songs on Facebook earlier in Oxford”, they seem an odd choice to headline along with some backing singers, and sticks to a were by no means awful but fail to move me, but in a night of stoner/doom, and yet they rise to the lot of the new album but makes sure to include a a live setting, the band bring their monstrous riffs challenge with gusto, reminding the remainder of decent selection of older songs too, much to the and catchy vocal hooks to fantastic, energetic life. the crowd just how brutal they are. Through no audience’s delight. There are a few covers as well Vocalist Mike Stockley’s erratic stage moves are fault of their own, at times Joe Andrews’s frenzied – ‘Everybody Knows’ by Leonard Cohen (which less impressive, but prove to be a minor (and, by the double bass drumming drowns out the rest of the sees Adam reappear on stage to help out, wearing end of the set, almost endearing) niggle in what is band a little, but despite this, it’s clear that these what appears to be a priest’s outfit), and two of otherwise a superb start to the night. protectors of death metal in Oxford are more than Rufus’ late mother Kate McGarrigle’s songs, Next up are local stoner-doom crew Eyes of Eve, up to the task. performed by Teddy and backing singer Krystle who draw by far the biggest crowd of the night, and Tal Fineman

and as such, fades with repeated IAN STAPLES / JACK GOLDSTEIN / MICHAEL exposure. Half the audience go home after having ticked off “that THOMPSON / MAX LEVY / ROO BHASIN: A NIGHT one without any music”, but those OF JOHN CAGE who remain hear the evening’s highlight, in which Max `King The Port Mahon Of Cats’ Levy reads extracts It doesn’t start well. Jack Ian Staples’ opening guitar so we have to take all sounds on from Cage’s narrative lecture Goldstein’s introduction to this improvisations might not be their own merits, which is about `Indeterminacy’, accompanied – or John Cage centenary concert exactly “Derek Bailey craziness” the Cagiest thing going; oh, and perhaps infiltrated – by electronic contains the word “crazy” at least (thanks, Jack), but they do feature because someone brought a bathtub and concrete sounds from three times. The composer may some Bailey-esque jarring chords up the Port’s stairs. Goldstein and his Fixers colleague have been many things, good and dampened scrabbles, although A performance of `Inlets’ is less Roo Bhasin. The sententious air of and bad, but crazy isn’t one of some of the best moments are interesting, because the sounds the texts, and Levy’s wonderfully them, and we’re concerned that when he drops in tiny hints of of fire and water are more easily stately, wry intonation make it nodding to Cage might have roadhouse boogie, the ghost of the assimilated mentally, and exhibit sound like a stand-up set by Woody become another safely wacky blues louring from the fog. His the “sonic nature ramble” side of Allen’s zen cousin in the corner lifestyle choice, like Jaegerbombs performance of `Water Walk’, a Buddhist and mycologist Cage of Delia Derbyshire’s workshop. or Movember. Luckily the piece that involves ostensibly non- that we’ve never been drawn to. Like the best of Cage’s work performances steer clear of musical activities such as mixing And although it’s not meant to it’s both thoughtful and almost unnecessary theatricality, and a drink and turning on radios, is be laughed at, the famed `4’33’, avuncularly warm, and half the the players seem to be honestly fascinating because we can’t see like most conceptual art, has the audience are in the bar. Crazy. interested in Cage’s approach. past the throng to the stage, structure if not intention of a gag, David Murphy DR SHOTOVER: Godspeed, You Blank Envelope And the Greetings, worms. What’s that? You like the 80s sweatbands? Buy me a drink INTRODUCING.... lowlight: and I will explain all. Having grazed to excess over the festive feast-fest, I got Nightshift’s monthly guide to the best local music bubbling under “Our team a severe talking-to from my personal trainer ‘Spanish Tony’ Sanchez (whom I going out bumped into at Fondles Nightclub’s celebrated 70s Drugs Night). “Ees time to in the group push the envelope, Seenyor Doctor” said he. “What, like the ones full of strange Dallas Don’t stages of white powder which YOU keep about your person for emergencies?” quipped the Oxford I. Anyway, long story short, I subsequently found myself enrolled by my Hispanic Who are they? bands Mr Motivator in the East Indies Club charity Fun Run. Being, ahem, a bit of a Punningly named after the Dallas Dhu distillery in Forres, Scotland, from 6-a-side natural sportsman, I got off to a flying start, and was soon leading the pack of where singer and guitarist Niall originates, Dallas Don’t are Brian (bass); football ne’er-do-wells, puffing along like a good’un in my novelty nicotine-coloured Jen (guitar/vocals); Niall (vocals/guitar) and Yan (drums). The quartet onesie… when up came Binky Bates on the inside lane, moving like a bullet tournament met in Oxford three years ago, having all played separately in other bands from a f***ing gun. “How do, Binky”, said I. “See you later, loser”, said he with in June a bared-teeth snarl as he tripped me up and sent me sprawling ignominiously elsewhere. With Niall’s strong Scottish accent at the forefront of their on goal into the ditch - whence I gradually emerged, covered in fox droppings, while the sound, Dallas Don’t are frequently thought of as a Scottish band, “but we difference. FEBRUARY ragged pack streamed past. Having put the ‘F.U.’ in F.U.N. R.U.N., Master Bates don’t mind,” they say. After recording a brace of demos – the second of The standard went on to win the race and be lauded, patted and fawned over by a crowd which was a Nightshift Demo Of The Month, they have played with The was Every Tuesday of pretty young charity groupies in crocheted leggings and rainbow jumpers. Cellar Family and This Town Needs Guns and Shiny Darkly, as well as last surprisingly Meanwhile I was led off limping and cursing by Spanish Tony and plied with year’s Oxford Punt. They release their debut EP, `Retrace This Place’, in high.” THE OXFORD JAZZ CLUB sprain liniment – served in a glass with plenty of tabasco sauce. Still, silver lining March. Their Free live jazz plus DJs playing r’n’b, funk and soul until 2am time… I had a bit of a chat with some of Spanish Tony’s Puerto Rican chums, and What do they sound like? favourite 5th / 19th NEW JAZZ COLLECTIVE I gather that poor dear Binky will soon be suffering a terrible TERRIBLE accident Serrated hardcore-friendly indie pop, with the emphasis on melody. The other in the Jungle Gym… then my day will surely come. Just wait till the Pogo-A-Gogo vocal interaction between Niall and Jen lends Dallas Don’t a sweeter edge, th th Oxfordshire act is: 12 / 26 THE HUGH TURNER BAND event next month though these tunes carry a serious bite: “short, sharp shocks of caustic guitar “The Cellar Family. They’re a bit frightening, in a really, really good way.” in Horspath. I shrapnel,” to borrow from a recent live review. Niall’s rich burr has found If they could only keep one album in the world, it would be: am already in the band compared to Arab Strap and Prolapse on occasion. In their own “`Doolittle’ by Pixies; it’s a huge influence and a cast iron classic.” [snif]… training… Thursdays words, they are “hard-edged, melodic, twisty indie rock, with songs that are When is their next gig and what can newcomers expect? just need to get th actually about things.” th 7 STRENGTH OF THE BEAR my [snif]… speed “Our EP launch on Saturday 9 March at The Wheatsheaf. We’re co- What inspires them? 21st Empty Room Promotions presents up…! [Dr S sprints running the show with Divine Schism, so the bill will be bands we love, and five times round “Musically, trying to write interesting and engaging songs, that we can we’ll be pulling out all the stops to play our best set to date.” FRED EAGLESMITH the club bar, then play loud and hard, while still clinging on to a bit of melody. The lyrical Their favourite and least favourite things about Oxford music are: 28th IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC ACOUSTIC vanishes over the subject matter is drawn from all over – the new EP features songs about “Favourite: the friendliness and support of the other local bands we’ve played horizon, nose and ancient Scottish witch trials; the life and mind of the 14th century Earl with. And Truck Store. Least favourite: people don’t dance or move very CLUB with STUART NOAH / LEWIS legs running like Alexander Stewart, aka The Wolf of Badenoch; memories of Findhorn much at gigs; it’s not like they’re not enjoying themselves, just a bit polite.” NEWCOMBE-JONES / SHARANG SHARMA / the clappers]… Beach in Moray, and militant positivity in the face of regimented cynicism.” You might love them if you love: THE LOST ART / JOSHUA BURNHAM Byee! Career highlight so far: Idlewild, The Pixies, Sonic Youth, Prolapse, Arab Strap, Hefner. Next month: “Halloween at the Port Mahon, with the Cellar Family and Agness Pike. Hear them here: Amphetamine ‘MORE SPEED, YOU FAT ELEPHANT!’: Dr S’s personal trainer Everyone dressed up, the gig was packed, and it was a brilliant night.” dallasdont.tumblr.com Every Friday* Soul-Fête keeps a close eye on the Fun Run TOKYO FRIDAYS THIS MONTH IN OXFORD MUSIC HISTORY 11pm-2.30am; £4 adv; £5 door. T H E W H E A T S H E A F ALL OUR YESTERDAYS (* - except 15th – SIMPLE – House & techno club FRI 1ST KLUB KAKOFANNEY... 20 YEARS AGO pop songs, but some people can’t see that.” Your Poison’, Nightshift’s review declaring it “a Radiohead were off to America shortly after. The monument to both the band’s resilience in the face night. 11-4am) Who’s this scrawny bunch of walking haircut LES CLOCHARDS disasters gracing the cover of February 1993’s rest, as they say, is history. of their own chaotic existence and to the creative energy that exists between them. Brilliant.” MOIETY + GREEN CHILDREN OF WOLFPIT 8pm/£5 Curfew magazine? Radiohead? Can’t say we’ve ND SAT 2 BURIED IN SMOKE... ever heard of them. Were they popular locally? Kings Of Leon made their first and only Oxford Early Friday shows 10 YEARS AGO appearance this month. We seem to remember st Oh yes, just over a year on from enjoying their “KILL THE BILL!” screamed the front page 1 Empty Room Promotions presents SOMNUS + KOMRAD + DKH + I CRIED WOLF 8pm/£5 thinking they were shit. Not much has changed PROSPEKT first front cover interview feature in Curfew as On headline on February 2003’s Nightshift, but we TH since on that score. DALE WATSON WED 6 MOSHKA PRESENTS... A Friday, Thom, Jonny, Colin, Ed and Phil were hadn’t gone all murderous on the police’s arses. 8th THE CHEEGRATERS back to talk about their new single, a pretty little Instead we were rallying local gig goers to protest MASIRO + GURP 8pm/£5 ditty entitled `Anyone Can Play Guitar’. And how th DIRTY SWEET LIES against the live music licensing bill, up before the 5 YEARS AGO TH 15 STEVE RODGERS / OSPREY & THE OX4 SAT 9 BURIED IN SMOKE... had they spent their time since we last chatted to House of Lords and threatening to add a whole heap The Family Machine were a leaping and a ALLSTARS them? “Snorting coke and learning to jack up,” of red tape and financial barriers to putting on gigs, tumbling on the front cover of February 2008’s according to Thom. They’d also been out on tour 22nd INZANADU / IN YOUR HONOUR / MOTHER CORONA 8pm/£5 while threatening pubs or shops with extortionate front cover. Was that really five year ago? Don’t TH with The Frank & Walters, Sultans of Ping FC, SANCTIFY FRI 15 fines for hosting unlicensed live performances. If time fly when you’re having fun. Something The Kingmaker and Midway Still, among others. Safe the current coalition government has done anything Family Machine most certainly were, even while to say they went on to eclipse the lot of ‘em. UNDERSMILE X1 + AGNESS PIKE 8pm/£5 right, it’s stripping back such bureaucracy. they were singing songs about roadside tributes TH Even as a support band, Radiohead were Saturdays WED 20 CHARITY FUNDRAISER FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK Our main interview piece was with the mighty to fatal car accidents. Having been everyone’s discovering that `Creep’ was being adopted as an Winnebago Deal, proclaimed as “the sound of the favourite cuddly pet dog of a local band for a while, 2nd SELECTA – Drum’n’bass anthem by audiences across the country, despite a SALVAGE 8pm/£5 unstoppable force colliding with the immovable the quartet were set to release their debut album, th SINKING WITCHES lack of radio play (“Radio 1’s producers thought 9 I LOVE THE 90s 10-3am FRI 22ND IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC... object” for their savagely stripped-down, fuzzed- `You Are The Family Machine’ on Alcopop! this th it was too miserable,”). Thom denied he was the up brand of uber grunge metal. The duo had been month, and we declared it time to stop taking the 16 TOKYO FRIDAYS – On a Saturday! “tortured soul” depicted in various reviews and rd on a non-stop gigging frenzy, earning them a 9/10 band for granted and give them a turn centre stage, 23 HODGE PODGE THE REEDS interviews to date. “It’s just something for them review in Metal Hammer and prompting Steve since the album was, in our own words, “a belter.” DAMN VANDALS + CRACKERDUMMY + PLAYER 2 8pm/£5 to write about, isn’t it,” he shrugged. They were SAT 23RD GAPPY TOOTH INDUSTRIES... Lamacq to declare that “they makes every other “It sounds like a cliché, but I’ve always believed in good form and humour though, proclaiming garage rock band sound like Coldplay”. This month that the song is the star,” said eternally self-effacing Sundays that months of intensive touring, recording and they were due to release a mini-album on Fierce frontman Jamie Hyatt, before admitting that secretly rd TRAPS GRANT SHARKY + RAG DOLL 8pm/£5 rehearsals were “far less exhausting than having a 3 RED CELIDH TH Panda Records as well as being handpicked to he’d “love to be remembered with loads of flowers” TUE 26 24th CHURCH OF METAL with EMPIRE DIVIDED 9-to-5 job,” though Thom admitted he went out and support Fugazi in London. “We figured our music if he should ever be wiped out in a traffic accident. bought a box of plasters and taped them all over would appeal to maniacs, but we never expected the Elsewhere The X in Cowley closed down after / DEMASK THYSELF / more 8pm/£5 MARVELLOUS MEDICINE his flat after NME described Radiohead as “a lily- suits to get it,” declared singer/guitarist Ben Perrier landlady Alison lost a court battle with the PRS WED 27TH SLAVE TO THE GRIND... livered excuse for a rock band,” claiming the review of the major label interest surrounding the band, over unpaid live music royalties, depriving east J “cut really deeply.” He also defended the decision before proclaiming that “We’re thinking about Oxford of one of its most individual small venues. oin us on Facebook: Backroom @ The Bully UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION to sign to Parlophone rather than an indie label, for becoming skinheads.” Aso closing down was Avid Records near CRANIATION + MERIHIM 8pm/£5 which the band received a fair bit of flack back in Also this month Meanwhile, Back In Communist Gloucester Green which, at the time, left Oxford The Wheatsheaf 129 High Street, Oxford OX1 4DF / www.facebook.com/wheatsheaf.oxford the early days: “we’re not an indie band. We write Russia released their second album, `My Elixir, without a single independent record store PAUL EMERY POST Sometimes even if the finished product isn’t According to their overly long, overly quite what you might hope for, the thought dry, personality-free biog, Post have that someone is striving for musical things “participated in numerous band DEMOS beyond the mundane is enough to win our competitions where they consistently Sponsored by Demo of the Month wins a free half day at Silver Street Studios in Reading, courtesy hearts. Like Paul here, whose four songs finished in the top 3.” Imagine the crazy are basic, lo-fi and often slightly awkward, rollercoaster existence these guys enjoy, of Trojan Horse Recordings. Visit www. but suggest he’s stretching for depths of reader. The thrill and tension of all those trojanhorserecordings.co.uk sorrow and loss that too many supposedly band competitions, the near-triumph at not emotional singers can’t even imagine. Paul quite winning any of them. The eternal trapped in the body of a serial killer piglet. describes his music as “melancholic pop,” hope that next time, next time, that shiny DEMO OF Give him an old end of the pier pipe organ which is like saying 2012 was a bit damp. trophy and two free days in the studio and he sounds even more deranged, off- The poor guy’s wracked with misery by the could really be theirs. Talking of studios, 01865 240250 kilter psychedelic nursery rhymes lurching sounds of it, simple distorted guitar drones Post claim they went into the studio to find THE MONTH into tales of “filthy whores”. No, we think and electronic crackles the only back up to “that” sound they were looking for. Cor, we’ll stay here for a while. Months even his bordering-on-operatic proclamations “that” sound, eh? And did they find it? Oh THE AUGUST LIST if that’s what it takes. Just until we’re sure of grief. Sometimes he reminds us of yes, reader, they did. Under the mixing Chilly it is, minus-something and more he’s definitely gone. And for the slow of criminally-overlooked gloom-mongers desk on a CD called `The Greatest 90 Indie coldness forecast, so we need something thinking of you out there in Readerland, Breathless, though he doesn’t possess Anthems Ever!’ Everything you could ever more than mere whisky and our unstinting this means we like this very much indeed, Dominic Appleton’s effortless grace, while want from a great new band is here: a bit of sense of optimism to warm our spirits. because there are too few nutters in music his best effort here, `Not Sleeping’ is a Radiohead, a dash of Mansun; just a soupçon And here it comes – The August List, a any more. glitchy mudball of gutter blues that might of Feeder. Maybe some more Radiohead, band named after what is, theoretically at be an attempt to marry Portishead with Tom but not that weird electronicy stuff they did least, a summer month. They’re a duo – a Waits, or maybe transfer Depeche Mode into later on, just the more rocky bits off `The married couple hailing from Dorset, now PIXEL FIX a Mississippi blues shack, and if it misses its Bends’. Give it a good shake, tip out the relocated to rural Oxfordshire and playing A one-song demo here from Sam Jackson, targets, it’s appealingly disjointed and finds fun frothy stuff off the top and there you what they describe as garage folk. That aka Pixel Fix, further warming the cockles its own space in which to wallow. Hang on go – professional, proficient aural mulch, term doesn’t flatter them particularly, and of our hearts with a chilled-out sliver of in there Paul, old chap – we’re off to buy anonymous technical accomplishment anyway they’re more old-time bluegrass Ibiza-flavoured early morning beach bar another cask of Claret; we’ll be back to join flailing around in a soulless vacuum. Drink and country. Musically they share common shimmer. There are echoes of Chad Valley you in a few minutes. deep dear reader, you’re worth it. ground with so many other great married and Toro Y Moi, as well as the more spectral couples of country, from Carter-Cash to The electro-pop of Glass Animals and Wild .co.uk Swim about `Rosa’ as it fluffs about good- TURAN AUDIO Handsome Family, notably a fantastic vocal STUART NOAH Professional, independent CD mastering interaction, Kerraleigh Child possessed of naturedly in a warm treacly lake of laidback Nightshift likes to live life on the edge. THE DEMO a great quavering voice not dissimilar at vibes, before finally rousing itself for its Though by on the edge we mean on the edge Artists mastered in the studio last month include; times to Dolly Parton, while hubbie Martin final minute or so. Pleasant enough but as a of Oxford, in Kidlington. Stuart Noah would TANK, RUSSEL SWALLOW AND THE more than does his fair share of work stand-alone track it feels a bit too much like doubtless fail to sympathise. Describing DUMPER without imposing himself. Together they incidental music to a nature documentary. himself as a “folk-punk-ish singer- WOLF, PEERLESS PIRATES, JIM keep it raw and simple, as on `Bird House One involving dolphins and sea otters, most songwriter,” his song `Lindsay Lohan’ ALEX CHALK PENFOLD, FEEL FULL, RON KAUVON Song’, capable of roadhouse stomp as well likely. isn’t, sadly, a vitriolic critique of vacuous Monday 14th January. Officially the most as breathy introspection (we get both on celebrity culture or a declamation of driving depressing day of the year, though we’d SONDURA, THE CRAMATICS, NU `Death Penalty’), and sweet balladeering, a car while lashed to the gills. Instead it’s posit that any day of the year where Julie SOUL REBELS. as on the softer `Homeland’, a more typical UNTIL THE BIRD about playing life safe in your small-town Burchill, Richard Littlejohn or James modern country piece that’s elevated by a Don’t say we’re not a cosmopolitan bunch comfort zone, avoiding even the slightest Delingpole are allowed to infect the world vocal performance that summons more than here on the Oxford music scene. Until dangers, until the point he passes a mirror with their opinions would provide stiff 01865 716466 [email protected] the requisite amount of heartbreak. Best The Bird here are a three piece whose and realises he’s getting older and closer to competition. Anyway, it’s snowing and of the lot, though, is the duet `Forty Rod members variously live in Oxford, London death anyway, after which the song becomes raining and bloody cold, so a perfect setting Of Lightnin’’, which sounds like it comes and Lithuania, which means they probably a clarion call for all manner of irresponsible to unwrap all the demos we saved til all THE COURTYARD STUDIO freshly pickled in some American backwood rehearse via Skype every Tuesday evening, behaviour. So yeah, punk-ish, but not really the Christmas cheer had finally evaporated. rather than genteel home counties, full of and perhaps explains why the singer sounds wild enough to be punk. In fact it’s more And here we find Alex Chalk, who duly PROTOOLS HD2, MTA 980 CONSOLE 32/24/24, grit and soul, fire and fog. Lovely stuff; like he belongs in a different band entirely. jolly pub-rock, stomping and thumping in plunges us into a black void of emotional OTARI MTR90 MK2 24 TRACK TAPE MACHINE, chuck another log on the fire and crack Musically there’s some great stuff on show standard corner-of-the-Hog-and-Trough of torment and restless ennui that is bleaker 2 TRACKING ROOMS, SUPERB CONTROL ROOM here: inventive, playful carrouselling strings, open that second bottle of single malt, why a Sunday night. After which he’s having than the furrows of greying slush that WITH GOOD SELECTION OF MICS & OUTBOARD don’tcha. accordion, ukuleles and parping horns all a cheery bash at middle class punks on line the road outside our window. Fresh play their parts in the busy arrangements, `UMCP’, possibly a dig at old Etonian from the dying-in-a-frozen-ditch school of GEAR + MIDI FACILITIES (Inc LOGIC AUDIO, AKAI coming on like a folkier Penguin Café Frank Turner, before conjuring a love song strumming and moaning, the one song here, S1000, OLD SKOOL ROLAND etc.) orchestra at their best, such as the complex of sorts in `Grace’, which seems to be about `Circles’, seems to be a story about some DONKEY THE `Ideas Of Eden’ and the spidery `Collateral’. stalking a girl, then taking her home and sad-eyed girl sitting under a white tree, Residential facilities included. Lyrically too there are some gems: “You keeping her prisoner after a hit and run but might as well be about a mad fried egg www.courtyardrecordings.com JACKET smell of warm, and rare orchids and tropical accident, which certainly trumps `Love and some frightened cheese, since the self- PHONE PIPPA FOR DETAILS on 01235 845800 Warm and comfortable in our log cabin storms,” laments the singer in the latter song, Will Tear Us Apart’ in the romance stakes. defence part of our brains quickly shut off in the company of The August List and but the poetic effect is spoiled more than a And it’s all simple, honest punk(ish) busker to spare us further pain, making the lyrics several bottles of finest whisky, we feel little by his over-demonstrative, highly-strung fun, but compared to the strange lunacy of difficult to decipher. It’s probably meant no need to head out in to the cold, which delivery, which makes him sound more Donkey The Jacket, way too safe, which to be romantic and poetic, but it makes us is a good thing, since Donkey The Jacket like a wannabe opera singer practising in when you consider the subject matter of that want to go and lie in front of skidding bin might be out there waiting for us. And he’s the shower. A more ethereal female voice first song, is more than a little ironic. lorries if we’re honest. not right in the head. “He” being Jamie would fit this perfectly, but often it sounds Harris, better known round these parts as like another one of those over-excitable the unhinged frontman with virulent punk strum’n’shouters who’s got lucky with a misfits The Cellar Family. Left alone, he’s chamber orchestra. By final track `Taliesin’, no less unstable, intermittently shouting like even the musicians seem to have sunk into a rabid street corner preacher haunted by a sullen drone, while the overwrought cries the ghost of Buttole Surfers’ Gibby Haynes, of “I was a fish in a stream until you caught Send demos for review to: Nightshift, PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU, or email links while hitting his guitar with a tambourine, me” stretch the nature metaphors too far to [email protected], clearly marked Demos. IMPORTANT: no review without or doing that thing with his voice that and the whole thing ends up sounding like a contact address and phone number; no more than four tracks on a demo please. If you makes him sound like a demented toddler Stornoway’s distinctly less able kid brother. can’t handle criticism, please don’t send us your demo. Fri 1st Mar Thurs 21st Mar • £9 adv EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT 7pm - 10pm £5 adv / NUS / members, £4 NHS Of Monsters and Men 10.30pm - 3am • over 18s only Dizraeli & The Small Gods Fri 1st Mar • £9 adv / £7 NUS 10pm - 3am • over 18s only Fri 22nd Mar Switch ft. Ram Records 7pm - 10pm Andy C, Loadstar & more Bastille Fri 22nd Mar • £12.50 adv Sat 2nd Mar • £6 adv 7pm - 10pm 7pm - 11.30pm Upstairs ft. Deer Chicago David Ford in association with BBC Introducing Weds 3rd Apr • £16.50 adv

Sun 3rd Mar • £14 adv Everclear Funeral For A Friend Fri 5th Apr • £8.50 adv + Marmozets + Stem 7pm - 10pm Janet Devlin Fri 1st Feb • £6 adv / £5 NUS Tues 5th Mar 2013 • £14 adv 10pm - 3am • over 18s only The Dan Reed Band Fri 12th Apr • £10 adv Switch ft. Black Butter Records 7pm - 10pm Thurs 7th Mar 2013 • £15 adv King Charles Fri 8th Feb • £6 adv / £5 NUS 10pm - 3am • over 18s only The Alarm Sun 14th Apr • £11 adv Switch ft. Mosca Thurs 7th Mar • £11.50 adv Little Comets Sun 10th Feb • £12 adv Halestorm Weds 17th Apr • £10 adv Modestep Fri 8th Mar • £15 adv Don Broco 10pm • over 18s only Thurs 14th Feb • £14 adv Jaguar Skills and Thurs 18th Apr • £12.50 adv Everything Everything his Amazing Friends Efterklang + Anna von Hausswolff Fri 15th Feb • £10 adv Fri 19th Apr • £22.50 adv Sat 9th Mar • £18.50 adv 7pm - 10pm CASH Johnny Cash Tribute 7pm - 10pm The Courteeners Michael Schenker’s Fri 15th Feb • £6 adv / £5 NUS 10pm - 3am • over 18s only Temple Of Rock Sat 9th Mar • £17.50 adv Switch ft. Koan Sound 7pm - 10pm - Rescheduled show • original tickets valid Thurs 25th Apr • £10 adv Space 7pm - 10pm - Rescheduled show • original tickets valid Mon 18th Feb • £13.50 adv Dog Is Dead Delphic Sun 10th Mar • £19.50 adv Johnny Marr Thurs 2nd May • £16 adv Thurs 21st Feb Major Lazer Jake Bugg + Valerie June + Hudson Taylor Mon 11th Mar • £14 adv Jessie Ware Thurs 9th May • £20 adv Fri 22nd Feb Seated show • unreserved seating 10pm - 3am • over 18s only Sat 16th Mar Colin Hay Switch ft. Disclosure 7pm - 10pm Lawson Fri 24th May • £15 adv Sat 23rd Feb • £5 adv / £4 NUS 7pm - 10pm • unreserved seating 10.30pm - 3am • over 18s only Chapman Square Tour Scott Ian of Anthrax Propaganda Spoken Word Tour ft. The Enemy (Live) Sat 16th Mar • £5 adv Gunning For Tamar Sat 1st June • £10 adv 7pm - 10pm Sun 24th Feb • £20 adv 7.30pm Mon 18th Mar • £23 adv Senses Fail + Handguns U.F.O. + 4BITtEN The Stranglers Thurs 12th Dec • £18.50 adv Tues 26th Feb • £8 adv Tues 19th Mar • £10 adv Adrian Edmondson Fidlar Gabrielle Aplin & The Bad Shepherds

Tickets for Saturday night shows INCLUDE FREE ENTRY to Propaganda / Trashy (or £6, £5 NUS / members, £4 NHS on the door)

facebook.com/o2academyoxford 190 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1UE • Doors 7pm unless stated twitter.com/o2academyoxford Venue box office opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-4pm youtube.com/o2academytv ticketweb.co.uk • wegottickets.com • seetickets.com • gigantic.com