[email protected] @NightshiftMag NightshiftMag nightshiftmag.co.uk Free every month NIGHTSHIFT Issue 285 April Oxford’s Music Magazine 2019 “The mask probably is a defence mechanism. Focussing on this character of Tiger Mendoza rather than photo: Helen Messenger me as a person removes the notion of personality or race or even gender.” tiger mendoza Oxford’s collaboration king talks masks, movies & remixes Also in this issue: THE CELLAR - RIP WHEATSHEAF in peril? Introducing MEANS OF PRODUCTION FESTIVAL NEWS - the latest on Truck, Cornbury, Supernormal, Tandem & more plus all your Oxford music news, previews, reviews and five pages of gigs for April NIGHTSHIFT: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU. Phone: 01865 372255 NEWS Nightshift: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU Phone: 01865 372255 email: [email protected] Online: nightshiftmag.co.uk THE CELLAR CLOSED ITS agreed, there were no guarantees doors for the last time on the 11th on the time frame of the building March. work, which required access to the The venue, which has been at the shop above and various structural heart of the Oxford music scene for considerations. Essentially, the 40 years under the ownership of the whole process took far longer than Hopkins family, was forced to shut we were expecting, and we simply after it failed to reach an agreement could not keep operating under these with landlords The St Michael’s and conditions. All Saints “charity”, over a new rent “We are grateful to the landlords for deal. recognising the cultural importance The closure comes at the end of of the venue, and we hope that an 18-month period that saw The we have saved this space from Cellar survive an application for a becoming a store room. Moreover, change of use from the landlords – we hope that the space, in some with almost 15,000 people signing a shape or form, will continue as petition supporting the venue – and a live music venue. Over 2,000 a severe cut in its capacity following people donated to the Cellar Forever a safety inspection, with supporters campaign, showing that the people raising over £90,000 to help pay for of Oxford really care about what structural alterations to the building. The Cellar stands for, and the The closure of The Cellar leaves values it embodies – independence, a huge hole in Oxford’s live music individuality and creativity. The scene and is yet another blow to amazing £92K that we raised will the city’s culture and independent be returned to everyone’s bank business sector, already suffering accounts. from high rents and rates. “We’d like to thank all of our Cellar Forever supporters from Announcing the end of the struggle the bottom of our hearts. You guys to stay open, Cellar manager Tim have kept us going through what Hopkins said in a statement: “We has been a very tough two years. are very sad to inform you that The We’d also like to thank the brilliant Cellar has closed its doors for the last people at Crowdfunder for being time. After crunching the numbers so supportive and understanding. a thousand times over the Hopkins Lastly, thank you to the Music that money to the Music Venue Trust, require an investor with the money family, who have run the independent Venues Trust who gave us so much which works tirelessly to protect live to fund the building work and the music venue for nearly 40 years, valuable advice and guidance. music venues across the UK and was increased rent, and the “charity”’s have sadly come to conclusion that Without them, we certainly wouldn’t instrumental in aiding the Cellar’s claims to be supportive of live music they cannot continue. have come this far.” campaign. Many of the rewards rings hollow when you consider they “After months of negotiations, we offered in the campaign remain open originally tried to get permission for would have loved to have been able While everyone who pledged to to anyone doing so. a change of usage for the building. to take the landlord’s final rent offer, the fundraising campaign will have but it came too late. What’s more, their money refunded automatically, Hundreds of music fans took to Meanwhile THE WheatsheaF even with a vaguely do-able rent supporters have been urged to donate social media in the wake of The continues to face issues that could Cellar’s announcement, both to decry affect its live music. A planning the loss of such an iconic venue and application has been put in for two to share memories of the place, many flats directly adjoining the venue, from musicians and DJs who played which could potentially open it up to their first shows at the venue and gig noise complaints – one of the main goers who had met lifelong friends causes of venue closures across the and even future spouses down there. UK in recent years – while ongoing The sense of loss of such a pivotal noise complaints from a single part of the local community was resident who moved into the vicinity palpable. last year continues to affect both live Foals, Stornoway, Glass Animals music curfews and the ability to host and Young Knives are among local music in the pub’s downstairs bar. acts who cut their teeth at The Cellar. To read The Cellar’s full statement, What becomes of the empty share your own photos and building now is anyone’s guess. memories of the venue, or see how St. Michael’s and All Saints’ own you can register your concerns about statement suggests they are open to it The Wheatsheaf, visit remaining as a venue, but that would facebook.com/nightshiftmag. the Pilgrim, Elliot Fresh, King money to mix, master and edit AP ENC Boyden and more, play songs the whole performance. It’s an M … ING ENT AD ES RE PR from last year’s collective opportunity for those who were at P, DS PO IEN Y FR debut ‘The Forge’. The former the show to relive the experience, AV D HE AN NEWS Nightshift cover stars were one maybe spot themselves in the video the first hometown festival to be of the star turns at last summer’s and ultimately be able to contribute organised by the award-winning Common People. Tickets, priced towards the band’s success. It’s indie label. The event takes place £9+bf, are on sale now from also a chance for fans in other on Saturday 22nd June across a the Academy box office and countries, or fans who simply live number of venues in East Oxford, Ticketmaster. too far away, to see and hear what in aid of including Fusion Arts; Port Mahon; we’re about. There are lots of photo: Pier Corona The Library; Truck Store and NUBIYAN TWIST will headline exclusive rewards on offer and we Brew Dog. Acts so far confirmed this year’s Tandem Festival. The perform several tracks we haven’t include: Tangled Hair; Gender London-based afro-jazz yet released on the album.” Roles; Colossal Squid; Lucy Collective, renowned for their Full details on the band’s Leave; Flirts; Worry; Junk Whale; fusion of jazz, soul, hip hop, Facebook and Twitter and at African styles, Latin, dub and littlebrothereli.com. JOHN KENNEDY PHIL TAGGART Masiro, and Egrets. The day runs (from Radio X) (from BBC Radio 1) from 3pm-2am. Early bird tickets electronics, are the first act are on sale now, priced £11, from announced for the eco-friendly TRUCK STORE plays host to ANOTHER SKY • AVALANCHE PARTY • BIG LAD Wegottickets.com. More info at world, folk and roots music and Record Store Day once again BUG PRENTICE • CANDY SAYS • CATGOD SUPERNORMAL FESTIVAL bsmrocks.com. arts festival, which takes place this month. The international DEATH OF THE MAIDEN • GENTLY TENDER sold out within hours of tickets over the weekend the 21st-23rd celebration of independent music JEN BERKOVA • KIRAN LEONARD • MADONNATRON going on sale last month. The DEATH OF THE MAIDEN, June at Lower Farm in Ramsden, stores takes place on Saturday OUR GIRL • PEANESS • PEERLESS PIRATES experimental music and arts th Candy Says and Willie J Healey celebrating its fifth year with 13 April, with the Cowley Road PENELOPE ISLES • ROZI PLAIN • SK SHLOMO festival, which takes place at are among a host of Oxford acts 2018’s event selling out. Store – and its Witney cousin, Braziers Park in Ipsden, has THE MENSTRUAL CRAMPS • TIGER MENDOZA playing this year’s Are You The volunteer-run, cycle- Rapture – selling a host of limited TVAM • WANDERING WIRES • WHENYOUNG earned a reputation as one of powered festival celebrates world edition vinyl releases as well Listening? Festival in Reading. WILLIE J HEALEY • WORKIN’ MAN NOISE UNIT the UK’s most original and The one-day festival, which takes folk sounds and features talks, as hosting live music across the …and loads more! uncompromising festivals and place across seven venues in workshops, dance and vegan food day. The store will open at 8am, despite taking a year off in 2018 Reading town centre on Saturday alongside the live music. with early birds able to join in TH to give its volunteer organisers 27th April, is organised by Heavy Tickets are on sale now, priced the shop’s now traditional quiz. SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2019 a break, its reputation has only READING Pop, who also run live music at JOHNNY MARR, PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING AND £85 for adults, with concessions For a full list of special releases grown. Adult £25.00 adv / £30.00 on day The Jericho Tavern.