You can stick your difficult economic climates and your news reports on how the music industry is collapsing under a mess of illegal downloads and confusing new media; the value of a great independent record shop is immeasurable. So, it’s good news that Truck Store, on Oxford’s Cowley Road, is due to celebrate its second birthday on 10 February.

They’re pushing the boat out and hosting an afternoon of in-store performances from 1.00 pm. Pop along and you can take it free gigs from some of Oxford’s ‘hottest new talent’ (as a Radio 1 DJ might have it) and a couple of more established, but no less exciting bands. Blessing Force’s metaphysical popstrels Trophy Wife will headline, and appearing too will be ‘multidimensional artist’ cello player Rhosyn, Salvation Bill, New Carnival and Jordan O’Shea. That’s a primo-quality amazeballs gig line-up right there, that is.

Whilst you’re checking out the music be mindful to also buy some stuff from Truck Store’s impressive selection of local, national and international music, and its groaning shelves of second-hand ‘pre-loved’ records. Make it sociable, too, by grabbing a coffee from the Keen Bean in-store coffee shop – or, fingers crossed, maybe Truck Store will be serving beer like they have done at previous events like this?

More about Truck Store, the birthday event and all kinds of other shizzness is available at their website.