The recently-refurbished upstairs bar at Phoenix Picturehouse cinema in Jericho, Oxford, is now the venue for an ongoing series of filmed live music sessions.

The ‘Couch Sessions’, organised by Oxford film and video production company Chalkstar Films, started in September 2013 and moved to the cinema for the first new-look session at the start of February 2014. They involve a filmed live session from a local band or musician, released through a dedicated YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/oxfordcouchsessions.

As Chalkstar Films boss Martyn Chalk explains, “by working with Phoenix Picturehouse, we are able to connect local musicians to a much wider audience, producing high quality music content in one of the best locations that Oxford has to offer.” The first Phoenix-hosted session featured Steve Morano; previous sessions have featured FarOutlaw, Jaggy Edges and Nine Stone Cowboy.