It’s the latest in MusicInOxford.co.uk’s irregular series of showcase gigs on Friday 10 August, at the Wheatsheaf in Oxford. We’re pleased to welcome Bristol’s SJ Esau, the Anticon-signed quirkmeister who offers ‘wiggly pop songs’, and two of Oxford’s finest in the form of the Krautrock-influenced instrumental jamz of Listing Ships and the 1960s psychedelia-drenched Graceful Slicks. This’ll be a good one – be there.
More music in the art gallery on Saturday 11 August as Modern Art Oxford plays host to a Pindrop Performances gig, with the dreamy folk ambience of Message To Bears, the cracked blues of Huck and oddball American pop from Rainbow Reservoir. If you’re heading there, check out some of the art, too! It’d be rude not to.
If you’re up for something weird and wonderful, get along to the Supernormal festival which runs on Friday 10 August, Saturday 11 August and Sunday 11 August. It’s a fantastic, quirky festival held in Ipsden, with a surprisingly brilliant line-up that includes Seefeel, The Telescopes and James Blackshaw, as well as many more bands, musicians and artists who will guarantee a challenging and rewarding few days’ worth of music.
Some legendary tunes from pioneers of reggae and ska music, Toots & The Maytals, at the O2 Academy on Wednesday 15 August. These guys have been doing their thing since the 1960s and have just released a new album, Flip And Twist. There will also be an after-show party, and additional music from Laid Blak, The Nine Ton Peanut Smugglers and one of Oxford’s own legends, Count Skylarkin’.
The Black Horse in East Hanney is hosting its fourth Hanneyfest weekend festival, starting in the evening on Friday 17 August and running throughout the day on Saturday 18 August and Sunday 19 August. Money raised from the event goes to Hanney Pre-School and the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance. It’s free to get in – although you’re encouraged to buy programmes, raffle tickets, merchandise, etc – and there’s a wide variety of music on offer including Superloose, Half Decent, Andy Robbins and Liam Downes.
Finally if you’re after a bit of musical punishment, get along to South Park in Oxford on Sunday 19 August, where you can choose to endure ‘live’ performances from JLS, Cover Drive and A*M*E. Larks!