Here’s our provisional 2024 band list
Table of Contents
Art Lagun
Art Lagun likes to tell people he played acid house in Oxford first, at house parties in the summer of ‘88. And everyone hated it. Undeterred he still pops up to play sets of dance music where the importance of a tune still matters, along with enraging bands with his regular incisive reviews for Nightshift. Expect a fitting musical journey to close this year’s Fringe stage.
The August List
A six-piece powerhouse of joyous noise that spans psych, folk and rock. That sound holds tight songs of nature’s frailty and the human condition. Through the making of three critically acclaimed albums they have played shows across the UK and Europe and have opened for Gwenifer Raymond, Trembling Bells, and The Lovely Eggs. Their last album, ‘Wax Cat’ garnered the best reviews of their career, including five stars from R2 magazine and plays on BBC6 Music.
Beaker
Back together after 25 years. All girl loudness, with much fun and energy. All the old classics and some new gems mixed in.
bedd
bedd are a six-piece band from Oxford. With reverb-laden guitars and analogue synths, bedd create a melancholy nostalgia, carefully constructing huge swelling arrangements. Often veering from intimate conversational vignettes, to massive slabs of shoegaze noise, bedd try to make sense of the beauty and fragility of life against the backdrop and certainty of pain and loss. Their debut ep 1⅞ was released on beanie tapes to glowing reviews: ‘Its pleasant shortness is to its credit’ ‘The five songs, overall, slightly outstay their welcome’ But also: ‘I Whoo yeah’ is a devastating six-minute lilt through grief.’
Dada Paradox
Named for the 20th Century European art movement, Dada Paradox was originally comprised of Ian & Liza Roure, former front persons of defunct New York City powerpop band the Larch (1998 – 2015 “catchy, lyrically brilliant psychedelic new wave rock” – NY MusicDaily.) Having relocated to Oxford, UK in 2017, Dada Paradox’s Progressive Retro-Pop continues to deconstruct the psychedelic pop, rock & folk of the 60s, 70s & 80s transforming the elements into an eclectic soundtrack for the present world. Now Louder! As of May 2022 the band has expanded to include the brilliant rhythm section of Nick Evans on drums and Chris Bayne on bass. The four piece have begun to appear in rock venues of Oxford and rehearsing material for the first full band recording…stay tuned!
“Majestically Jangly”“Brilliantly lyrical, darkly funny”- New York Music Daily
“…slacker pop with an Anti-Folk edge for the anti-Trump movement” – Nightshift
The Deadbeat Apostles
Steeped in classic 60s and 70s R&B, Soul and Blues-Rock but possessed of a modern vim and vigour and a heavy dose of pop, this popular Oxford 6 piece bring the party.
Dubweiser
Dubwiser is a legendary Oxford based, four-piece roots-reggae dub-party band featuring singer Jonas Torrance, drummer and producer Spider J with brothers Eddy (bass + keys) and John Smythe (guitar). They have shared stages and supported many of the biggest names in the business including the Wailers, the Skatalites, Dreadzone, Horace Andy and Mad Professor. Dubwiser’s music is a celebration of the British Caribbean family experience and a grateful recognition of the gift of a multicultural society and they have the word, sound and power of a true reggae band. Turn up and Smile Plenty!
The Faith Healers
The Faith Healers are a rock trio formed in 2022, with Mark Miles on guitar and vocals, Anne Alix on bass guitar and vocals and Martyn Jones on drums. They offer melodic rock songs, with hints of blues and soul influences. They released their first album Why I Don’t Believe in May 2024.
Grizelda Pughe
Grizelda Pughe is a one-man project brought into being by self-styled curator of the absurd, Ben Singleton. It came after years of toiling at the creative grindstone looking for a direction to turn the inner world of imagined music into a physical reality. Believing that Grizelda happened to him as much as he created it and describing performing the songs as a possession either by a subconscious voice or some external entity. Grizelda draws influence from diverse set of artists like; Tom Waits, FKA Twigs, Aphex Twin, Frank Zappa, Luciano Berio, Stravinsky, Cardiacs, Lee Scratch Perry and the Dead Kennedy’s.
The HS Showdown
Remember SLIPSTA? Remember HEADCOUNT? No? Oh well, we’re going to play you some of those songs so you can see what you missed first time round!
iiis
Oxford-based trio iiis (pronounced “eyes”) play home-crafted songs with heart. Expect shimmery vocal harmonies, soundscape guitars and swirly, ambient, dreamscape sounds like lazy strumming on a summer’s day. Formed in 2022 and influenced by artists such as Low, PJ Harvey and Sigur Ros, iiis are excited to be playing Charlbury Riverside festival this summer.
Julia-Sophie
Anglo-French avant-garde electronic artist Julia-Sophie has repeatedly burnt everything down to the ground. Each time, she has risen from the embers transformed, forging new paths, her past casting a silhouette onto her ever-evolving creative endeavours. Previously she toured the US with artists like Blondie, Courtney Love with Little Fish, and earned millions of streams with Candy Says for songs in the films ‘Close’ and ‘Burn Burn Burn.’ ‘forgive too slow’, her deeply personal debut album is testament to her ability to yet again transform adversity into raw beauty, combining her traditional songwriting roots with her own take on experimental electronica.
The Kokroachez
The Kokroachez first played Charlbury Riverside Festival when they were just 12 yrs old and are stoked to be asked back in 2024! The four-piece alt-rock, punk-pop band have been described by BBC Introducing as “Kick Ass” – their reputation for explosive live performances precedes them! This year has been a big one for them. They have had a string of recent high-energy releases and feature on a vinyl compilation of breaking indie artists (Indie Citizens vol 3). This year they’ve headlined the o2 Academy and GloFest, have a brand new single out, “Osney Skies” and an album release planned for December.
Leon P Fields
Leon is a musician living in Oxford, originally from Devon. Playing folk-tinged Joy Division-inspired guitar loops. If that’s a thing!!
Liv Luce
Grungester, singer, guitarist, bassist and classically trained pianist, Liv Luce aspires to create big sounds with minimal instrumentation. Based in the Dordogne (France) having played in and around the Oxford music scene (UK) since her early teens, she offers a raw, dynamic yet melodious stage show alongside drumming virtuoso, Pat Holmberg. The sound draws upon influences ranging from The Smashing Pumpkins, Tool and PJ Harvey to Debussy and Philip Glass.
Matt Edible
Matt Edible has been a jewel in the crown of Hull’s music scene for many years. From fronting cult avant-pop heroes Edible 5ft Smiths to leading Tom Robinson (6music) favourites The Holy Orders, he has consistently produced memorable and captivating music.
In recent years, Matt has focused on his own Matt Edible & The Obtuse Angels project – their debut album Stairgazing inspired the American alt-legend Josh T. Pearson to proclaim Matt “The best thing out of Hull since the Humber Bridge!”
Over lockdown Matt went to work on the follow-up album – The Optometrist – which will be released in January 2025.
Max Norton
Max Norton is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer. Songs of hope, change, and having a good time are the central themes of his work. Max wrote, recorded, produced, and played every instrument on these debut songs. Drums will always be the anchor to his songs along with lyrics that transport the listener to a timeless place. Max grew up in Tampa, Nashville, and now resides in London.
The Mighty Redox
The Mighty Redox are the half punk/half hippy staples of Oxford music, playing upbeat psychedelic workouts of pure energy.With 6 albums released, the band is now working on it’s seventh-‘Love’s A Demon’. It’s pure party music for festivals, venues and people of all ages.
Current line-up comprises Sue Smith, vocals and percussion, Phil Freizinger guitar and flute, and the cracking rhythm of Sandro Crucioli (bass) and Rick J Nash(drums).
Santa Carla Band
Newbies to the Oxford music scene Santa Carla are looking forward to making their live debut at Charlbury Riverside Festival this year. Formed from the ashes of well-loved Oxford band Wonderland, the 5-piece blend soaring melodies with buzzing guitars. The band’s influences are broad and cover the spectrum of Cocteau Twins, Jane’s Addiction & The Chameleons. Fans of Anna Calvi, 90’s indie with a new twist and 4 dimensional post punk will be well catered for.
The Subtheory
The Subtheory make cinematic, downtempo music with beats, bass, guitars and ethereal, haunting vocals. Trip hop bumps up against alternative electronic music to create a backdrop for Cate’s poetic lyrics. Releasing their debut album on Aug 2nd, to follow their string of critically acclaimed singles.
Zarbi
A dark atmospheric mix of early uk dubstep/ triphop, grunge and psychedelic synths
Other bands
The DB Band
The Balkan Wanderers
The Knights of Mentis
Dolly Mavis
Octavia Freud Presents Mancbeth
Prohibition Smokers Club
Flights of Helios
To read more about the bands, PLEASE buy a beautiful, high quality, highly entertaining programme – available on site!
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