Oxjam Music Festival announced a series of exclusive events with some of the biggest names in music today, featuring the likes of Four Tet, Everything Everything, Metronomy and Annie Mac.
Indie quartet, Everything Everything launch with an intimate gig in an Oxfam shop this afternoon, exactly eight years since they performed as an unsigned act at Oxjam Manchester. While the BBC’s first lady of dance Annie Mac and slinky disco-pop purveyors Metronomy will play in-store DJ sets in Manchester and Bristol later this month.In a unique partnership cutting edge electronic musician Four Tet has announced that the first 1000 vinyl and CD copies of his hotly anticipated new album ‘Scientist’ will be available exclusively in selected Oxfam music shops and its online store from today.
Marika Hackman and Into The Ark extend the line-up, joining their nearest Oxjam Festivals in London and Cardiff. Ahead of the launch, Oxjam crowds have already been warmed up in a number of secret shop shows. Bombay Bicycle Club’s frontman Jack Steadman aka Mr Jukes, took time out from his sell out tour on Sunday in an impromptu gig in Manchester, and folk stars Danny and the Champsserenaded surprise shoppers in Newcastle earlier this month.
Jeremy Pritchard, bassist from Everything Everything said: “Oxjam Music Festival really supports local music. Local venues gave us the platform to practice, find our sound and get noticed in our area. If we hadn’t had the opportunity to perform on small stages earlier on, we would not be where we are now. Just by going to an Oxjam gig you are helping keep your music scene alive, whilst spotting new music and supporting the vital work that Oxfam does.”
Kieran Hebden, aka Four Tet said: “I performed my first Oxjam gig in an Oxfam shop back in 2010, which was mad fun. It was so local and intimate, which sums Oxjam’s grassroots vibes up. Oxjam is local music creating a global impact, an ethos I think we should all get behind. Support Oxjam Music Festival by purchasing your tickets for your local Oxjam Music Festival. You get to enjoy music whilst supporting the essential work Oxfam does.”
Everything Everything are not the only music royalty to have cut their teeth on an Oxjam stage. Foals, Declan McKenna, Afrikan Boy, Blossoms and Benga are just some of 60,000 unsigned musicians to have performed at the Festival in its 11-year history.
This makes Oxjam the UK’s largest grassroots music festival, and is happening in 37 towns and cities up and down the country this year. It’s completely organised by passionate volunteers offering the best undiscovered, unsigned and under the radar talent throughout the month of October.
Adam Walker, Oxjam Manager said: “All Oxjam’s are multi-venue gigs, so by buying one wristband you can access all of your favourite live music haunts. Small live venues helped build our rich music heritage, and Oxjam is proof that best-selling headliners are today’s grassroots acts. Just remember you heard it here first!”
The money raised at Oxjam gigs go towards Oxfam’s work helping people escape poverty and stay alive in emergencies.
Oxfam is currently supporting millions of people- including those facing starvation in East Africa, fleeing war from Syria to South Sudan, and recovering from earthquakes and hurricanes in the Americas and Asia. It is also fighting for the rights of poor people all over the world.
To find out where your nearest Oxjam Music Festival is, and to get your tickets, go towww.oxjam.org.uk
