Oxford Punt

So last night was the annual Oxford Punt festival, showcasing Nightshift‘s pick of the best new bands in town. How did you find it and what were your highlights? Leave us a comment here on your Punt 2009…

Other stuff that may be related to this page

  • The Oxford Punt (1)
  • The Oxford Punt (2)
  • Oxford Punt lineup announced
  • Punt tickets and info
  • Punt 2010: How was it for you?

This was posted on 14 May 2009. More stuff in this section:

  • Rachel Beardow

    Awesome is probably the best word to describe last night. Walking up the stairs to the sounds of Phantom Theory was a good way to start the evening. Mary’s Garden so divine, Black Hats wicked and From Light and Sound – good views of the backside but less of the feedback on the speakers would have been nice.

  • colinmackinnon

    Review coming soon- We Aeronauts was my favourite. I think Oxbands reviewers covered everywhere and most everyone. Will take a wee while to format it.

  • Jay

    I didnt attend (sorry but was recording and it was the apprentice!) but word is Hearts In Pencil stole it.

    would like to have seen Aeronauts as well as they are bloody good (im sure ill catch em at the Sheaf soon)

  • Paul

    To echo some of the above points – caught 16 of the bands last night (work meant I missed the Borders two – grrr!) with lots of running and often brief samples of sets (think of it as musical tapas) stand outs for me were Hearts In Pencil and Mary’s Garden. First time I had seen HIP – fantastic energy, very tight, very distinctive sound – def. one I will follow in the future. The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band was a perfect way to end the evening with knackered legs and a spinning head….

  • http://www.joechapman.org/ Joe

    Well that was fun. I wish I’d caught more of We Aeronauts though. Very good atmosphere, Jack Daniels, lots of nice people, plenty of new faces. Yes, good choice in Original Rabbit Foot Spasm for the end. From Here We Run were an interesting new band, slightly quirky drumming style which is good. ‘Fuel’ put on a very loud and energetic first half of the set with lots of gurning (I’d wanted to catch some of We Aeronauts next door). From Light To Sound very good too, a great impact from the opening song. We enjoyed playing The Cellar as always and there was a nice easy going vibe. Jimmy did an excellent job as usual with the sound, despite a bad tooth.

  • Martin

    I always see the punt line up and feel very disappointed ..

    Go along and realise that actually Ronan does have a good idea about what is happening and it turns out to be a very enjoyable night …

    Started late due to commitments – but got to see Mary’s Garden – a bit static for my taste (they were playing on a postage stamp so this is maybe unfair on them) and could do with some stronger material but no doubting the musicianship and strong vocal delivery.

    Then off to the PT to see the back end of Beaver Fuel who made me chuckle.

    From Light to Sound in the cellar seemed to be having some technical issues and couldn’t keep guitars in tune which spoiled what seemed to be a good set – but drove me out to:

    Thirst Lodge – and Desert Storm who were for me the band of the night – this is how to rock on half a postage stamp – I was sure they managed to move the stage 3 feet to the left as they moved to the sound of 70′s rock riffs which were all written years before these guys were a twinkle in their parents eyes. Peter Greene eat your heart out. Wished the singer – who sang like a junior Liam IR – would have actually spoken between songs with a slightly camp accent rather than tried to carry on in his singing voice (I bet he doesn’t speak to his mum like that). Completely won me – and the entire audience over.

    And Dial F for Frankenstein – proving we have a really healthy new crop of bands coming out. Great show – have seen them before – like them more and more each time.

    And The Cellar – and a bunch of guys in hats playing 20′s Jazz – why didn’t they play that old classic which goes along the lines of “What’s the point of getting sober shen yo’re gonna get drunk again”? Stage invasion and madness and a perfect way to end an evening …..

    Another great punt.

  • timscience

    Normally I think accordions are instruments of the Devil, but I liked We Aeronauts. I think they won me over when they wandered out into the audience and did a song entirely acoustically in multi part harmony.

    Also, Phantom Theory were ace. Although they don’t sound like early Madonna, whatever their Myspace says.

  • Beaver Fuel

    “to see the back end of Beaver Fuel” – pun intended?!! Glad we entertained you, thanks for seeing us.