The week starting 9 September is kind of a quiet one, although you can avail yourself of some local talent on Wednesday 11 September at The Wheatsheaf in Oxford. “Gothic, spiky, abrasive, melodic, charming and bouncy” – so are described the combination of Dropout, Mary Bendy Toy and Gag Reflex.
On Friday 13 September Babyshambles – remember them? – will rock up to the O2 Academy Oxford to play songs from their new album and, probably, a selection of the earlier stuff that made them initially famous and popular. Or maybe they won’t rock up at all; they’ve got a habit for dropping out of gigs, haven’t they?
If that’s too indie-schmindie for you, get over to The Wheatsheaf, Oxford, instead on Friday 13 September, and celebrate Friday 13th with the thundering brutal metal sonic assault of Bloodshot Dawn, who will be supported in similar vein by locals Black Skies Burn as well as by Japan’s Gotsu-Totsu-Kotsu and the South (of England)’s The Florentine Camerata. Devil horns all around!
The ‘Frankie’s Whisky Night’ series of gigs has been running for a while, and the next one is on Thursday 19 September at Port Mahon in Oxford. The gigs are a celebration of whisky – your entry fee also gets you a shot of single malt – and fine, largely folk/Americana-esque music. This time, the line-up includes not only Francis Pugh & The Whisky Singers (aka Frankie) but also Ben Marwood (who recently supported Frank Turner on an American tour) and James McKean (who plays a country/soul/gospel combo).
Boozy good-time skiffle punks The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band launch their new album, Party Seven, with a special gig on Saturday 21 September. They’re taking over the D-Wing of the old Oxford prison – otherwise known as Oxford Castle Unlocked – and will be supported by Megan Henwood and Sweet’n’Sour Swing. Quirky things to do as well as enjoying the music will include buying drinks from a bar set up in a padded cell, and having a late night poke around the old prison environment!
The Old Fire Station in Oxford launches its new gig series, The Listening Room, on Sunday 22 September. A monthly slot in their performance space, this first instalment will see Kill Murray, The Sea The Sea and Freada performing sets within this excellent venue.
Full details of these and loads more gigs can be found in the events calendar.