Oxjam Festival Leicester, 2011
This page is part of the Festivals Section
See our report
on Oxjam Leicester 2010
Oxjam Leicester Takeover 2011 - Saturday 22nd October
Third edition
Leicester Oxjam took place on Saturday 22nd
October 2011, located in the Cultural Quarter
This report is organised by the time at which acts took place
at each of the 14 venues.
We have included those acts which at least one member of
the Artsin Team saw and had at least one photo or video; even with five reporters
there all day, we would still have missed some acts.
Oxjam was a charity musical festival, using music to raise
awareness for the international famine relief charity Oxfam. Find out more about
it, on
the Oxjam website or on the
Wikipedia site.
Oxjam events have been held in various parts of the UK; also
taking place on the 22nd October were Oxjam Festivals in Camberwell (London),
Islington (London), Cheltenham, Beeston, Oxford, Cambridge, Winchester and various
other cities.
Oxjam Leicester Takeover web site 2011
Watch
a slide show of photos of artists and people enjoying the festival, by Benjamin
Photography.
Photo © Artsin photography
11:30
Leicester loves music and festivals
The organisers are setting up, the artists are arriving,
the sun is shining, venues are getting ready, the cultural quarter is a hive
of activity. The city centre is coming alive with bustle and activity. Leicester
loves it music and its charitable causes. Leicester Oxjam is certainly one of
the best in the country and it's all driven by young people.
In Leicester/shire it has been a year of festivals: Glastonbudget,
Download, Summer Sundae, Pride, Caribbean Carnival, Strawberry Fields and now
Oxjam, to mention only some of the bigger ones.
12:15
Orton Square, outside CURVE, is where the
main stage is located. The square derives its name from Leicester's most famous
playwright, Joe Orton. The main stage is the only free part of the festival.
Wristbands could be purchased from the box office for £10, giving admission
to all the venues throughout the day, or less for those who purchased them
online before the event (over 200 were sold prior to the close of online bookings.)
Photo © Artsin photography
Adam Thomas and the Souljers are putting
on a wonderful song and dance act. Their popular songs and vivacious dancing
is drawing a crowd in the bright midday sunshine.
Photo © Artsin photography
The Leicestershire ensemble's medley of popular songs includes
some Motown classics and the audience is loving their beautifully choreographed
dance routines.
Photo © Artsin photography
You can find out more about Adam Thomas on his web site.
Photo © Artsin photography
Leicester comedian Kirsty Monroe is here, comparing the main
stage. See our review
of Kirsty Munroe's comedy night at the Crumblin' Cookie.
13:00
Photo © Harjinder Ohbi
Singer Carly with her accompanist started
the day of musical treats at Manhattan 34 bar.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
The Soundhouse has filled with people eager to see Raptusound.
Their
big rock beats are filling the venue and a large number of people have gathered
in front of the stage to enjoy their really good, synthy electro rock music,
laden with beat and rhythm.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
Raptusound has been played on BBC 6 Music by Tom Robinson,
the band has become established and have their own web site, Facebook and Reverb
Nation pages. See the Raptusound
web site.
Watch
part of Raptusound's gig at the Soundhouse.
13:45
Photo © Artsin photography
Leicester singer/songwriter Oli Dickinson performed
at Mahatthan34. Accompanying himself on the electric piano, Oli is singing some
enchanting songs of his own and a couple of covers (including one by Leonard
Cohen). A wonderful songsmith, his performances are always a great pleasure.
Photo © Harjinder Ohbi
14:00
The Ale Wagon is noted for its fine selection of real ales;
now it has more people in it than I have ever seen before.
Photo © Artsin photography
Dan Wright, until recently with the band
Davenport, is singing. The band, sadly, has split up but the irrepressible Dan
continues with this musical career. His folk songs are delighting the crowd of
pub-goers and other artists. Almost a one man band, he is playing guitar and
working a variety of percussion instruments with his feet.
14:25
Veteran punkers First Wave are tearing up the stage at the
Soundhouse.
Photo © Harjinder Ohbi
The trio played at Oxjam last year. One of Leicester's finest
punk bands.
14:50
Photo © Harjinder Ohbi
On the main stage celebrated Leicester singer Carol
Leeming is in fine voice; she is one of the great artists of Leicester.
Jazz singer, poet, diva and artist, she is one of the outstanding figures on
the Leicester arts scene.
15:15
Graffiti artist Lightboy is putting together
some artwork at the top of Halford Street, as part of the official programme
of festival.
Photo © Harjinder Ohbi
He completed his artwork and the results can be seen outside
where they are building the new hotel.
The artwork can be seen before the hoardings are taken down, when the new
hotel opens.
Lightboy's finished art work
Loughborough's stars of hip-hop, Megadub are
making a rare appearance, bringing their infectious beats to the basement of
The Exchange Bar.
The six musicians are crowded into a small space, with a
keyboard player, saxophonist, guitarist, bassist and drummer, not to mention
the two vocalists. They are putting on a stormingly good set of songs, laced
with rap, hip hop beats and compelling ska rhythms.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
At the Shed Scams are on stage. Not seen
them before. They played to a minute audience, probably the musicians from the
next band on and some of their mates. A distinctly Bob Marley-esq sound, the
young musicians gave it some welly despite the lack of fans.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
Female fronted punk band Gone Feral have
returned after a bit of an absence in recent years. Playing at the Shed, they
brought back some memories of when we used to see them a lot a year or two ago.
They finish their set with with a cover of Weak by Skunk Anansie.
15:30
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
Down at the Shed, Black Page Turns are on
stage. Featuring some members of the now defunct Authentics, the guys are putting
some really well good songs. Their blistering guitar flourishes remind us of
Iron Maiden.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
At The Soundhouse, The Splitters were putting
on a fantastic set. The five piece band including trumpet players got the crowd
dancing and left them shouting for more.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
16:00
Photo © Artsin photography
Mike Vickers is singing at the Chutney Ivy
restaurant. Like Dan Wright, now his band has gone, he is pursuing a solo career.
Listen to a song by
Mike Vickers on Youtube.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
Over at the Exchange Bar, Danny Greet is
dong a set of his vibrant songs. We saw him at Strawberry Fields festival in
August. His acoustic set wow'd the audience; his presence entranced the audience.
Watch Danny Greet playing at the Exchange.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
Young local band The Headstarts put on a
creditable set of their skanking songs at the Exchange. Though still teenagers,
their singing and playing delivers quality music usually seen only from bands
twice their age. Lead singer and guitarist Jack used to be in an even younger
band called Kid Vicious.
Watch
th e
Headstarts playing at the Exchange.
16:15
Photo © Kyo Murtagh
Curve had activities throughout the day and so did Phoenix
Square, here are some dancers in one of the workshops at Studio 79 which
is across the road from The Phoenix..
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
Polaris at the Shed, superb guitarmanship
from this student band. Always a pleasure to hear them. Top level hard rock from
this talented four piece.
14:30
Photo © Harjinder Ohbi
Elizabeth Cornish is singing at the Ale
Wagon, accompanied by Jason Smith on bass. Jason is using a
remarkable device that I have never seen before. He holds it on one of the strings
and it produces a drone note. He calls it an "emo gadget". Elizabeth
is singing exquisite songs, a moment of calm and tranquility and a great pleasure
to hear.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
On stage at the Ale Wagon is Leicester singer/songwriter John
Anthony. Rapidly become is star of the popular music scene,
his busy schedule takes him on to many stages and on to the radio. See our coverage
of John
Anthony live on Radio Leicester.
Photo © Harjinder Ohbi
Martin Luke Brown is singing on the main
stage in Orton Square. Martin performed at Summer Sundae festival earlier this
year.
It would be remiss not to mention the many sound
engineers who played a crucial role in keeping the music going. Here
band musician Richard (left)
is doing a great job for Elizabeth Cornish and Jason Smith and the audience at
The Ale Wagon. Ollie Petch, Andy Mann and many
others worked tirelessly all day and the festival would not have gone so well
without them.
16:30
Photo © Harjinder Ohbi
It is always a pleasure to hear Charlie
& The Martyrs. They
are playing here on the main stage. One of our most popular music bands, they
have had a busy year and have been seen at many local festivals.
Photo © Kyo Murtagh
Citizen Smith played at the Soundhouse.
A band with a strong stage presence and a set of listenable songs, they added
their characteristic sounds to the day's line up. Professional rock for
connoisseurs of fine music.
Watch
Citizen Smith playing at the Soundhouse.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
Stephen and the Heathens did a fantastic set at the Soundhouse.
They really rocked the house.
In Queen Street Sonido are holding what
looks like a rave in a disused warehouse. DJs are playing, there is a bar and
in the evening there were a couple of hundred music fans in there having a great
time. Awesome.
18:00
Photo © Kyo Murtagh
The nine piece Leicester Jamaican-style ska band Kingsize ska
band brought the main stage to a resounding close.
Find out more about
Kingsize.
Photo © Kyo Murtagh
A huge vote of thanks to all the Oxjam
organisers for
bringing this massive celebration of music to Leicester.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
At The Shed, Leicester band Hybrid Trend are
on stage. We have seen them several times before and have always enjoyed their
sizzling melodic hard rock songs.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
Watch Hyrbid Trend playing at the Shed.
19:50
Musician Dawson Smith was at the Ale Wagon with his band
The Notorious Dawson Brothers. A big crowd had turned up to
appreciate their delightful and entertaining set of funky folk songs.
Photo © Kyo Murtagh
The crowd in front of the main stage at night.
21:00
Echo Location played a great set at Manhattan34
to a full house.
Photo © Anthony Benjamin
Dumbfound are a trio of superb musicians.
Here they are at the SoundHouse. Their tightly executed songs are delivered with
seriously good musicianship and we have always been delighted with them, when
ever we have seen them.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
Daylight Frequencies have played at the Exchange before,
so it was good to see them back again.
Watch
Daylight Frequences playing at the Exchange.
21:50
Five piece band from Sheffield Elephant played
at Manhattan 34, standing room only. Singer Callum Goddin used to be in Leicester
band The Aromattics.
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
The basement of the Exchange was really rocking. Here KAV is
on stage with this band. The room was packed and the atmosphere hot and sweaty
as the crowd lapped up the rocky, bluesy guitar of Kav who is in the middle of
his UK tour promoting his new album. Later this month they will be playing in
New York, LA and Vegas. One Leicester artist who has made it big. He played with
The Happy Mondays for four years.
Watch Kav playing at the Exchange.
22:15
Singer Kenton Hall was at the Chutney Ivy restaurant, singing
downstairs.
He was followed by some local rap artists: Lacky
C, Jonezy and Dibbz. The crew put
on a spirited performance of their rap songs and delivered a good deal of fun.
It was late, there were not many people but we all enjoyed it.
Photo © Anthony
Benjamin
MC Dibbz and MC Sly at
work at the Phoenix, earlier tonight. See
more photos of Dibbz and Sly.
The line up at the Shed concluded with Silent
Resistance,
one of Leicester's top metal bands. One of Artsin's featured bands, they have
delivered a set of impressive performances at several of our local music venues.
Lead singer Ryan Tailor always delivers a fizzing performance.
23:00
Photo © Kevin Gaughan
The Exchange bar is still going strong. Downstairs Move! is
playing and JJ McKenna is giving the room his vibrant vocals.
Their set delivers energetic, feel-good music. The audience is dancing and the
atmosphere is frenetic. Even though these guys have been around for only six
months, they have built a solid reputation and have become used to playing to
packed houses. They finish with their single It's Our Time, marking
the end of a fantastic day.
Watch Move! playing at the Exchange.
Jim The Daddy Photo © Anthony Benjamin
Mod, ska band The Moderators played a late
night set at CURVE. The Leicester band has been going for 17 years.
Jim The Daddy Photo © Anthony Benjamin
The show given by the Moderators at Curve was packed out
and had a really good atmosphere.
Find out more
about the Moderators.
But, not quite the end. For those with the energy to keep
going there are after-parties at [Thread], Helsinki and The Basement, going on
'tile four in the morning. The Basement in Wellington was packed for the late
night after party, we are told.
Thank you to our team of photographers who were out covering
the event today: Kevin Gaughan (photos, notes and videos), Harjinder Ohbi, Anthony
Benjamin and Kyo Murtagh. Acts wishing to obtain large, hi res versions of photos, please
contact Artsin Magazine. All photos on this page are the copyright of the
photographers who took them.
Other pages you might like
The full lineup of artists for the Leicester Oxjam 2011,
preserved for the record and taken from the Oxjam web site.
Artsin's
listing of acts (the 'clash list' listing the acts by the venues where they played.)
Find links for all Leicester bands
Find links for all Leicester singers
Our reports on Leicester Festivals
Leicester's Cultural Quarter
Festival reports 2011
Our
list of all the acts, venue by venue
