Oxford's got some fame in the UK music scene as home to bands like Radiohead and Supergrass, and (as you'd expect) the local band scene is lively, interesting and competitive. But in addition to the active gigging scene there's also Jazz, Folk, Dance and World on offer most nights of the week, as well as regular visits from big names to venues in town. Or if your interests run more to concert, church music or modern dance, there are also plenty of shows for you. OUTSIDE OF OXFORD
Oh, so Oxford is so great for music? What about the rest of Oxfordshire?
Turns out, Oxfordshire too has a pretty lively music scene. There's a music festival pretty much every weekend during the summer including famous events like Cornbury, Truck and Cropredy. And with Reading, Bristol and London just a short train-ride away, getting out of Oxford can be very rewarding.
For smaller events (and places for your band to play) look around; lots of the local young people's centres (find yours) put on gigs, and there are other venues in towns like Banbury, Bicester and Witney.
VENUE GUIDE (AND SOME EVENTS)
The Mill, Spiceball Park, Banbury website
Contemporary dance, theatre, and music including rock, pop, folk and jazz. Also open jams, regular folk meets, clubs, groups and more.
Livearts@StMary's, Horse Fair, Banbury website
Big church venue with a busy concert season, including choral, classical, modern, and more (Fairport Convention's played there!)
The Cellar, Frewins Court, Oxford website
Good venue for electro, dance, open late, lots of band nights.
Jericho Tavern, Walton Street, Oxford website
Historic Oxford venue, gets some big and unusual names in small and intimate shows.
Pegasus Theatre, Magdalen Road, Oxford website
Workshops for young people, jazz, music-writing, theatre, dance. Battle of the bands. Programme of contemporary dance, comedy, theatre and music.
The Carling Academy Oxford, Cowley Road, Oxford website
Oxford's main music venue with a big variety of club nights + live gigs, from local band showcases to intimate gigs from big names. Plenty of 14+ and 16+ gigs, also organsises bigger performances at Brookes university.
Jacqueline du Pre Music Building, St Hilda's College, Oxford website
Regular Classical and jazz Concerts, plus national music festivals, workshops and events.
Catweazle Club, East Oxford Community Centre, Princes Street website
Oxford's oldest-running open mike night for anyone doing anything but primarily acoustic, singer-songwriters, musicians and poets.
Port Mahon, St Clements, Oxford
Small upstairs venue in a pub (so over 18s only). Home of the Oxford Folk Club also regular antifolk, electronica, indie and other shows.
The Regal, 300 Cowley Road, Oxford The Regal
Big club venue that also does community events, all-ages gigs, and other events. Check out age restrictions for events individually.
The Barn, Witney website
Big venue at the Red Lion Inn Hotel, Corn Street. Covers bands at the weekend, original music midweek, also jazz and more.
