With Cowley Road Carnival back on the block, Tim Hughes looks forward to a packed programme of live music

IT’S Oxfordshire’s greatest celebration of community; a coming together of people of all faiths, colours and backgrounds united by one thing – fun!

Cowley Road Carnival is back – and, after years of being shunted aside in South Park, or not happening at all, it has returned to where it belongs – in the street.

Thousands of people will join the event on Sunday. And while some will come for the parade and others for the food, for most revellers it is all about the music.

“The music is a massive thing and we have got a great line-up this year,” says Claire Stimson, from Headington, who is helping to organise the event on behalf of Cowley Road Works.

“It’s great we have got such a mix of bands, artists and DJs,” she adds. “There is everything from dance music to folk – almost everything you can think of, and something for everyone.”

Bands include Oxford’s own Cuban-inspired 22-piece Ran Kan Kan big band; dubstep, drum & bass and garage collective The Good Vibe Tribe; folk-pop act Tramp Aviator; party-rock band The Mighty Redox; the Uniao da Mocidade samba crew; City of Oxford Silver Band; singer-songwriters Anna Rice, Rushil and Gemma Moss; Black Feathers; and a Truck stage showcasing a bill of local talent.

The O2 Academy, meanwhile, hosts the Kate Garrett Stage, run by Zahra Tehrani and the Young Women’s Music Collective and featuring 14-21 year-old rappers and singer-songwriters, performing urban and alternative sounds.

DJ crews are a big part of the carnival soundtrack, and include Tony Nanton at The Bullingdon and Sensible Dancehall, whose sound system will be on the corner of Jeune Street.

“We are very excited that carnival is returning to the street and can’t wait to be a part of such a significant event,” says Sensible Dancehall’s Matt Baker.

“We are a small group of three who have lived in East Oxford for 30 years altogether, and who play diverse music, from dancehall and tropical bass to Balkan sounds. And we make it fun.

“Carnival is illustrative of how influential Caribbean heritage is in Oxford, although this culture has largely passed over the younger and student residents of the city. At Sensible Dancehall we’ve worked hard to bridge this gap by exposing the culture and background of the music to a new audience, who thoroughly enjoy it.”

The Tramp Aviators, who play at the James Street Tavern, were winners of last year’s Ox Factor. Band member Paul Vanags, says: “People will love our philosophy on this crazy world of ours. We know how to put on a show and leave the crowd asking for more!”

“I’m really looking forward to it all,” adds Claire. “It will be a celebration of the diversity of East Oxford and a way for everyone to get together and enjoy the day. When many people think of Oxford, they think of academia, but it’s nice to show another side of the city; one which is all about Oxford people and communities.”

Where to listen:

  • Sensible Dancehall Sound System, Jeune Street – dancehall to tropical bass and Balkan beats
  • The Truck Store – showcasing the local independent music scene
  • Field Frequency Sound System, East Oxford Community Centre – reggae, bashment, hip-hop and dubstep
  • James Street Tavern – folk flavours
  • The Good Vibe Tribe, Union Street – dance beats
  • Bullingdon – live music from Mighty Redox, Polar Caps and Rushil and Tony Nanton’s sound system
  • Busking Spot, Chapel Street – DIY music
  • O2 Academy – Kate Garret Stage featuring local youth bands
  • Manzil Gardens – traditional and contemporary dance tunes and Ran Kan Kan
  • Asian Cultural Centre – sounds of the Subcontinent
  • Bar Aroma – Latino corner with salsa and zumba hosted by George Martinez
  • Baby Simple – house music sound system.

The music at Cowley Road Carnival runs from noon to 7pm on Sunday, breaking for the procession from 2-3pm. The event is free.