Nine bands, a great venue and all for a good cause. Tim Hughes finds out about this one-off show

IT’s one of Oxford’s loveliest venues, but for most of us, it has remained out of bounds.

The rooftop amphitheatre at Oxford University’s Said Business School is a glorious outdoor space which seats 300 people and affords view over the city’s skyline.

And on Saturday it will host a one-off event which could prove to be a highlight of the summer.
Nine bands - most local - will gather for a six and-a-half hour open air concert to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Giving their time for free are country-rockers Dreaming Spires, stylish rockabilly three-piece The Long Insiders, dreamy Americana act Co-Pilgrim, Olly Wills from folk-rock band The Epstein, rock act The Family Machine, singer-songwriter Jess Hall and Jaggy Edges.

The show, called The Kids Are Alright (named after the 1965 song by The Who), has been made possible by two men - music promoter Ant Kelly from pop-rockers The Shapes, and Mat Davis, of the Said Business School and frontman of the band Fifteen Strings. Both bands join the line-up on the building’s roof.

listen to ‘Oxford Mail talk about The Dreaming Spires; Brothers in Brooklyn’ on Audioboom

“It doesn’t get any better” says Ant, from Arlington Drive, Marston, a stalwart of the city’s music scene who has graced a series of, mostly, covers bands before forming The Shapes two years ago.
“We have nine bands playing this fantastic setting for just £10. And it’s all for a great cause.”

Father-of-three Ant said the idea of the charity show came from a neighbour, nurse Jill Thompson, who is a sister at the hospital’s Ambulatory Care Ward - which will split the profits with the rest of the Children’s Hospital.

“It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this,” he adds. “These are all bands I like - with music ranging from county and Americana to surf-rock. They are all playing for nothing and all jumped at the chance to perform.

“The Children’s Hospital is a really deserving cause which always needs funds. It’s a great asset and even little donations can make a big difference.”
The night will be dedicated to the memory of The Shapes’ late keyboard player Tony Jezzard who died last month.

Mr Jezzard, who was also well known as a sound engineer, had played in the band since its formation and had previously performed with Ant’s covers band Four More Faces. He died last month after a heart attack, and his funeral took place last week.

Ant, said: “Tony was a very popular guy and was known by everyone on the Oxford music scene. Losing him was a big shock. He was a great musician and we miss him a lot.”

The event is set to benefit from great weather, with another fine weekend forecast. The venue has a licensed bar and food will be also available. Each band will play for half-an-hour, except for headliners The Dreaming Spires who will be on for 40 minutes.

He went on: “A lot of these bands are playing Truck Festival later this month, so it will be a great warm-up for them, and for the audience.

“Oxford has a great music scene and this the cream of it. And we are grateful for them for making this happen.”

LIVE
 

  • The Kids are Alright is at the Said Business School on Saturday from 4.30-11pm.
  • Tickets are £10 from wegottickets.com or £12 on the door.
  • Profits go to Oxford Children’s Hospital