Rescheduled from April 18th - when the great man came down with a throat infection - Cowley Road gets graced with a second legendary reggae performance in as many months this Friday, as Horace Andy follows The Wailers in taking to the stage at the O2 Academy.

Unlike his friends from down the road in Kingston 12, however, this isn’t the first time Andy has visited these parts.

Promoter Aidan Larkin explains: “My first ever gig at the old Zodiac was warming up for Horace Andy when he last came here in 2004.

"That performance was so inspirational it even inspired a chapter in 'Isolarion', James Atlee’s book about the Cowley Road.

"It was a truly joyous affair. Hopefully this time nerves won’t get the better of me and I’ll actually have the courage to speak to the guy!”

Revered in his homeland for soundsystem hits such as ‘Zion Gate’, ‘Money Money’, 'Natty Dread A Weh She Want’ and of course the seminal ‘Skylarking’, Andy is perhaps best known in this country for his collaborations with Massive Attack.

Perhaps the most consistent innovator in the history of Jamaican music, he was also among the first to work with King Tubby on his famous dub experiments, and to embrace the digital era, with his dancehall smash ‘Elementary’.

Horace recently released a critically-acclaimed new album – spanning reggae, soul and dubstep sounds – with X-Press 2’s Ashley Beedle, himself a lifelong fan of the Jamaican.

Beedle himself will feature in Horace’s band this Friday, describing the collaboration as a “dream come true”.

The show is also likely to be the last to be put on at the venue by the promoter Aidan ‘Count Skylarkin’ Larkin, whose DJing commitments all over the country have seen him become something of a peripheral figure round his beloved East Oxford in recent times.

“If this is to be the last time, then it feels like a fitting swansong to an unbelievable few years – we’ve had The Skatalites, Max Romeo, Mad Professor, Ska Cubano, and the late, great Alton Ellis.

"Most recently The Wailers were enjoying themselves so much onstage that they played on for over three hours!

"I’d like to thank everyone who has come out over the years, supported these events and contributed to some truly sublime evenings.

"And I hope to see you all on Friday, one last time. Let’s give it some!”

Horace Andy and Ashley Beedle play the Oxford O2 Academy on Friday, alonsgide Mackating and DJ Wrongtom.

Doors 7pm (afterparty @ Hi-Lo Jamaican Eating House) Tickets are £16 in advance.