Tim Hughes talks to Anthony Kelly about a unusual night of music with a big heart...

ROCK guitarist Anthony Kelly cannot be faulted for his lack of ambition.

When deciding to start his own music festival he didn't settle on any old farmer's field or a corner of a park – he set his sights on something higher: the roof of one of Oxford's most iconic new buildings the Said Business School.

He called it The Kids Are Alright – in homage to one of his favourite band's (The Who) and because it raises money for children's charities. But there is nothing childish about the evening event, one of the best-loved of the year.

"We started it for the love of music and to share it with people," says the artist, who lives in Marston and plays with pop act The Shapes. "We also wanted to support some children’s charities along the way.

This year's beneficiaries are Bellhouse-Drayson Ward and Juvenile Diabetes, both at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and All As One UK.

"It's a festival in an evening; an exhibition of great local music, with an opportunity for lots of local bands to get to play to an audience and for people to get to hear a selection of what’s available in Oxford."

The event is now in its fourth year, and on Saturday returns to its lofty heights in the business school amphitheatre. Bands include The Fusion Project, Great Western Tears, La Phooka, Cooper Black, Peerless Pirates, The Long Insiders and Anthony's own band The Shapes.

"It is a unique venue for the area," he says. "Where else in Oxfordshire is there an amphitheatre?

"It’s close to the railway station and bus routes, so really easy to get to and to leave afterwards.

"As we finish at 11.15pm, people can also go clubbing along Park End Street after if they want to.

"We know the catering staff and they do a mean barbeque!

"Also, the Said Business School let us have the venue for free as this is a charity event, so our profits to give to children’s charities are that much greater. And, if it rains, we have an indoors option so people don’t have to get wet. Luckily we haven’t had to use that option yet and we have put in an order for good weather this weekend, so hope we don’t have to this year either."

He laughs: "The rain threatened for some time near the end of our second event, but held off until 10 minutes after the show ended, when the crew had packed everything electrical away. Then the heavens opened and it poured with rain, which meant that any spilt drinks in the amphitheatre were washed away without us having to do any mopping.

And the beauty of playing in an amphitheatre above the street noise is obvious. "The acoustics are great as The Epstein proved during our second year, when they did an unplugged track in the middle of the amphitheatre," says Anthony. "You could have heard a pin drop in the audience and the sound quality was perfect.

"It’s open air and, as it gets dark, it becomes quite magical with beautiful lighting."

That Epstein session stands as a classic moment, but Anthony insists there have been many highlights. "I love hearing bands I’ve never heard of before," he says. "The communal spirit of the event is also wonderful. People help us to clear up and move things afterwards without being asked.

"And then there is the money we raise for charities: £3,500 last year and £2,700 the previous year.

"Local companies are also generous in donating raffle prizes, the canopy for bands, beer and seats."

He goes on: "Preparation gets easier as we get more experienced at it, so I am expecting this year's to be great.

"The bands are enthusiastic about playing and when they are enjoying themselves on the stage, then the audience enjoys themselves too.

"Come along, hear great music and have a dance. Support local music and see bands you perhaps haven’t heard before and cheer on ones you have.

"Where else can you experience seven different bands for £10, and support three children’s charities?

"This is a truly charitable event," he goes on. "The bands play for free, and companies donate gifts and other items to make the event a success. This is a unique venue, quite different from all the other events this summer and in a beautiful setting. Come along to support local music, and the journeyman bands who play for the love of music."

* The Kids Are Alright takes place at the Said Business School, Frideswide Square, Oxford. Tickets £12 from wegottickets.com/event/362691, from Truck Store, Cowley Road, or on the door