Sound advice from Oxford's music scenesters for a very musical 2014

Seb Reynolds, PinDrop events promoter and member of Oxford bands The Epstein and Flights of Helios

Musical highlight of 2013?Too many highlights to mention! Some of the Flights of Helios shows have been ace. Pretty much selling out The Wheatsheaf in January was a good way to start the year, and the groundwork that we’ve laid for our debut album with producer Richard Neuberg of Via Rosa out at his beautiful studio near Islip has been tremendously positive – watch this space! Starting to work with Dennis at Albion Beatnik bookstore in Jericho has also been a fantastic development for us and I think our benefit show for Oxford based homeless charity The Gatehouse was my fave PinDrop event of 2013 – all our favourite acoustic acts on one bill.

Other great moment? Joining Oxford City Athletics Club and putting in a couple of respectable performances has been a big buzz. I’m looking forward to seriously upping my game in 2014.

Funniest moment? My whole life is a laugh a minute

Best breakthrough act? I think she’s probably going to cross over more into the mainstream in 2014 but my fave discovery of last year was American singer Angel Olsen. She has a voice that sounds like she’s singing at us mere mortals from across deepest space. Who knew voice and guitar could sound so otherworldly.
Best local act? I’d be crucified if I didnt give props to PinDrop Roster acts Grudle Bay, Huck and ToLiesel, but there are so many others to mention too. I really love After The Thought, Masiro, Clapping Hand (ace remixer/producer). I’ve also listened to Co-pilgrim’s album to death and been hitting the latter day Radiohead canon hard. Sorry no short answer!
Guilty pleasure? Are you planning a solo record, Tim?

What are you most looking forward to in 2014? Getting the Flights of Helios album sorted, first single from the album will be Factory, single launch March 7 at The Wheatsheaf. Also worth noting is the full theatrical stage performance of Huck’s Alexander The Great show at The Old Fire Station in Oxford on June 12. Be there!
What’s going to be hot... and not? Oddball American pop singer Rainbow Reservoir, pictured, has recorded her next release with Oli and Rob from Stornoway. I’m sure it will be a fascinating listen. My latest local hot tip is Oxford via Stockholm singer Julia Meijer who will hopefully be going into the studio soon. We recorded some demos in Binsey church, and they should be available to hear on her soundcloud. Also, I’m hyped to hear more work from Wantage-based producer Clapping Hand.
New Year resolution? Smash all my running PBs and get the Flights of Helios album out to international acclaim.
What would you like to see banned? It would be good if we could work out a way to fairly share the huge amount of wealth in this country. No one should be homeless.

Richard Sansom, frontman of Woodstock indie-rock band Wild Swim

Musical highlight of 2013? Writing an album together in the summer with a Siamese kitten mascot.
Other great moment? Discovering Clark and being both afraid of and in love with his music ever since.
Funniest moment? In a blur of uninhibited homo-eroticism, Wild Swim took to the trampoline in a storm, clothes abandoned, to pay our respects to the tempest.

Best breakthrough act? Drenge. The two brothers, pictured, are breathing new life into the popular scene and are pulling guitar music away from the more gutless stuff there is out there at the moment.
Best local act? Glass Animals. We've been keeping tabs on them for a while now and are always keen to receive their latest offerings.
Guilty pleasure? Todd Terje – Inspector Norse. It's cheeky and a bit silly but undeniable. It inspires proper Pina-style dancing when you've made quite sure you're on your own.
What are you most looking forward to in 2014? Our debut album release. Simply cannot wait for obvious reasons.
What’s going to be hot... and not? Benedict Cumberbatch name generators. Beyoncé by Beyoncé
New Year resolution? Become a self-facilitating media node.
What would you like to see banned? The endless recycling of material in music journalism (..careful Richard! Ed)

Ronan Munro, Editor of Oxford’s monthly music magazine Nightshift

Musical highlight of 2013? Supernormal Festival at Braziers park in August. It was completely devoid of commercial intent and musically stunning in its breadth and depth. Hookworms’ set on the Saturday night rendered all critical faculties obsolete and they simply took my breath away in their intensity.
Other great moment? Joel Grant’s sublime solo goal for Wycombe against Oxford at the Kassam back in April.

Funniest moment? The continued existence of Owen Paterson in a position of authority is no laughing matter but his claim that the badgers had “moved the goalposts” during the cull fiasco proved what a comical imbecile he really is.
Best breakthrough act? Locally Wild Swim and Glass Animals are looking like moving on to bigger and better things and keeping the Oxford talent production line rolling.
Best local act? Young Knives not only reminded everyone that they’re one of the most innovative bands Oxford has produced but surpassed themselves with their best album yet in Sick Octave. If they can survive, who knows what they can create next.
Guilty pleasure? Sorry, guilt implies someone suffers for your pleasure, and even my enduring love for ‘80s synth-pop can’t be considered harmful to outsiders.
Most looking forward to in 2014? Deafheaven to headline Cornbury Festival.
What’s going to be hot... and not? The Krautrock/ psychedelia-inspired underground scene is throwing up more and more great bands, from Wooden Shjips and Mugstar to newcomers like Hookworms and Grumbling Fur, though its appeal will never go much beyond the dedicate few, sadly.
New Year resolution? To be nice about every demo I get sent. Just kidding.
What would you like to see banned? The word “sophomore” in music press releases. We’re British, goddamit and no, it doesn’t make you sound sophisticated, just stupid.

Robin Bennett, musician and member of country-rock band Dreaming Spires

Musical highlight of 2013? Playing in the rooftop amphitheatre at Said Business School for the Kids Are Alright charity gig in blistering heat was quite an experience
Other great moment? A nerdy one, I love these EdX courses where you can study for free online from places like MIT and Harvard!
Funniest moment of 2013? Danny the Champ's tattoo joke (go and see him play and he'll tell it)

Best breakthrough act? Poledo
Best local act? The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band
Guilty pleasure? Daft Punk’s Get Lucky
What are you most looking forward to in 2014? New Co-Pilgrim LP. It’s sweet!
What’s going to be hot... and not? It’s going to be hot at the world cup in Brazil, and probably not in England!
New Year resolution? Practise guitar solos
What would you like to see banned? Awards for Best Brand Activation, whatever that means, at music festivals.

Hugh Philimore, music promoter, event organiser and director of Cornbury Festival

Musical highlight of 2013? Apart from Cornbury Festival, Georgie Fame’s 70th birthday concert at Cheltenham Jazz Festival. He was on fantastic form joined by the BBC Big Band & Orchestra for a special Friday Night is Music Night on Radio 2. The show featured all the hits and guest appearances by Alan Price, Zoot Money and Madeline Bell. It was fantastic. I’m hoping he’ll be part of my festival line-up this year.
Other great moment? Staying a couple of nights on Bryher in the Scilly Isles, for our wedding anniversary in September. Beautiful place.
Funniest moment? My daughter’s school concert. Laughing and crying simultaneously.
Best breakthrough act? Hunter & The Bear, best new act at Cornbury Music Festival 2013. Also John Newman.

Best local act? The Inflatables.
Guilty pleasure? Cornbury Music Festival Live 2013 CD (and 2011 & 2012!)
Most looking forward to in 2014? The release of Imelda May’s third album Tribal in May.
What’s going to be hot... and not? Hot – Imelda May, obviously. Not – hopefully we’ll have a bit less of Miley Cyrus.
New Year resolution? Stop smoking (again).
What would you like to see banned? Furniture store adverts.
* Cornbury Festival takes place at Great Tew from July 4-6. Tickets from cornburyfestival.com or call 0844 338 000

Stuart Macbeth, frontman of Oxford’s stylish jazz-swing rock seven-piece, The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band

Musical highlight of 2013? It’s a toss up between Garsington Opera and Kanye West’s Yeezus album. I think he’s a genius.
Other great moment? The Mexico show at the Royal Academy in the Summer was the best thing I've seen all year. I went five times.
Funniest moment? I spent a very interesting afternoon trainspotting with a couple of experts.
Best breakthrough act? Goat from Sweden. Their album World Music almost made me want to dance.
Best local act? Huck, whose Alexander the Great you can hear on Soundcloud.com. He has an amazing voice. Candy Says and Despicable Zee have also been on my turntable.

Guilty pleasure? Nicki Minaj – I’ve got all her records.
Most looking forward to in 2014? I’m looking forward to our King of Wine video, which is out on Youtube on January 10, and playing Bestival later in the year. We’ve also got a great show with The Long Insiders lined up on the February 21. I’m weak at the knees just thinking about that one.
What’s going to be hot... and not? I think military outfits and moustaches are in. I’m polishing my boots up already. I think vintage theme nights are out and wine-soaked Bauhaus art parties are in.
New year resolution? Cut down my Nando’s intake to one chicken per month.
What would you like to see banned? I'd really like to see the death of the Kindle. I know people really like them but the tempation to grab and smash them is too strong; I don’t know if I can make it through another year.
* The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band’s new album Party Seven is out now from rabbitfootspasmband.co.uk/shop

Victoria Smith, Assistant General Manager at the O2 Academy Oxford

Musical highlight of 2013? Gathering Festival and Oxjam. It’s great to see multi-venue festivals really taking off in Oxford, they’re always really vibrant events that give people the opportunity to try out venues they might not have visited in the past, and see bands they might not have heard of or paid to check out individually.
Other great moment? Having Sienna Miller and Kiera Knightly hanging out at the Klaxons gig. They refused any offer of security assistance and just hung out at the gig like any other punter!

Funniest moment? The gig by Bam Magera, of Jackass fame, was hilarious. It was like nothing we’ve seen on our stage before.
Best breakthrough act? I’m a big Saint Raymond fan so am excited to have them booked into the venue for March 24. You’ll catch me at the front for that one.
Best local act? Lewis Watson had a pretty amazing year, going from booking him through his dad to play warm-up at gigs, to watching him sell out his own headline events internationally is very impressive. Another favourite are Empty White Circles, pictured. Their exciting, energetic sets just makes me want to see them again and again.

Guilty pleasure? I’m ashamed to say I was pretty excited to have Blue play the venue this year. My 12 year-old self was squealing inside. Their dance routines were impressive for being a man-band now!
Most looking forward to in 2014? There’s pretty much something for everyone coming up this year. January 25 is going to be my next gigging night. Upstairs we have our monthly BBC Introducing night with Wild Swim, voted Oxford’s band of the year by the BBC, and downstairs we have the amazing Warpaint, who were fantastic the last time they played, so I’ll be running between venues trying to catch both.
What’s going to be hot... and not? I’m always a big fan of checking out support artists, there’s always a chance to catch the next big thing. Checking out Laura Mvula supporting Jessie Ware and Hudson Taylor supporting Jake Bugg introduced me to two of my favourite new artists of the year completely by accident.
New year resolution? I tried Dry January and failed by January 2! Maybe next year.
What would you like to see banned? Loud chatting at gigs!