A party? In a gallery? Whatever next! Tim Hughes investigates.

NO matter how much you love music, it’s a fact of life that many venues leave a lot to be desired. The mere mention of the word ‘gig’ throws up images of shabby backrooms with sticky floors, drab walls, and where you have to struggle to get served a plastic skiff of weak beer at a bar drenched in lager.

So it’s always exciting to hear of new, and, yes… nice, spaces opening up for music.

And venues don’t get much nicer than the city’s latest performance space – The Yard, at Modern Art Oxford.

Once purely the preserve of cutting-edge installations and challenging exhibitions populated by chin-stroking aesthetes, this local gem, tucked away in lazy Pembroke Street, has been pulling in a new clientele – young, cool, clued-up music-lovers.

Throughout the summer, the gallery’s Yard – a partially open-air designer bar off St Ebbe’s – has dabbled in live music, staging a series of showcase gigs. But they have saved the best to last, with their end-of-summer Yard Party.

“The summer season is ending, but we are throwing one last party,” says the gallery’s Kayleigh Hellin.

“We wanted to bring people together before we close up The Yard for the winter – and it should be a great night.

“We’re offering quite a range of music – from jazz and soul to shoegaze, indie-rock and beats. And all the artists are from Oxfordshire.”

The night kicks off with Laura Capillaire, a jazz-soul singer who stars as a soloist with the Oxford Gospel Choir who performed backing vocals for Supergrass, and appeared on their Road to Rouen album.

“Laura is a great soulful singer from Witney,” says Kayleigh, “and will open the night in style.”

Next up are Oxford five-piece The Graceful Slicks, who describe themselves as a ‘neo-psychedelic shoegaze outfit’. “They are what happens when parents subject their children at a young age to their old record collection,” says Kayleigh.

They are followed by indie-rockers Echo Boomer, who have supported the likes of The Guillemots and The Temper Trap, and lay claim to a “collective desire to make something new”.

Kayleigh admits to being a fan. “They are inspired by bands like Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire and Talking Heads, so have a really fresh indie sound,” she says.

The night is rounded off by DJ David Moore – aka Betamigos, who will serve up electro, breakbeat, indie and chill-out.

“There’s so much going on” she adds. “We may be an art gallery but it’s also a great place to watch films, listen to talks – and, of course, hear music.

“The Yard brings a little bit of the outdoors inside. It’s cosy, intimate and relaxed – with good drinks – which on Saturday will include freshly-mixed bellinis.

“If you’ve had enough of the usual venues, you should check it out. It’s light, airy, and a great place to chill and hang out with your friends, as well as listening to some great music. After all, no one likes sticky floors!”

* The Yard party at Modern Art Oxford takes place on Saturday. It runs from 7-11pm. Tickets are £5.