• AN IMPRESSIVE line-up of bands will do their bit for charity on Saturday, with the return of Oxford’s annual Audiscope. The all-dayer, which raises money for the homelessness charity Shelter, is headlined by Damo Suzuki, with sets by Arbouretum and Warm Digits.

The gig, at the much landlocked Jericho Tavern, is leant a nautical flavour by the salty-sounding Land Observations, Alright the Captain, Baltic Fleet and Listing Ships.

Also up are Message to Bears, Laura Moody, Dethscalator, and one of our favourite Oxford bands Gunning for Tamar.

The music gets under way at 1pm and runs through to midnight for a terrifically good value £12 from wegottickets.com

  • AUDIOSCOPE supporters can further boost Shelter’s coffers by buying the latest instalment of Music for a Good Home. The new album features 40 exclusive tracks from the likes of Spectrum, Four Tet, Wire, Ride, The Rock of Travolta, The Cellar Family, The Half Rabbits, Flights of Helios, Karma to Burn and Richard Walters. Download it for a fiver from musicforagoodhome.com


  • HELP Oxford's Sobell Hospice on Saturday with a concert at St Barnabas Church. The Jericho landmark hosts an evening of sacred music, with Bach’s Wachet Auf, Bruckner’s Requiem and pieces by Handel, Monteverdi and Clérambault.

Lighten Our Darkness is organised by Elizabeth Edmondson, from Oxford, whose husband, Paul, spent his last days at the Headington hospice before dying last year.

Local musicians and singers star with boys from the choir of St Giles, conducted by Nicholas Prozillo. Soloists are Jessie Holder (soprano) and Edmund Caird (bass). Mrs Edmondson, a best-selling author, said: “This concert says ‘thank you’ to everyone at the hospice. The care, expertise, good humour and simple loving kindness of the people who work there did indeed lighten the darkness for us, as it has done for so many patients and their families.

“This is not a gloomy occasion, so we also celebrate St Cecilia’s November feast day and Advent.” Tickets are £12/£10 on the door or by calling 01865 857007 or emailing mail@sobellhospice.org

  • THE mighty Black Hats are the latest band to throw their, err... hats, into the ring by performing at the Truck Store in Cowley Road on Saturday. The independent record shop, which recently celebrated its 100th in-store show, welcomes Nick Breakspear’s thrilling pop-punk three-piece who launch single Button Down Shirt. The band’s physical single is on sale, as well as free stickers, badges and other button fun – which may include the chocolate variety.

The gig runs from 4-6pm, with support from guitarist Matt Midgley. The single, which follow’s their acclaimed EP Austerity for the Hoi Polloi, is out online on November 26 through bandcamp, by donation only.