ACOUSTIC

  • DANIEL ZAPPI
  • The Old Bookbinders, Oxford
  • Tonight (Thursday) 8pm

Free Wandering Daniel Zappi has played in all sorts of exotic locations — from Black Sea music clubs to Sicilian wine bars, so a show in the convivial surroundings of the Old Bookbinders makes for a refreshingly normal change for the talented singer-songwriter. Daniel plays a neat line in pop-rock and mellow bossa nova and reggae-infused folk, and is one to watch in 2013. The gig serves as the official launch party for his beautiful and intricately-crafted album Rise and Fall, which he will play live.

INDIE-ROCK

  • TROPHY WIFE AND SWEET BILLY PILGRIM
  • St Albans Church, Oxford
  • Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday
  • Tickets: £8 or £15 for both nights (including mulled wine or soft drink) from wegottickets.com

Oxford’s Beard Museum stages a double-header of new music this weekend, courtesy of Trophy Wife, a leading member of the city’s Blessing Force arts collective who have been supporting Foals on tour; and, the next night, Sweet Billy Pilgrim. Support comes from Kill Murray, and, on Saturday, Adam Barnes, Phil McMinn and The Beard Museum Christmas Singers.

REGGAE

Nothing says Christmas more than the heavy beat of dub reggae. It seems an unlikely combination, but Christmas Eve reggae parties have been going on at the O2 Academy (and the Zodiac before it) since Santa was in short trousers. This year’s features the talents of ‘Count’ Aidan Skylarkin’, DJ Wrongtom, and deep, dubby seven-piece The Drop.

POP

  • SHOWADDYWADDY
  • Shush, Wantage
  • Saturday
  • Tickets: £25 seated, £20 standing from ents24.com

“Who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp? Who put the ram In the rama lama ding dong?” Showaddywaddy of course. The 1970s will be alive and kicking in Wantage when the luridly attired rock throwbacks revive hits Pretty Little Angel Eyes and Under the Moon of Love. Beetle- crushers are essential.