OXFORD bands and artists are warming up their voices and tuning their instruments for a week-long music festival.

Now in its third year, the Oxford City Festival – which gets under way today – continues to celebrate some of the best in the local music scene.

It involves artists playing at several venues in the city. Acts include five-piece band The Aureate Act.

A-Level students Nat Jones, Dominic Baum, Nick Ormrod, Ebyan Rezgui and Quentin Dercon have been playing together for two years.

Guitarist and vocalist Nat said: “Dom and I went to school together and we met the others through mutual friends.

“That is how it all started. We have a lot of influence from the 70s, like Pink Floyd.”

He added: “It’s great to have so many bands playing together for one festival.

“We played last year and it was our first time doing a gig so we look forward to going back.”

After their A-Level exams next year, the band plans to take a year out to concentrate on their music.

Nat added: “We are taking a gap year to pursue it a bit more and hopefully we can keep going.

“We are excited for what is going to happen in 2016.”

Event organiser Osprey O’Brien, of East Oxford, is a key figure in the city’s music scene after he made his name as a soloist, club DJ and part of 90s band Tracksuit Karate.

He wanted to celebrate the county’s talent by organising the festival.

He said: “We all know that Oxford is up there with the best cities on the musical map, and we need a way to celebrate that.

“This is the festival’s third year and it’s a bit like third album syndrome where we’ve just got to keep going now.”

The festival runs from today until Sunday, with gigs at The Bullingdon, The Cellar, The 02, The Library, The Corridor, The Bear, The Wheatshead, The Marsh Harrier and The Jericho Tavern. Mr O’Brien will perform with Osprey & OX4 All Stars on Friday at the 02, while The Aureate Act will play on Sunday at The Bullingdon, Cowley Road.

Charismatic veteran rock singer John Otway will be at The Library pub in Cowley Road on Wednesday.

For full listings, search for ‘Oxford City Festival’ on facebook.com

Get tickets from wegottickets.com