Need a bit of cheering up and some raw, rock and roll energy kicked back into your life? We may have just the solution for you - writes Jake Swinhoe - thanks to Love Music Hate Racism Oxford who are putting on a night of music guaranteed to get you up and dancing.

Tomorrow The Bullingdon in Cowley Road will host Jim Jones and the Righteous Mind with support from local favourites The Deadbeat Apostles.

We urgently need to build the grassroots movement against racism, and music has an important role to play in mobilising people who want to live in a peaceful and tolerant society. We use the energy of the music scene to celebrate diversity and involve people in anti-racist activity.

Recent events globally, and more specifically around Oxford, suggest we live in troubled times with communities divided by fear and isolation. But as Jim Jones suggests, “It’s all about people getting together and showing a sense of community – where negative forces try to divide us through race, religion or even how you chose to vote in the Brexit referendum, we can show unity through music and the love of our fellow humans.”

With the new album, Collectiv, getting rave reviews from all sources –Mojo Music magazine, Record Collector and Classic Rock all hail the album as a modern classic – The Righteous Mind are charging through the UK and Europe giving a night to remember to sell-out crowds.

Giving weight to the album’s name is a stellar cast of guest musicians. These include guitarist Little Barrie, soul singer Sister Cookie, Urban Voodoo Machine’s Paul-Ronney Angel, and opera singer Vesna Petresin. Collectiv also finds Jim Jones re-uniting with guitarist Ray ‘Sonic’ Hanson and drummer Phil Smith, his comrades from Thee Hypnotics, for the first time in over 20 years.

The sound is described as a blend of rock & roll, chain gang chants, mutant gospel soul and heavy lounge, but the band have also proudly paid homage to the legend that is Keith Richards on Collectiv by borrowing one of Keith’s favourite guitars to use on many of the tracks.

Oxford Mail:

Jim explains: “A good friend of mine was given the Gibson Hummingbird 1964 acoustic guitar that Keith used on Rolling Stones songs like Street Fighting Man and most of the Beggars Banquet album.

“I asked if I could use it on a track and he kindly agreed – so we made the most of it and played it on pretty much every track on the new album. It’s a lovely guitar to play and if we can evoke some of the spirit of the songs it has been used on then it’ll be a fitting tribute.”

Jim can truly be described as a rock veteran, having written, recorded and released albums since the late 1980s, firstly with his classic psychedelic rock band Thee Hypnotics, releasing several albums and touring the world to huge critical acclaim.

After that, Jim formed the formidable three piece Black Moses – who released singles on Oxford’s own Shifty Disco label and took a new direction before launching the massively successful Jim Jones Revue.

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Appearances on shows like Later with Jools Holland and the David Letterman Show played a part in the huge success that saw the band gain renown as a must-see live act.

This is the first time Jim has played in Oxford since his sold-out show at the O2 Academy with the Jim Jones Revue. Anyone who was at that gig will surely remember why they won awards and accolades as one of the best live acts of the decade (and with luck you should have cleared the ringing in your ears by now as they like it loud).

The night will start early with doors opening at 7pm and the party will hit full swing from the off as Oxford’s very own Deadbeat Apostles will play one of their furious sets of country gospel – Nightshift magazine likened the Deadbeats’ show to the Harlem Apollo meeting the Grand Ol Opry.

The Deadbeats are following a packed year of gigs, which included headlining the Uncommon Stage at Oxford’s Common People festival.Next month they curate the return of their own festival Day of the Deadbeats at the Isis Farmhouse. The event also features sets by The Epstein, The August List and more.

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Plus Market stalls, food stalls, face painting and sideshows galore. Book now as another sell out and legendary day is on the cards! Follow this ‘ere link https://www.wegottickets.com/event/457065 - It’s gonna be a belter.

At the heart of this night of music and celebration is a serious message from the Stand Up to Racism movement. Julie Simms, who runs Oxford’s campaigns, said: “We are facing a rising tide of racism and fascism.

Oxford Mail:

“Mainstream politicians and media routinely scapegoat migrants and refugees for social problems created by austerity. This fuels the far right and creates a climate where fascism can once again enter the mainstream.

“The Christchurch terror attack is the worst example of where racist and fascist ideas can lead to.

“Stand Up To Racism seeks to unite and mobilise the majority against the growth of racism and fascism. It helped organise the World Against Racism marches in over 60 cities across 22 countries on UN Anti-Racism Day. In the UK, 25,000 people marched in London, 1,000 in Cardiff and 1,000 in Glasgow. Hundreds of thousands of others mobilised around the word. Help us say no to all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and antisemitism.”

The Bullingdon will be buzzing tomorrow so don’t miss out on this exciting night. Tickets from WeGotTickets or at the Truck Store.

In the words of Jim Jones: “Get down, get involved, get with it!”

  • Love Music Hate Racism presents Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind tomorrow, Friday April 12, at The Bullingdon, Oxford
  • wegottickets.com