OXFORD bands are being called on to to "make music, raise money and help end poverty" by signing up for a music festival.

The event, called Oxjam is organised by Oxford-based charity Oxfam.

And those taking part could follow on from the success of Oxford band Straightjacket, who won the chance to be filmed and interviewed on MTV based on their Oxjam concert last year.

Straightjacket were among 22 semi-finalists selected by the public to take part in MTV's Get Seen, Get Heard initiative.

Lead singer Tony Bowen, who lives off Botley Road, said the experience had been fantastic for the band.

He said: "I put on a gig with us and lots of other bands in London at last year's event. One of my friends videoed it, we uploaded it to the website then got as many people as possible to vote for it.

"It was odd when they filmed us, but really cool. And the feedback was really good. We have now done some stuff with BBC Oxford and we played at Guilfest on the same night as Madness, the Magic Numbers and Supergrass."

The band will be taking part in an Oxjam indie rock and roll karaoke in Oxford on Friday, October 5 - with the audience singing along to Straightjacket, who will be performing live. The venue is yet to be confirmed.

Oxford bands can take part in the MTV competition by filming their performance at an Oxjam show and sending it to www.mtv.co.uk/oxjam The most popular, as voted for by the public, will be filmed. More than 100,000 votes were cast in last year's event.

Among the Oxford gigs planned as part of the festival, which will see thousands of events put on by music lovers across the country, will be two evenings of music at the Port Mahon, in St Clement's, in October.

On Tuesday, October 16, The Half Rabbits, Eduard Sounding Block, The Winchell Riots and Theo will perform, followed on Wednesday, October 17, by Witches, Harry Angel, Richard Walters and Mewgatz.

Both events kick off at 8pm.

A cello extravaganza will be held at Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Cowley, between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday, October 20. Spike Wilson will be conducting and people going along are invited either to join in, or simply listen.

Singers and musicians are also sought to take part in a performance of Handel's Messiah at the Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street, on Sunday, October 7.

Drayton Hall in Abingdon will be the venue for a space rock spectacular on October 20, and St Mary's Church, Banbury, will host a LiveArts Oxjam lunchtime recital taking place on Thursday, October 11.