RICHARD BELL soothes his fevered brow with a night at Alcopops @ G&Ds.

I’ve been ill...really horribly ill, all coughing, spluttering, aching and exhausted all week, suffering terribly and lamenting at length about my terrible ordeal to anyone who would listen, which of course now includes anyone reading this article.

It’s been one of those awful summer colds, where the weather’s so hot and humid that shivering is a very unsettling and confusing experience. Most people just tell me that it’s a case of man flu, that I should get over it and stop being such a wimp, but they don’t know, they don’t know the true nightmarish nature of the horrors I’ve endured and should therefore, how shall I put this, shut their faces.

In any case, man flu or not, Thursday night did not find me in a quest to find a decently priced lager I could get smashed on for a relatively small amount of money, but rather in need of a comfortable surrounding and a nice cup of tea so that I could properly lament my sick induced woes.

Luckily, I got a fantastic opportunity to enjoy just that in the form of an unusual event at a Cowley Road coffee shop.

The ever-brilliant G&Ds played host to an acoustic showcase of local independent record label Alcopop Records, a wonderfully novel idea that was executed with the sort of camaraderie and panache that perfectly encapsulates the Cowley Road spirit; you know, that sense of community that makes events along this road feel just a little bit special.

A local business supporting a local label that in turn supports local bands is just one of those things that can’t help but fill you with pride.

As it is, G&Ds really is a wonderful place to spend an evening; after all, they continue to offer coffee, milkshakes, bagels and of course that exceptional ice cream late into the night, providing delicious sustenance to the guests of this showcase.

If the foodstuffs weren’t enough to entice the customers, then the bands most certainly were.

The evening kicked off with the excellent Cat Matador, toning down their dark indie pop to suit the surrounds of G&Ds as the melodies wormed their way into your head and refused to leave.

Next up were the superb Phantom Theory who didn’t so much tone down their sound as exploded out the corner of the coffee shop with no regard whatsoever for typical acoustic night decorum, smashing drums and hammering an acoustic guitar to death as they stormed through their set.

The night was capped by The Attika State, a seasoned pop punk outfit whose songs translated brilliantly into the quieter settings of this unassuming Cowley Road institution.

Sometimes the quieter nights can be just as rewarding as the loud ones, and this night was a wonderful example.

Brilliant bands in a warm and comfortable venue made for a night of pure pleasure to soothe my aching body.

The Alcopop showcase is only once in a while and the next one is unfortunately not for a couple of months yet, but keep an eye out because it really is a wonderful way to spend an evening. And recover...