A FOLK singer and an electro-rock outfit are among the acts chosen for a concert showcasing the best of Oxford’s new music.

For the fifth year, the OCM Open will feature an eclectic line-up of groups and artists.

This year there will be three events at Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, starting with Oxford and Cherwell Valley College student bands on Friday, June 28, then an afternoon youth performance on the Saturday, followed by the main event at 8pm the same day.

About 30 artists sent in demos hoping to win a slot in one of the shows.

Oxford Contemporary Music (OCM) director Jo Ross said: “It’s amazing how much new music is still emerging every year from Oxford.

“We had an eclectic range of different bands applying, with everything from singer-songwriters to people playing improvised jazz electronica and an almost classical ensemble.

“Oxford is very rich, musically, and we took quite a long time to narrow it down to the few we have room for.”

The youth line-up is still to be announced, though rock collective Blank Conspiracy, indie-folk group Cherry Season and folk-rockers Remnants of What will fly the flag for Oxford and Cherwell Valley College.

The five acts performing in the main show will be electro-rockers Flights of Helios, avant garde metal act Red Square, seven-piece folk band The Cooling Pearls, indie-rockers Echo Boomer, and singer-songwriter Jess Hall.

Miss Hall, 30, from Cowley, said she was excited to be selected. She said: “One of the cool things about Oxford is there are always new bands coming along.

“I was really pleased when they contacted me to say I had a slot.”