Dutch band The Hives packed the house on Saturday night in one of Oxford's favourite music venues. And no, I am not testing my wings as a reporter for the entertainment scene; I am merely sharing what is some big news on the entertainment front across the pond here in Oxford, Mississippi.

Keeping in mind that we are a small town, it is rare for a band of the notoriety of The Hives to grace the stages of a local bar (or shall I say pub?).

Not to say there isn't any culture of music in Oxford, lest you forget we are 60 miles south of the birthplace of Elvis (Tupelo, Mississippi) and we are only 80 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee, where he made his adult home (not to rub in also that Memphis was home to arguably one of the greatest Soul record companies in the 1950s - Stax Records).

I can go on, as ground zero for the blues is the Mississippi Delta, which starts about 30 miles south of Oxford, where musicians such as BB King were born and raised.

Although surrounded by such musical influences, we have always been more a literary town (remember, home to William Faulkner and John Grisham, to name a few).

However, it is more than the good food I mentioned in my last column that is bringing bands such as The Hives to Oxford.

They are just the latest in what is a growing list of talented musicians who are choosing to hide out in the city, and record at what could not be a more aptly named studio, Sweet Tea.

The Hives join others such as Elvis Costello, The Counting Crows, and Modest Mouse who have chosen Oxford as their venue of choice, not only to play a gig or two, but as a place to work and to temporarily take up residence.

And in the meantime, you can be sure they are creating a flurry of interest from those who, like many Americans, love a celebrity sighting, and others who are thrilled to know that the culture, talent and creativity that we all knew existed here is being properly appreciated and found by those outside our little haven.

So, last week, I stood in the very packed Proud Larrys with many other Oxonians, awaiting The Hives' performance.

This is a great venue for music in Oxford. It is a two-room restaurant/bar that serves great pizzas (according to local laws, all bars must also serve food. I will tell you more of our strange drinking laws later - it could take a whole column itself), is slightly dirty, but not enough to be considered a dive, and is a hangout for hippies and hipsters alike.

Larrys, as locals call it, brings much of the good music in town, as well as providing a platform for many local musicians (of which Oxford has many).

So, when you finally make it our way, know that even after you fill your belly, and find an abundance of books with which to fill your mind, you may even be able to catch a show that is worth writing home about.