The Beestonian Oxjam 2015

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Special OXJAM Edition

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OXJAM edition of Beestonian...

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GOOD GOB: WE MEET THE MOUTHY POET’S BRIDIE SQUIRES dead happy to have the return of our Spoken Word stage to Oxjam, and as poetry has been going through a bit of a renaissance of late (John Cooper Clarke has a doctorate, ferchrisakes), and Nottingham has stuck in a bid to become a UNESCO City of Literature, it only seemed right to reflect this.

WE RE

One of the poets performing is the hugely talented Bridie Squires. I’ve been a fan of hers since I heard her on BBC Radio Nottingham a year ago. Booked in to read a couple of verses of her award-winning poem, Nottingham Loves…

Days Out, Out, she instead read the whole poem start to finish, to an awed silence. Walking round said city at the time, I had one of those moments where you have to stop in the street and just listen. And then embarrass yourself by applauding.

“That’s dead nice you say that,” Bridie tells me when I give her a call. “It was good to put the poem out there. A lot of people who don’t live here anymore tell me it makes them homesick. Others who are still here say it makes them proud. I wrote it manically, in a real rush” Bridie started writing poetry on and off from the age of 13. “Angsty teenage bullshit… Sylvia Plath was an inspiration.”

But it wasn’t until a chance meeting with the Nottingham performance poetry collective Mouthy Poets at Nottingham Playhouse that she decided to make a proper go of it. “I went to interview them for Leftlion, and I was blown away. They were so alive, so different.” A lifelong fan of lyrical hip-hop, she saw the two worlds of rap and poetry join seamlessly in the form of the Mouthy crew. “I love stuff like Eminem, Jurassic 5, and Aesop Rock. I’m also partial to a bit of UK garage…the cadence, the beat. The Mouthys made me realise how it could all fit together.”

Led by the energetically creative Debris Stephenson, the collective meet every Friday for three hours to free write. “It kills me sometimes to see how motivated they all are. It gets you to up your game. We don’t just sit working verse, we get a taste of all aspects: social media, production, Zine publishing. We are a self-sufficient unit. We’ve been on Arvon (residential writing) courses. It’s life changing to be able to be given that space in your head to work out ideas. Debris is incredible, she’s always got a plan, always a goal.”

How does Nottingham inform your work? “I’m pure Nottingham. I was born in the QMC and grew up in Clifton – though I’m now in the Meadows. I’m quite bolshie and brash: Nottingham is the same. There is just something here, something unique. You can drop into a venue in town and see something different: a mad swirl of grinning people.”

She is well versed in local heroes too: name checking the famous Nottingham pub visiting whelkmonger Dave Bartram, much missed documentarian Ray Gosling, the similarly departed Xylophone Man Andrew ‘Mulletproof’ Graves, and of course the splenetic fury of the Sleaford Mods.

“I love Jason Williamson (head mod).

He’s just from a different planet.” She’d been to Rock City the previous night to see the Sleafords, and is still on the post gig high. And as she enthuses about them, something ace happens. Unconsciously, her words seem to take on a beat, words tumble with mellifluence, and a rhythm seeps through. I only wish I’d recorded the conversation rather than use a notepad. Bridie Squires: an instinct, grassroots, utterly Nottingham poet. Catch her before SHE gets a doctorate and a frozen chip ad.

The Oxjam Spoken Word Event in Association with Nottingham City of Literature: 5-7pm, upstairs at The White Lion.

LB

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The Jar Family

Oxjam are delighted to welcome back The Jar Family, deservedly taking the headline slot at Bartons. Pretty much everyone who saw them in 2012 and 2013 took them to their hearts and were blown away by their sets. The finest thing to come out of Hartlepool since everyone’s favourite TV presenter Jeff Stelling, they have recently released their third album, the excellent ‘Family First’. Each of the members are amazing talents in their own right, including former Squeeze bass player Keith Wilkinson. This gives for an incredibly tight live performance. Sounding like nothing else, they decided to coin the term ‘industrial folk’ to describe a genre all of their own. Listening to them is like everything good from rock, pop, folk, and blues from the last hundred years.

Expect clever and funny lyrics, excellent musicianship, superb headwear, great inter-song banter, and a really good time to be had by all.

(Barton’s, 10.30pm) JC

Goose Mccoy

There are bands, and there are superbands. Goose Mccoy are firmly in the latter camp; composed of a dizzying amount of local talent, all playing in other bands through the day before this triumphant encore: teacher extraordinaire on vocals and ‘dance move coordination’, joins dazzlingly clever University of Nottingham inventor Steve Benford; folk legend Phil Langram, and Beeston’s most ubiquitous tub-thumper (and near anagram of this very publication), Ian Beestin. If you’re not moving within ten seconds of them hitting the stage, skip the coroner: I’m pronouncing you dead. (The Star, 9.30pm) LB

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The Protoneers

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Bloody good band - cut their teeth covering classic rock and gradually developing their own style; which is a pretty unique mix of modern rock and old-school Prog. Sam Thomas on lead vocals has a great voice and is surrounded by a very tight band. That’s ‘tight’ as in good at music - not drunk.

Or maybe they are. I don’t know. Who am I to judge? Anyway - great band despite being so drunk all the time. (Barton’s, 8.30pm) BEEST

Paper Doves

One half of duo Paper doves, is Beeston pioneer Emma Bladon Jones, armed once more with her trusty guitar she joins harpist/keyboardist Christine Palenthorpe. Emma has multiple appearances over Oxjam as part of the Paper doves as a solo artist and, part of a duo named Midnight Special which she plays alongside Joe Barber; the gal really does have her work cut out. After seeing her progress over the years I look forward to catching her beautiful vocals flowing over a majestic harp. (Hop Pole, 10.40pm) LD

AntiCure

What? They’re diametrically opposed to everyone’s favourite situationist goth-rockers? They only wear white and eschew mascara and songs about cats? They fervently FRONT-comb their hair? Nope. None of this is true, but what is utterly straight-up is this is one of Nottingham’s exciting rock bands, who have learnt that throwing a bit of pop in the mix is never a bad thing.

(The Bar, 8.30pm) LB

Blue Vulture

Nottingham indie rock at its best, fronted by the charismatic Bainy and ably supported by a solid guitar-drums-bass combo. Expect catchy melodies, plenty of pace, and acerbic self-deprecating vocals. (Hop Pole, 8.40pm) JC

Lucia Holmes

Lucia may only be fifteen, but has the musical ability of a much older person.

This may be down to her teacher father’s record collection. I first came across Lucia only a few weeks ago when she appeared at Oxjam’s younger brother; the Oxjam Introducing Night, which took place at the Beeston Youth & Community Centre. She sang and played guitar with the confidence of a seasoned pro, just like a certain Emma Bladon Jones. Lucia is currently applying for a buskers license. So if successful, we can expect to see and hear a lot more of her entertaining everyone with her own unique style.

(Rye, 4.00pm) CDF

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These Nottingham rockers play The White Lion at the later time of 11pm for those of you resisting the sleep demon this band will be wrapping the day up nicely. The band are influenced by Blood Red Shoes, Kings of Leon and Smashing Pumpkins so expect a lively varied set from them. After an eventful day sampling as much music as humanly possible it’s a good job the band’s sound of heavy on the guitars, with a kick of pounding drums may just be the wake up I will need. (White Lion, 11.00pm) LD

Oldish Spice

Crazy Heart

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It’s a little known fact that Johnny Cash has an immortal link with Nottingham: he wrote his last great song The Man Comes Around while in a City Centre hotel. It’s even less known that Cash’s spirit seems to have found a new physical form in Crazy Heart, who kick out Cash tunes with the same deviant driving guitar the Man in Black mastered. They’ve fresh (!) from playing the Beer Festival where they utterly wowed the crowd. You’ll be jigging round like you too have a Ring Of Fire. (White Lion 7pm) LB

The word ‘Acapella’ isn’t just ‘Pitch Perfect’ American chick-flick fodder, and these nine lads prove that with verve. A range of distinct voices blend together to lend new depth to classic hits, and it’s ace - like having a cup of warm honey poured in your ear. Only nicer. And less sticky. Actually that sounds gross. They’re good. Ignore the honey bit.

(Malt Shovel 2.00pm & Hop Pole, 6.50pm) BEEST

The Harmonics

A powerful fusion of traditional rock ‘n’ roll and indie rock, citing influences as diverse as Elvis, Chuck Berry, the Arctic Monkeys and Queen. Plenty of catchy guitar riffs, driving drums and bass patterns mixed with frontman George Ramplin’s vocals results in fast-paced good-time fare. There’s something for everyone here, regardless of age or musical preference, provided you like it loud and strong. (Victory Club 10.00pm) JC

Midnight Special

The old American song Midnight Special refers to a legend about a train that passes a particular prison, at of course 12am, and if the light from the engine shines on a prisoner, then he will be set free. The light has certainly shone on local talent Emma Bladon-Jones and Joe Barber, who make up folk blues duo of the same name. Emma is no slouch when it comes to music, as not only does she perform a great solo set herself, but also plays with harpist Christine Palethorpe as Paper Doves. Whilst Joe is a very mature singer and blues guitarist, being taught by our very own Wiggins, over at the Guitar Spot. They have a wide repertoire of songs in their set, and the best thing is that they will be releasing their first EP around the same time as Oxjam itself.

(The Crown, 5.20pm) CDF

Crazy Heart

Kitty and the Cadillacs

Cats and cars collide – not literally, thankfully - in a splendid burst of beltedout retro-rocking joy that doesn’t just stick itself in those days of Buddy Holly, but like a melodic Marty McFly, pings between the fifties and right now, taking in a fair bit between. Red gilets optional. (White Lion, 9.00pm) LB

Issaka

She’s an award winner: taking the coveted Hop Pole Songwriter of the Year title last year. And no wonder: her mastery of a guitar means she can effortlessly switch gear between soul, jazz and folk, often within the same song. A gifted lyricist, you want your ears in tip-top form for this gig. Have them syringed. No, now. You’ll thank me for it afterwards. (RYE 4.50pm) LB

Josh Kemp

Great voice, great lyrics and great guitar - Josh Kemp gives good gig! He should do - he does it a lot; a quick glance at his FaceBook page (or ‘research’ as I call it) shows you that he tours a lot. In fact he’s just back from a hefty tour around Europe - so this is a brilliant opportunity to catch a local boy playing his home turf. But forget all that - he plays Robin Hood! In the pilot episode of ‘Hood’ (a modern day reboot set in Nottingham) he’s Robin Lockwood! Aagh! I’m doing my over-excited dance. Would it be too much to go to his gig in my Robin Hood outfit? I need a sword. I wonder if he’ll do a Clannad cover? (The Crown 2.30pm) BEEST

Paul Carbuncle

Midnight Special

Joe Strummer meets Ewan McColl as Paul takes traditional folk by the scruff of its neck and drags it kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. He recently won plaudits at local folk club, Second Time Around, by breathing new life into some old favourites as well as playing a smattering of his own material. His singing style is influenced by the ‘punk’ artists whose ‘look’ he emulates and his fierce, dynamic guitar style involves vigorous strumming that has you fearing for the fragile instrument, exploiting the whole neck, with occasional single-note runs. A compelling performer and a breath of fresh air!

(The Crown 1pm; The White Lion, 3.40 pm)

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The Madeline Rust

I have seen TMR quite a few times since I first came across them at the Chameleon in August last year, when they launched their first LP; Truth and Consequences. For some reason their songs seem to be about American serial killers, of whom there are many. Serial killers that is. The most infamous being Ted Bundy, who dispatched at least thirty people in the course of his career as a charismatic, but cold-blooded murderer. Two thirds Beeston based, with their drummer Martin residing in Wollaton. This will be their third outing with Oxjam, having played last year’s all day event, but also this year’s rock night at the Greyhound in early June.

(Victory Club, 11.00pm) CDF Madeline Rust (via the Beest)

The Cluedo Club

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This lot are brilliant - a Blues/Rock band with a unique twist: halfway through the set all the lights go out and when they come back on a member of the band is lying on the floor, MURDERED! Then the audience all spend 2 hours trying to figure out which band member did it and what they used as a weapon (guitar strap, drum stick, roadie sweat etc) . How cool is that?

Ok some of this might not be true, but go and see them anyway - it’s a great set during which they (might) kill each other.

(The Crown, 1.40pm) BEEST

Mockingjays

Perfect indie-pop 4-piece from just over the county border (Long Eaton and Castle Donington), who have made Nottingham their home. As you would hope for from a bunch of young lads, their live shows are filled with plenty of energy. See them and expect lots of catchy hooks and surging powerful grooves. Their live repertoire has included a variety of interesting cover versions, from Blurred Lines to My Generation. They’ve even done gigs down there in that London, so catch them quickly before they get too big.

(Bartons, 7.30pm) JC

The Face That Boils Itself

I have a confession, I am a sucker for a silly band name and The Face That Boils Itself immediately took my interest. The trio of Marvin Strapp, Nelson Fortune and Barry Stazwak combine to play a slice of woodland folk performed on amongst the usual instruments of double bass and guitar these guys boast a clarinet and singing saw if that doesn’t entice you in nothing will.

Head on over and check out that singing saw.

(Malt Shovel, 4.00pm) LD

John Hardy

It can be hard to stand out from the acoustic singer-songwriter crowd sometimes, but John Hardy distinguishes with ease: he has a knack of composing a sweet tune with an emotional punch. I’ve seen him reduce busy pubs to silence as the boozers hang onto every word. Why? Simply because he’s distilled a certain autobiographical melancholy, presented with a soft, Northern charm (he’s from Hull). Unmissable. Bring Kleenex. (Hop Pole, 7.45pm) LB

I Am Jupiter

Oxjam stalwarts: this is their third Festival, plus they put in a superb appearance at this year’s Oxjam Rocks warm-up. If you like your music heavy (it’s a rare gig that the lead guitarist’s axe doesn’t come through unscathed), experimental and tighter than pickled onion jar lid, all sprinkled with some smart sci-fi references, these guys will take you to a different planet. (Chequers, 8.30pm) LB

No Disco!

A rock indie outfit grace The Bar on high road at 7.30, consisting of Jack Cross on guitar and vocal, Alex Ochrombel on bass and Rob Lord on drums.

The trio may even sneak in a rendition of their new and debut single Your Orange Car alongside a sneaky peak at upcoming single Silhouettes. Oxjam Beeston isn’t the band’s only port of call as the guys are also playing Oxjam Leicester: however I’m sure it won’t be a patch on the support and spirit of our town. (The Bar, 7.30pm) LD

The Face that Boils Itself

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, An Introvert s Guide to

{ OXJAM }

That’s right. In spite of popular demand, this guide is back.

Afraid of crowds? Hate socialising? You’d rather stay at home?

Never fear, I can help you have a (relatively) anxiety-free OXJAM whilst still enjoying all of your favourite bands.

Zombie Monroe, Star 8:30PM As a huge fan of cover bands (Me First and the Gimme Gimmes anyone?), I’m always thrilled by the prospect of hearing all of my old favourites rejuvenated.

What I’m not a fan of though, is crowds, and playing the greatest tracks of Bowie, The Beatles, both Elvises and a dozen more classic artists, is sure to draw throngs of people.

Sounds like: Whichever excellent band they happen to be covering!

The Outlines, The Bar 9.00PM Punk is my favourite genre of music. Horror is my favourite genre of film.

Cheese is my favourite genre of sandwich. What am I saying? That The Outlines will totally rock your ass, but could be improved with David Cronenberg or a slice of tomato. That said, the thought of seeing them live terrifies me.

Can you imagine? All that noise, not coming out of your headphones as you walk alone, but coming out of instruments and people directly in front of you. The horror…

Introvert scale: 4/10. Extrovert scale: 9/10.

Get there early and find a seat at the bar in order to avoid the strong urge to dance.

Sounds like: Very classic sort of English punk (think Damned, Clash and so on) but with a definite nod to the American hard-core punk of AntiFlag, Screeching Weasel and Rise Against.

Dogs in Caves, Creative 4.00PM These guys create really gorgeous instrumental music. The skill of their playing is really something so you’ll want to get right up close to watch all the complex finger work. Don’t though. Resist that urge. What if you got stuck there? My God, you’d be killed!

Sounds like: There are definite folk and classical influences. They could be an unplugged Do Make Say Think, or High Dependency Unit.

Introvert scale: 6/10. Extrovert scale: 9/10.

Don’t let their laid back atmospheric tunes put your guard down. These guys’ll draw in the crowds. Stand at the back, bring your water bottle, avoid eye contact.

Introvert scale: 2/10. Extrovert scale: 9/10.

If you go, stay by the exits and take an extra-large bottle of water. And bring me back a T-Shirt. Medium to large please.

CF

Catbone, White Lion 10.00PM I love these guys. His voice has a melodic snarl, the guitars are twangy and lo-fi, the riffs rock and roll punk, and those drum beats are god damned toe tapping. But you know what toe tapping leads to, don’t you? Dancing. And that my introverted friends is just one step away from the writhing tangled horror that is a mosh pit. Be warned.

Sounds like: A little bit Velvet Underground, with some Vivian Girls and Violent Femmes thrown in. All the V’s!

Introvert scale: 2/10. Extrovert scale: 9/10.

I’ll buy their music, but the closest you’ll get me to one of their gigs is a bootleg. Sorry guys but you’re just too good.

DISCLAIMER!

OUR PREVIEWER, CHRISTIAN FOX, FOR THIS PIECE IS THE MOST INTROVERTED BLOKE SINCE THAT CHAP DUG HIS HERMITAGE UP STANTON BY DALE. TO GIVE A **PROPER** IDEA OF WHAT THE BANDS ARE ACTUALLY LIKE FROM A NORMAL PERSPECTIVE, WE’VE GIVEN SCORES FROM PREVIEWERS WHO ACTUALLY LIKE GOING OUT AND GETTING SWEATY IN FRONT OF A STAGE, RATHER THAN HIDE IN THEIR BLACK-PAINTED BEDROOMS LISTENING TO TUNES THROUGH HEADPHONES. CHRISTIAN FOX IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS, CHRISTENINGS OR BAR MITZAHS.

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{ DAZE } APP-Y

This year’s Oxjam is a bit special….we’ve got our own app, and it is a thing of wonder and grace. We asked Raphael Veldt of The University of Nottingham’s Mixed Reality Lab to tell us more.

Get the Oxjam Beeston App This year, the Oxjam Beeston Music Festival goes more digital then ever and gets its own mobile app!

The app will include a full programme with details on venues and artists, as well as a news feed to keep you updated about what’s happening at the festival. Get the app (which works on most phones, tablets and computers) at https://festivalux.com/oxjam/

The research project behind the app

Scan the QR code to get the app!

In the long term, we have the very ambitious goal to create digital toolkits that empower citizens to create and coordinate community-centred coverage of this type of events.

Get involved in our research!

We are looking for bloggers, citizen-journalists, amateur photographers to cover the festival and create content about the festival. This content will be displayed to app users and collected for our research. Visit the following page to join the coverage team: https://festivalux.com/oxjam/citizen-journalists/ You can also help our research by using the app and filling in the questionnaire.

After the festival, we’ll be offering workshops where you can build your own story using the material we collect during the festival. For any enquiries about our research, contact Raphael.Velt@Nottingham.ac.uk

This app is provided by a group of researchers from the Mixed Reality Lab at the University of Nottingham as part of a research project.

Our research project investigates the coverage of festivals. We want to know how people involved in a festival (be they festival goers, performers, volunteers or even armchair viewers) can help build shared stories of a festival.

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Thanks!

Huge thanks to all of our contributors, sponsors, stockists, regular readers and anyone who has picked this up for the first time (hello!)