The Epstein are as much a part of Oxford life as Carfax Tower, expensive beer and traffic jams.

They regularly cast their feel-good blend of Americana, folk and rock over audiences everywhere from the Holywell Music Room to Truck, and provided one of the highlights of the Zodiac's closing down party earlier this year.

So their appearance at the new-look Academy was an overdue treat.

The gig doubled as a launch party for their long-awaited debut album Last of the Charanguistas, and, not surprisingly, the place was packed.

Everyone knew what they were there for and went away satisfied.

There was no posturing, strutting or pyrotechnics. No ego or mystery, and no divide between band and audience.

Olly, Jon, Rowland, Stefan and Mark were grinning as much as us, impressed that they had managed to pull in so many of their friends - and with no less a draw than Dizzee Rascal playing downstairs (though the clientele, attitude and general vibe could not have been more different).

What they do do is a faultless melding of vocal harmony and guitarwork, which sets the hairs tingling on the back of your neck.

And the over-riding impression was of respect - with well-rehearsed fans yelling, bouncing and standing in hushed silence at all the right times.

Olly describes his shows as "alcohol-fuelled musical frenzies," and "uplifting and life-affirming experiences". And it's hard to better that. We all feel like we own a bit of The Epstein. But loyalty has to be earned, and this gig demonstrated exactly why they have become the city's best-loved band.

It also saw a group of mates, technically superb musicians one and all, at the top of their game, with a great album under their belts, and what promises to be an irresistible follow-up hot on its heels.

And if that's not a good reason to party, then I don't know what is.