EXPERIMENTAL rock group Klaxons have been revealed as the surprise headliners for a new festival to take place in Oxford’s South Park.
The band, who won a Mercury Prize for their debut album in 2007, will top a bill at the OxfordOxford festival which includes a clutch of local and national bands.
The identity of the headliner had been a closely guarded secret.
Gaz Coombes
We can also today reveal the band, most of whose members hail from Warwickshire, will be joined by London r’n’b star Katy B and Oxford bands Flights of Helios, Balloon Ascents and Robot Swans.
The local acts, chosen by BBC Oxford Introducing, join a line-up of previously announced names including Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes, fellow Oxford acts Pixel Fix and Dance a la Plage and Tunng for the night of music on Saturday, September 27.
The concerts, which will take place in a circus-style big top, are set to be the highpoint of the three-day festival, which also includes a day of cinema on the Friday and a free community day on the Sunday.
Klaxons founder member Simon Taylor-Davis said: “It’s really exciting. Oxford has always held a special place in our hearts. We have had some great times there.”
He said: “It’s really exciting. Oxford has always held a special place in our hearts. We have had some great times there.
“I was at the Radiohead show 13 years ago, which was an amazing experience.”
He said he was particularly pleased to be sharing the bill with Mr Coombes, who was also on the bill at the Radiohead show. “We love Gaz,” he said. “Supergrass was a huge influence on the band and it’s a total dream to be playing on the same stage as him. It’s going to be a wonderful day with a great mix of bands and musical genres.”
Organisers Eleven 11 Events last night also revealed additions to the festival’s programme of cinema, with screenings of a dance-along version of 80 film Dirty Dancing, Top Gun and The Goonies as well as the already announced sing-a-long Grease and Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland.
Oxford Brookes University graduate Owen Kent is director of Eleven 11 Events. He said: “Klaxons, as an Oxford exclusive for 2014, will surely bring energy, passion and hits to their headline show. It will be a real spectacle to close Saturday’s music event.
"I am also delighted to confirm Katy B as main support. She is another very talented live performer, and consistently a festival highlight.
“Most importantly for me, as one of the organisers of the event, OxfordOxford is supporting homegrown talent from the city, and is giving different performers the opportunity to share the stage with international artists, gain experience and promote their music.
"We are particularly pleased to have BBC Introducing in Oxford on board presenting Flights of Helios, Balloon Ascents and Robot Swans. It is great to be working with them as we share similar views on bringing up-and-coming talent to a local audience.”
* Tickets will range from £16.75 (£6.25 concs) for Friday’s cinema events to £32.50 for Saturday’s day of music. Sunday’s events will be free.
People living within the OX postcode area will be entitled to discounted weekend tickets costing £43.25.
See oxfordoxford.co.uk for more information
- Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone's contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.
Our top stories
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here