Oxford Music Scene magazine holds weekend festival at Jericho Tavern

The Winter Weekender at the Jericho Tavern, in Walton Street, will feature 17 gigs on Saturday and Sunday.

Talent ranges from Brize Norton rising star Jonny Payne and The Thunder, to drone-rock icons The Flights of Helios and buzz bands Self Help and The Subtheory.

“I don’t think anyone envisaged that we would be going for so long,” says OMS editor Stewart Garden, “But after a few near misses – including the pandemic and lack of funds – here we are. It’s actually 15 years soon, discounting a few years break.”

The title was actually started by Darren Brinham, local musician, photographer and magazine publisher, with Stewart joining after leaving Truck Records and its namesake festival.

“Darren was moving away to Devon, so I took it on from about issue 10, which had the sadly long gone Dead Jerichos on the cover,” he says. “I changed the size to A5, mainly to try and save money on printing but it also turned out to be easier to cart around town and was a better size to leave in the places that kindly stock it for us.”

It sits alongside free music title Nightshift as a must-have guide to all that’s happening in the city’s celebrated and ever-evolving music scene.

“We are hugely grateful to all the people who contribute,” he goes on.

Jonny Payne with Willie J Healey at Riverside Festival. Jonny plays with his band The Thunder on Saturday. Picture by Tim Hughes

“We have a number of members of local bands writing and taking pictures for us. The longest serving is Leo B. I remember him interviewing Supergrass when they played Truck in 2009. Leo writes the Riddim Section, mainly detailing dub, reggae and d’n’b. He is playing on Sunday as Multifari with his own heavy dub creations.

Stewart admits there have been hard times, though: “OMS stopped for a couple of years as we just didn’t have any money to keep it going,” he recalls. “After a while I really missed it and thought there was enough going on to give it a try again – and thankfully it got back up to speed.

“Autumn Neagle, who previously worked at The Zodiac, joined up and took over all the design and some reviewing too.

“By far the hardest was getting going again after the pandemic. Lots of writers just disappeared into the ether, along with many contacts from local organisations – and some of those organisations too, sadly.

Self Help

“We had planned for Premium Leisure to go on the cover, and had recorded the interview with Chris Barker and created the cover design, when Covid all kicked off. He had to wait about two years for it to finally come out.

“The issue after that was a real battle too, as we just couldn’t get any gigs covered. Either the writer would pull out with Covid or the gig would get postponed. We ended up with three live reviews in that issue when there are usually about 20. Thankfully things are settling down again and back on track.”

So what are his highlights?

“I think covering Ritual Union [multi-venue festival] on Cowley Road, seeing so many brilliant bands in one day. We saw Low Island play at Truck Store, then went round to the garden at the Angel and Greyhound and did a photoshoot and interview. Great times.

The Bobo

“Probably the most amazing cover was Spring Offensive. They made a gigantic masthead themselves and went out and stood in a field near Didcot power station and held it up above their heads.”

And regrets? “There’s so much dance music produced, DJs doing well and club nights run in the city and we would love to cover more of that side of things,” he says. “If anyone is reading, please get in touch.

“Both Autumn and I promoted gigs, some separately, some together (she as Coo Promotions, me as Back and to the Left) so it was natural that we would get OMS Live going.

“We’ve had some brilliant gigs this year. The Catgod album launch at The Jericho was very special, as was Self Help on May Day; it was total mayhem. My favourite was the Slow Drift EP launch in the summer at the Port Mahon. They played Truck Festival and only did one club gig – the only live performances they’ve ever done. It was such a great night.”

The Deadbeat Apostles. Picture by Jason Warner at Fyrefly Studios

He goes on : “For the 50th anniversary we wanted to do something grand. One night just wouldn’t do it justice with all the acts we wanted to include. We have three who have been on the cover (Flights of Helios, Self Help and Jonny Payne), some of the people who contribute are playing and lots have played at the live nights (Bruno Muerte were amazing at the Slow Drift launch) and been featured in the magazine. So it feels like it’s got a strong connection with the mag.

“There are some really exciting new bands playing, like Joe from Idles favourite band Shock Horror, Dogmilk and Bloody Fiasco – which is Tom from Brickwork Lizards and Woody ex-Borderville. I’m also really looking forward to the Push and Pull showcase, which is the community minded record label set up by Kingsley from Inner Peace records.

“We’re really excited to have Flights of Helios headlining the Sunday – they were on the cover of issue 27 and have always been one of my favourite local acts. They probably have been going the longest out of any of the Oxford bands and are still crafting out-there sounds.”

The Subtheory

Autumn also says she can’t wait to get involved: “Here at OMS we all love musical shenanigans, so I’m looking forward to some great local music and – not necessarily in this order – the legendary party-snack table/ rider and general silly behaviour. It’s fantastic to see so many talented acts spring off the OMS page and onto the OMS stage.

“We’ve got an unexpected addition to the line-up too, thanks to the England World Cup match. We’re having a bit of an interval after Jonny for the footie, which is showing downstairs at the Jericho. Then Dogmilk and Self Help will hit the back of the net afterwards!”

• Saturday: Jonny Payne & The Thunder, Self Help, The Bobo, In-Flight Movie, Jody & the Jerms, Shock Horror, Push & Pull Records showcase, Dogmilk
• Sunday: Flights of Helios, Bruno Muerte, London Graffiti, Juniper Nights, Bloody Fiasco, Multifari, The Subtheory, The Deadbeat Apostles, Quartermelon and MC Owen Collins ‘Live Rant n Roll’
• Tickets are £15 per day or £25 for the weekend, from wegotickets.com.