The next seven days worth of local entertainment get underway with the latest 'capture' for Shifty Disco, Blue Apple Boy, making their Oxford debut at The Point, The Plain. They claim to sound like 'a cross between Scott Walker and the Super Furry Animals'. Judge for yourself tonight. The Kooler at The Bullingdon, Cowley Road, has recent Truck Festival headliners Narco topping a triple-bill as they warm up for V2000 (see interview). Support is in the shape of Chamfer who return to the local circuit after a bit of a lay-off and line-up reshuffle. Wantage- based Cargo Cult who continue to impress with their live dance experience open the show. On Friday August 18, The Pavillion at The Wheatsheaf, Wheatsheaf Yard, off the High Street, in town plays host to The Club That Cannot Be Named . A trio of extreme noiseniks are on offer, consisting of Jackass, Stoo*fa who come over like a harder and heavier female-fronted Placebo. There's a triple-bill of local talent at The Point too, with guitar-fuelled indie rockers Red2 topping the bill. They're joined by the robo' rockin' Holy Roman Empire and promising guitar popsters Stuff. On the Iffley Road, The Cricketers plays host to Retrogen, as the ska-core outfit play a rare home town show. At The Zodiac, Cowley Road, it's Liquid, the fortnightly UK garage 'n' r'n'b club, while The Bullingdon offers The Backroom Boogie, bringing you the best in old skool funk, soul and disco. Further afield, The Pit at The Hollybush, Witney, has a blues-rock double-bill with Remove and The Unchosen. On Saturday, August 19 if you're not heading off to V2000 at Chelmsford or Stafford you can participate in an Oxford institution at The Point. Some may even claim the bands taking part should be in an institution! Yes, it's Your Song Number Sixteen where seven acts get the chance to play cover versions of their choice, in their own style. Lining up in no particular order are Mindsurfer, Vade Mecum, The Relationships, Canola, The Drez, Glue and The Osprey Big Big Big Band. Along the Cowley Road it's uplifting techno from the Sonic Boom crew who descend on The Bullingdon for their monthly club night. Guest DJs for the affair are PsyNRG and Loose. The Zodiac has its indie night transformation. Out of town, Junk and National Scandal line up at The Pit, Witney, while The Red Lion, also in Witney, offers Bon Jovi tribute act Bon Govi.

Medal return to the local circuit on Sunday, August 20, with a headline slot at The Bullingdon. Medal will be performing material from their forthcoming second album Stuntman as they warm up for their Carling stage slot at Reading Festival next Sunday. X-1 and Twin Jet Superstar are the scheduled supports. Monday finds Vin Garbutt at the Nettlebed Folk Club, while the weekly blues-rock night at the Fuggle 'n' Firkin, Gloucester Green, sees a visit from European festival circuit favourites, Ruoy Rotta.

Those pesky students are back in town in a few weeks time, so keep a close eye on big name acts at The Terminal, Brookes Uni in October. Already confirmed are Coldplay (Oct 3), David Gray (Oct 11) and The Bluetones (Oct 14) so grab a ticket, while you still can! Oxford Brookes Student Union Box Office is a good bet.