This Saturday, the 22nd to be precise, Oxjam will be ‘taking over’ Aberdeen in a musical sense.
But what/who is Oxjam, and what do they do? Put simply, Oxjam is the musical arm of the charity group Oxfam, an organisation I’m sure we’ve all heard of. And what they is raise money for charity through music events, like the aforementioned Aberdeen Takeover. For more info on them take a look at their website.
So the Aberdeen Takeover which, as I’ve mentioned, is this Saturday, the 22nd of October 2011, is going to be quite the event! It kicks off during the day when there will be a free acoustic set at the Kilau Coffee Shop on Little Belmont Street from local artists Tim Courtney and Steven Milne. Look out for Oxjam collectors around Aberdeen during the day as well; they’ll be the ones with the buckets standing in the pouring rain! Give generously!
Saturday night is where it really gets going though! Oxjam will be taking over four Aberdeen venues (I guess that’s why they called it the ‘takeover’ then!). The venues are The Blue Lamp, Café Drummonds, Snafu and Tunnels 2, at which a whole host of different bands and acts will be performing. And for just £7 you can purchase a wristband which will let you into each venue as many times as you want over the course of the night to see whatever bands/acts you desire! Wristbands can be purchased on the night at any of the venues. Not only that, but the wristband gets you exclusive access to the after party at Tunnels 2 which begins at 12 and will feature Ali Welsh and DHC’s Steve Milne on DJ duties. If you don’t have a wristband you can still get in for £2. It promises to comical drunken fun for all. Bring a camera along to snap your mates in various states of calamity! I’ll be there of course, and you can buy me a drink if you like.
But to be serious for a moment, this event is all about raising money for charity. The smallest sums of money to us can make a massive difference to others across the world. For just £3 a family can get fresh water, something which we take for granted here but is a privilege to many across the world and can literally be a life saver. For £1000 a library can be built to provide education and a future to young people all over the world. So have fun, but remember that it’s all for a great cause; saving lives.
So back to the event itself. Check out the Facebook event and the Facebook page for more details and features on the bands involved throughout the week. And of course it would be rather remiss of me to not tell you what bands are actually going to be performing, so below is a list of what bands are playing at what venues. Please note that all the gigs open at 7pm and the first band will start at roughly 7.30pm. For more info on the bands check the aforementioned Facebook pages or click on the name of each band.
The Blue Lamp
Gerry Jablonski (HEADLINERS)
Snafu
Katerwaul (HEADLINERS)
Cafe Drummonds
The Little Kicks (HEADLINERS)
Leighann and Jan
Tunnels 2
Taco and the Sharpies (HEADLINERS)
Taco DJ
So if you had any plans for Saturday, cancel them! Instead come along to the Aberdeen music event of the year! Bring friends, and their friends, and their friends! See lots of new bands and chat to lots of new people (including your rather handsome scribe!). It’ll be a cracking night, and not one to be missed. DO IT.
stuartcmanson 