Beck and beyond: Oxford's musical highlights for 2014

After the excitement and over-indulgence of the festive season it’s inevitable January arrives with a sigh and whimper.

But, once the hangover has worn off, it’s time to follow the advice given to dismounted riders by getting back in the saddle. And there is no shortage of musical diversions competing for our attention, and whatever money we have left.

After a week off to recover and pull the remains of party poppers out of our hair, the fun starts in earnest. First out of the blocks with new music is the O2 Academy, which offers a trio of hard-rocking metallers playing under the umbrella Rock Lives on Saturday, January 11. Head-lining are new talents Sons Of Icarus — a visceral four-piece whose recent EP has earned rave reviews. They are joined by the melodic Fighting Wolves and the blues riff-heavy Piston.

Over at the New Theatre, tribute acts will hammer out rock from the 1950s. Next Tuesday and Wednesday one can tap one’s feet to the music of Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran. This is followed next Thursday and Friday (Jan 9-10) with more vintage rocking courtesy of Three Steps to Heaven – a tribute to what is referred to as the ‘superstar dream team’ of Elvis, Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly with a a concert they obviously never gave. Yes, it’s a daft idea, but could be fun. We now look forward to recreations of other non- concerts, such as Kurt Cobain’s infamous non-duet with Sinatra, and Jimi Hendrix’s legendary non-show with Sid Vicious, George Formby and Danny LaRue.

The rock ‘n’ roll fest winds up next Saturday (Jan 11) with the Winter Dance Party, recreating Buddy Holly’s final concert in 1959, with The Big Bopper, Dion & the Belmonts, and Ritchie Valens.

Among the musical highlights of 2013, the O2 Academy’s excellent series of Upstairs band showcases return, with a monthly programme of breakthrough and established artists playing, appropriately enough, the upstairs Zodiac room. They start on January 25 with Woodstock’s Wild Swim. One of Oxfordshire’s big hopes for 2014, Richard Sansom’s five-piece are an endlessly fascinating mix of hypnotic, pulsing electronica with anthemic rock. Also up are Beta Blocker & The Body Clock, Theo Bass, Whale and More Whale and The Aureate Act.

Keen followers of local music will relish the return of a near-legendary Winnebago Deal, formed by Eynsham lads Ben Perrier and Ben Thomas. Acknowledged as one of the best rock acts the county, on January 18 they come back with what promises to be a night of frantic metal at The Cellar.

Other fabled local rock act Sextodecimo, also rise zombie-like from the grave to join the Bens for a gig at The Black Heart in Camden on January 31.

Making a splash: Swim Deep

Those partial to jazz should check out another bunch of returning heroes: Kairos 4tet. The group, fronted by Summertown saxophonist Adam Waldmann, play North Wall Arts Centre, on Jan 22. The MOBO Award-winning band are not afraid to tackle social issues. Their instrumental suite, The 99 Parts, for example, deals with economic inequality.

Jazzers: Kairos 4tet

For lovers of folk-rock, Christmas comes late (or possibly extra early), with a show by folk-rock pioneers Fairport Convention on February 4. The Meet on the Ledge stars convene at St John the Evangelist Church to perform hits and new tunes.

Fans of country-rock and Americana are also in for a great year, with a glut of gigs at the Art Bar (still better known as ‘The Bully’) such as Aoife O’Donovan and our very own Bethany Weimers on Jan 30, Deep Dark Woods and Trembling Bells on Feb 7, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbours on February 8, Sons of Bill on March 7 and Leonard Cohen’s stunning backing singers, the Webb Sisters, on March 28.

Blonde on blonde: The Webb Sisters

By the end of February, we should have sufficiently recovered from The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band’s Christmas party to venture back on to the dancefloor for New Orleans-style jazz/swing/blues. Stuart Macbeth’s hard-partying (and harder-drinking) seven-piece play Jericho Tavern with the elegant Long Insiders on February 28. The show marks the Rabbits’ new single King of Wine (do check out the video directed by Suzy Prior; it’s a classic). The band, touring new album Party Seven (among the best albums of 2013), look forward to a great year of festivals, including a return to Bestival. Between shows, Stuart will work on new project Exiles, which he describes as “an East End gangland dance soundtrack”.

Kings of Wine: The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band

A name we will hear more of is young Bristolian Lauren Aquilina. The 18-year-old singer-songwriter comes to the O2 on February 22 in support of her second EP Sinners. Expect melancholic piano-pop melodies served with disarming honesty.

Scene-watchers will already be familiar with Kettering’s finest export, Temples, and the lads return to Cowley Road, for a gig at the O2 on March 3. Don’t miss the chance to see a band namechecked by Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher as the UK’s best new act. Other big names booked include ska-punk pop pioneers Less Than Jake, on February 11, and downtempo cult act Bonobo, 5am Star Katy B, Murder on the Dancefloor singer Sophie Ellis Bextor, pop-punks Alkaline Trio and chilled rapper Wretch 32 on March 14, 27, April 8, 15 and May 2.

Bex appeal: Sophie ELlis Bextor

Festival season sees a return of old faves Cropredy, Cornbury, Truck, Wilderness and Towersey, with brisk trade reported in early ticket sales. One act to have made its name on the rave and festival circuit are The Orb. Come October they bring their ambient dream pop and dance inside with a set at the O2.

Unashamed lovers of pop, meanwhile, can enjoy Britain’s Got Talent stars Loveable Rogues on March 17 and X Factor winner Matt Cardle on April 13 at the O2.

But it’s not just new music. The Stranglers return to the O2 Academy on March 17 for a night of pop-punk, with tunes spanning five decades, and one of the world’s finest guitarists, veteran rocker and former Yardbird Jeff Beck tops up his pension with a show at the New Theatre on May 17.

Rock icon: Jeff Beck and band

But it’s another vintage act which has us really excited and has set the bar for what promises to be an interesting, and hugely enjoyable, musical year. On May 14, the O2 Academy sees the return of a pair of talented musicians who never fail to raise a smile — Chas & Dave. The ‘rockney’ duo will also be playing at this year’s Cropredy Festival. Now, how’s that for a musical comeback? Gertcha!