Tim Hughes rounds up a selection of Oxford music industry insiders to share their hot tips on who we should be listening to this coming year

In our quickly-moving, ever-changing cultural landscape, it’s hard to stay ahead of the curve. By the time we have worked out what is trendy, the hip crowd have long since moved on.

So to help us spend the year in the vanguard of cool, I asked some of Oxfordshire’s trend-setting music industry insiders to share their tips on what was big last year – and who to watch out for in 2016.

  • John Spiers

Squeeze box player extraordinaire, Abingdon lad, and (for now, at least) member of avant-folk collective, Bellowhead

Musical highlight of 2015?

I think it has to be finding out that my dad had starred as a morris dancer in the latest video from the amazing electro band Stealing Sheep for the track Apparition.  I love it when life takes you by surprise like that!

Local act of the year?

Telling the Bees … one of the few bands out there with a real connection to the traditions of the past who are also writing songs which are very poignant and political.

National act of the year?

Leveret … their latest album is taking instrumental folk music to a new level of complexity which is mesmerising to listen to.

Most overrated  event of the year?

The Eurovision Song Contest …. again!

Favourite local festival?

For me it has to be Towersey Festival.

I cut my folkie teeth on this festival by blagging free tickets with morris dancers. I’ve played in jam sessions until 5am, I’ve spent years selling instruments on the trade stalls, and this year my band, Bellowhead, went on after Stornaway to headline the Saturday night!

They moved to a brilliant new site just up the road on Thame Showground this year, and it’s improved the already amazing vibe.

Favourite local venue?

The Unicorn Theatre, Abingdon. It’s the most charming, ancient, almost spooky little theatre, currently putting on some really intimate gigs. If you haven’t heard of it, treat yourself, it’s a hidden gem of Oxfordshire.

What are your musical tips for 2016?

Get involved! As much amazing music as there is out there to listen to, nothing beats making it yourself. If you don’t play an instrument, learn one this year, there’s probably a YouTube video out there that can get you started … preferably a squeezebox of some kind.

What are you must looking forward to musically in 2016?

I don’t know! That’s the great thing about music, it constantly surprises me.

Oxford Mail:

Bowing out: Bellowhead

What are you personally hoping to achieve?

With Bellowhead ending in May, I’m going to be putting all my energy in to making a solo album including both traditional tracks and ones I’ve been writing for years.

I’ve already started touring some of this material in intimate venues and it’s been a real liberation.

What new trend do you see emerging?

I’d like to see bus companies installing real working accordions in the bendy bit of bendy-buses. That would brighten up everyone’s day.

New Year’s resolution?

To get out to more local sessions and gigs.

And if you had one wish, what would it be?

World peace … boring answer … but if it’s a real magic wish, anyone with a different answer needs to have a good hard look at themselves … or start watching the news.


Oxford Mail: Close shave: John Spiers

  • Tamara Parsons-Baker

Musician and host of All Tamara’s Parties

Musical highlight of 2015?

Seeing Cameron AG get some great recognition for some beautiful songs .

Best local act of the year?

Rainbow Reservoir. They have been kicking some serious ass.

Oxford Mail:

United colours of.. Rainbow Reservoir

Best national act of the year?

I’ve been really in to Courtney Barnett and Jenny Hval. The latter has some totally bizarre but enjoyable videos.

Favourite local festival?

I love Charlbury Riverside Festival. Not only is it free but there is a great selection of local and emerging music. The community comes together to pull off an amazing weekend and the vibe is always spectacular. Lots of fun.

Favourite venue?

I love The Library on Cowley Road. It’s small, sweaty and intimate.

Musical tips for 2016?

Hannah Bruce is writing some stunning solo material and is really making her mark as a great guitarist.

Most looking forward to in 2016?

Common People, South Park, in May.

New emerging trend?

Folk noir. Folk music that errs on the dark side. It’s stunningly ‘griefy’.

Hoping for?

All Tamara’s Parties is hosting a festival at The Perch in Binsey, on July 2. We have some great local acts, food and a big marquee to fill with great music. I’m also finishing my new album.

Oxford Mail: A-head of the game: Tamara Parsons-Baker

A head of her time: Tamara playing the Oxford Times 150th birthday 'Live Friday' event at the Ashmolean Museum

  • Ronan Munro

Editor of Oxford music monthly Nightshift and organiser of The Oxford Punt one-day festival of new music

Musical highlight of 2015?

A toss up between Blacklisters at The Wheatsheaf – a glorious night of confrontational musical carnage, and Audioscope at The Bullingdon, with world-beating sets from Taman Shud, Part Chimp and the genius that is Gazelle Twin.

Best local act of the year?

Esther Joy Lane has rightly blown plenty of socks off this year. She has a stunning voice, incredible songwriting talent and the softly beating heart of an angel.

Best national act of the year

Girl Band are stunning, while Gwenno’s album – a concept album based on an obscure sci-fi novel and sung in Welsh and Cornish, was a beautiful work of art.

Most disappointing happening?

The BBC Sound Of Awards are an annual reminder of why the music industry deserves its slow, painful death.

Favourite local festival?

Supernormal – musically adventurous, unpredictable, artist-curated and not for profit. It’s Oxfordshire’s hidden gem.

Favourite venue?

I love them all. The Cellar breathes rock and roll; The revamped Bullingdon is superb and The Wheatsheaf is like home from home. In fact I wake up on the floor there some mornings.

Musical tips for 2016?

I’m excited to see how far Cassels can go this year, and Cameron A.G. could be a serious breakthrough act.

Oxford Mail:

How far can they go?: Cassels

Most looking forward to?

The death of mediocre, say-nothing bands, tedious talent show-winning wannabes and the succession of watered-down male singer-songwriters like Sam Smith and James Bay.

New emerging trend?

Would a wave of musicians with something to say be too much to ask for?

One wish?

That bands applying for the Punt would actually include their phone number, as specifically asked for.

New Year resolution?

To stop hurling vitriolic abuse at bland, corporate advertising campaign-friendly musicians, but that only lasted five minutes into the year after I accidentally turned over to Later… With Jools Holland.

  • Josh Rigal

Member of dapper rock and r&b band, Little Brother Eli

Musical highlight of 2015?

Performing at Reeperbahn Festival in Hamberg Germany.

Best local act of the year?

Balloon Ascents. We think they’re ace!

Oxford Mail:

Out on a limb: Balloon Ascents

Best national act of the year?

Vulfpeck.

Favourite local festival?

We had an amazing performance at Truck Festival and got spotted by Bob Harris for a live Under The Apple Tree session.

Favourite venue?

The Bullingdon.

Musical tips for 2016?

Go check out live music in your local venues!

Most looking forward to in 2016?

We’ll be releasing our debut album and playing more gigs this year than ever before.

New emerging trend?

We see waistcoats and beards making a comeback in a big way.

One wish?

To support Jack White on tour.

Oxford Mail:

Dapper chaps: Little Brother Eli

  • Mark ‘Osprey’ O’Brien

Guitarist, promoter and organiser of the Oxford City Music Festival

Musical highlight of 2015?

Cowley Road Carnival, because it brings most of the city together for a brilliant party.

Best local act of the year?

The Aureate act – an outstanding new act.

Best national act of the year?

Happy Mondays. They are still at it and still making people smile.

Oxford Mail:

Wall to wall: Osprey. Picture by Johnny Moto

Biggest musical downer of the year?

Kanye West at Glastonbury. What a load of tripe!

Favourite local festival?

Des Fest – it just is the best.

Favourite venue?

The Wheatsheaf. It’s cosy, and feels like watching a gig in your living room. I should say all the venues in Oxford really as they all look after me and show me love.

Musical tips for 2016?

Get yourself to more local gigs and support local music.

New emerging trend?

People actually liking each other on a worldwide scale instead of killing each other.

Most looking forward to in 2016?

Seeing more people supporting local gigs.

What are you personally hoping to achieve?

A new album. Oh, and a nice holiday abroad. I haven’t been out of the UK for 20 years; too busy with music.

New Year’s resolution?

Keep on keeping on.

One wish?

World peace.

  • Aidan Larkin

Aka Count Skylarkin’ – Ska and reggae-lover, DJ, promoter and proprietor of the Disco Shed

Oxford Mail:

Out of his shed: Aidan Larkin

Musical highlight of 2015?

Getting invited on to Sir David Rodigan’s BBC Radio 2 show to talk reggae music and two decades in the business. Back when I first started DJing I used to religiously record Mark Lamarr's reggae show on Radio 2; David Rodigan was one of his first guests and I played that tape again and again... so it felt like something coming full circle, it was a tremendous honour and a hugely enjoyable experience.

Best local act of the year?

Temple Funk Collective. Smashing festival stages near and far.

Best national act of the year?

Protoje

Biggest downer?

The disappearance of my great friend of many years, DJ Derek, who hasn’t been seen since he left The Criterion pub in Bristol on July 10.

Favourite local festival?

Cowley Road Carnival, no contest.

Favourite venue?

The Cellar. Clubs like that are a dying breed, but they’re really special. Wicked soundsystem, unpretentious, family-owned, loads of little nooks and crannies to get lost in. Daddy G from Massive Attack said it was one of his favourite places he’s ever played.

Musical tips for 2016?

Get out there, take a chance. You could find something you’ll always love and treasure, even if no-one else does.

Looking forward to in 2016?

Common People.

New emerging trend?

Binge clubbing.

New Year’s resolution?

To try to not be a total disappointment to my (as yet unborn) future offspring.

One wish?

To finally bring Ken Booth to Oxford for a show. I've been trying for so, so long.

  • Olly Wills

Frontman of soulful country-rockers The Epstein

Oxford Mail:

Country boys: The Epstein

Best local act of the year?

Balloon Ascents and Ags Connolly.

Best national act of the year?

Sufjan Stevens and Father John Misty.

Favourite local festival?

Binsey Village Fete – Going from strength to strength with the musical bill being a real highlight. The Epstein played at The Rabbit Hole Festival in Hinksey in the summer and thought it was a really great local event.

Favourite venue?

The Bully – it is starting to remind me of that late, great London venue, The Luminaire. The Epstein launched our latest single at The Handle Bar in town and that worked really well and could be a great venue for the future.

Musical tips for 2016?

The Epstein’s new album Burn The Branches and the Ennio Morricone soundtrack for the new Tarantino film The Hateful Eight.

Most looking forward to in 2016?

Releasing our third album and getting back out playing lots of gigs after quite a quiet year last year.

New emerging trend?

People spending less time looking at their phones and computers and engaging more in the here and now.

New Year’s resolution?

Listen to more music in general and more new music in particular.

One wish?

Take me to LA in the mid-late 70s with a great band and some killer songs.

  • Robin Bennett

Musician, member of The Dreaming Spires, and founder of Truck and Wood festivals

Musical highlight of 2015?

Travelling to Nashville, Tennessee, to appear at Americanafest – the Americana Music Awards & Conference.

Oxford Mail:

Soul brothers: The Dreaming Spires

We then went on to record at Ardent Studios, Memphis, and got to jam with one of our favourite musicians ever, Jody Stephens of Big Star.

Best local act of the year?

The Long Insiders and Ags Connolly.

Best national act of the year?

Jason Isbell.

Favourite local festival?

I’m obviously biased, and I’m proud of both Wood and Truck.

I went to Cropredy for the first time last year to see Emmylou Harris, which was magic, even in the pouring rain.

Favourite venue?

The Bullingdon. They have made a real effort to improve the venue for musicians and audience alike.

Oxford Mail:

Top local talent: Ags Connolly

Musical tips for 2016?

Due to my recent trip, I’ve been to more gigs in the US than in Oxford, but would recommend: John Moreland and Austin Lucas, two American songwriters who I saw play in Nashville, who are both over here next month; Applewood Road, a trio featuring Emily Barker; and the new/old soul sound of Nathaniel Rateliff and Leon Bridges. Also Lewis & Leigh, one of whom is from Mississippi but presently living in Oxford, so she can count as a local.

Oxford Mail:

Tipped: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

Most looking forward to in 2016?

I’m looking forward to a comeback for Rickenbackers, perhaps even featured on some new music from Ride?

New emerging trend?

We must be well past “peak beard” so fashionable (male) artists will start to be clean-shaven!

New Year’s resolution?

Get to more gigs in Oxford.

One wish?

I’ll stay off politics, but people shouldn’t be able to build flats next to music venues and then get the venues in trouble, or even shut down, because of the noise.

So I wish that wasn’t allowed.

  • Vez Hoper

Concert promoter, artist manager and founder of Oxford's Irregular Folk sessions

Musical highlight of 2015?

Seeing Paul Williams’ brilliant re-vamp of the Bullingdon. It was fantastic to see a venue massively improved for live music rather than having all the life sucked out of it.

Aside from the obvious working with my Esther Joy Lane, Jess Hall and Laura Moody, my other highlight was discovering the awesome Dose One (of cLOUDDEAD fame) released a kick ass EP called BITCHϟWORD, under the name of GO D△RK.

Best local act of the year?

Esther Joy Lane and Cameron AG.

Best national act of the year?

Bastardgeist – utterly phenomenal. As well as an incredible album, live he totally blew my mind. I was shaking at the end of it.

Favourite local festival?

Audioscope because its programming is brave and brings fresh new music to Oxford.

Favourite venue?

Apart from The Bully for the reasons above, I adore what The Library provides for new bands and the brilliance of Smash Disco.

Oxford Mail:

Irregular: Laura Moody

Musical tips for 2016?

I’m looking forward to seeing how Cameron AG’s band shapes up. And I wish the promoters Future Perfect well. So far they seem to be bringing a promising new energy into the live music scene here. Also, always keep an eye on Idiot King; they’re fantastic, passionate and dedicated.

Most looking forward to in 2016?

Getting the new bigger and more beautiful Irregular Folk Summer session off the ground at the ace new venue of Hogacre Farm, Oxford.

New emerging trend?

Extra gravy with Sunday roasts.

New Year’s resolution?

Work hard, stay focused, keep caring – but always with a giggle.