Just when we thought Oxford indie-rockers Foals couldn’t get any bigger – they go and do just that.

We joined fans of the band in raising a toast to North Oxford lad Yannis Philippakis and bandmates Jimmy Smith, Walter Gervers, Jack Bevan and Edwin Congreave after they were named Best Band in the World at the Q Awards on Tuesday.

The band pipped singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Muse and Blur, featuring fellow Oxonian Alex James, to the accolade.

The band, who picked up the same award in 2013, released their fourth studio album What Went Down in August to wide acclaim.

It’s hard to see how the award can avoid going to their heads, or how much further they can go, short of Yannis and the boys setting their sights behind our planet and achieving intergalactic fame. As things stand, we wouldn’t put it past them. Space suits at the ready, lads.

Further good news for former Supergrass supremo Gaz Coombes, who was this week nominated for a coveted Mercury Prize, for his latest solo album Matador. He is up against LPs by Aphex Twin, Benjamin Clementine, C Duncan, Eska, Florence and the Machine, Ghostpoet, Jamie XX, Roisin Murphy, Slaves, SOAK and Wolf Alice.

The award ceremony takes place at the Radio Theatre at Broadcasting House in London in on November 20.

While Foals and Gaz are still in the ascendant, folk-lovers will next week be gathering to celebrate an artist who has, by his own admission, been around the block a bit.

Hot on the heels of his milestone 70th birthday extravaganza at London’s Theatre Royal, Ralph McTell is coming to town for a trip through his back catalogue, playing The Sheldonian Theatre next Thursday.

A classic singer, songwriter and storyteller, Ralph is now celebrating almost 50 years as a performer.

To buy tickets for the show, go online and visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ticketsoxford.