THE first OX4 Festival was a hit with revellers as a small corner of Oxford came alive for a musical celebration.

Music fans came to Cowley Road in their hundreds on Saturday for the debut of an event to showcase local bands.

The organisers, who are also behind the Truck and Wood festivals, said they could not have asked for a better way to kick things off.

Drew Brammer said: “It’s been a dream of many of us to put on a festival in Cowley because it’s a little gem of a place with so much going on. What’s really exciting is that people have got involved in all aspects of the festival, whether going to a workshop on how to make a music video or seeing a band.

“Because it’s the first one we’ve organised it’s been a bit hectic, but now we’ve got it sorted we’d definitely like to carry it on in the future.”

During the day workshops were held at East Oxford Community Centre in Princes Street to give people an idea of how to be successful in the music industry. Sessions ranged from photographing rock bands to how to put together a fanzine.

Marta Hudecova, 24, from Jericho, learnt how music videos are made.

She said: “I found it really interesting because you watch videos on television all the time, but you don’t really think about all the work that goes into making them.

“Some of the techniques that are used are fascinating.”

Clare Fu, 20, from Headington, took part in a workshop where she designed an album cover for a competition. If it is successful it will be the cover for a new album by The Magic Numbers.

She said: “I’m originally from Singapore and we don’t have anything like this festival here, it’s amazing.”

The event was also part of Oxfam’s national Oxjam Music Festival.

Kevin Jenkins, 47, busked outside the Cowley Road Oxfam shop to raise money for the charity. He said: “I’ve been a long time supporter of the charity and I think it’s brilliant music can help benefit that.”

During the evening bands played gigs at the O2 Academy, Baby Simple, East Oxford Community Centre, Cafe Tarifa and the Bullingdon Arms. The bands included The Big Pink, Dalek, This Town Needs Guns, Danny & the Champions of the World and Mr ShaoDow.

Organiser Joe Bennett said: “It’s been great. We hoped to make it like Truck Festival – but in a day – and I think we did that.”

bellery@oxfordmail.co.uk For a review of OX4 see Friday’s Guide