Leamington Oxjam rocks for good cause

Bands and musicians will continue to rock venues in Old Town this weekend as part of the Leamington Oxjam music festival.
Producer Matt Waddell of 14 records and V8 frontman Dave Cowen show off the Oxjam Leamington charity single Hero of War. Photo by Trevor Davies.Producer Matt Waddell of 14 records and V8 frontman Dave Cowen show off the Oxjam Leamington charity single Hero of War. Photo by Trevor Davies.
Producer Matt Waddell of 14 records and V8 frontman Dave Cowen show off the Oxjam Leamington charity single Hero of War. Photo by Trevor Davies.

The event, which is part of a nationwide campaign to raise money for Oxfam, was launched with an all-day concert at the Zephyr Lounge in Spencer Street last Sunday.

As part of the fundraising effort, Leamington rock band V8 performed their charity single Hero of War which was sung by frontman Dave Cowen and is a cover version of a song by the band Rise Against.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Event organiser Gemma Waddell, who runs 14 Records in Abbotts Street with her husband Matt, said: “We were so happy to have had Dave approach us with his idea.

“It will really help our event stand out from the rest.

“The song is so well performed and I couldn’t wait for it to be performed live on the opening night.”

By the time the festival reaches its climax at another all day event at the Zephyr on Sunday more than 50 different bands and artists from genres ranging from bluegrass and jazz to rock and punk will have performed across nine gigs over seven days.

Each will have performed free of charge with all proceeds from ticket sales going to the charity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gemma said: “I got an email from Oxfam in June asking if I was interested in organising an Oxjam event and it just grew from there.

“We have been overwhelmed with the response to our cries for bands to get involved.

“It’s a bit of a monster now but a lot of fun as well.”

Singer-songwriters Ian Bourne and Will Homewood, youngsters from Cool and Collected, covers band Blackwater Ridge, funk act Grande Groove and punk rockers Sister Sandwich and fold duo Rosetta Fire have all played so far.

The Grand Union in Clemens Street will tonight host the melody lounge event with Will Johnson headlining.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leamington’s answer to Mumford and Sons The Fallows will play at Eight Bar & Bistro tomorrow (Saturday).

Hero of War has been released and is available on iTunes.

Search for Oxjam Leamington Spa on Facebook.

Related topics: