9 bands
5 months of planning
1 special day!
Tomorrow, Saturday 30th October, will finally see R13 writer Sian Jennifer Smith's "Oxjam" rock festival take place in South Wales.
Oxjam is the ultimate DIY music festival, made up of hundreds of events around the UK every October, all in aid of Oxfam. Since 2006, more than 36,000 musicians have played to an audience of over 750,000 people at almost 3,000 Oxjam events, raising in excess of £1 million to fight poverty around the world.
Sian has been keeping a diary of her progress during the organisation of this festival, which can be read on Room Thirteen. From radio interviews to line-up changes, it has been a rollercoaster 5 months!
Sian's Oxjam, which was organised in association with the Patriots MC UK, will be taking place at The Patriot Inn, Main Street, Crumlin, South Wales, NP11 4PT. Doors open at 12pm, with the first act kicking off at 2pm. Entry is free, donations will be accepted.
"I made a decision right from the start that I wasn't going to charge people to attend the event" explains Sian. "Times are tough and I would rather people give what they can comfortably afford and be able to enjoy the event, than not come at all".
The line-up includes indie trio Recluse, heavy metal acts Hellbound, Counterhold and Tempestora, rockers Blackwaters, southern rock band MelonHeadMan and hard rockers Blind Ambition. Headlining the festival will be Derbyshire metal giants Isolysis, with covers band The Last Ride closing the live performances.
Blackwaters bassist Craig Evans said: "Oxjam seemed like a logical thing to do for us, it's a great cause which helps a lot of people and we appreciate the work the charity does."
During the event, there will be the opportunity to buy Oxjam T Shirts and CD's, which feature a donated track from the bands playing at the festival. There will also be a raffle, with a range of fantastic prizes donated by Rocking Music, Harley Davidson, Delta Force Paintball, Luvbee, Voice FM, Global Music Ltd and individual Oxfam supporters.
To find out more about Oxjam, please visit www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam.
Sian's recent interview with Sunshine Radio, as well as a track from Oxjam band MelonHeadMan, can be heard on the Youtube video below: