We all know the O2 Academy in Oxford is renowned for booking the big guns, and giving all of us something to shout about right on our doorstep.
July and August are the quiet months for every venue up and down the country. Of course they are, everybody is out in the fields taking part in festival season! But that’s not to say everything just stops.
Bucking the trend, on July 8 you can witness an epic celebration of seven pioneering figures of roots reggae, as Gregory Issacs, Flabba Holt, Junior Byles, Michael Rose (Black Uhuru), Tapper Zukie, Desmond Dekker and John Holt comes to O2 Academy Oxford. Dub for the Elders is going to be a red-hot night of roots reggae for all, not just those who were there the first time around.
Then the following night on July 9, The Gories head for Oxford. Rooted in the primal underpinnings of 50s rhythm and unhinged 60s garage punk, The Gories are a Detroit-trio that’s been labelled “the best garage band in America since the 60s.” Experience this influential band live as they come to O2 Academy2. Support comes from Ron Gallo and Table Scraps.
Kicking off August in style on Friday 4 are Lionize, a promising American quartet who bring their unique blend of rock ‘n roll to Oxford as they play a string of explosive headline shows this summer across the UK. A ridiculously strong support line-up includes one of the most talked about local acts Kanadia, Swindon’s very own A Way With Words and the ever-impressive Matchboy. One to get yourself down to for sure!
Best known for their collaboration on Beyonce’s single, ‘Daddy Lessons’, NYC Brasshouse trio Too Many Zooz combine EDM, house, techno, and glitch with an indigenous punch of Cuban, Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, and Brazilian Carnival rhythms, and will be at the O2 Academy2 on August 15. Support comes from Thabo.
Hailed by BBC Introducing In Oxford as ‘ones to watch in 2017’, Haze are set to play their biggest headline show to date at O2 Academy Oxford on August 19. Join the band as they showcase new material alongside songs from their debut EP, Digital Fulfilment.
For tickets and more information on the litany of other offerings that we just couldn’t squeeze all onto one page, visit:
www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academyoxford