Oxjam Takeover 2012: Bands tuning up for a great gig in a great cause in Leicester

Leicester's Cultural Quarter is just days away from being transformed into a hive of musical activity.

The Oxjam Takeover event is returning to the city on Saturday, and organisers are hoping it will be bigger and better than ever.

More than 200 bands and artists will perform at 20 venues – including an outdoor stage outside Curve, in Orton Square – all to raise funds for Oxfam.

Luke Foster, guitarist with Leicester band Furies, who are playing at The Soundhouse, in Southampton Street, at 8pm, said: "We're incredibly excited about this year's Oxjam Festival. It's an excellent opportunity for us and the rest of the acts to play to crowded rooms for an excellent cause.

"It's an honour to be asked to play and to be a part of such a great festival, especially because we get to play a brilliant evening slot at The Soundhouse, which is one of our favourite local venues."

Luke said he would watching some of the other acts as well.

"There are so many good acts on, it's hard to narrow down who we want to see, but The Fazed, Joel Owen & The Antoine Band, Move and Buenos Aries are definitely at the top of our list," he said.

Scottish band Modern Faces, who have supported Kasabian on tour, will be playing at The Exchange, opposite Curve, at 9.30pm.

Drummer Gary Heaney said: "To play Oxjam in Leicester is a awesome. Leicester is a great city for gigs. The people and the atmosphere are electric – after all, it is home to Kasabian, one of the bands that gives us big inspiration.

"Oxjam will be mega. There are some good bands on the bill, such as our close mates Boot Magna and FC20, and it's all for a great cause. It's a full day of live music, with drinks flowing – does it come much better?"

Newcomers The Gin Circle, a trio from Kibworth who played their first gig in August, are looking forward to the day.

"Being charity cases ourselves, we know what it's like to be in need," said singer and guitarist Mickey Penfold.

"We wanted to play Oxjam so the world could see this need and set about starting to ease it – you know, by giving us a record deal or something."

John Molnar, of Leicester band The Vanishing Point, said: "We're looking really forward to tearing it up at Oxjam as it's a wicked event and it gives us the opportunity to play to people who haven't heard us yet. We're also really looking forward to seeing Superevolver, Daylight Frequencies, FC20 and Skarlett Trip."

Oxjam Takeover events are held across the country in October every year, and the Leicester festival is regarded as the biggest and most successful.

The 2010 event raised £20,000 for Oxfam – the biggest amount collected nationally so far.

Scores of volunteers will be helping out on the day.

Leicester company AGL security is offering its services for free.

Director Andy Gillespie said: "We provide security to a number of large events and venues, and Oxjam is a great local event to be involved with.

"We're providing all security free of charge for the event and I'm sure there'll be a great atmosphere on the day.

"It's a chance for us to give something back and we're delighted to be involved."

Oxjam Leicester manager Anna Webb, who also manages The Exchange Bar, said: "It's all going really well. We're in the final stages now, so hopefully everything should go to plan.

"We've got some great acts on so it should be a great day.

"We're setting ourselves the target of getting £20,000 again, which would pay for a school in Pakistan."

Tickets for the Oxjam Takeover event, which can be exchanged for wristbands allowing access to all the venues, are on sale now for £8.

Wristbands will be £10 on the day.

For more information on the event, visit:

http://oxjamleicester.co.uk

See our More magazine on Saturday for a full interview with Anna.

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