What's on at roots.net in Oxford

One of this country's leading musical pioneers, Sheppard showcases "Dancing Man & Woman" - featuring his new quintet. Irresistable melody and grooves inspired by music from India, Latin America and Africa. This concert is a co-production between Oxford Contemporary Music and The Spin - Oxford's Jazz Club. Tickets £12 seated / £10 standing / £8 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

For God, Harry,
England and
St George!

Starts 9pm. Our new English music session - songs and tunes from the English heritage, with a very 21st century view of the word "English"! Highly participatory, come and join in! The only legal 1am session we know. Admission free.

Just 20 years of age, Banbury-born Thea has already garnered rave reviews from MOJO - "a writer of intriguing mystique" - to The Sunday Times who described last year's debut album as "packed with potential". Currently touring her new album "The Lipstick Conspiracies" supported by a driving four piece band. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Filthy rocking blues and rock'n'roll from this outrageously talented and popular young Oxford band. Expect a packed and sweaty night. Tickets £5 / £4 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Our new totally open session - anything goes! Special "Meet the Brewer" edition featuring Dave Maggs of West Berkshire Brewery, repeat after me in a proper West Berkshire accent "Good Old Boy".... - he plays as well as he brews! Bring instruments, voices, unicycles (?!!*). All styles welcome... blues, jazz, soukous, son, anything, really... starts 2pm, finishes whenever... Admission free.

Open 12 midday for Sunday Lunch and drinks at pub prices. Irish megasession 2.00 - whenever: Play, sing or listen. Rub elbows with some of the best in the business. Admission free.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Oxford's most established and eclectic acoustic performance club. All singers, storytellers, fools and troubadours welcome. 8.30pm. Admission £2.50 / £1.50 concessions. Followed by The Blue Cooler with DJ Freddy Fred - the smoothest Latin grooves and acid jazz till 1am.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Boo Hewardine and Clive Gregson

Two of the UK's finest songwriters and leaders of the New Acoustic Movement come together for a night of glorious balladry suffused with warm humour and intelligent lyrical twists. Wonderful. Support by fast-rising acoustic troubadour Rob Peters. Tickets £7 / £6 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

For God, Harry,
England and
St George!

Eric Roche and Thomas Leeb plus Frei Zinger

Eric Roche is perhaps the most innovative acoustic guitar player to have emerged in a decade. He is a genuine musical sorcerer, wrenching sounds and rhythms from this seemingly simple instrument that must be heard to be believed! A remarkable musician. Thomas Leeb, another immensely gifted player, joins him. Also featuring support from Oxford's most venerated street musician, the soundscape flautist Frei Zinger. Tickets £6 / £4 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

A high-octane blast of traditional tunes from far and wide. Luke Daniels, ace accordion player straight from the USA Riverdance tour, is joined by Don Oeters (Flatville Aces) and top fiddlers Colm Murphy and Clare Garrard. Starts 9pm. Admission free.

A superbly talented 4-piece acoustic group, Firebrand draw on a wealth of English, Scottish and Irish traditional music, combined with their own highly imaginative songwriting. Featuring fiddle, mandolin, cittern, guitar, vocals and flute, and the haunting sound of celtic harp, their sophisticated and sensitive arrangements make for a magical evening's entertainment. "A resonant sound, brimful of imagery and sensation" - The Irish World. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Our new totally open session - anything goes! Admission free. Bring instruments, voices, unicycles (?!!*). All styles welcome... blues, jazz, soukous, son, anything, really... starts 2pm, finishes whenever...

Open 12 midday for Sunday Lunch and drinks at pub prices. Irish megasession 2.00 - whenever: Play, sing or listen. Rub elbows with some of the best in the business. Admission free.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Hailing from Belfast, Colin Reid is a major new talent in the art of solo acoustic guitar. Elements of blues, jazz, folk, country and classical are combined in his playing to create a powerful, sensitive and universally involving sound. Fast building a reputation for his 1999 debut album and numerous festival appearances, his playing has been acclaimed by none less than Bert Jansch, who commented "Colin reminds me of myself and John Renbourn fused together." "Simply outstanding" - The Independent. Tickets £7 / £6 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

For God, Harry,
England and
St George!

Senegalese Master Musician, hereditary player and instrument maker, Moussa is steeped in the griot tradition of West Africa, stretching back to the 13th century! A master of the kora (West African harp), Moussa plays timeless, meditative music, steeped in history, which transports the listener to another time and place. "A very special artist, not to be missed" - WOMAD. Tickets £7 / £6 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Perennial festival favourites, this Anglo-Aussie band purvey their own unusual and unique brand of steamy global dance and Celtic airs, spun in with percussion and didge. "Vibrant dance orientated musical shamen" Tribal Heart. "finest contemporary roots for rocking" - Rock'n'Reel. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Open 12 midday for Sunday Lunch and drinks at pub prices. Irish megasession 2.00 - whenever: Play, sing or listen. Rub elbows with some of the best in the business. Admission free.

Now in its seventh year, this year's Caversham promises to be the best ever. A full scale festival in Caversham, Reading, Berks with concerts, workshops, dance displays, ceilidhs, childrens events, catering and camping. Be there!

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Jubilee 2000
Benefit
with Makating

Oxford reggae superstars return to roots.net following their triumphant sell-out gig earlier this year. All proceeds go to this most worthy of causes - the campaign to abolish crippling 3rd World debt. Ticket prices tbc.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

For God, Harry,
England and
St George!

Nasir Khan Faridi

Young sitar virtuoso from Delhi, touring with a tabla player in the UK for the first time. Catch this mesmerising musician in an intimate setting while you still can - for he is set to become a huge star. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

A celebration of 25 years of Mozambiquan Independence featuring live music (Timbilas - traditional wooden xylophones over 2 metres in length, guitars and African drums) and DJs from Mozambique. Tonight will be the culmination of celebrations organised by the British-Mozambique Society, hosted by St. John's College. For more information, call Alan Harding on 01865 274556 or mail alan.harding@economics.ox.ac.uk. All proceeds from the night will go to the flood relief fund. Tickets £6 / £4 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Open 12 midday for Sunday Lunch and drinks at pub prices. Irish megasession 2.00 - whenever: Play, sing or listen. Rub elbows with some of the best in the business. Admission free.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

The Ghanaian Master Drummers make a triumphant return to roots.net in support of Oxford Africa Week. This troupe are truly amazing, packed with high energy, huge smiles, elaborate costumes and a unique and wonderful sound. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

For God, Harry,
England and
St George!

Hauntingly original female-fronted five-piece from Brighton featuring sitar and tabla. With hints of Kate Bush, a dreamy night of other-worldly sparkle is assured. Tickets £5 / £4 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

This Brighton-based global trance, dub and techno outifit - now a staple feature of the festival circuit and renowned for their blistering live sets - will be setting the place alight tonight. Dance until you drop. Then get up and dance some more!. Tickets £5 / £4 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Nancy Kerr
and
James Fagan

Having a break from taking the world by storm, this virtuoso duo are bringing their gorgeous voices, fabulous harmonies and prodigious instrumental talents to OTMC. A rare chance to see two of the finest exponents of traditional music - don't miss them! An Oxford Traditional Music Club event (call 01865 872161 for details). Starts 9pm. Tickets £5 / £4 members.

Open 12 midday for Sunday Lunch and drinks at pub prices. Irish megasession 2.00 - whenever: Play, sing or listen. Rub elbows with some of the best in the business. Admission free.

One of the country's best respected singer/songwriter/guitarists gives a special intimate acoustic performance tonight, preceded by a one-off workshop. Starts 9pm. Ticket prices tbc.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

The Lion of Zimbabwe is playing in Oxford at last, after his disappointing cancellation earlier this year. Mapfumo is a living legend - international recording artist, poet and champion of social justice. This year he was voted "Arts, Culture and Literature Person of the Century" by the people of Zimbabwe, a reflection of his stature both at home and in the international arena. Together with his awesome 13-piece band, The Blacks Unlimited, Mapfumo has defined a style of music whose roots are traditionally Zimbabwean, while using modern instrumentation to convey their message of an urgent cry for social justice. Tickets £10 / £8 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Please call for details of party bookings.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

For God, Harry,
England and
St George!

Chicago fiddler Liz Carroll has long been known as a master of Irish traditional music. An All-Ireland fiddle champion and National Heritage Award winner, Liz is considered a "musician's musician" by fellow players. Her new album "Lost in the Loop" captures the joyful spirit of an artist who has embraced music all her life. Liz will be joined by guitarist John Doyle from famed Irish band Solas. "A superb instrumentalist for whom the much overused 'virtuoso' is not at all an exaggeration" Irish Voice. Tickets £6.50 / £5.00 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

A special celebration of African art, featuring African dance, exhibits, food, storytelling and percussion, with DJs til 1 am. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Open 12 midday for Sunday Lunch and drinks at pub prices. Irish megasession 2.00 - whenever: Play, sing or listen. Rub elbows with some of the best in the business. Admission free.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

For God, Harry,
England and
St George!

Elephant Talk + Wob

Diverse and extraordinary, Elephant Talk have broken musical barriers and uplifted audiences throughout the UK and Europe. Ultra-modern and hypnotic, their blend of global dance beats, ambient textures and atmospheres weave effortlessly through wildly different musical cultures. An array of unusual instruments from hammer dulcimer to didgeridoo, sax to thumb-piano, hi-tech multi-FX and live sampling draw music from primeval and future horizons of sound. "Awash with ideas and inspirational thought" Folk Roots. Support from the immensely talented Wob, a guy with just one guitar, an extra-long pair of vocal chords, and songs full of energy and passion. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

One of the most innovative groups to emerge from the roots scene in recent years, Epona combine evocative original songwriting with a wealth of traditional and contemporary influences. Heart-melting vocals are backed with an impressive array of acoustic instruments, including woodwind, guitar, bouzouki, double bass and cello. Add classic pop sensibilities and superbly crafted arrangements and the result is a unique, fresh and truly spellbinding musical experience. Tickets £5 / £4 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Open 12 midday for Sunday Lunch and drinks at pub prices. Irish megasession 2.00 - whenever: Play, sing or listen. Rub elbows with some of the best in the business. Admission free.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

For God, Harry,
England and
St George!

Charivari
plus
Nachala

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Juan Martín
and
Arte Flamenco Puro

Following his sell-out concert here earlier this year "Dr Flamenco" returns to roots.net with renowned dancers from Malaga Raquel de Luna and "El Tigre", with singer Antonio Aparecida. Solo flamenco guitar, song and dance. Early booking is highly recommended. Tickets £10 / £8 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Open 12 midday for Sunday Lunch and drinks at pub prices. Irish megasession 2.00 - whenever: Play, sing or listen. Rub elbows with some of the best in the business. Admission free.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

For God, Harry,
England and
St George!

Over the past 30 years, Ifang Bondi have established themselves as one of the World's finest exponent's of West African Griot, paving the way for Baaba Maal, Youssou N'Dour and others. Tricky, shifting rhythms and haunting melodies are woven into dense hypnotic patterns holding both players and audience in a powerful grip. "The most ballistic percussion" - Q Magazine. "Their pole position in the African Music Hall of Fame is assured" - froots Magazine. Tickets £8 / £7 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.

Debut Oxford gig for former homegirl Sarah Halmarak and her band. From Catweazle to the Hollywell, this would seem a natural progression for a young woman brimful of talent and musical vision. Featuring horns, gorgeous vocals and that full fat Big Band sound - a jazz funk fairytale. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.

from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.


			Andy Sheppard		One of this country's leading musical pioneers, Sheppard showcases "Dancing Man & Woman" - featuring his new quintet. Irresistable melody and grooves inspired by music from India, Latin America and Africa. This concert is a co-production between Oxford Contemporary Music and The Spin - Oxford's Jazz Club. Tickets £12 seated / £10 standing / £8 concessions.


			Open all day		from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.
			For God, Harry, England and St George!		Starts 9pm. Our new English music session - songs and tunes from the English heritage, with a very 21st century view of the word "English"! Highly participatory, come and join in! The only legal 1am session we know. Admission free.


			Thea Gilmore		Just 20 years of age, Banbury-born Thea has already garnered rave reviews from MOJO - "a writer of intriguing mystique" - to The Sunday Times who described last year's debut album as "packed with potential". Currently touring her new album "The Lipstick Conspiracies" supported by a driving four piece band. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.


			Dirty Pool		Filthy rocking blues and rock'n'roll from this outrageously talented and popular young Oxford band. Expect a packed and sweaty night. Tickets £5 / £4 concessions.


			Open all day		from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.
			The Jam Factory		Our new totally open session - anything goes! Special "Meet the Brewer" edition featuring Dave Maggs of West Berkshire Brewery, repeat after me in a proper West Berkshire accent "Good Old Boy".... - he plays as well as he brews! Bring instruments, voices, unicycles (?!!*). All styles welcome... blues, jazz, soukous, son, anything, really... starts 2pm, finishes whenever... Admission free.


			The Sunday Craic		Open 12 midday for Sunday Lunch and drinks at pub prices. Irish megasession 2.00 - whenever: Play, sing or listen. Rub elbows with some of the best in the business. Admission free.


			Catweazle Club		Oxford's most established and eclectic acoustic performance club. All singers, storytellers, fools and troubadours welcome. 8.30pm. Admission £2.50 / £1.50 concessions. Followed by The Blue Cooler with DJ Freddy Fred - the smoothest Latin grooves and acid jazz till 1am.


			Open all day		from 11am for World food and drinks at pub prices, with World sounds and the most chilled vibe in town.
			Broderick		A high-octane blast of traditional tunes from far and wide. Luke Daniels, ace accordion player straight from the USA Riverdance tour, is joined by Don Oeters (Flatville Aces) and top fiddlers Colm Murphy and Clare Garrard. Starts 9pm. Admission free.


			Firebrand		A superbly talented 4-piece acoustic group, Firebrand draw on a wealth of English, Scottish and Irish traditional music, combined with their own highly imaginative songwriting. Featuring fiddle, mandolin, cittern, guitar, vocals and flute, and the haunting sound of celtic harp, their sophisticated and sensitive arrangements make for a magical evening's entertainment. "A resonant sound, brimful of imagery and sensation" - The Irish World. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.


			Colin Reid		Hailing from Belfast, Colin Reid is a major new talent in the art of solo acoustic guitar. Elements of blues, jazz, folk, country and classical are combined in his playing to create a powerful, sensitive and universally involving sound. Fast building a reputation for his 1999 debut album and numerous festival appearances, his playing has been acclaimed by none less than Bert Jansch, who commented "Colin reminds me of myself and John Renbourn fused together." "Simply outstanding" - The Independent. Tickets £7 / £6 concessions.


			Moussa Kouyate		Senegalese Master Musician, hereditary player and instrument maker, Moussa is steeped in the griot tradition of West Africa, stretching back to the 13th century! A master of the kora (West African harp), Moussa plays timeless, meditative music, steeped in history, which transports the listener to another time and place. "A very special artist, not to be missed" - WOMAD. Tickets £7 / £6 concessions.


			Kangaroo Moon		Perennial festival favourites, this Anglo-Aussie band purvey their own unusual and unique brand of steamy global dance and Celtic airs, spun in with percussion and didge. "Vibrant dance orientated musical shamen" Tribal Heart. "finest contemporary roots for rocking" - Rock'n'Reel. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.


			Mozambique Day		A celebration of 25 years of Mozambiquan Independence featuring live music (Timbilas - traditional wooden xylophones over 2 metres in length, guitars and African drums) and DJs from Mozambique. Tonight will be the culmination of celebrations organised by the British-Mozambique Society, hosted by St. John's College. For more information, call Alan Harding on 01865 274556 or mail alan.harding@economics.ox.ac.uk. All proceeds from the night will go to the flood relief fund. Tickets £6 / £4 concessions.


			Kakatsitsi		The Ghanaian Master Drummers make a triumphant return to roots.net in support of Oxford Africa Week. This troupe are truly amazing, packed with high energy, huge smiles, elaborate costumes and a unique and wonderful sound. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.


			Lotus		Hauntingly original female-fronted five-piece from Brighton featuring sitar and tabla. With hints of Kate Bush, a dreamy night of other-worldly sparkle is assured. Tickets £5 / £4 concessions.


			Mandragora		This Brighton-based global trance, dub and techno outifit - now a staple feature of the festival circuit and renowned for their blistering live sets - will be setting the place alight tonight. Dance until you drop. Then get up and dance some more!. Tickets £5 / £4 concessions.


			The Sunday Craic		Open 12 midday for Sunday Lunch and drinks at pub prices. Irish megasession 2.00 - whenever: Play, sing or listen. Rub elbows with some of the best in the business. Admission free.
			Steve Tilston		One of the country's best respected singer/songwriter/guitarists gives a special intimate acoustic performance tonight, preceded by a one-off workshop. Starts 9pm. Ticket prices tbc.


			Thomas Mapfumo		The Lion of Zimbabwe is playing in Oxford at last, after his disappointing cancellation earlier this year. Mapfumo is a living legend - international recording artist, poet and champion of social justice. This year he was voted "Arts, Culture and Literature Person of the Century" by the people of Zimbabwe, a reflection of his stature both at home and in the international arena. Together with his awesome 13-piece band, The Blacks Unlimited, Mapfumo has defined a style of music whose roots are traditionally Zimbabwean, while using modern instrumentation to convey their message of an urgent cry for social justice. Tickets £10 / £8 concessions.


			Liz Carroll		Chicago fiddler Liz Carroll has long been known as a master of Irish traditional music. An All-Ireland fiddle champion and National Heritage Award winner, Liz is considered a "musician's musician" by fellow players. Her new album "Lost in the Loop" captures the joyful spirit of an artist who has embraced music all her life. Liz will be joined by guitarist John Doyle from famed Irish band Solas. "A superb instrumentalist for whom the much overused 'virtuoso' is not at all an exaggeration" Irish Voice. Tickets £6.50 / £5.00 concessions.


			FiestAfro		A special celebration of African art, featuring African dance, exhibits, food, storytelling and percussion, with DJs til 1 am. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.


			Epona		One of the most innovative groups to emerge from the roots scene in recent years, Epona combine evocative original songwriting with a wealth of traditional and contemporary influences. Heart-melting vocals are backed with an impressive array of acoustic instruments, including woodwind, guitar, bouzouki, double bass and cello. Add classic pop sensibilities and superbly crafted arrangements and the result is a unique, fresh and truly spellbinding musical experience. Tickets £5 / £4 concessions.


			Ifang Bondi		Over the past 30 years, Ifang Bondi have established themselves as one of the World's finest exponent's of West African Griot, paving the way for Baaba Maal, Youssou N'Dour and others. Tricky, shifting rhythms and haunting melodies are woven into dense hypnotic patterns holding both players and audience in a powerful grip. "The most ballistic percussion" - Q Magazine. "Their pole position in the African Music Hall of Fame is assured" - froots Magazine. Tickets £8 / £7 concessions.


			Mella Faye Big Band		Debut Oxford gig for former homegirl Sarah Halmarak and her band. From Catweazle to the Hollywell, this would seem a natural progression for a young woman brimful of talent and musical vision. Featuring horns, gorgeous vocals and that full fat Big Band sound - a jazz funk fairytale. Tickets £6 / £5 concessions.