Preview: Oxjam @ Old Queens Head

Dean Nicholas
By Dean Nicholas Last edited 185 months ago
Preview: Oxjam @ Old Queens Head
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The perfect marriage between altruism and alt-rock, Oxjam is one of those community-led festivals that Brits excel at. Oxjam brings thousands of volunteers across the country, united only by a love of music and a desire to raise money for Oxfam. Last year's events raised over £200,000, and they're aiming to top this in 2008.

That's where Joe The Plumber Public comes in. This weeks sees the first of two Oxjam launch events in London, aimed at priming everybody for the big kick-off later in November. On Tuesday night, young rock band CAIMBO will hit the stage at Islington venue The Old Queen's Head. The Cambridge-born quartet are working on their debut album, and have pulled in some impressive names to help them: Ben Mason, who's twiddled the knobs (so to speak) for Arctic Monkeys and The Kooks, is producing their debut, scheduled for a summer '09 release. So when everybody's banging on about them next year, you can smugly remark that you saw them before anybody knew who they were. The band are supported by Southend ska/punkers Hoodlums, and The Foxes, both expected to break into the big time next year.

Tickets for the night are £5 on the door, £4 with a flier, and all proceeds are going straight into Oxfam's coffers. Honestly, can you think of a better way to spend a fiver on a dour Tuesday night and enjoy some cracking good music while raising money for charity? You can't, stop trying.

Oxjam At The Old Queens Head, Essex Road (map), Tuesday 21st October, 7.30pm. £4 with flier, £5 without

Last Updated 20 October 2008