Monday January 26 marks the start of Independent Venue Week, the UK’s annual celebration of independent music & arts venues and the people that own, run and work in them. It’s an important thing: latest figures show that independent venues are struggling (the whole hospitality industry is struggling), and without those small, independently-run pubs, clubs, bars, taprooms and community spaces, many bands, artists, poets and performers simply wouldn’t ever be able to get their art out there.
No independent venues means no grass roots music scene… and no grass roots music scene means no music scene, in the long (short, actually) run. Think of any band that mattered, ever – and you can bet your record collection they got their first gigs in independent venues, playing to a handful of punters for a percentage behind the bar.
I live in Oxford, a city that historically punches way above its weight when it comes to great bands… and which also, mysteriously, seems to have no representatives among the official list of venues in this year’s Independent Venue Week celebration.
So in the spirit of inclusion but also obstinacy, here’s my six favourite Oxford independent venues. It’s by no means an exhaustive list – take a walk through Jericho or along the Cowley Road any weekend night and there’s far more going on – but time is short and life is cruel and it’s up to us to do what we can…
Tap Social Taproom, Botley
Set up in 2017 as a brewery and social enterprise, Tap Social’s flagship Taproom out to the west of the city quickly evolved into a vibrant and vital venue, with live music and DJs every Friday and Saturday night as well as art, cinema and comedy events. Go for the beer, stay for the vibes.
The Bullingdon, Cowley Road
Perhaps Oxford’s most celebrated independent live music destination, the Bully sits a few doors down from the decidedly more corporate O2 (let’s just keep calling it the Zodiac, eh?) and hosts a wild range of bands in the brilliantly atmospheric downstairs cellar bar.
The Jericho Tavern, Jericho
It’s an upstairs bit of a pub, with a tiny stage and a weird L-shaped bar area… but the Jericho Tavern also boasts an extraordinary history. Local boys Radiohead played here before anyone knew them. So did Supergrass. So did Ride. So did Foals. The list goes on…
The Library, Cowley Road
Not an actual library, obvs, but a quirky and deceptively large pub with a basement bar hosting gigs, DJs and comedy nights. One of those places you take a chance on and discover a band to become obsessed with.
Common Ground, Jericho
This community arts space in the heart of Jericho is a café by day, but also includes local independent traders and in the evenings plays host to a range of events including live music, comedy, poetry and life drawing. They say their mission is to lead the way for a more culturally exciting city, and that’s never a bad thing.
Harcourt Arms, Jericho
A hidden gem, this cosy corner terrace pub down Jericho’s back streets is tiny (though with a lovely secret garden) but nevertheless puts on raucous music nights featuring local bands, as well as the near-legendary Hipshakin’ night every month. Ian the landlord’s a top bloke too.