Oxjam Music Festival at The Lights, Andover, hampshire

Friday, October 25, 2013

Oxjam at the Lights, Andover
October 2013

We decided to visit Oxjam as not only is it an important event which raises money for charity, it hosts a bevy of local young musical talent. We had only been at The Lights a few days before at the Breakers Fundraiser (Click to read the review and pictures) and we were set to see some of the acts again along with bands we had yet to see. The music had already started when we got there and the venue was fairly well attended although it is hard to tell sometimes because it is quite a large area, however most seats were taken and we settled up at the bar where we looked after by the lovely Lauren and Tracey who were working behind the bar that night.

In attendance was Andover Food Bank and Alibare Young People Services, Calum & Izzy Art and Big Up Words.

The night was packed full of music from some of the best musical talent around Andover, it was a complete treat and we enjoyed every last minute of it, we always like to see the boys from Outside Central and we were keen to see One Last thrill who we had not personally seen perform before, we were not disappointed as they were fantastic and a really nice group of youngsters, albeit one or two of them are a bit crazy!

Andy Pomphrey who organises the Oxjam event told me that it all started when he was asked to be a judge at the Andover Open Mic competition and he became aware of the fantastic musical talent in the area and decided to match that with the need for funds in Oxfam, he also would like to dispel the well thought of rumour that funds raised for Oxfam directly leave the country, in fact the proceeds for this year’s Oxjam is going to Andover Food Bank.

Trevor from Andover Food Bank addressed the room to tell us that the need was great s more and more people in the area were finding themselves unable to afford grocery shopping and that everything raised would help the Food Bank service our community that find themselves in need, he ended with ‘Music be the food of life – Play on!’.

This really is a worthwhile event and I am determined to make the next one, not only because it is for a good cause but because the music was fantastic!