A MUSICAL initiative to raise funds for a homelessness charity has struck a chord with Oxford bands.

Four up-and-coming Oxford groups are clubbing together to play a Musicians Against Homelessness show tomorrow, after an appeal by former Oasis manager Alan McGee.

The gig, at The Wheatsheaf, off Oxford's High Street, features alt-rock four-piece Kanadia; Sleepers’ Dome (featuring members of The Aureate Act), grunge-rockers Slate Hearts and pop-rock duo Wolfs.

The show is part of a national series of gigs launched by Mr McGee, the man behind Creation records. The music impresario, who has also managed Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, and The Libertines, launched the initiative as a fundraiser for charity Crisis and as a showcase for new talent, and urged local music-lovers to get involved.

The Oxford show has been organised by Terri Bonham-Samuels, of promoter Gets Louder.

She said: “Homelessness strikes a nerve with me, so when I heard about Alan’s campaign I thought it was a good excuse to put on a gig and help a great charity.

“I also wanted to make sure it came to Oxford, so I asked a few bands I liked, and they all jumped at the chance.”

She adds: “There’s a great band community in Oxford and good things can happen when we all work together.”

McGee said he was impressed by local backing for his initiative. “I am delighted that bands of this calibre want to be part of this campaign,” he said.

“The support in Oxfordshire has been tremendous and inspiring and it’s fantastic to see so many come forward to take part.

“Although our primary concern is to combat the scourge of homelessness, it is vital that the gigs also give up-and-coming bands a chance to play to larger audiences.

Mr McGee revealed that he had slept rough himself before discovering Oasis in 1993, adding: “We are trying to build a new wave of opportunities for young bands.

“Due to the eternal gentrification of big cities, we are losing music venues all over the country. Without these venues what chance will new bands, especially working class bands, ever have of gaining the oxygen of experience and learning to refine their craft? Inner city redevelopment is killing the next generation of musicians, and very soon the working class artists will be written out of the narrative of rock & roll music.

“Hopefully as well as raising a large amount for Crisis, this project will give a lot of new bands a chance to play and to exist in a place where they can all shine on.”

Headliners Kanadia said they couldn't wait to get involved. Frontman James Bettis said: “We are very excited and honoured to take part in Musicians Against Homelessness. Terri has put together a pretty incredible lineup for our show at the Wheatsheaf.

“It’s a great platform for all the artists involved, and all for a good cause. Homelessness is a common issue in the country today and is something I’m sure most people are witnessing on a daily basis. It’s also an issue that people all over the world too often turn a blind eye to and detach themselves from. We have a lot of respect for what Alan McGee and the rest of the team are doing through Musicians Against Homelessness and Crisis.

“It’s a great charity that offers people a chance to get back on their feet from a position that we could only imagine would feel very hopeless.

“It enables artists to use their music to benefit the lives of people in need. It’s a brilliant concept and one we feel privileged to be a part of.”

Ed Tait, Director of Fundraising for Crisis, said the need to help the homeless was as pressing as ever. He said: “The support of Musicians Against Homelessness comes at an important time. Homelessness is devastating, leaving people vulnerable and isolated. With rough sleeping rising steeply across the UK, unfortunately our services are all the more important.”

* Music Against Homelessness is at The Wheatsheaf tomorrow. Tickets available from wegottickets.com for £5 or £6 on the door