OXFORD Covered Market is rightly acknowledged as a first class shopping and dining destination, but it can now also claim to be a great music venue.

A line-up of new and up-and-coming artists from a variety of backgrounds were invited to perform in the walkways between the market’s shops for live sessions.

The music was staged by Oxford’s award-winning independent audio production company and recording studio Upcycled Sound and concert promoters Oxford Contemporary Music which will now air the shows in a new digital series of bite-sized gigs called Live Sessions at The Covered Market.

Bands and artists were given exclusive access to the area, with the micro-concerts recorded to be broadcast online between now and September.

The market was closed to the public for the shows because of the ban on performances during lockdown– so there was no audience.

Acts included Native Dancer, Loula Yorke, Alabaster dePlume, Flora Curzon and feeo, who perform everything from jazz and neo-soul , to experimental electronica and folk.

The performances were captured by Upcycled Sounds’ team of expert videographers and sound engineers, who crafted each set into what they describe as “miniature video masterpieces” to give audiences an immersive taster of a live experience that has been out of reach due to the pandemic.

Upcycled Sounds and OCM are presenting the shows from Oxford Covered Market

Upcycled Sounds and OCM are presenting the shows from Oxford Covered Market

Hannah Jacobs of Upcycled Sounds said of the series: “It was magical to bring the iconic Covered Market to life with live musicians and create the opportunity to showcase a space and profession both hit hard by lockdown.

“The sessions are beautifully recorded and really capture that live music feeling we’ve all been missing.”

One recording will be released monthly– starting tomorrow – alternating between Upcycled Sound’s and OCM’s Youtube channels and streamed to their Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Upcycled Sounds gigs from Oxford Covered Market

Upcycled Sounds gigs from Oxford Covered Market

Shows are:

  • Tomorrow: Alabaster de Plume (performer, spoken word artist, writer and saxophonist)
  • June 23: feeo (new jazz with storytelling, big beats and stacked vocal harmonies)
  • July 14: Native Dancer (a blend of hip-hop, trip-hop, jazz, R&B and electronic pop)
  • September 8: Loula Yorke (live electronic artist and composer who uses sound, video and participation to create noisy artworks)
  • October 6: Flora (modern and historical violin)

Audiences can join watch parties for the premier of the videos.

*Visit ocmevents.org for details.