Stars Speak Out In Support Of Oxfam's Month Of Music

Filed 7 September 2006

Stars including Mylo, Roots Manuva and the Mercury Prize-nominated Hot Chip are supporting Oxjam, a unique month-long music festival taking place across the UK in October. They are joining Oxfam in calling on budding DJs, MCs, producers and clubbers to get involved by supporting Oxjam events in their area, or by organising an event themselves.

Where Live8 was all about global music stars performing in front of the public, with Oxjam every single participant is the star. It will form the biggest music festival in Britain, spreading across the whole of the UK for an entire month.

More than 1,000 events "big and small" will take place across the UK as part of this unique festival, all organised by members of the public using their passion for music to take action against poverty. With four weeks remaining until Oxjam events across the country begin to take place, there are already more than 500 events in place, with thousands of people committed to getting involved by staging an event.

Events already organised include live performances from Ali B, Atomic Hooligan and Fingerlickin' Records' A-Skillz at 93 Feet East in London on 21 October, and a UK tour from "charity shop DJ" Andy Jupp, who will be visiting charity shops across the country, performing DJ sets with the records he finds on his travels.

Scottish electronica wizard Mylo said: "Oxjam is a brilliant way to keep the momentum going from last year's Make Poverty History campaign. It's an inspired and brave move to go from one or two large events to thousands of grassroots ones; bottom-up instead o top-down - I'm really glad to be involved".

Electro-pop outfit Hot Chip, who were nominated for this year's Nationwide Mercury Prize, explained how to become a part of Oxjam: "From Coventry to Glasgow, from Portsmouth to Potters Bar, from Berkhamsted to Birkenhead and further a field - everyone has a passion for music and everyone wants justice in the world. Why not get together with you friends, put on an event and raise some money? It's really that easy".

UK hip hop legend Roots Manuva encouraged like-minded music fans to do their bit in October: "I love this concept: rave should have a reason, rave with reason. Do the Oxjam dance, sing and shout for a conscience cause".

Gareth Simpson, spokesperson for Oxfam, said: "We're delighted that some of the biggest names in music are putting themselves forward to support Oxjam. What we need now is for every aspiring Mylo, Roots Manuva and Alexis Taylor to follow their lead and put on their own event. Together we can all fight poverty and make some great music at the same time".

There are dozens of Oxjam club nights, DJ sets and live performances happening throughout October. The money raised from each event will go to help Oxfam fight poverty in more than 70 countries in which it operates. To find out how to get involved with your own Oxjam event next month, visit:

www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam or call 0870 850 6246.