Local artists will take centre stage at the Museum of Oxford (MOX) this autumn as part of the Sounds of the City: LIVE events programme, which is launching next month.
Building on the success of the museum's Sounds of the City exhibition, the programme features intimate live music performances, lunchtime talks, walking tours, a film screening and family workshops between October and December.
Sounds of the City opened in July and takes visitors on a musical journey through Oxford's music scene and its enduring impact on both local and worldwide stages.
Sounds of the City is an exhibition of objects, memorabilia, and stories celebrating Oxford's music scene, highlighting iconic bands, gigs, grassroots venues, festivals, and independent record labels that have shaped Oxford's sound.
The events featured in the Sounds of the City: LIVE programme include:
- Live & Local (Friday 2 October): Music from Mick Quinn’s DB Band and Emma Hunter
- Beats, Rhythms & Rhymes (Saturday 17 October): Produced in collaboration with Unlock the Chains Collective
- Anyone Can Play Guitar film screening (Saturday 24 October): Followed by Jon Spira in conversation with Dave Gilyeat
- Sounds from the Basement (Friday 30 October): Mount St. Helen solo and Dolly Mavies
- Afterhours Acoustics (Friday 6 November): Premium Leisure and Robin Bennett & friends
- Mount St. Helen at Modern Art Oxford (Friday 4 December): Performance at Open Call Preview Party
- Oxford’s Sounds: Reimagined (Friday 11 December): Produced in collaboration with Cities and Memory
- Little Sounds of the City (Monday 21 December): Hands-on family workshop with Oli Steadman from Stornoway
- Lunchtime talks & walking tours (Various dates): Led by local historians, exploring Oxford’s music history
The Sounds of the City exhibition is on display at the Museum of Oxford in Oxford Town Hall and is open until 13 March 2027.
The exhibition has been curated by Beth Jones and guest curator Autumn Neagle, and the exhibition and events programme is funded by Arts Council England.
The content of the exhibition has been shaped and informed by many generous individuals, including Paul Bonham, Marc West, and Jon Spira, alongside the various bands, artists, and management teams who have loaned items and stories for display.
About the Museum of Oxford
The Museum of Oxford is the only museum dedicated to Oxford and tells the story of Oxford and its people through an exciting range of social history objects alongside interactive displays across two galleries. From football to fairgrounds, marmalade to Morris Motors, and patron saints to pubs, barges, bones and quirky customs, the museum explores the many stories that have shaped Oxford.
Inside the Museum's two galleries, visitors can find collection items, video, audio and interactive displays, alongside special exhibitions that uncover what makes Oxford such a special place to live, work and study.
More information about the Museum of Oxford can be found on the Museum of Oxford website.
Comment
"Oxford has a rich and diverse musical heritage, and Sounds of the City celebrates the artists, venues and communities that have shaped the city's soundtrack over the decades. Through Sounds of the City: LIVE, audiences will have the opportunity to experience that story in new ways, from live performances and film screenings to talks, tours and creative workshops."
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council and Cabinet Member for Partnership Working, Inclusive Economic Growth and Culture
