OXJAM Festival 2007 - Rock the Steeple!

On Saturday 6th October, an audience of around 200 enjoyed Slough's first Oxjam Music Festival. The inside of St Marys Church was the stunning backdrop for the event and was matched by some equally stunning performances during the night.

After Drew Black opened the show it became apparent to the audience that this was going to be a high quality event.
Comedian Stuart Laws held the evening together seamlessly and had the audience whooping and laughing their way through the night between acts. Jessie Silence stunned the audience into silence with his latest song which had people calling for more and asking when his next cd is out. Local busker Mark Handley had audience participation wrapped up as the whole church sang along with his amusing choruses. 15 year old Lizzie Massey showed the audience just why it is that her band revolt are supporting the pigeon detectives later this month with a great solo performance, she also showed her support for the Slough Charity Swipe who organized the event by sporting a Swipe Music T-shirt.

Amy Green of the band the Amy Green Project gave a stunning performance which had the audience actually applauding Amys vocal abilities during the songs not just after them. Dave Seagrove Slough Oxfam manager was brought to tears by their song Bourbon on the rocks, someone else who brought the audience to tears was the now legendary ex X-factor performer Onkar "Don't Judge The Judge" Judge who opened his set by recreating the dance routine to Billie Jean after walking straight through the Oxjam banner. During his performance Onkar threw the contents of his pockets on the floor saying " I don't need no riches I have enough riches in my heart performing for people like you , what ever is in my pockets tonight can go to Oxfam for people who do need it." Onkar then performed the Earth Song in his own magical style, the audience went into uncontrollable fits of laughter and tears were seen to be running down the faces of many people, Onkar ripped his shirt off to the delight of the ITV camera crew who recorded Onkar to be aired before the x-factor finals in November.

After Onkar's performance the Slough Community Steel Band Panachea had people dancing as they played the night out starting with 2 Micheal Jackson songs tributing Onkar! The event raised around £1000 for Oxfam and Dave Seagrove of Oxfam Slough was delighted with the whole event. All the people involved were from Slough and all the acts , event organizers,sound men even the caterers gave there time as a donation to Oxfam to raise money for Oxjam.

With thanks to Jamie Green for his press release and photos/videos

Oxjam Slough website www.myspace.com/oxjamslough
Swipe is a Slough based charity running music events and workshops in Slough since 1999
Further Details of Swipe can be found at www.swipemusic.com
Further Details of Oxjam can be found at www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam