Oxjam poised to takeover East London

Band aid: Dry the River. Photograph: Dan Medhurst

If you’re still mourning the end of the summer festival season then fear not, as this month Oxjam, the UK’s largest charity festival, has put together impressive line-ups for its Shoreditch and Dalston Takeover events.

The two mini-festivals take place over the weekend of 19/20 October and are the culmination of over a month of one-off events and launch gigs organised by volunteers with the aim of raising money for Oxfam.

Nearly 100 bands and DJs are poised with their instruments and equipment to play across a total of 12 venues. The line-up includes local acts such as Tâches, Ligers, Sophie Jamieson, Milk Teeth and Zoe LDN.

Mohammed Yahya, one half of Afrobeat hip-hop duo Native Sun, who headline Bedroom Bar on Sunday 20 October, told the Oxjam website why he wanted to get involved. He said:

“I feel that it’s a great way to use our music for a positive cause. We often see musicians on TV promoting a very negative lifestyle, often glamorising sex, drugs, alcohol etc., and like many underground artists we understand the responsibility that we have as musicians and role models as well as the blessing and opportunity to have this platform that can touch people universally.”

Last month’s Oxjam launch gigs and events included speed dating and gin tasting, which the organisers hope will put East Londoners in the mood for this month’s Oxjamming festivities.

Wristbands for the day cost £8-10, and allow you free access to all of the venues.

wegottickets.com/oxjamdalston
wegottickets.com/oxjamshoreditch