Four hundred years ago, musicians known as The Oxford Waits played ceremonial tunes in the streets of the city, also entertaining audiences at parties, banquets and alehouse singalongs. The hits of the day were not measured by downloads or CDs but in sales of ballad sheets. Songs told of love, death, war, scandal – all the themes relished by the tabloids today.

Tim Healey, director of the present-day Oxford Waits, tells of the city’s music scene in a bygone age with fellow band members Caroline Butler and Edwin Pritchard illustrating the songs and tunes. The trio appear in period costume with instruments that include shawm, fiddle, hurdy gurdy, hammered dulcimer, bandora, nyckelharpa & more.

Join us for this special Lunchtime Talk from The Oxford Waits, featuring historical narration and performance elements throughout. The talk and performance will last for approximately 1 hour, followed by 15 minutes for questions from the audience for a 2.15pm finish.

Tickets cost £6 and are available to buy online (via Plinth) or at the Museum shop. Tickets for this event also include free entry to the Museum’s galleries.

Part of the Sounds of the City exhibition and events programme.

£6