The 1970s saw music in Oxford move from pop and ballrooms to pubs, colleges, and festivals (and through prog-rock and punk) to the roots of bands we know today.

A shortage of places to play (then as now!) saw new bands find new venues and develop a whole local music scene, crossing the ‘town and gown’ divide. Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes) became one of the top student venues, with many American bands (including the Eagles) playing there, while the New Theatre hosted Led Zeppelin, Bowie and many others. All of this somehow turned into the roots of what we have today.

In this original talk, Chris Church will cover these themes, look at how the music and action fitted into the changing times that were the 1970s, and give some credit to many great bands that came and went (and a few who are still around…).

In the 1970s Chris ran gigs at Oxford Polytechnic, helped with the annual Oxford Mayfly free festival, and managed (unsuccessfully!) various Oxford bands. Since then, he’s worked on environmental issues in Oxford and in London and recently co-authored a history of the UK environmental movement.

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.

Further information
Complimentary tea and coffee will be available to enjoy during the talk. We recommend arriving before the start of the talk if you would like to grab a refreshment.

£6