OXJAM TAKE OVER (Esquires).

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Saturday 19th October 2013.

Today throughout various venues in Bedford is Oxjam day. Along with The Bear, The Pad, St. Cuthberts Hall and The Bedford Arms, here in Esquires all three bars are hosting live music in support of the Oxjam charity. Danny's Bar plays host to artists such as Mat Roberts, The Workshop Boys and Ouse Valley Singles Club. Holy Moly's features Doghouse Roses, Tequilla Mockingbird and Slugbelly. This review covers the bands that played on the main stage.

Kicking things off at 3.50 were HENRY AND THE BLEEDERS. It was a strangely early time for such a lively quartet. Having not gigged for a while, there are no visible signs of rustiness from these psychobilly 'erberts. The early arrivals are treated to a fast and furious journey through some of their back catalogue. Many in attendance are having their first sighting of the band and the now bearded frontman, Adam, is warmly appreciative. He thanks everyone for "coming upstairs and having a look". The Bleeders produce the defining tune of this long day with an awesome "Hillbilly in psycholand". Fantastic stuff.

Next on were Herts band The METATRONS. They are steeped in the C86 indie world. Female vocals and a stand in bass player. The songs are bland and similar, while little is said except to complain how hot it is on stage. It's very much tailored for fans of this particular musical ilk.

THE SCAM are a male/female acoustic duo from Stevenage. Very Lovers Rock reggae influenced and a different slant on Marley's "Is this love". They are warm and engaging and end with "a nursery rhyme from socialist primary schools with hippie teachers"! Something a little different.

The next two bands storm the main stage festival with much youthful endeavour. Firstly the immensely impressive THE BLUEBOOK PROJECT returning with such force. Good time rock 'n' roll with an arsenal of strong catchy tunes. Eleven bangers in forty minutes, there isn't a weak one amongst them. Each composition pricks up my ears and I'm not the only one as people of all ages seem to be really enjoying it. "Hurricane blues" is fast becoming an earworm for me, but then I could say the same of "Backwards conversation". Always a good sign of a band is when you can remember so many of the songs long after the band have departed. Terrific presence.

Wow! Now this Oxjam day is cooking with gas as the fantastic NEAR MOMENTS arive on stage. Frontwoman Emily immediately asks everyone (whether she knows them or not) to move closer to the front. Ah, the up til now wooden minefield (dancefloor) is open for business. As a treat Emily demonstrates her exceptional violin skills, the lads on the band offering great back up. This feisty lady wants more clapping; "Lets see those hands in the air". There aren't many people up here, but they are being led and manipulated by an expert, a female Rob Damiani (although the drummer definitely isn't!). "A long time ago" is one of their newest ones and they have been "practising like hell". It sounds perfect in this high-spirited set.

Oh dear! The gas has run out as, coming in as very late replacements, MIDNIGHT TAXI arrive. A mish-mash of funky blues, ska, icebox and even some prog indulgence, all performed with their new vocalist Elise.

With the time at 9.20, the room is starting to fill up. Hot footing it, or have they "flown from Luton" (another gig), are KARL PHILLIPS AND THE MIDNIGHT RAMBLERS. An exuberant KP is, as always, a good watch as he doles out his words of wisdom. "Radio" goes out "to all my haters". "Pink champagne" is superb. Their finale? Well "It's about ten minutes long". It's temporarily stoppped midway so that the drummer could run round the room and back. Hmmm, never seen that before. It finally morphs into "Bullet in the head". Good grooves from the lads tonight.

In the house tonight are CREDIT TO THE NATION. This is a must-see for the forty-somethings attending. Back in the nineties they were a band who tickled the charts a few times. Amongst their array of singles "Teenage sensation" is lapped up tonight. It kick started the Brummie band's career. Their bubbly rapping frontman is acutely surprised by the attention. They are getting excited, declaring "It's been a long time". They incorporate loads of samples and the lap top is key as they are constantly pumpin' and a-jumpin'. They have new songs to add to the familiar ones. Although not entirely to my liking, they do promote "unity, unity, unity".

Indie teenage street urchins THE JEBS are, I must say, a surprise choice for headline band. Their usual songs are performed earnestly, but as it's stupidly late they have very little impact on this reviewer. Even these lads truthfully admit "it's been a long day". Finishing at 12.30, people leave the main stage for the last time. As a veteran of many festivals here at Esquires, I felt that, at least on the main stage, there were more lows than highs. A host to introduce the bands and ask for people's money was badly needed. On the whole, it was sorely lacking atmosphere. A long, long day that ended far too late.

Line up: The Jebs, Credit To The Nation, Karl Phillips And The Midnight Ramblers, Midnight Taxi, Near Moments, The Bluebook Project, The Scam, The Metatrons, Henry And The Bleeders.