Tandem Collective and OCM present a day of music and workshops followed by an early evening show celebrating the joy of community and connection through music, in both an historic Oxford landmark and one of the city’s most exciting new venues.
Tandem are taking over the Sheldonian Theatre to mark four years of Starling Sessions, a global folk community orchestra born of Tandem’s festival days and grown to be one of Oxford’s most treasured and joyous live acts. Joining them is an eclectic line-up of performers from around the world.
Schedule by venue:
The Sheldonian
1.15 – 2pm Starling Sessions Workshop
2.10 – 2.35pm Nostos Greek Polyphonic Group
2.50 – 3.20pm Oxford Timorese Community Band
3.35 – 4.05pm Tarik Beshir
6.00 – 8.00pm Sacred Funk Quartet & Starling Sessions
The Nest
2.10 – 3.10pm Yoruba Rhythms & Orisa Songs Workshop
3.25 – 4.10pm Starlings Nest Family Workshop
4.20 – 5.30pm Bal with Hinny & Joe Wass
8.15 – 11pm After-party with Natty Hi-Fi
EVENING SHOWS
Starling Sessions & Sacred Funk Quartet
@ The Sheldonian Theatre
6pm (5.30pm doors)
Book your tickets (£10 / £15 / £25)
Seating unreserved
Starling Sessions
Starling Sessions is a global folk community orchestra, exploring traditional music from around the world through the people of Oxford. Each member of the 35+ strong band brings a song with them to share and together we create a musical mosaic of the city.
Their music ranges from the wistful longing for distant landscapes, to the tubthumping rowdiness of feasting and revelry, bound by universal themes like love, loss, labour, and kinship. Join us for their joyful, moving and life-affirming celebration of songs that have transcended borders and found a home here.
The Sacred Funk 4tet
A new all-star band playing ancient music for modern times. Featuring two-time Grammy Award-winning percussionist Lekan Babalola and acclaimed British clarinettist Kate Luxmoore, the quartet blends ancient, spiritual music and Yoruba rhythms from West Africa with jazz harmonies, and improvisation.
They delve into a culture and music which, during the Transatlantic slave trade, was exported from West Africa across the New World, leading to an explosion in musical creativity and acting as a foundation for some of the most enduring music genres, including samba in Brazil, and rumba in Cuba.
Lekan Babalola has worked with Ernest Ranglin (Jamaican reggae guitarist), Tony Allen (one of the founders of Afrobeat), and Ali Farka Touré (pioneer of African desert blues). Global media has given him rave reviews for his percussive ‘wizardry’ and infectious grooves.
Kate Luxmoore is a clarinetist whose musical journey has spanned classical to folk, afrobeat and jazz. She’s worked with artists such as Tony Allen, Lucky Ranku, and Herlin Riley.
The exceptional talents of guitarist Ruebin Reynolds and double bassist Josh Vadiveloo make up the quartet.
“Creating new music from ancient melodies drawing on African diaspora styles with a combination of clarinets, percussion, bass and guitars.” Kate Luxmoore
“Jazz highlife with a real old skool warmth” Max Reinhardt (Radio 3 and Soho Radio)
After-party with Natty Hi-Fi
@ The Nest, 8.15-11pm
Book your tickets (£5)
Oxford’s No1 Roots Reggae Sound System brings some impeccable vibes to keep the celebration going into the evening. Join us for the party! Limited tickets available. This will be a standing gig but some seating is available.
DAYTIME LINE-UP
Free – no tickets needed
The Sheldonian Theatre
The Takeover Begins: Starling Sessions Workshop
1.15pm – 2pm
Join Starling Sessions to open the day as one huge band and raise the roof.
Experience the joy and beauty of Starling Sessions’ inclusive music-making process and be part of a sound that will surely shake the ancient foundations of one of Oxford’s most exclusive venues. We’ll teach a song from our set, so you can join in with us in the evening concert too! All taught by ear, no prior experience needed, all ages and abilities welcome. Join as a singer or bring an instrument.
Nostos Greek Polyphonic Group
2.10-2.35pm
Spirited folk songs from Greece and further afield, including Balkan and Georgian music.
Oxford Timorese Community Band
2.50-3.20pm
Traditional tebe music and dance from East Timor, Southeast Asia. Performed by a musical ensemble with a troupe of dancers, Tebe music connects the community with ancestors and nature.
Tarik Beshir
3.35-4.05pm
Fresh recreations of Egyptian Maqam music from this tremendously gifted singer and skilled oud player.
The Nest
Yoruba rhythms and Orisa songs workshop
with Lekan Babalola and Kate Luxmoore from Sacred Funk Quartet
2.10pm – 3.10pm
Explore the Yoruba rhythms of west Africa and traditional Orisa songs, with two-time Grammy Award-winning percussionist Lekan Babalola and acclaimed British clarinettist Kate Luxmoore. All ages and abilities welcome. If you play an instrument, you’re welcome to bring it to play & join in. Some percussion instruments will be provided.
Starlings Nest Family Music Workshop
With Natalia Karkarkina
3.25pm – 4.10pm
Join us for Starlings Nest, a lively and fun workshop where families can come together to explore the joy of international folk music! Led by Natalia Karkarkina, this session is designed for children and carers to learn, play, and share music from around the world.
Children and adults will learn together to play traditional folk tunes, discover the stories behind the music, and experience the rhythm and joy of making music together.
All ages and abilities welcome. If you play an instrument, you’re welcome to bring it to play & join in. Some percussion instruments will be provided.
Bal with Hinny & Joe Wass
4.20 – 5.30pm
Music from the European balfolk social dancing tradition with local folk legends Hinny and Joe Wass. Come and have a dance or simply enjoy the music. Everyone is welcome to come and have a go. Experienced dancers will be happy to show you the steps and help you to get involved.
If you have any questions about the workshops, or want to let us know about your access requirements, please email: starlingsessions@gmail.com
All events are family friendly. Children under 18yrs old must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Venue Accessibility Info – The Sheldonian: https://www.accessguide.ox.ac.uk/sheldonian-theatre