After one of the most magical nights we’ve ever put on in 2018, Mungo’s Hi Fi return to The Bullingdonin January, with Count Skylarkin, a procession of very special guests and that rig.
Forward-thinking roots reggae music, seismic productions and democratic dancehall. Two rooms. Big sound.
After the roadblock insanity that was Count Skylarkin meets Mungo’s Hi Fi at the Cellar in 2017, we reconvene down the road at The Bullingdon…. and this time Mungo’s are bringing the full rig!
Forward-thinking roots reggae music, seismic productions and democratic dancehall. Two rooms. Mungo’s, Skylarkin and Bazza Ranks (Dirty Dubsters) at the controls; Peppery and Tom Spirals on the mic. Music from the heart and bass in your chest.
Kioko are one of the most exciting, dynamic young bands in the UK right now. Massive reggae, soca and afrobeat-influenced tunes, big hooks, huge melodies and a pounding beat guaranteed to raise your heart and move your feet from seven genuine frontmen who have already won plaudits from David Rodigan and the great Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. In 2017 we saved The Cellar. In 2018, Kioko are gonna wreck the place. Plus big, big sounds all night long from Count Skylarkin (Trojan Records) and special guests.
“The Hempolics are the best band in the UK – but nobody knows it yet…” Maxi Jazz (Faithless)
The Hempolics are taking reggae music to new places – dark, smoky places with ethereal vocals courtesy of Dan Collier and Nubiya and serious bass from some of the best musicians in the game. Plus big, big sounds all night long from Count Skylarkin (Trojan Records) and Trailmix (Dub Central).
“Real vintage lo fi reggae inspired soul music for the 21st century city scape people” DJ Vadim
Having spent the summer rocking crowds at Boomtown, Shambala and Glastonbury, Laid Blak return to Skylarkin’ Oxford for an intimate show in their favourite basement. Born out of the 90s jungle scene in their native Bristol, over the past decade the Laid Blak project has grown into an acclaimed 8-piece band – winning awards left, right and centre for their incendiary live shows, which take in reggae, dancehall, hip hop and soul. They’ve had hits too – Red and Bristol Love have been played all over the radio and all over the world. Once experienced, NEVER forgotten! Get down early.
On the decks, Count Skylarkin is joined by Laid Blak’s own DJ Bunjy and MC Joe Peng, rocking the dance with big and bouncy reggae, dancehall, hip hop and drum & bass till the small hours. Skylarkin’ Soundsystem Friday 24th November at The Cellar, Frewin Court, Oxford OX1 3HZ
10pm-3am | Tickets | Facebook
The Cellar is saved – for now at least, we celebrate! Massive Attack‘s Daddy G returns to one of his “favourite venues in the UK”. Expect deep and dubby reggae, hip hop, soul, garage, d&b and block party gems that hark back to his 80s soundsystem days with the Wild Bunch and point to darker, bassier futures.
Supported by dancehall don Count Skylarkin (Trojan Records), turntable wizard DJ Binge (Dutty Moonshine) and hosted by MC Deemas J (Tru Thoughts).
Reggae Christmas returns to The Bullingdon with a legendary Jamaican hitmaker Susan Cadogan providing the festive magic!
Susan Cadogan
LIVE & DIRECT FROM KINGSTON JAMAICA! ‘Hurt So Good’, ‘Nice & Easy’, ‘Piece Of My Heart’ – Susan Cadogan is one of the Caribbean’s best-loved singers. From the groundbreakers and hitmakers she recorded with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry at the height of the seminal Black Ark madness through Top Of The Pops appearances and lovers rock classics, Susan’s recorded output has rarely been less than sensational over the years, and her live performances remain truly mesmerising.
Mighty Leap make a welcome return to Oxford, after shutting down Womad Festival last summer with their rapturously received collaboration with The Ragga Twins and Wrongtom. Featuring the jaw-dropping vocals of Bermudian singer Desta Zion Wilson, Mighty Leap deal in deep basslines, soulful melodies, sweet harmonies and a liberal squeeze of dancehall magic.
Support comes from Reggae Xmas originators, Oxford’s original rebel sound DestaNation, CowleyRoadblocker Count Skylarkin + John Dash and Keeth Ulett bringing the party once again in room two.
Reggae Xmas has been a Cowley Road tradition for the past 20 years. If you’ve been lucky enough to have been, you’ll know. If you haven’t, well now’s your chance.
* * * * * * * Skylarkin’ Soundsystem Christmas Eve at The Bullingdon
162 Cowley Rd, Oxford OX4 1UE
Contrary to what you may have read in the media, The Cellar is still very much alive and kicking! Skylarkin’ Soundsystem have some fantastic acts lined up over the coming months, and our autumn season begins with one of the finest exponents of that vintage 60s/70s Jamaican sound – Intensified!
Intensified
Playing authentic 60s-style ska, rocksteady and reggae, Intensified have acquired near legendary status across Europe over the past quarter of a century – providing backing to some of the most revered names in reggae – among them Dennis Alcapone, Pat Kelly, Dave Barker, Winston Francis and Prince Buster. In 2007 this led to the 10-piece performing alongside the late, great Alton Ellis at the Oxford Zodiac at a Skylarkin’ Soundsystem event that is still talked about to this day. Ten years on we’re bringing them back!
“Intensified are the best band in the UK” Alton Ellis
Count Skylarkin Trojan Records remixer, gentleman and raconteur spins reggae, rocksteady, ska and calypso from the top, then dancehall, hip hop, jungle and anything else he can lay his mits on till the very last drop.
For over 35 years David Rodigan has been the top dog in the ganja-scented, bass heavy-atmosphere of Britain’s reggae dance-halls. The key to his success has been an unsinkable passion for reggae music, which first took a hold of him as a schoolboy when he heard ska music in the early ’60s, growing up in Kidlington, Oxford.
Since then the DJ has become a titan of UK broadcasting for his shows on Capital, Kiss FM and BBC Radio 1Xtra. He’s also clashed (and won) against the baddest sounds that the world has to offer….. The King of the Festivals, he has shutdown Common People, Glastonbury and Hideout, just to name a few!!
Tonight Rodigan returns to his home town, flanked by Count Skylarkin, Light Roots Sound, Back For Good, King Lloyd and some VERY special guests indeed.
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Cowley Road Rockers proudly presents DAVID RODIGAN & very special guests
Saturday 23rd September 2017 at The Bullingdon, 162 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1UE
11pm-late | Tickets | Facebook
One of Skylarkin’ Soundsystem’s favourite sons, renegade roots and dub producer Wrongtom returns to The Cellar after a lengthy absence with legendary breakbeat/jungle MCs The Ragga Twins – showcasing tracks from their acclaimed new LP. Wrongtom, Flinty Badman and Deman Rockers take you back to the ‘80s reggae and dancehall landscape where they started out. The album has received plays and praise from Toddla T (BBC R1), David Rodigan (BBC 1Xtra), John Kennedy (Radio X) & Steve Lamacq (BBC 6Music), and the live show is incendiary. Support on the decks from Trojan Records turntablist Count Skylarkin. Don’t miss!
Skylarkin' Soundsystem 