Its easy to see the attraction of not going into London to see live music…less than 45 minutes from my front door to the car-park of Oxford Brookes University, to see a band that will play Brixton tonight - perfect. We arrived as ‘The Weight’ were about halfway through their set…good stuff, reminding me of Toploader and maybe Hothouse Flowers…but tight and punchy enough. Second act were ‘Kubb’ , already on heavy rotation on my listening - they played 5 or 6 songs which seemed to sweep everyone along…including a brilliant ‘Somebody Else’ and ‘Chemical’…they left enough of an impression that we privately wondered how Starsailor would follow. At about 9.30 the lights dimmed, and a vicious analogue bassline unfolded…and Starsailor quietly walked on the stage - and subsequently delivered an EXCELLENT set. A great mixture of the old and the new - Alcoholic and Silence is Easy were vintage highlights, coupled with huge tunes from the biting (thanks Nick) new album. The sound was polished, tight and controlled and the smaller venue meant that James Walsh interaction with the crowd was not wasted…superb gig - one of the best this year. Some pictures over here.