Oxfam Ireland wants you to “Rocktober”

Oxfam Ireland Press Release
06 June 2007

Originating from a concept by an Oxfam Ireland shop volunteer, Oxjam has become a music festival with a difference. Originally one evening of music in Belfast, Oxjam is now a month long, Ireland and UK wide festival that uses people’s love of music to fight poverty. This October, Oxjam will produce the equivalent of 500 continuous days of music.

Oxfam Ireland is appealing to anyone involved in music or anyone who just loves music – from bands, promoters and street buskers to DJs, music students and piano teachers - to become part of this unique initiative by organising a music event this October. Help Oxfam Ireland to fight poverty and injustice around the world.

This year, music lovers can join forces with stars such as the Kaiser Chiefs, Klaxons, DJ Shadow, Kasabian and the Kooks to give their support to Oxjam and make this years month of music even bigger and better than ever.

Kooks singer Luke Pritchard said: “A thousand events across Ireland and the UK for Oxfam last year proved that music can make a difference to the world’s poorest people - why not join me and do your bit to make Oxjam 2007 bigger and better?”

DJ Shadow, who travelled to Africa in April with Oxfam to support Oxjam, said:

"I went out to Kenya to see how some of the money from Oxjam is being spent and saw first-hand that it really does change lives. I’ll certainly be doing my bit for Oxjam this year, and would encourage DJs, producers and MCs to get together and put on an event this October. Together, we can use our music to make a difference."

Musicians taking part in Oxjam in 2007 will also have the opportunity to appear on MTV. Bands can upload videos of their Oxjam event in October at www.mtv.co.uk/oxjam. The most popular artists as voted for by the public are then filmed by MTV, with an entire MTV show dedicated to the overall winner. Other prizes are on offer for bands and individuals raising over €500 /£250, among them is a guitar signed by the Artic Monkeys.

Roy Seven singer Paul Walsh added his support to the cause:

"Make your voice and music heard by supporting Oxfam Ireland this Rocktober. Join the global effort to stamp out poverty and injustice by getting involved with, or arranging your own musical event throughout the month of October. It's a great way to bring attention to this worthy cause and raise much needed funds for those who are in need."

"For us, Oxjam is the highlight of the festival season because everyone gets to make the noise themselves. The only thing more exciting than putting on your own event to help fight poverty is knowing that you're part of a movement of thousands of gigs, club nights and events right across Ireland and the UK."

If you managed to raise €500 /£300 from your Oxjam event this year would be enough to provide safe water for almost 420 people, 6 emergency shelters or essential medicines for 3 villages. The call for music lovers to get involved comes now, as Oxfam Ireland estimates the average gig takes three months to organise.

To find out how you can get involved with Oxjam this year, visit www.oxfamireland.org/oxjam or call 1890 60 60 65 (roi) 0800 0 30 40 55 (NI)

Also see www.myspace.com/oxjamireland

Oxfam Ireland is an independent member of Oxfam International- a group of thirteen non-governmental agencies dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world.

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