Last month, the venue's landlords applied for planning permission to convert the venue into a retail space. But The Cellar's fans came out in support and - thankfully - this application has been withdrawn.
The fight to save The Cellar continues, but it has become clear that the intimate venue means a lot to a great deal of people.
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| Bestival founder Rob da Bank shows his support |
Following the release of their debut album, local two piece Cassels headlined The Cellar on Saturday night.
Support came from Fancy Dress Party and Lacuna Common. Encompassing the indie punk rock spectrum, both bands got the crowd going and set the bar high for Cassels' set.
With a setlist of nine songs - many from the newly released Epithet album - Cassels energised the crowd with a winning combination of apathy and pure punk joy.
First off was 'Coup'. Its politically charged lyrics (specifically about youth disenchantment) were well received by The Cellar's crowd. A mosh pit quickly opened up behind me - no mean feat considering the size of the venue.
The band certainly take no prisoners. "This song is about dementia," Jim (vocals, guitar) announced to the crowd. After a usual cheer, he quipped: "If you cheered you're a piece of shit, 'cause it's a terrible disease."
Cassels makes you think. They would be the first to admit that they're not an easy listening, pop band. Instead, their songs challenge you.
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| Jim on guitar |
First off was 'Coup'. Its politically charged lyrics (specifically about youth disenchantment) were well received by The Cellar's crowd. A mosh pit quickly opened up behind me - no mean feat considering the size of the venue.
The band certainly take no prisoners. "This song is about dementia," Jim (vocals, guitar) announced to the crowd. After a usual cheer, he quipped: "If you cheered you're a piece of shit, 'cause it's a terrible disease."
Cassels makes you think. They would be the first to admit that they're not an easy listening, pop band. Instead, their songs challenge you.
The penultimate song was 'Hating is easy', which was first released in 2015. 'And I would love you/ But loving is scary/ So I'll just hate you/ Hating is easy...' I like to interpret this song in two ways.
Firstly I see it as an ode to commitment phobia, where it seems easier to hate rather than mentally invest yourself in another party. Secondly I imagine it as a parody, criticising some of the terrifying attitudes we see today. Sure, let's just hate each other rather than sorting our differences out.
Firstly I see it as an ode to commitment phobia, where it seems easier to hate rather than mentally invest yourself in another party. Secondly I imagine it as a parody, criticising some of the terrifying attitudes we see today. Sure, let's just hate each other rather than sorting our differences out.
While I was checking out Cassels on social media post-gig, I noticed they're friends with the brilliant itoldyouiwouldeatyou and also supported Muncie Girls in February. As I get more acquainted with the UK indie scene, I constantly get more impressed.
I'll be back next Saturday to see Desperate Journalist and October Drift. In the meantime, please sign the petition to save The Cellar.
Interesting review, good times in Oxford!
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