It is now 26 years since the undoubted success of Live Aid brought attention to Africa’s starving millions - unfortunately little has changed since. Currently Africa is seeing the worst drought in 60 years - leaving more than 12 million people facing desperate food shortages.

Under the banner of Oxjam’s Bournemouth Takeover, local artists and bands are trying to make a difference to Africa’s new and terrible famine. Oxjam is Oxfam’s month-long October festival - it holds hundreds of events nationwide to raise awareness and financial help toward saving lives in the most affected areas.

Tony Foster has organised the Oxjam Takeover in Bournemouth for the last two years and believes passionately in the cause: “The world sadly seems to have forgotten about Africa’s plight. We are hoping the Grow Campaign - which is geared towards supporting farmers grow their own sustainable crops for their communities - will promote self -sufficiency and mean less reliance on short term hand-outs in the future.”

This years Bournemouth Takeover starts from 1pm on Saturday 22 October and will be held at six venues in the town including 60 Million Postcards, The Winchester, Champions and The Spyre. Anyone attending will be able to catch an array of local talent including indie favourites Disco’s Out Murder’s In, Dubnium offshoot Grubnium, and The Freeway Poets Collective amongst others. Wristbands will give access to all the venues on the night so people will be able to come and go as they please.

Tony adds: “We have a fantastic team of Oxjam volunteers who are all very excited - as we hope to double the £5,000 we raised last year - it’s just great to be involved with so many outstanding local artists coming together for a life-saving cause.”

It is not too late to get involved, either by putting on your own event or in conjunction with this planned Oxjam Takeover.

For more information, visit www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam or search for ‘Oxjam Bournemouth’ on Facebook.
Tickets cost £5 from www.wegottickets.com in advance and are £6 on the door.