MTV supports Oxfam with their new initiative, Oxjam with a search for fresh new talent.
Get Seen, Get Heard,
Make Music, Change Lives
MTV is partnering with Oxfam and the new volunteering charity ‘v’ for ‘Oxjam’, a uniquely ambitious, month-long music festival taking place across the UK throughout October. Calling on young people to put on all kinds of music events, to raise money for Oxfam, it promises to be the UK’s biggest ever music festival aiming to stage 2,500 music events around the country.
As part of Oxjam, MTV has launched a brand new talent initiative called ‘Get Seen, Get Heard’ - calling out to all budding musicians, singers, rappers, Dj’s, to get involved for the chance of stardom and the possibility of playing the same bill as some of the biggest bands in the country.
If you put on, or get involved in an Oxjam fundraising gig, film it and upload it to MTV Flux www.mtvflux.co.uk you could have a chance of appearing on MTV as part of ‘Get Seen, Get Heard’. The most popular Oxjam entries as chosen by MTV Flux users will be seen on the MTV Flux TV channel during October and November and viewers will be encouraged to vote for their favourite unsigned bands, DJ’s and performances. Then in December, we’ll pick the best and most popular entries and send MTV cameras out to film profiles of the bands or artists for broadcast in the New Year.
James Scroggs, spokesperson for MTV:
'Let's face it; it's rare to be encouraged to make a racket in order to do something good for the world. We know there are thousands of talented people out there making music, which rarely gets seen or heard. And we know there are thousands of people who are looking for ways to volunteer and do their bit to help make poverty history. OXJAM, our partnership with OXFAM and v, is that call to greatness – put on a gig, cut loose and fund-raise while you're doing. Just make sure you capture those moments and share it with us.'
Ultimately MTV is hoping to find three or four amazing new acts who’ll seal their bid for fame by appearing on the bill of a big gig next April alongside some of the many major acts who are supporting Oxjam.
So far stars including Kaiser Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand, Goldfrapp, Kasabian, Hot Chip, Mylo and Badly Drawn Boy have all spoken out in support of Oxjam.
Gareth Simpson, spokesperson for Oxfam, said:
“Now there’s even more reason for every aspiring Kaiser Chiefs or Franz Ferdinand out there to get involved with an Oxjam event in October. Together we can all fight poverty and make some great music at the same time.”
Terry Ryall, v Chief Executive said:
“We are delighted to be able to provide financial support to Oxjam through our match fund programme. Thousands of young people will have the opportunity to get involved in a project that really taps into their creativity and passion for music.”
There’s no limit on how big or small the events are, it’s the taking part that counts. From hip hop to concerto, ballad to techno it’ll add up to one huge, UK-wide, Oxjam festival – raising hundred of thousands of pounds to fight poverty.
For more info on how to get the ball rolling go to:
Link to www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam
Link to www.mtvflux.co.uk/oxjam
Notes to Editors
MTV Flux, the ultimate on-screen, multi-platform entertainment experience which puts, you, the audience in control. The launch of Flux takes the concept of virtual communities to an entirely new level where Flux members can upload their own content on to television, be part of an online interactive community and ultimately control their very own TV channel. In a virtual community which knows no bounds, users will be able to ‘flux’ by mouse, by mobile and by remote control. The Flux phenomenon starts here.
Oxjam will form the biggest music festival in Britain, spreading across the whole of the UK for an entire month. Up to 2,500 events – big and small – will take place as part of this unique festival, all organised by members of the public using their passion for music to take action against poverty.
"v is the new youth volunteering charity launched in May 2006 whose mission is to inspire a million more young volunteers in England aged 16-25. The charity was set up to implement the recommendations of the Russell Commission outlining a new national framework for youth action and engagement, following a nationwide consultation which included 6000 young people."
