Tiny Desk: Wadham's Next Musical Tradition?

Wadham Tiny Desk - a play on NPR's Tiny Desk format for live performances in small spaces - showcased musical acts connected to Wadham students and the wider Oxford scene. Organised by Wadham's John Brookman Music Scholar, Olivia Gallup, our small stage was the beautiful informal study area in the McCall MacBain Graduate Centre.

Students crowded into the space - transformed into a cafe-style layout - and enjoyed acts from a wide musical spectrum: indie rock, folk, singer-songwriter, and solo pianist. The whole gig was recorded and highlights are released in our YouTube video above. With Wadham's ability to cement new musical traditions into the calendar, there's hope that our Tiny Desk may be an recurring event.

More about the acts below...

00:00 All I Ever Wanted
04:13 Straighten Out

Last Orders, indie rockers established in the local Oxford scene, provided an energetic opening to the event. Featuring Wadham students Tom on guitar and George on bass, included in our video highlights is their first single, 'All I Ever Wanted', described by The Oxford Student as "sad reggae for a summer evening".

08:39 Medley 1
---- Cavers Of Kirkcudbright (Mike Vass cover)
---- Mitton's Breakdown (Earl Mitton cover)
---- Catharsis (Amy Cann)
12:46 Medley 2
---- Reel du Mentir (Norman's Miron cover)
---- Tam Lin (Davy Arthur cover)
---- Under the Influence (Calum MacCrimmon cover)

Wadham student Eva has been a champion for folk within the College, organising relaxed jam sessions open to all. She brought Quest For Folk, a group she plays violin for, to Tiny Desk, treating us to spirited medleys that got the whole crowd clapping.

16:27 ur so pretty (Wasia Project cover)

Modern Linguist undergraduate, Juliet, performed as a solo pianist and powerful vocalist, offering delicate arrangements to round out the dynamic range of the day. An atmospheric set with emotional delivery.

18:23 Rom-Com
21:55 Who is she?

"The Rivals" - apparently so named for being a contingent from Oxford Brookes - played their first gig at the event, hungrily thrashing through a set of raucous, groove-laden indie rock. Catchy, punchy, and a convincing first show.

26:22 Reflections

Wadham own's pianist virtuoso closed out at the day with a focused set chock-full of skill and soul. James finished with an original composition, 'Reflections', chosen here as our highlight.