Tales of Love, War and Death by Hanging

Friday 12th February 2010

Ray Cooper, otherwise known as ‘Chopper’ from Oysterband, is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Ray returned to Oxford’s Holywell Room with a totally acoustic preview of his then forthcoming album ‘Tales of Love, War and Death by Hanging’.

Ray gave only 3 preview shows before joining Oysterband for their tours of Denmark and Canada, in March and April 2010. The solo shows were in Rugby, Oxford and Sweden.

At these shows, Ray accompanied himself on cello and guitar (but not both at the same time!). The wonderful acoustics of the Holywell Room allowed him to perform without any amplification.

This was a rare opportunity to see Ray perform in the intimate setting of the oldest surviving public music room in Europe, built in the 1740’s for natural music.

Friday 16th October 2009

Oysterband, as part of their acoustic tour in 2009, played in the historic Holywell Music Room which is the oldest surviving public music room in Europe.

The Holywell Music Room is the city of Oxford’s chamber music hall, situated on Holywell Street in the city centre, within the grounds of Wadham College. Built in 1748, it has been hosting music concerts for over 269 years and is said to be the oldest purpose-built music room in Europe, and hence Britain’s first concert hall. It is famed for its excellent acoustics and intimate if slightly spartan atmosphere.