by Alistair Smout | 14:19 GMT, Fri 05 March 2010

On the 22nd February, Cellar was the place to be if you wanted to check out some of the best student acts that Oxford has to offer. We sent some reviewers along to check them out:

Liam Howarth:

Concept: Man with beard plays guitar and sings

They say: ‘The best beard in Oxford?’

We say: Soulful tunes delivered with a subtle finesse. Electrifying blues sang in French and Björk covers bring joy to
the world.

Lydia Baylis

Concept: Man with guitar accompanies brilliant singer

They say: ‘Blissful Harmonies Guaranteed’

We say: No kidding. It is the plight of the early acoustic to have to fight the crowd, but after a quiet start, she pulled no punches. Heart-wrenchingly moving cover of Radiohead’s ‘Motion Picture Soundtrack’

Claudia Costa

Concept: Girl with guitar looks alot like Joan Baez and plays folk.

They say: ‘Bruce Springsteen/Accordion/ Double Denim’

We say: Owes just as much to Regina Spektor or Baez as she does to the Boss. That’s no bad thing, mind. However, her early slot combined with her popularity meant people tended to talk through her set, or, more disruptively, shush people. Which was a big shame.

Sonny Liston

Concept: Nine-piece folk collective

They say: ‘Formerly Dear Landlord’

We say: Just as good as under the previously ‘John Wesley Harding’ inspired moniker. Beautiful and playful interplay between the (many) instruments, and they’ve written some real gems.