With a weary, well-travelled voice and a serenely intricate finger-picking style, Mr. Smither turns the blues into songs that accept hard-won lessons and try to make peace with fate. New York Times The Oxted Sessions is delighted to welcome true American original Chris Smither to Oxted URC this October. Honing his synthesis of folk and blues for over 50 years, Chris Smither returns to the UK to perform music from his vast song catalogue in 2025. A profound songwriter and captivating performer, Smither mesmerizes listeners with his guitar playing melding the styles of his two major influences, Lightnin' Hopkins and Mississippi John Hurt into his own signature guitar sound. His music draws deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and humanist philosophers and continues to earn accolades. On tour to celebrate his 20th album "All About the Bones" (Signature Sounds 2024), Chris continues to draw deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and philosophers and is one of America's most distinctive acoustic performers. Known for writing "Love You Like A Man" which Bonnie Raitt, jazz great Diana Krall, and Kelly Clarkson have covered, Chris' music has been recorded by numerous other artists and featured in soundtrack albums, independent film, television, and commercials. ] Singer-songwriter BettySoo joined Chris in the studio to make "All About the Bones" and is Chris' special guest on this tour.

Portland based band Glitterfox has released five singles in just six months under their new record label Kill Rock Stars, with two more arriving this Spring. The band's been growing steadily since Drive came out in August 2023, with their indie rock recipe that deftly balances Southern songwriting shine and nostalgia-fueled anthems. The four-piece band's songwriters and front persons, married couple Solange Igoa and Andrea Walker, have always channeled their personal struggles as well as experiences as queer, neurodiverse individuals into their songwriting. Bassist Eric Stalker and drummer Blaine Heinonen bring a love of Americana, grunge, and dance music into the mix. All of these influences can be heard on the band's latest singles, produced by Chris Funk of The Decemberists, and featuring Peter Buck (R.E.M.) and Jenny Conlee (The Decemberists) and in their spirited live shows as they prepare for their full-length album debut in 2025. Opening the evening is Sofia Ford. Sofia is a 22 year old singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from south London. As a rock/pop artist Sofia has a big passion for 90s rock music as well as well as Blues. These elements really shine through Sofia's music with melodic bass lines and raging electric guitars yet through this wall of sound you can always find a catchy hook which has become prevalent in Sofia's music. As Sofia has progressed in the industry she has written, self produced and recorded all of her music as well as directing her videos and imagery. This Oxted Session is sponsored by Serve Legal. Serve Legal is the market leading provider of ID and compliance testing services in the UK & Ireland. They provide extensive, independent audit services to national retailers, leisure operators and sports broadcasters through a team of 7,000 auditors who work as 'mystery shoppers'. For more information on Serve Legal - to arrange an audit or to apply to become a mystery shopper - please visit https://www.servelegal.co.uk/

In a dank cell, 'Bloody' Queen Mary I, the first woman to wear the English crown, meets the Archbishop she has condemned to burn at the stake, and tells her story... over a high stakes game of chess. First performed to sell out audiences at Vault Festival in 2023, BURN is a defiant, feminist retelling of Queen Mary I ready to confront her own reputation. BURN is an historical play with themes of death and miscarriage. We recommend it for audiences age 13+ Pay bar . CARD ONLY.