Why you should book for ACE gig by alt/folk Americana band from Oxford’s vibrant music scene

This month’s gig at ACE Space, on Saturday 21, is a celebration of local music with The Kirals from Oxford and Ben Baron from Newbury. This marks the start of the 10th year of regular monthly gigs at ACE Space.

The Kirals is a four-piece alt-folk/Americana band who will be performing original material from their two albums YOU (2019) and Goodbye River (2023).

Originally formed by singer songwriters Jon Heffernan (guitar) and Ally Baker (banjo), the band includes ‘accordionista’ Lisa Harker (accordion, concertina, vocals) and double-bassist Ryan Quarterman.

They deliver both rich harmony-filled songs and spare solo ballads. Described by Americana-UK magazine as “like a breath of fresh air as their harmonies and incisive picking deliver the goods” and “quite thrilling in their reclamation of folk rock”.

The band performs regularly on the vibrant Oxford music scene and last month appeared at Wallingford’s BunkFest. Their recent album Goodbye River has received radio play on BBC and local radio stations.

Starting off the evening will be Ben Baron who has been wowing the audience at ACE Space’s Unplugged (open mic) evenings with his old-style Appalachian songs. Ben takes influences from his love of Delta Blues, Country and Folk music. He plays his own takes of a variety of existing songs and plays in the old-time ‘clawhammer’ style.

The Kirals and Ben Baron will be at ACE Space on Saturday, October 21.

Tickets are £12 and available from www.WeGotTickets.com or direct by contacting events@acespace.org.uk or 078911 76940.

Doors open 7:30pm for an 8pm start.