What's on Next...
23
Days Left
28 November 2025
Common Ground 
20.00
£6.00 door (cash only), £5.00 advance
Acts:
22.00 Barton Hartshorn
21.10 Alan Caruso
20.20 The Scott Gordon Band
More Details
Barton Hartshorn
Songwriter Barton has just relocated to Oxford from Paris, and this new trio are exploring a new sound which has moved on from his previous Americana sound to something like a cross between Supergrass and Elvis Costello. "You can't deny the songwriting talent of Barton Hartshorn...finesse, elegance and a bewitching voice. An indie pearl." Rolling Stone. "A superb voice and heartfelt storytelling. Barton has the imagination of a novelist...a truly singular work." Benzinemag (France). "Finely tuned, memorable melodies and a voice with elegance and punch" Rock-Folk.
Alan Caruso
Originally from Northern Ireland, and now resident in London, Alan makes a sort of rootsy indie music which is half Postcard Records and half Folkways, with a winning sprechgesang delivery. Illustrate Magazine called his debut EP "one of solace and companionship through music. designed to be worn on headphones late at night, acting as a melancholy but amusing and welcome friend.", whereas Plastic Mag spotted influences from "David Berman, Leonard Cohen, Daniel Johnston, Bruce Springsteen, Judee Sill, Carole King, Josephine Foster, Faye Webster and Ted Hawkins"
The Scott Gordon Band
Scott Gordon describes himself as "just yer friendly neighbourhood hunka slidin', stompin', pickin' blues and country roots goodness with a Norn Iron accent", and whilst the NI connection with Alan is purely coincidental, the eloquent rootsiness of his lap-slide speckled songs is a deliberately selected complement to the other acts. "The music is refreshingly gimmick-free, these aren't songs about hoe-downs in the barn or living your life on a tractor while little Missy stays at home raising the kids, these are songs about long commutes, social commentary and love songs that punch well above their weight (if 'Let Me Share In Yours' was sung by Van Morrison, it would be a wedding first dance staple!)" Dancing About Architecture
DON'T BE AN ARSE
Our gigs are often highly eclectic, so there might be a wide variety of punters in our little venue. We want everyone to have a good time, so relax, express yourself and have a good gig, but be thoughtful of other people and don't ruin their night with your fun. Basically, just be considerate and nice, and everyone will be happy.
Naturally, anyone who is actively aggressive, or who abuses anyone else on the grounds of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, Monster Munch flavour preference, or whatever the hell else might make a bigot irrationally angry, is out the door.
WE'LL DO OUR BEST TOO
In return, we'll make every effort to create a warm and pleasant environment, and we'll try our hardest to keep to the timetable (music starts at approximately 20.00, and will go on till about 22.15). Also, we've kept the door price as low as we can, but rest assured that GTI is a non-profit event, and all the money after expenses goes to the performers.