The Catweazle Club
The Catweazle Club
5
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5.0
31 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Michael H
Toronto, Canada1 contribution
Sept 2013 • Solo
When I first came to Catweazle, I expected to find the usual open-stage scene. A dark room smelling of rancid beer. A stringy-haired guy-with-guitar barely singing through a bad PA. A sparse scattering of other stringy-haired guys-with-guitars waiting their turn to play, and then each leaving immediately afterwards. And no audience but three oblivious alcoholics carrying on loudly at the bar. In other words, a depressing illustration of our apathetic culture of non-engagement, alienation, and irrelevance.
What I found was the complete opposite: an electrified room wall-to-wall-full of excited people all sharing a vivid cultural experience. No microphone, and everyone riveted, singing along, applauding loudly, laughing, and participating with what's happening onstage. A mix of astounding talent and endearing beginners. In short, the best open stage I'd ever encountered, and probably ever will. I've been back many times and would recommend it to anyone.
What I found was the complete opposite: an electrified room wall-to-wall-full of excited people all sharing a vivid cultural experience. No microphone, and everyone riveted, singing along, applauding loudly, laughing, and participating with what's happening onstage. A mix of astounding talent and endearing beginners. In short, the best open stage I'd ever encountered, and probably ever will. I've been back many times and would recommend it to anyone.
Written 13 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flickerclear17
1 contribution
Jan 2014 • Solo
I've been studying here for over two years, and nothing beats Catweazle. It's a true artistic community which really welcomes you in, and it's an absolute privilege to be a part of. It's by far the most intimate place I've ever played (and listened), and I'd really recommend you come and try it for yourself if you have the chance.
Written 31 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndrewPSmith
High Wycombe375 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
Had my first ever trip to Catweazle last night. Simply amazing mix of audience and performers from those who had ever been on stage before to some accomplished amateur musicians. No one played from any written music and we had everything from Chopin to a cover of a Mary J Blige number. Big cheer for every performer, an affable host, great atmosphere and a very appreciative audience. This is open mic at it's best. The room was rammed solid with people standing 5 deep at the bar at the back of the room. Just superb. An absolute must in Oxford. Recommended.
Written 3 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tinydancer2014
Oxford, UK1 contribution
Dec 2013 • Friends
As you leave the dark dreary winter streets to enter the Aladdin's Cave of the Catweazle Club a soothing balm of artistic variété envelops you. It really is the best tonic for whatever troubles may have crossed your path during the preceding day/week/year. An opportunity to see some very talented individuals transport you into a realm of musical, literary and comedic enjoyment in a welcoming and accepting atmosphere. The compare extraordinaire's own skill is to order the performances so that you journey from the soothing, through the insightful to the toe tapping and soul soaring to have a rollicking good time. What? You haven't been? You're missing out!
Written 9 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kayleigh C
Oxford, UK9 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
I have been going to Catweazle almost every Thursday night for a couple of years now and every time I visit I feel so uplifted and inspired by all of the incredible, high-quality performances as well as the attentive warmth of the audience. There is always a good variety of awe-inspiring performers; musicians, poets, singers and storytellers all willing to share their amazing talents. There also is usually quite a large crowd of people there to watch (so, unless you're happy to sit on the cushions on the floor at the front, it's worth getting there early to secure a seat) and everyone is so quiet and absorbed during performances but also willing to contribute when given the opportunity!
When you go to Catweazle it's like entering a community of wonderful, talented people who are all so welcoming and fun. I always feel like time has stopped outside of the performance space and, just for a couple of hours, nothing matters except appreciating the people around you.
When you go to Catweazle it's like entering a community of wonderful, talented people who are all so welcoming and fun. I always feel like time has stopped outside of the performance space and, just for a couple of hours, nothing matters except appreciating the people around you.
Written 7 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clare B
1 contribution
Jul 2017 • Family
Back in 1996, as a twenty-one year old backpacker from Australia with a guitar I could barely play, I decided to pluck up my courage, head down to the Catweazle Club that a friend had told me about, and - for the first time - sing and play guitar to one of my own songs, in front of an audience. What I remember was how extraordinarily kind, nurturing and encouraging Matt Sage was, and how at home I felt. It was the first of now many thousands of shows I have played, but you never forget your first time. I am so thrilled to see that this night has continued. I live back in Melbourne now, but I do dream about returning one day, just to connect back with that incredibly special feeling of community and comradeship that is so rare to come by. I feel so lucky to have stumbled into that experience. With love and thanks from the year 1996, Clare Bowditch (Australia) xo
Written 28 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarlTomlinson
Oxfordshire, UK13 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Last time I was here we had haunting Lithuanian lyrics, C&W comedy songs, a capella blues covers, new tunes, old tunes, poems, a touring band drop by...
A typical evening at this most atypical of (acoustic) Open-Mics.
If you’re in Oxford and you’re not here, what are you doing that’s more uplifting?
A typical evening at this most atypical of (acoustic) Open-Mics.
If you’re in Oxford and you’re not here, what are you doing that’s more uplifting?
Written 14 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explorer1991
Oxford, UK16 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
I'd heard good things about Catweazle from a few different friends and was not disappointed. There is a lovely respectful, creative atmosphere in the Catweazle club, which is conveniently located at the heart of Cowley Road in the community centre (which seems to be transformed for Thursday nights).
The mix of artists is excellent - we heard poetry, short stories, a waltz by Chopin, acoustic originals and covers ranging from folk to indie to musicals! There were a few... how shall I say... 'out there' performances, but this adds to the fun and anticipation for the next act :)
We turned up not long after 7pm as we were a group of five and wanted to ensure we got to sit down. Turning up a bit earlier is to be recommended, especially if you want to perform, as there is only time for 20 performers. On the night we visited the club was packed to the rafters (almost literally with some creative 'seating'), but you could hear a pin drop during the performances.
Will be back :)
The mix of artists is excellent - we heard poetry, short stories, a waltz by Chopin, acoustic originals and covers ranging from folk to indie to musicals! There were a few... how shall I say... 'out there' performances, but this adds to the fun and anticipation for the next act :)
We turned up not long after 7pm as we were a group of five and wanted to ensure we got to sit down. Turning up a bit earlier is to be recommended, especially if you want to perform, as there is only time for 20 performers. On the night we visited the club was packed to the rafters (almost literally with some creative 'seating'), but you could hear a pin drop during the performances.
Will be back :)
Written 8 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ashthecat
Oxford, UK5 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
I've been going to Catweazle on and off for about four years. It is a rare, precious thing - a melange of poetry, songs, stories and usually something strange and uncategorisable. Matt's charm and grace weaves this eclectic mix together, usually somehow finding a theme for the evening - as if it was meant to be from the start. A great introduction for people new to Oxford, to its wealth of creativity and talent.
Written 30 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kulkat2
Virginia Water, UK5 contributions
Oct 2013
Before living in Oxford I hadn't ever attended anything like Catweazle. Now I have I wished I'd gone so much sooner. A great evening of chilled out entertainment and talent :)
Well worth an evening and a couple of quid.
Well worth an evening and a couple of quid.
Written 4 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi! I wanted to ask the age of entry/ how old you have to be to perform?
Written 10 September 2019
ash h
London, United Kingdom
Hello, I was just wondering if you have any parking facilities?
Thank you!
Ash
Written 15 March 2015
I have no idea what that even means!
Written 14 January 2015
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