OXJAM – think Camden Crawl but all in the aid of charity and probably a bit more friendly.

After four years Oxjam is now the UK’s biggest festival line-up, this year taking over 28 towns and cities all over the country.

Run by Oxfam, it focuses on local bands and singers and encourages local gig promoters to get involved with the booking.

Huddersfield’s Oxjam Takeover was across six venues from rock and indie in studentville’s very own Students’ Union, The Graduate, to jazz at Sleepers bar across town and a little bit a folk at the Head of Steam.

There was even some psychic mind reading going on at Little Buddha Bar, but unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to experience that one.

I did, however, catch The Creeks at The Graduate as they burst into their first song, Lessons.

Donning a Led Zep tee and a very pointy black guitar I was expecting some heavy rock.

What I got was more Foo Fighters but in a good way, of course. The singer’s gruff voice was reminiscent of Dave Grohl’s but backed by some meaty drums and the contrast of some female vocals.

Next up to Bar 1:22 to see Naked.

I had no idea what to expect with this band (I’d given up searching for their Myspace after Google took me to a few dodgy sites). They look like a typical indie band – the singer stood behind his keyboard in a cosy red cardigan backed by white pump, plaid shirt-wearing long-haired boys.

I was pleasantly surprised though. Despite their set being nearly all covers I decided to let them off as the singer claimed “We’ve only being writing songs for a few weeks!”

They do a very Franz Ferdinand-esque cover of The Kooks’ Do You Wanna as the singer enthusiastically jumps around stage.

When they do play one of their own songs, aspects of Joy Division can be heard in the guitar playing but it is much more upbeat, even slightly dancey.

The vocals are brilliantly shared between the lead singer and the guitarist who finishes sentences, sometimes purposely overlapping the lead in an almost call and response.

Unexpectedly, Naked cover Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream and they do it well. A rock version of the overly poppy hit rattles through the room, led by the drums and the catchy guitar.

We even get a bit of P-p-p-poker Face by Lady Gaga.

For a group of five lads both songs are executed wonderfully and their 25-minute set is over in a flash. I kind of wanted them to play some more.

Head of Steam next for a bit of folk where the atmosphere is considerably different.

Away from the lager drinking students we’re met by older couples cuddled up on sofas drinking coffee.

Alice Nicholls sits on a stool in the corner of the room armed with her acoustic guitar.

Her voice is stunning.

Amy McDonald springs to mind but with bleak lyrics similar to those of the young Laura Marling. Alice states herself, “The next one is a rare one for me. It’s a happy song.” as she begins what is immediately a much more upbeat song.

The main thing to note about the Oxjam Takeover is the atmosphere. It is entirely run by volunteers for charity. It has been extremely successful and you can see why.

There was no end to the support of the local bands from the gig goers and every venue I went I was greeted by a friendly face. I kind of felt guilty only paying a fiver to attend.

You can download the 14 track Oxjam Huddersfield Takeover EP from www.oxjamhudds.co.uk now and guess what – it’s completely free!