IT was clear this year's Oxjam York festival was going to be busy when you were greeted by the welcome sight of a queue for ticketsat 2pm.

Hosted in a number of York's most popular haunts, as diverse as the Yorkshire Terrier, Sotano, Dusk, 1331 and the Spead Eagle, last Saturday's festival not only brought together a variety of local and national artists in independent venues, but it also raised money for Oxfam.

Zak Ford and Jennifer Chubb kicked off the festival at 2pm in the dusky basement of Sotano, which was already busy, thanks to this duo's well established fan base, although many people had come off the street, having heard Chubb's cello as they passed by.

By 4pm Amy Greene and Phoebe Marshall had packed out the Yorkshire Terrier, so much so that there were people flooding out of the door on to the stairs.

In 1331, the highlight was Kymberley Kennedy, fresh from appearing on BBC Introducing. She is definitely the one to watch as an act who will be going far, soon!

By this time, Dusk was in full swing. The music was loud, and the venue was crowded. A special mention must go out to the brilliant Bull, whose fans seemed to know every word to their songs. The band played so loud and so furiously that they managed to melt a speaker.

The venues involved all commended the event, which was well organised and well attended, with people travelling from as far as Derby, Sheffield, Manchester and Huddersfield.

All in all,Oxjam was a success, culminating in the finale at the Spread Eagle, where the Common People Djs played until the early hours of the morning.

Everyone will be looking forward to next year's festival already.

- Hannah Darborough