O2 Academy Oxford

The Edwardian building has been hosting live music on Cowley Rd for decades, but prior to being a music venue, it was a Co-operative party hall. It was originally known as The Venue and then the much-respected Zodiac, both of which paved the way for O2 Academy Oxford. As The Venue, it hosted some impressive live performances; a Radiohead show even went on to become the video for debut single ‘Creep’. Difficult times in the nineties saw The Venue close, but local promoters Nick Moorbath and Adrian Hicks devised a plan get support and investment from local bands Radiohead, Supergrass and Ride, and in November 1995 the building reopened as the Zodiac. The Daisies were the first band to christen the Zodiac stage and Supergrass played a sold-out show in the opening week too. Other highlights during this time were shows from Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, Robert Plant, The Killers, The Strokes and Muse.