June 2, 2008 11:55

Indie bands head to the barges for riverbank tour

River Rat Pack Tour sets off from London

The River Rat Pack Tour – a water-bound music event that sees barges taking nine bands between London and Oxford – launched from Camden Lock, London last night (June 1).

Following a warm-up gig that included The Kooks last month, the voyage got underway with an intimate, chaotic first gig in the capital.

Jay Jay Pistolet, SixNationState and Mumford And Sons are among those who will play free gigs at the towns the barges pass through over the next few weeks.

All of the bands involved played at Camden's Lock 17 bar yesterday before the barges set off.

The tiny venue was crammed full, while more of the crowd listened in from outside.

Acts Beans On Toast and Josh Weller had to perform from on top of barstools so that the crowd could see them play.

As the temperature rose, and venue's windows started to steam up, headline act SixNationState took to the stage, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

The audience, which included members of The Holloways, had to stand on chairs and tables to see the action as lead singer Gerry Del Guerico announced with a laugh: "We're travelling from London to Oxford this week, but instead of it taking two hours, it's taking us a week!

"You can join us if you like, you can probably walk quicker than we will be going."

The River Rat Pack Tour will call at the following places:

Henley on Thames The Bull (June 4)
Reading The Oakford (5)
Abingdon The Unicorn Theatre (7)
Abingdon The Stocks (7)
Oxford The Cellar (8)