Anyone Can Play Guitar

Film Review

Anyone Can Play Guitar is a documentary about the history of the Oxford music scene, rated in NME as one of the ‘top twenty music films to see’. I was excited to get the opportunity to watch this touring movie and being an Oxfordian myself I found the film intriguing: it gave an insightful view into the history of the city and how the musical landscape has changed. The film is of a new league, a documentary that presents history; not from the eyes of the victors, but from the musical underdogs and those who didn’t quite make it.
Spira does nothing to mask the harsh realities of the industry but instead of giving the film a negative tone this subverts our perceptions of success; showing people how a triumph in the music industry is not just defined by fame and fortune. Instead it encourages people to respect the journalists, artists, producers and promoters who support the scene and we are taught that this is just as much a valid career as anything conventional and conformist.

Spira supports local acts throughout the film, titling it with a Radiohead song and using only local music. In depth stories and almost therapy-like interviews uncover bands including Radiohead, Ride, Supergrass, Foals, Swervedriver, The Candy Skins and Talulah Gosh. The film is equally interesting for fans and non-fans alike. After watching the Oxford premier of the film James Coulson-a member of Oxford based punk/rock band Shattered Dreams enthused:

“Oxford is soooo lucky to have had such a rich and influential music scene. [The film] inspired me to make this band get somewhere, to get Oxford back on people's radar!”
The film is an inspiration to anyone wishing to work in the music industry anywhere in the country. It inspires people to continue supporting underground music and to continue going to local gigs, which, let’s face it have been declining recently in favour of idealised, lip-synced stadium shows which in a way deliver entertainment but lack the intimacy and the delight of discovering a new talent that consists of people from your roots- whom you can actually relate to.
I had a chat with Jonny Moto, a local photographer who contributed to the film, i asked him what Anyone Can Play Guitar meant to him:
“A nostalgic trip for some of us and a realisation of how lucky we are in this town to have so many great bands, venues, promoters, door staff etc. who support the music.
"Seeing my photographs of The Candyskins, Ride, Shake Appeal etc. at the start of the film and the start of their careers was very emotional... how the film makers made them look so good I don’t know! Who would have ever thought 20 years on they would be used in a film? Not me!

One thing was very obvious to me after seeing the film. Roland Munro and Nighshift [local music magazine] is the glue that in many ways holds everything together.”

I strongly recommend that budding musicians watch this film, it shows just how big and influential a ‘small-town’ music scene can become if you put enough support and community spirit into it.