The Lemonheads

The Lemonheads play O2 Academy Oxford on 24 September 2026, led by Evan Dando, the songwriter and voice at the centre of the band since its beginnings. Formed in Boston in 1986, they moved from edgy punk and college rock toward a more melodic alternative rock, blending power pop, jangly guitars, pop-punk and touches of folk. This evolution runs through a discography marked by Hate Your Friends and Lovey, then the turning point It’s a Shame About Ray and its cover of “Mrs. Robinson,” continued by Come on Feel the Lemonheads and the darker tones of Car Button Cloth. After a hiatus at the end of the 1990s, the band resumed activity in 2005, released The Lemonheads in 2006 and explored covers with Varshons and later Varshons 2.

On stage, The Lemonheads alternate an electric edge with acoustic interludes. Lineups have changed, but Dando’s songwriting provides the link: clear melodies, gripping riffs and straightforward lyrics. The set draws widely from their catalogue, from tracks of the Ray era to later material, sometimes including covers long woven into their story. In Oxford, this material unfolds without frills, propelled by songs built for the stage.