How Does It Feel To Be Loved? happens on every second Saturday of the month at the Jericho Tavern in Oxford. The club has been running in London since April 2002, and we play indie pop, northern soul, Tamla Motown, girl groups, and Sixities heartbreak. Described by The Guardian as "absolutely the best night in the whole of the world" and Big Issue as "a speakeasy for anyone who suspects that their life is one big Smiths song", we've played host to a range of guest DJs from Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch and Teenage Fanclub's Norman Blake to The Wedding Present's David Gedge and legendary Smiths/Blur producer Stephen Street.

We play the following:

The Smiths * The Supremes * The Go-Betweens * Dusty Springfield * Belle & Sebastian * Love * Tammi Terrell * Aztec Camera * The Ronettes * Orange Juice * Beach Boys * The Temptations * Velvet Underground * Felt * The Shangri-Las * Primal Scream * Otis Redding * The Field Mice * Dexys Midnight Runners * Camera Obscura * The Four Tops * Melba Moore * The Orchids

For more on the club's music policy, go here

How Does It Feel To Be Loved?
Jericho Tavern, Oxford
Second Saturday Of The Month
8pm-12am, £5 non members, £3 members. Membership is free. Just email oxford@howdoesitfeel.co.uk and a laminated membership card will be waiting for you at the next club night. Please note: membership is only available in advance, and not on the night itself.

We're on summer break now but will return in the autumn. See you then!

A great piece on HDIF in Oxford by Cat Clark in The Oxford Student. Thank you!

OXFORD’S MUSICALLY inclined have long been willing to put in the time and an extra fiver to embrace the Tube and head towards London for a good night out. While we all appreciate the ample legroom and air conditioning, it is always nice when the mountain comes to Mohammed and a club night of HDIF’s calibre decides that it should pay us a visit instead.

With a music policy to die for and guest DJs ranging from Belle & Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch to Felt’s Phil King, expect a night of indiepop, sixties girl groups, Northern Soul and Motown, all enhanced by the awkward, exuberant dancing of the city’s twee brigade, as once a month the skinny ties come out in force to pick their vintageheeled way towards the Jericho Tavern.

The venue is a mix of leather sofas and raised dancefloors and while the cameras screening your best moves to the screens in the bar are a little unnerving, after a few (admittedly pricey) drinks you will forget all about them. Requests are welcomed, although the DJing is normally spot on, second-guessing what the crowd wants to hear before the crowd really know themselves. Do not expect to hear the usual indie mob pleasers though.

The Killers have no place at HDIF, the emphasis being firmly placed on fun retro classics and fey nineties pop anthems. In the club’s own words, “We love guitars that jangle, we love footstomping melodies and huge choruses.” Good times then, this is the closest you will come to being loved by a club night.

Guardian Indie Pop feature 2004 - excellent piece about indie pop and HDIF
http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1325674,00.html

Hilarious piece about HDIF from the Big Issue - "This, it would seem, is where young librarians go to let off steam"

What the ladies and gentlemen of the press have said about the club:

"Tortured soul convention. Unusual but it works" - The Guardian Guide (number four club of the week), 15/6/02
"Emotional and sincere songwriting from across the board gets the treatment it deserves" - The Guardian Guide (number five club of the week), 17/8/02
"London's premier indie pop Motown club" - Dotmusic
"Highly recommended club night this - especially if like me, you're hurtling at 100 miles an hour towards 30 years of age and can remember when there were club nights around for sensitive boys and girls who liked their indie music a bit jangly and want to hear it mixed with the best of Motown" - myislington.co.uk
"Digging deep into a 60s to 70s selection with the Temptations, Beach Boys, The Shangri Las and into the 80s with The Smiths, Belle And Sebastian - 'a celebration of an emotion in motion'. Deeeep." - Time Out London
"Who said clubbing's dead? Pah! It's just fractioned back into smaller parties where it's all about the music and the vibes (maan!) This is rockin' its stockin's off!...No dollar sign aspirations in sight!" - Time Out London (15/1/03)
"Resolution 52. I will dance to the Beach Boys and The Smiths again." - Time Out London Critics' Choice (14/1/04)
"A success that surprised even the promoters. No bank note rolling intentions, just a rockin' party!" - Time Out London (14/1/04)
"Absolutely the best night in the whole of the world!" - Laura Barton, The Guardian (19/7/04)
"Rediscover your sensitive indie side at this fabby, intimate party" - The Times, critic's pick (9/4/05)
"Legendary indie club" - NME.com (17/8/05)
"Smack bang in the middle of town, this extra special party really knows how to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step (ie it feels good!)" - Time Out London (13/12/05)

A great review of the John Peel Tribute Night on LondonNet.Com
http://www.londonnet.com/ln/out/ent/clubs-howdoesitfeel.html

And a few kind words from Jo who attended the January night. A text message apparently sent from Jo to Chris.

"Ta again for helping me find the holy grail of nightclubs!"

Go here for some other kind words from HDIF-goers

Thank you all!