Oxford music superfan from US treated to sold-out rock gig

The band Kanadia organised the gig for US superfan Scott Lyman (pictured in the Thom Yorke top)

An Oxford music superfan who had a gig thrown in his honour on his first visit to the city has described the experience as "humbling".

Scott Lyman flew over from Louisiana in the US to meet his musical heroes.

Locals arranged a tour of the city's historic venues and buildings, then put on a sold-out show featuring his favourite up-and-coming acts.

"This goes beyond winning the lottery, or Christmas, or my birthday," he told the BBC.

Mr Lyman's passion for the Oxford music scene began when he first heard Ride's 1992 album Going Blank Again, and was further nurtured by listening to Oxfordshire's BBC Introducing podcast.

He quickly amassed a collection of CDs, vinyl, posters, T-shirts, and magazines relating to Oxford music, and began befriending several of its musicians on social media.

He said the special gig in his honour at the Jericho Tavern, the venue where Radiohead played their first ever show as On A Friday, was the "grandest gesture".

"I'm just a guy from America who loves this stuff," he said.

Emma Hunter said Mr Lyman was "so positive and encouraging" to Oxford artists

James Bettis, from rockers Kanadia, said his band wanted to put on the gig as soon as they heard Mr Lyman was visiting.

They added Ghosts in the Photographs, Dolly Mavies and Emma Hunter to the bill - three more of the American's favourite new acts.

Mr Bettis said: "It's nice that the scene has managed to somehow make it all the way over to America, and that all of us have got a fan flying over to check us out.

"It's quite unique and an honour. He said he feels famous and I said, 'well you are'."

'Magical'

Ms Hunter added: "He's someone who if you're having a funny five minutes where you're thinking, 'what's the point? I'm not the next PJ Harvey', he's so positive and encouraging."

Earlier in the day Mr Lyman was given a tour of Oxford by Nightshift music magazine editor Ronan Munro, and musician chiika.

chiika said Mr Lyman had been "supporting the Oxford music scene for what may actually be half my lifetime or more".

She added: "As long as people like Scott are willing to lend us their love and ears, there's a clear reason to keep our chins up."

Mr Lyman described the day trip across the city with them both as a "really magical experience and something I'll never forget".

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