Kasabian have formed a string quartet and Franz Ferdinand have busked on the Tube - yes, the UK's biggest-ever music festival (yep, even bigger than Glastonbury) is all set to take off and the good news is all the profits are going to charity.

Kasabian have formed a string quartet and Franz Ferdinand have busked on the Tube - yes, the UK's biggest-ever music festival (yep, even bigger than Glastonbury) is all set to take off and the good news is all the profits are going to charity.

Oxjam, organised unsurprisingly by Oxfam, kicks off tomorrow with over 1000 events expected to raise upwards of £500,000. Events taking place this month include a UK record karaoke attempt in Manchester, a Buskathon - 24 hours of non-stop busking happening simultaneously in 10 UK cities - and dates from Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly, Scissor Sisters, Hot Chip, Badly Drawn Boy and De La Soul.

Gareth Simpson, an Oxjam spokesman, said: "We see Oxjam as a kind of Live8 in your back garden - every single person who gets out there and gets involved is the real star of this festival.

"Together, we can all do our bit to fight poverty and enjoy some great new music at the same time."

Find out more about what's going on with Oxjam on the official site, or by ringing 0870 850 6246.