Cowley Road Studios rises from the legacy of Oxford Sound & Light — a 50-year institution of live music, AV culture and community craft. It is the rebirth of a grassroots studio lineage, rebuilt inside the Workshop Café, and powered by people who believe creativity belongs to everyone.
118 Cowley Road has been home to musicians, technicians and artists for decades. From the earliest days of Oxford Sound & Light to the rise of indie bands, DJs and DIY culture, this building helped shape the creative backbone of the city.
Cowley Road Studios continues that legacy — preserving the community spirit while introducing a modern recording and public arts ecosystem.
After the closure of several grassroots venues and a decline in accessible studios, CRS was created to restore what Oxford lost: a welcoming recording space for musicians, young people, and the wider community.
Hand-built by local craftspeople and powered by volunteer effort, CRS represents what Cowley Road does best — rebuilding, reinventing, and keeping culture alive.
Founder / Creative Director
Built the concept, brand vision, studio design, community strategy and Digital Pulse integration. Long-time builder of independent creative spaces on Cowley Road.
Co-Founder / AV Systems Engineer
15+ years in live sound, AV installs, wiring, repairs and system building. Responsible for all studio wiring, infrastructure, patching and heritage repairs.
Volunteers & Supporters
Volunteers, neighbours, artists, students and local supporters who helped revive the building and keep the project moving during the construction phase.
To build a creative stronghold for Oxford — a hybrid studio, community café, digital arts platform and inclusive event space that serves musicians, young people and neighbours alike.
Creativity for everyone
Honouring the history of 118 Cowley Road
Dante, NDI, Digital Pulse
Hand-built spaces, analogue gear
30% access reserved, subsidised sessions
Local partners, colleges, youth orgs
We're building the next chapter: more workshops, more public art, more events, more youth access and a fully active recording ecosystem. CRS aims to become a permanent cultural anchor on Cowley Road — a place where creativity continues to evolve.
Building the future of Cowley Road culture