8 June 2012 Last updated at 13:04 ET

Richard Walters, The Family Machine, and The Dreaming Spires to play BBC Introducing gig

By Liz Green BBC Introducing in Oxford

Richard Walters will play songs from his forthcoming third album

Richard Walters and The Family Machine head up the bill at June's Upstairs at the O2 Oxford Academy gig in association with BBC Introducing.

They will be supported by three local ensembles in the shape of The Dreaming Spires, Listing Ships, and The Gullivers, on Saturday 16 June.

Oxfordian singer-songwriter Richard Walters has been delighting audiences with his delicate and haunting melodies for over ten years now.

He has released two albums, The Animal, and Pacing. He will also be trying out some of the new songs from forthcoming record Regret Less.

However, he said gig-goers could also expect "a few tired oldies" along with "a sharp suit, a cello, wit, and a sip of my drink."

Family Machine's new single has been championed by 6Music's Tom Robinson

'Sweet ragged harmonies'

Acoustic folk-pop act Family Machine have pledged to join Richard on several of his songs.

Family Machine guitarist Neil Durbridge said the band would "have their serious faces on for that bit".

He explained: "Upstairs nights are a bit special, because there's always a good atmosphere between the bands, like we're all pulling together to make it a great night for the whole crowd".

The band has had a busy 2012. Their most recent single Quiet As A Mouse has been played by 6Music's Tom Robinson and they are currently in the process of recording their second album.

Neil said: "We've been playing a majority of newer songs recently, which has been a lot of work to get together, so it's still great fun playing them to people for the first time."

Brothers Joe and Robin Bennett make up The Dreaming Spires

Oxford band The Dreaming Spires are next on the line up.

It is the most recent project of brothers Joe and Robin Bennett, the founders of local music festivals Truck, and Wood.

Robin summarised their music as "the distilled essence of the history of rock and roll, at times jangly, harmonious, loud, quiet, driving and psychedelic."

He added: "On the night I'll be rocking the 12-string and there will be some sweet ragged harmonies, and maybe even a 60s classic cover."

The band will showcase new album Brothers in Brooklyn, released Monday 11 June.

'Nautical theme'

According to Stuart Fowkes of Listing Ships, his band could be a "surprise to some people".

He said: "We're not sure what fans of the excellent Richard Walters and Family Machine will make of us, being as we are substantially louder and less lyrical than the headliners".

Listing Ships are a purely instrumental band, using guitars, synthesisers and samples to create their unique maritime sound.

Stuart added: "We tie everything into a loose nautical theme, which plays out in everything from obvious things like song titles and some of the samples you'll hear in our songs.

"You can expect big-screen visuals of nautical scenes we shot ourselves, walls of melodic guitar and keyboard noise, and, going on past form, at least one piece of vital equipment to break at a key moment during the set.

Instrumental band Listing Ships promise "walls of melodic guitar and keyboard noise"

"But hopefully not that last one."

The Gullivers will be first on stage at 7.30 BST, playing their special brand of minimal, ambient indie-pop.

Bassist and keyboard player Andrew Grillo said: "We're happy to play and are quite excited.

"I've been to probably at least half, or maybe even the majority of the nights, and it is a really positive thing to have dedicated time for good local bands at the largest venue in town".

Every month a selection of local talent plays the regular band nights at the O2 Academy, with highlights featured on BBC Radio Oxford's Introducing programme.