doesn't the oasis count as a major venue?
No, it's a leisure centre and they seem to have about one gig a year. The only one I can find coming up is the Sugababes. Most big venues have stuff on most days and a big gig most weeks. Oxford's carling academy has British Sea Power, Simian Mobile Disco, Nine Black Alps, I was a Cub Scout, NME Awards Tour, Dropkick Murphy, MxPx, Justice, Hot Chip, Task Force, DJ Hype, the Audio Bullys, the Kooks, Reel Big Fish and The Go Team as well as several others just up to the start of March and although there are more students the city is a lot smaller than Swindon.