Oi Musica’s community van is gone, taking cherished instruments and gear with it.
In the early hours of Monday, 26 October, a white Ford Transit parked on Westbank Street in Portobello vanished. The vehicle, affectionately named ‘Big J’ by the local youth music collective Oi Musica, was reported stolen to Police Scotland. According to the group’s Facebook statement, the theft occurred sometime between 7 pm on Sunday, 25 October and 4 pm on Monday, 26 October.
The loss is more than a missing van; it represents the disappearance of a traveling music hub that has served “thousands of people of all ages” across Scotland. Inside the sealed doors lay a carefully assembled inventory of instruments and accessories that had been part of Oi Musica’s programmes for years.
What was taken from ‘Big J’?
The stolen cargo included hand-painted samba drums distinguished by bright red, yellow and green markings, two full-size sousaphones, a bag brimming with assorted percussion tools, drumsticks, microphone stands, a box of mouthpieces, and a silent-disco kit.
The kit itself comprised 20 headsets, two receivers and a custom-adapted battery, enabling participants to enjoy music without external noise. Each item has been used in community workshops, school visits and festival performances, making the theft a blow to Oi Musica’s outreach capacity.
Immediate impact and response
Oi Musica’s spokesperson expressed that the group is “absolutely gutted”, highlighting how the van was the logistical backbone for projects slated for the week. Upcoming events such as the Brass Blast youth initiative in East Edinburgh and collaborative performances with primary-school children in Greenock now face uncertainty. While the van and many of the instruments were insured, the group acknowledged that not every piece of gear was covered, meaning replacement could be a prolonged process.
Police investigators are in the early stages of piecing together the circumstances surrounding the theft. A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that the case remains open and that enquiries are ongoing. The community has been urged to share any information that might lead to the recovery of the vehicle and its contents.
Background of Oi Musica
Founded in 2011, Oi Musica emerged as an artist-led organisation dedicated to delivering music projects with a clear social benefit. In 2018 it transitioned into a Community Interest Company, solidifying its commitment to “fun and inspiring music experiences for absolutely everybody”. Operating from Edinburgh but reaching throughout Scotland and beyond, the collective relies heavily on mobile equipment to bring inclusive music sessions to schools, community centres and festivals.
The disappearance of ‘Big J’ therefore represents not just a financial setback, but a disruption to a mobile platform that has helped countless young people discover and enjoy music. The group has called for public support, emphasizing that the equipment’s value transcends monetary worth—it embodies years of creative experiences shared across generations.
As the investigation continues, Oi Musica hopes to rally its supporters, recover the missing assets, and resume the vibrant programming that has defined its mission for more than a decade.
