ON STAGE AT THE STAG THIS WEEK – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16TH

Live and original this week at The Stag & Hunter, Friday, December 16th – Voodoo Express with Marshall Okell. The Voodoo Express are a powerhouse Blues/Rock band featuring some of Newcastle’s finest musicians.Their combined experience delivers a knockout performance every time they hit the stage. Their combined experience delivers a knockout performanceevery time they hit the stage.In their short existence so far they have brought to audiences a show that is jam packed with energy and production that is rarely seen in venues these days.Voodoo Express are a four piece Rock/Blues band playing a style of music from the heart with passion, skill and attitude. 

Voodoo Express

Rocking, Blues & Roots – Marshall Okell grew up on the NSW far North Coast area of Byron Bay and was aptly named after two of music’s greatest rock/bluesmen (Jimi ‘Marshall’ Hendrix and Johnny ‘Dawson’ Winter) Marshall Dawson Okell was born on April 13th, 1979, into a Rock n Roll arena, with a guitar case for a crib. His father Glenn was a Melbourne based rock-n-roll guitarist who nourished his son’s musical appetite with Hendrix, Winter, Waters, Little Feat and AC/DC. 

Marshall became well known for his lead in the group ‘Marshall and the Fro’ . The group released 2 albums and an EP between 2005-10. The 1st self-titled full album in 2007, ‘Marshall and the Fro’, set the stage for a new wave of pumping surf mojo roots and blues, including the hugely popular tracks ‘Get Up’ and ‘Thongs’. The 2nd album ‘Friends for Life’ followed suit in 2010. Now in his 30’s, with up to 200 live gigs a year as part of his repertoire, Marshall has developed into an rocking bluesman like no other. With years of playing now under his belt, Marshall has made a notable return to the music of his youth, in his fourth, yet to be titled new album. The result is a deep, raw, honest, dirty blues sound that grabs you by the throat and then sooths you with a sweet honey tasting musical medicine. There are pure guts, sweat and emotion in his latest material that leave you exhausted and elated in their wake.

Be warned. Marshall has emerged with a new level of addictive, heart and mind altering musical energy. This guy doesn’t just make music. He’s a roaring powerhouse of a man, and this album will get under your skin, into your blood and course through you like a visceral super-high of the likes you won’t come down from easily.

SHOW CANCELLED – Jon Toogood with Ben Leece, tickets $20  plus bf online here  / $25 door. Jon Toogood is the founding member of two bands, Shihad and The Adults, a solo artist, multi instrumentalist, radio presenter, mentor, theatre performer and voiceover artist. Jon will be on satge solo and acoustic with a hit filled set featuring some of his favourite songs (both his own and handpicked favorites’ from his vast collection) it’s the utlimate summer sing along, get up close and personal with one of New Zealands most revered singer/songwriter and frontmen.

Sunday, December 18th – Chris Rose. Coastal, Country, Indie / Pop Chris Rose’s Port Macquarie roots of secluded surf breaks, coastal campfires and country vibes, colours and shapes his song writing. Picking up the guitar at age fifteen, he’s spent the best part of his life songwriting and wowing audiences with his distinctive and unique voice.

Chris is a regular performer in Sydney’s live music scene, playing at many bars and clubs including weekly residencies at Darlinghurst, Circular Quay’s Museum Of Contemporary Art, and The University Of Technology Sydney.

He has performed at many music festivals and concerts sharing the stage and supporting some of Australia’s most iconic artists including: Icehouse, Richard Clapton, Christine Anu, Bonjah, The Beards, Lior, Damien Leith, Mason Rack Band, Thirsty Merc, and the Jezabels.

‘PLEASE SUPPORT ORIGINAL LIVE MUSIC AND THE VENUES THAT SUPPORT IT’