EZEKIEL OX - Live @ The Wicko
No Rest for The Wicko
Written by: Jimmy Wah - Sense Music Media
Does Ezekiel Ox ever stop? If he’s not allowed to play live, he’s doing it in front of a camera via satellite for an uninterrupted 24-hours to thousands around the globe! Finding whatever way he can to make his voice heard and give the finger to the man! That being said, the company of people is where he’s most at home, which he proved on Saturday night. Where was he this time? At his house? In a studio? Where else but the Newcastle local, the home of live music, the house of blues; The Wicko.
Pictured: The Hunter River Inlet
Location: Newcastle
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
The Wickham Hotel. An historic Newcastle pub on the corner of Maitland Rd and Islington Rd. where you can follow the musky sherbert late-afternoon sky past the Famous Rock Shop on Hunter St. to the famous lighthouse overlooking Nobby’s Beach. Of course you could also swing around and watch the golden sunset create beautiful reflections in the water of the Hunter River Inlet; but hey, you decide, you’re spoiled for choice. The deceptively small entrance of The Wicko leads in to reveal a bar with seating on both sides opening into an indoor dining area and a large al-fresco dining area where Ezekiel Ox played and which opens out into a massive beer garden. There’s certainly space to accommodate far more than the 180 that it’s been limited to during Covid-19.
Pictured: The Wickham Park Hotel - THE WICKO
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
Now that the formalities are sorted, we can talk about the live music! The stage might seem tiny compared to the stages where you’re used to seeing Ezekiel Ox fronting bands like MAMMAL, FULL SCALE and until recently, SUPERHEIST. That being said, if there’s one man that can single-handedly bring a stage to life (or a whole pub for that matter), it’s the Ox. With a banner behind him with his name, portrait, and the name of his promoter Big Apachee, he needed little more than his voice and an acoustic guitar to command the attention of patrons.
Pictured: Ezekiel Ox
Location: The Wickham Park Hotel
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
7pm. After an acoustic Paul Kelly opening in his trademark evocative vocals, there were immediately cheers, whistles and compliments coming from the crowd (albeit seated). “This is what I love” said Zeke “the interaction, the connection. This is about us, so I want to hear you all and I want you involved; because without you this couldn’t happen”. From that point the audience’s eyes were glued to the stage as they were encouraged to sing along to songs like AC/DC’s Thunderstruck and George Michael’s Gotta Have Faith which was played using Ezekiel’s looping desk and beat-boxing to create some bounce. He had ladies in tears after playing a heartfelt cover of GUNS ‘N’ ROSES’ Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door and rounded out the first set with more improvised beat-boxing and loops.
The Ox kept the entertainment alive with two more sets, playing hit after hit, from MATCHBOX 20 to the VIOLENT FEMMES. “Now you’re not allowed to get up and dance because of the restrictions they have to maintain social distancing; but there’s nothing stopping you from dancing on your way to the bar!”.
Pictured: Ezekiel Ox
Location: The Wickham Park Hotel
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
With the atmosphere brought to life you couldn’t help but notice Ezekiel’s shirt with a headline quote of ‘EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE IS REAL - PABLO PICASSO’. This kind of declaration echoes the passionate character that Ezekiel was not afraid to share with the crowd. Along with Aussie political classics like Beds Are Burning by MIDNIGHT OIL being played there was always a conversation with the audience. Expletives aside and without naming any names, statements like “The fact the billionaires even exist is absolutely insane!” drew cheers from the crowd. Needless to say, the second set was a hit.
Pictured: Ezekiel Ox
Location: The Wickham Park Hotel
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
After a shirt change and another break, Ezekiel Ox delivered hit after hit. From medleys made up of classics like Proud Mary and Stuck In The Middle, to Enter Sandman by METALLICA and Slaves by MAMMAL, there was something for everyone. When it came down to the final two songs, a flawless acoustic version of Khe Sanh by COLD CHISEL was set to be followed up by JOHN FARNHAM’s You’re The Voice. Unfortunately the clock had just ticked past 10:30pm and the live music had to stop. My finger was hovering over the ‘Record’ button on my camera but Ezekiel was gracious enough to tell the crowd (including me) that rules needed to be followed to keep nights like this one happening in the future. Despite my devastation it was good to see that both Ezekiel and The Wickham Hotel had our best interests at heart. I noticed throughout the night that compliance to social distancing and capacity regulations being maintained; but that everyone still had a great time.
Pictured: Ezekiel Ox
Location: The Wickham Park Hotel
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
Next time you get the chance, support your local. Get down to venues like the Wicko and see awesome musicians like Ezekiel Ox bring it to life!
The Wicko
Check out the website of The Wicko Hotel and Big Apachee to book your next gig.
Ezekiel Ox Music
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