Three hours plus, all of it played live. No backing track, no loop pedal, just Phil McKnight's guitar, his own percussion and a voice built for a room full of people. The songs run from the fifties to now, and the reach is wide: Beatles and The Who, Slim Dusty and Jimmy Buffett, Black Keys and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Redgum's I Was Only 19 sits in there next to American Pie and April Sun in Cuba. He'll also put together a Morning Melodies set of Elvis, Tom Jones, Perry Como and John Denver when that's what the crowd wants. PA and lighting come with him, and one power point runs the lot. A small stage is nice, not essential. Based in Cooks Hill, Newcastle, and working pubs, clubs, corporate rooms and private parties.
See Phil McKnight play
Watch Phil McKnight perform and get a feel for their sound, style and fit for your wedding.
What it costs
PricingQuote on enquiry
For your exact date, venue and running time, we send an itemised quote.
Pricing is confirmed before anything is booked. GST and travel are shown clearly on the quote.
Songs Phil McKnight can play
Search their repertoire or browse the list below. Ask us about a first dance or another song that matters to you.
After Midnight-J. J. CaleA Hard Day’s Night-The BeatlesAlone With You-The SunnyboysA Walk in the Light Green (I Was Only 19)-RedgumAll Along the Watchtower-Bob DylanAmerican Pie-Don McLeanAnd I Love You So-Don McLeanAnd the Band Played Waltzing Matilda-Eric BogleA Pirate Looks at Forty-Jimmy BuffettApril Sun in Cuba-DragonAround and Around-Chuck BerryAs Tears Go By-The Rolling StonesBad Moon Rising-Creedence Clearwater RevivalBattle of New Orleans-Johnny HortonBeggar on the Street of Love-Paul KellyBehind Blue Eyes-The WhoBetter Man-Robbie WilliamsBlack is the Colour-TraditionalBlack Velvet Band-Irish TraditionalBlister In the Sun-The Violent FemmesBlue Bayou-Roy OrbisonBlue Skies-Willie NelsonBlues Power-Eric ClaptonBoth Sides Now-Joni MitchellBreakfast at Tiffany’s-Deep Blue SomethingBrown Eyed Girl-Van MorrisonBrown Sugar-The Rolling StonesCalifornication-The Red Hot Chilli PeppersCat’s in the Cradle-Harry ChapinCheap Wine-Cold ChiselCliffs of Doneen-Irish TraditionalCome Monday-Jimmy BuffettComes a Time-Neil YoungComing in to Los Angeles-Arlo GuthrieConcrete and Clay-Unit Four Plus TwoCopperhead Road-Steve EarleCracklin’ Rosie-Neil DiamondCreep-RadioheadCruel to be Kind-Nick LoweDancing Queen-ABBADaniel-Elton JohnDead Flowers-The Rolling StonesDead Skunk-London Wainwright IIIDelilah-Tom JonesDiamantina Drover-RedgumDirty Old Town-Ewen McCollDon’t Start Me Talking-Paul KellyDown Under-Men At WorkDrift Away-Dobie GrayEarly Morning Rain-Gordon LightfootEve of Destruction-Barry McGuireEverybody’s Talking-NilssonEvil Ways-SantanaFairytale of New York-The PoguesFather and Son-Cat StevensFerry Cross the Mersey-Gerry and the PacemakersFire-Bruce SpringsteenFire and Rain-James TaylorFive Feet High and Rising-Johnny CashFlame Trees-Cold ChiselFlying High-Karla BonoffFolsom Prison Blues-Johnny CashFor the Good Times-Don McLeanFour Strong Winds-Neil YoungFour Until Late-Robert JohnsonFriday on My Mind-The EasybeatsFrom Hazelbrook to Rosemarkie-Phil McKnightGalway Girl-Steve EarleGet Off My Cloud-The Rolling StonesGet Rhythm-Johnny CashGonna See My Baby Tonight-The La De DahsGood Companions-Mike McLellanGood Riddance (Time of Your Life)-Green DayGrievous Angel-Gram ParsonsGuitar Man-BreadHalf the World Away-OasisHallelujah I Love Her So-Ray CharlesHanging Five-The DelltonesHarvest-Neil YoungHarvest Moon-Neil YoungHave You Ever Seen the Rain-Creedence Clearwater RevivalHeart of Gold-Neil YoungHelp Me Make It Through the Night-Kris KristoffersonHey Good Lookin’-Hank WilliamsHey Joe-The Jimi Hendrix ExperienceHighway Patrol-Junior BrownHighway to Hell-ACDCHonky Tonk Women-The Rolling StonesHouse of the Rising Sun-TraditionalHurt-Nine-Inch NailsI Am a Rock-Simon and GarfunkelI Can See Clearly Now-Johnny NashI Can’t Hold On-Karla BonoffIf I Said You Had a Beautiful Body-The Bellamy BrothersIf I Should Fall from Grace With God-The PoguesIf It Makes You Smile-Phil McKnightIf I Were a Tower of Strength-Gene McDanielsIf We Try- Don McLeanI’ll Be Your Baby Tonight-Bob DylanI’ll Tell Me Ma-Irish traditionalI’m Gonna Be (500 miles)-The ProclaimersI Saw Her Standing There-The BeatlesI Need A Lover-Johnny CougarIt’s All Over Now-The Rolling StonesIt’s a Long Way to the Top-ACDCIt’s Now or Never-Elvis PresleyI’ve Just Seen a Face-The BeatlesI Wonder-RodriguezIt’s Five O’Clock Somewhere-Jimmy BuffettI Walk the Line-Johnny CashJambalaya (on the Bayou)-Hank WilliamsJessie’s Girl-Rick SpringfieldJet Airliner-The Steve Miller BandJohnny B.Goode-Chuck BerryJumping Jack Flash-The Rolling StonesKansas City-Fats DominoKentucky Woman-Neil DiamondKhe Sanh-Cold ChiselKing of the Road-Roger MillerKnocking on Heaven’s Door-Bob DylanLady Jane-The Rolling StonesLast Kiss-Wayne CochranLet It Be-The BeatlesLights on the Hill-Slim DustyLike Wow Wipeout-The Hoodoo GurusLittle Queenie-Chuck BerryLola-The KinksLonely Boy-The Black KeysLong May You Run-Neil YoungLooking Out My Back Door-Creedence Clearwater RevivalLove Never Runs on Time-Paul KellyLove Potion No 9-The CloversLove the One You’re With-Crosby, Stills & NashLullaby-Shawn MullinsMan that I’ve Become-Nick LoweMe and Bobby McGee-Kris KristoffersonMoondance-Van MorrisonMoonshadow-Cat StevensMountains o’ Mourne-Irish TraditionalMove it on Over-Hank WilliamsMrs Robinson-Simon and GarfunkelMy Future’s So Bright (I’ve Got to Wear Shades)-TimbuktuThe Needle and the Damage Done-Neil YoungNo Particular Place to Go-Chuck BerryNorth to Alaska-Johnny HortonNorwegian Wood-The BeatlesNot Fade Away-Buddy HollyOh Lonesome Me-Don GibsonOld Man-Neil YoungOld Man Emu-John WilliamsonOld Time Rock ‘n Roll-Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet BandOn the Road Again-Willie NelsonPencil Thin Mustache-Jimmy BuffettPerfect Day-Lou ReedPinball Wizard-The WhoPlease Please Me-The BeatlesPresents to Send You-Jimmy BuffettPromises-Eric ClaptonProud Mary-Creedence Clearwater RevivalRawhide-Frankie LaineReason to Believe-Tim HardinReckless-Australian CrawlReturn to Sender-Elvis PresleyRhiannon-Fleetwood MacRhinestone Cowboy- Glenn CampbellRing of Fire-Johnny CashRio-Mike NesmithRock and Roll all Night-KissRock and Roll Girls-John FogartyRock and Roll Heart-Eric ClaptonRock and Roll I Gave You the Best Years of My Life-Kevin JohnstonRock And Roll Lady-Mike McLellanRocking All Over the World-John FogertyRosie-Jackson BrowneRuby (Don’t Take Your love to Town)Ruby Tuesday-The Rolling StonesRunaway-Del ShannonRunning Bear-Johnny PrestonRun to Paradise-The Choir BoysSan Francisco-Scott MacKenzieSandman-AmericaSave Tonight-Eagle Eye CherrySay You Love Me-Fleetwood MacSeven Drunken Nights-The DublinersSex on Fire-Kings of LeonShaking All Over-Johnny Kidd and the PiratesSister Goldenhair-AmericaSix Days on the Road-Dave DudleySlip Sliding Away-Paul SimonSlipping Away-Max Merritt and the MeteorsSolitary Man-Neil DiamondSomething So Feminine About a Mandolin-Jimmy BuffettSong and Dance Man-Mike McLellanSorry-The EasybeatsSounds of Silence-Simon and GarfunkelStairway to Heaven-Led ZeppelinStand By Me-Sam CookeStarman-David BowieStar of the County Down-Irish TraditionalStart Me Up-The Rolling StonesStay-Maurice Williams and the ZodiacsStreams of Whisky-The PoguesStreets of London-Ralph McTellSubstitute-The WhoSultans of Swing-Dire StraitsSummer of 69-Bryan AdamsSunday Morning Coming Down-Kris KristoffersonSunny Side of the Street-Louis ArmstrongSweet Caroline-Neil DiamondSydney From a 727Take It Easy-The Eagles/Jackson BrowneTake the Money and Run-The Steve Miller BandTeach Your Children-Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungThank God I’m a Country Boy-John DenverThank the Lord for the Night-time-Neil DiamondThe Biggest Disappointment-Slim DustyThe Boxer-Simon and GarfunkelThe Gambler-Kenny RogersThe Holy Ground-Irish TraditionalThe Joker-The Steve Miller BandThe Letter-The BoxtopsThe Midnight Special-Creedence Clearwater RevivalThe Needle and the Damage Done-Neil YoungThe Star and the Slaughter-The HeroesThe Times They Are a Changing-Bob DylanThe Waiting-Phil McKnightThey Don’t Dance Like Carmen No More-Jimmy BuffettThings-Bobby DarrenThrow Your Arms Around Me-Hunters and CollectorsTicket to Ride-The BeatlesTo Her Door-Paul KellyTrue Blue-John WilliamsonTry a Little Kindness-Glenn CampbellTuesday’s Dead-Cat StevensUnder the Boardwalk-The DriftersUnder the Milky Way-The ChurchUnknown Legend-Neil YoungVincent-Don McLeanWake Up Little Suzie-The Everly BrothersWay Out West-The DingoesWhen I Come Around-Green DayWhen You Were Sweet Sixteen-Irish TraditionalWhere Do You Go To (My Lovely)-Peter SarstedtWhiskey in the Jar-Irish TraditionalWho’ll Stop the Rain-Creedence Clearwater RevivalWild Rover-Irish TraditionalWings of an Eagle-Russell MorrisWinter in America-Doug AshdownWinterwood-Don McLeanWish You Were Here-Pink FloydWonderful Tonight-Eric ClaptonWonderwall-OasisYesterday-The BeatlesYou’ve Got a Friend-Carole KingZiggy Stardust-David Bowie
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Good to know
What to expect
Every sound comes from the stage as it happens. No backing tracks, no loop pedal, just guitar, percussion he plays himself and a voice with enough behind it to carry a full pub. Phil McKnight runs long, and that's on purpose. He'd rather keep a crowd moving through one continuous stretch than break the mood up three times. The songs span the fifties to now, so the older crowd and the younger one both find something they know, and the set shifts depending on which of them turns up.
On the day
One power point runs the PA and the lighting, and that's the only thing he genuinely needs from the venue. A small stage is nice if the room happens to have one, though he's not fussed either way and plenty of gigs are played on the floor. Worth telling him the size and shape of the space when you enquire, so the volume is set for the room rather than guessed at.
Performance options
Two options, and they suit very different rooms. The main one is a continuous two to three hour performance, no long gaps, which is what most pubs, clubs and private parties book. The other is a Morning Melodies style set built from older classics, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Bobby Darin, Perry Como and John Denver among them. Clubs putting on a daytime session for an older crowd tend to want that second one.
