Joe Russell | Award-Winning Solo Acoustic to 6-Piece Party Band

A Career Built on Versatility From intimate solo acoustic ceremonies to high-energy 6-piece party bands, I provide a bespoke, award-winning soundtrack for events across the South West. With over 15 years in the music industry, my career is defined by a practical, high-level approach to performance. I have spent over a decade navigating the complexities of live music, from fronting national touring shows to delivering focused solo acoustic sets. This extensive background has allowed me to develop a versatile skill set that prioritizes musicality, technical precision, and a genuine connection with the audience. How I Became Qualified My journey as a musician didn’t happen by accident. It began with a deep-seated obsession with the mechanics of a great song, leading me to study the nuances of vocal performance and guitar technique until they became second nature. Over the last 15 years, I have refined my craft not just in rehearsal rooms, but on the biggest stages in the region. This "on-the-job" qualification—performing at renowned festivals like Boardmasters and Rattlerfest—has given me a level of reliability that only comes from thousands of hours under stage lights. I understand the "why" behind the music; I perform because there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a room transform when the right song hits at the perfect moment. For me, music is about more than just sound; it is about the shared energy between the performer and the guests. The Acoustic Performance My acoustic work is specifically designed for settings that require a balance of presence and restraint. Unlike standard "background" music, I bring the technicality and engagement of a frontman to an unplugged setting. This makes my solo sets particularly effective for wedding ceremonies, drinks receptions, and premium bars where the music needs to be both high-quality and appropriately scaled. I specialize in reading a room, moving fluidly between soulful, understated sets and higher-energy arrangements of recognizable hits to complement the trajectory of your event. I take pride in my ability to adapt my repertoire on the fly, ensuring that the atmosphere is always perfectly aligned with the mood of your guests. Scalable Band Configurations & Highlights As an award-winning frontman, I offer a unique, scalable service that ranges from a 3-piece to a 6-piece band. This isn't a fixed-roster "function band," but a bespoke collective of professional session musicians. Depending on your requirements, I can integrate drums, bass, electric guitar, keys, and saxophone to create a wall of sound that is tailored to your venue. A major highlight of my career was performing on the Main Stage at Rattlerfest, alongside shows at Tunes in the Dunes and the Queen's Theatre. These high-pressure environments taught me how to manage large-scale production, a skill I bring to every wedding and corporate function I play. Because I work with a regular pool of world-class talent, the quality remains consistent regardless of the line-up. Logistics and Production I operate as a fully self-contained unit, taking full responsibility for the technical side of the performance. I arrive with professional-grade sound reinforcement, lighting, and staging suited to the venue’s size. This "production-first" mindset ensures that the audio is clear, the lighting is appropriate, and the setup is tidy. By managing these details personally, I ensure a stress-free experience for event planners and couples alike, from the initial load-in to the final song of the night. My goal is to provide a polished, dependable soundtrack that allows you to focus entirely on enjoying your event.