There was no shortage of things to do in Tulsa Saturday night. Garth Brooks playing at the BOK, Blue October at Tulsa Theater and the annual Oktoberfest happening just outside downtown.
Yet, I found myself inside The Vanguard trying to make photos while pinned to the wall on the steps leading to stage right. A capacity crowd cheered on Hollywood star Jason Momoa, who was strumming his bass as a member of ÖOF TATATÁ.
Momoa and his bandmates were on stage to support The Bobby Lees as part of the band’s “New Self” tour.
“It’s happening! Holy s–t!” Momoa screamed as he hugged Sam Quartin, the Tulsa-based lead singer of The Bobby Lees, who had just joined Momoa on stage for a cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls on Parade.” Next came Bobby Lees’ bassist Kendall Wind standing across from Momoa as they played a cover of Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”
Momoa told the sold-out crowd The Bobby Lees were his favorite band, and he spent their entire set cheering them on when not filming their performance on his phone.
It was a joyous night for the garage punk band and the Hollywood actor, who will soon be on IMAX screens reprising his role as Duncan Idaho in “Dune 3.” Momoa was joined by his girlfriend, actress Adria Arjona, and more members of the cast and crew of “Copperhead,” which is currently filming in Oklahoma City. John Swab, the film’s director and Quartin’s husband, was also in attendance.
A few years back, the band announced they were going on a long break, but Momoa stepped in to help finance their new album, “New Self.” That partnership and the movie filming down the turnpike brought them back together again.
I’d previously seen The Bobby Lees perform at Cain’s Ballroom and at The Vanguard, but this show was different.
I’ve never seen the Vanguard as full as it was Saturday night. Fans of all ages came wearing a variety of Jason Momoa shirts, and many of them stayed for the entire show.
Tulsa Flyer
After Momoa’s ÖOF TATATÁ played a set of covers, The Bobby Lees had the crowd bouncing and going crazy as Quartin paced the stage and the band tore through a setlist of mostly new songs.
It was a concert that could only happen in Tulsa. The city where the Sex Pistols famously played Cain’s Ballroom nearly 50 years ago and has long been known for its music scene, has in recent years also become a hotbed for filmmakers and Hollywood stars to visit more and more often for work and play.
The stars were aligned after years of Swab making his crime movies in his backyard and meeting Quartin, who along with her friends had formed a rowdy punk band that would eventually capture one of the biggest action stars of our generation, who in turn would keep them going when they needed it most.
On the small Vanguard stage, all those forces came together Saturday for a blistering night of rock ‘n’ roll that for those in attendance has now become another unforgettable night in our city’s legendary music history with a Hollywood twist.
It made for one of the best live performances of the year, and one that will be talked about for years to come.
The Bobby Lees perform at The Vanguard, Oct. 24, 2026. 
Sam Quartin of The Bobby Lees performs at The Vanguard, Oct. 24, 2026. 
The Bobby Lees perform at The Vanguard, Oct. 24, 2026. 
Jason Momoa of ÖOF TATATÁ plays with The Bobby Lees’ bassist Kendall Wind during a concert at The Vanguard, Oct. 24, 2026. 
Jason Momoa plays bass in his band ÖOF TATATÁ during a concert at The Vanguard, Oct. 24, 2026. 
Crowd surfing during the Bobby Lees concert at The Vanguard, Oct. 24, 2026.
News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
