Yacht Rock Revue is an American band that specializes in performing and paying tribute to the soft rock and yacht rock music of the 1970s and 1980s. The term "yacht rock" refers to a style of music characterized by smooth melodies, lush harmonies, and lyrics often associated with a carefree, summertime, or coastal lifestyle. Yacht Rock Revue is known for their energetic live performances and their faithful renditions of classic yacht rock songs, as well as their original music in the same style.
The band has a significant following for their nostalgic and entertaining shows. They often dress in retro attire to enhance the overall experience. Yacht Rock Revue tours extensively and is a popular act for fans of yacht rock and classic soft rock music. Their performances typically include hits from artists such as Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Hall & Oates, Toto, and many others from the era.
Formation
Yacht Rock Revue formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in the early-2000s by a group of friends who shared a passion for the smooth, easy-listening music of the 1970s and 1980s. Founding members of the band include current frontmen Nicholas Niespodziani and Peter Olson, who both have backgrounds in various musical projects before coming together to create Yacht Rock Revue. Many of the other additional members of the band came from the indie band, Y-O-U, one of said projects.
In the early days, Yacht Rock Revue primarily performed in and around the Atlanta area, gaining a local following for their energetic and entertaining performances. They quickly became known for their attention to detail, both in their musical arrangements and their onstage presence, often dressing in period-appropriate attire and incorporating humor and nostalgia into their shows.
As the band's popularity grew, they began touring more extensively, and their reputation as a premier yacht rock tribute act spread beyond Georgia. They gained a dedicated fanbase of people who appreciated their commitment to the music and the era it represented. Over the years, the band expanded its lineup and repertoire, including original songs in the yacht rock style.
Over the years, Yacht Rock Revue has shared the stage with Walter Egan, Robbie Dupree, Elliot Lurie (Looking Glass), Peter Beckett (Player), Bobby Kimball (former lead singer of Toto), Jeff Carlisi (.38 Special), Albert Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Denny Laine (Wings) and more.[1]
Touring and National Recognition
As Yacht Rock Revue continued to hone their craft, their reputation as the premier yacht rock band spread. The band's lineup expanded as they added more talented musicians to their roster, allowing them to cover an even wider range of yacht rock hits. Over time, they included original songs in the yacht rock style, showcasing their songwriting prowess while staying true to the genre's signature sound.
A key turning point for Yacht Rock Revue was their decision to embark on extensive national tours. They began to play shows outside of Georgia, performing in cities across the United States.
The band's performances often featured hits from artists such as Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Hall & Oates, Toto, Christopher Cross, and many others associated with yacht rock. Their setlists were carefully curated to capture the essence of the genre and its diverse range of musical styles.
Yacht Rock Revue's dedication to their craft and their infectious enthusiasm for yacht rock caught the attention of not only fans but also the media. They received favorable coverage in various publications and earned praise for their ability to revive and celebrate this nostalgic genre. Their shows attracted a diverse audience, from longtime yacht rock aficionados to younger music enthusiasts eager to discover the genre.
The Yacht Rock Revival
Yacht Rock Revue eventually began to host an annual concert where they would invite members of the original bands that they cover to join them on stage to play a few songs. The first Yacht Rock Revival was held in 2011 in a parking lot at Andrews Entertainment Complex in Atlanta with about 1,000 attendees. This continued to grow in popularity year after year, and by 2018, the Revival was held at State Bank Amphitheatre in Chastain Park to a sold-out crowd of over 6,000 people.
This has led to Yacht Rock Revue sharing the stage with Walter Egan, Robbie Dupree, Elliot Lurie (Looking Glass), Peter Beckett (Player), Bobby Kimball (former lead singer of Toto), Jeff Carlisi (.38 Special), Albert Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Denny Laine (Wings) and more.
2018-Present
Following 2018, the band's popularity seemed to be growing at an exponential rate. They continued to tour nationwide and broaden their yacht rock brand. A signature sign of this is the massive quantity of captains hats that can be seen being worn by fans at their shows. The venues they were playing were becoming bigger and bigger, and the demand for live performances continued to rise.
In 2019, they released their first live album, containing 26 songs performed live in Boston. This would be followed in 2020 by their debut original album, “Hot Dad’s in Tight Jeans.”
In 2023 Kenny Loggins, a staple of the Yacht Rock genre, announced that he would be embarking on his final tour, “This Is It,” and that Yacht Rock Revue would be the opener. This gave the band its first opportunity to play in arenas and large amphitheaters, broadening their audience and giving them even more exposure.
In 2024 Yacht Rock Revue is slated to tour at their largest capacity yet opening for REO Speedwagon and Train. The shows will be played all across the country from July to September
Discography
- Yacht Rock Revue (Live in Boston) (2019)
- Hot Dads in Tight Jeans (2020)
- COAST to COAST (Live) (2023)
- Between the Moon and New York City (Live) (2023)
Personnel
Members
- Nicholas Niespodziani - lead vocals, guitar, percussion
- Peter Olson - lead vocals, guitar, percussion
- Mark Dannells - lead guitar, backing vocals
- Greg Lee - bass, backing vocals
- David Freeman - keyboards, saxophone, flute, backing vocals
- Mark Bencuya - keyboards, backing vocals
- Keisha Jackson - backing vocals
- Kourtney Jackson - backing vocals
- Ganesh Lee -drums, percussion
- Jason Nackers - drums, percussion
References
- ^ "Still smooth sailing for Yacht Rock Revue". accessatlanta. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
This page was last edited on 1 March 2024, at 05:11