Yacht Rock Revue
by Shebee on 3/26/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic CityConcert was absolutely amazing. Band was on fire, venue was awesome.
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What is left for Yacht Rock Revue to prove? This top-notch group of musicians has already rocked onstage with John Oates, Eddie Money (RIP), and both versions of the band Player. They've trademarked the term "yacht rock," both metaphorically and literally (U.S. Registration Number 3834195). From humble beginnings in a basement, touring in partnership with Live Nation and Sirius XM, they now headline sold-out shows across the country, from Webster Hall in New York to the Wiltern in L.A. While rising from bars to amphitheaters, they've ticked every box on the Rock Star Accomplishments bingo card. Except for one: Writing and singing their own songs.
Yacht Rock Revue's first original record is ten songs inspired by the smoooooth sounds of the Seventies and Eighties. They've brazenly titled it Hot Dads In Tight Jeans -forgive them for bragging, but that's what they are - and it returns Yacht Rock Revue to their roots in original music.
"I had a midlife crisis. That's why we made this album," says Nick Niespodziani, the group's singer, guitarist, and spiritual leader. "Everyone in the band is a dad now, so we needed to make this happen, before we become grandpas. I've sung 'Escape' by Rupert Holmes at least a thousand times, and if that isn't paying your dues, I don't know what is."
It's rare that musicians in their 40s chase their rock star dreams. You'd have to be crazy to try. YRR knew they were underdogs, but resolved to take one more shot at the Top 40, and maybe even become a Cinderella story of midlife fulfillment.
Yacht Rock Revue began in the least-yachtiest of states, 2,000 miles from breezy Marina del Rey. Niespodziani and Pete Olson met in the fourth grade in suburban Indiana, went on to Indiana University in the late Nineties, formed the band Y-O-U, then escaped - Rupert Holmes reference intended - to Atlanta. One night, Y-O-U tucked their tongues deep in their cheeks and played a show of Yacht Rock songs. The rowdy (a nice way of saying drunk), sold-out crowd loved it.
When the club owner asked them to do it again, Niespodziani didn't want to. But the club owner had an ace up his sleeve: money.
Over the years, YRR (there's also a Dave, a Greg, and literally three guys named Mark) have turned themselves into human wine spritzers, playing 120 to 150 shows a year, mastering Yacht Rock's slick chords and mellow grooves, and partying like it's 1979.
What began as a joke among friends soon put a ripple in the zeitgeist, starting a national trend through YRR's concerts, lauded as "unabashedly joyous affairs" by Entertainment Weekly. They accumulated an extensive wardrobe of white belts and polyester shirts. Yacht Rock Revue were revered and well-compensated! Their life was a tenor sax solo! This is what every musician wants.
But even as YRR was sailing the smooth seas of tribute-band superstardom, and the band members all became dads, Niespodziani was still writing original songs. These new tunes had the spirit of Yacht Rock, but were more modern - akin to Phoenix or Air, the hip bands that adapted Yacht for a younger audience. They brought the songs to a hot producer, Ben Allen, who's worked with Gnarls Barkley, Animal Collective, and Neon Indian. Allen gave the songsa lustrous shine, for both new audiences and their ever-loyal fans, the Nation of Smooth. Niespodziani and Olson even co-wrote a song, "Big Bang," with Yacht Rock master Matthew Wilder, famous for his massive 1983 hit "Break My Stride."
"Step," the record's first single, is a peppy number replete with falsetto and bumping bass, a cross between the Bee Gees and Steely Dan's "Peg." It's also the mission statement for the album in a way, because it's about deciding who you want to be, and making space for that in your life. The seven-piece band display tight chops, and the songs incorporate Yacht Rock Revue's sense of humor, especially on the funky, pro-margarita "Bad Tequila," the flute-fired "Another Song About California," and opening track "The Doobie Bounce," where Niespodziani brags, "I used to sleep on couches/Now I sleep on nicer couches."
Hot Dads In Tight Jeans is as plush and shiny as Kenny Loggins' beard. And YRR are already dropping these new songs into their sets, to great response from longtime fans who are thrilled to hear new smooth. While others in YRR's position stick with the tried-and-true, Niespodziani hopes the album will let them welcome aboard new fans, too. To paraphrase a notable mariner... they're gonna need a bigger yacht.
"Here's how I see it," Niespodziani concludes, sliding into a waiting limousine. "We have only one fewer hit than Player did, and Player is immortal. We built this Yacht Rock thing on the power of memories and good vibes. None of that is changing; we're just gonna make a few new memories as well."
Concert was absolutely amazing. Band was on fire, venue was awesome.
I saw them on TV while channel surfing and was amazed. Looked up to see if they'd be near NJ and saw Atlantic City. Bought 4 tickets on a whim and invited another couple. The band exceeded my expectations and wowed my friends. We all agree we'd love to see YRR again.
this band does not disappoint! saw them for the first time in asbury over labor day and ive been obsessed ever since! could not wait to go back they were fantastic and the hard rock venue was perfect
The concert was tremendous. Set list was one of the best yet. Venue was very nice. Musicians were extraordinary. We never tire of seeing this exceptional band perform.
Just saw them in Atlantic City. My wife and I are starting to plan mini Vacay’s to see them in other cities
Excellent group. Only problem is that the people in front of us never sat down. We saw lots of “buts”. I was able to stand for last few songs just couldn’t do it for whole show.
Love the venue & the people working there, just wasn't a huge fan of the band... 1st time seeing them & I was disappointed. The sax player was amazing!! I just thought we would hear a more diverse selection of songs. Not bad, but not excellent either...
This venue is so wonderful! Every seat is awesome! Our group of 3 was unfortunately split 3/3 but everyone had so much fun. I sang and danced so much my voice has been horse for a few days…very worth it! First time seeing this band and enjoyed them so much! Definitely like BC inn and shuttle for convenience also :)
The concert was exceptional. The instrumental parts were nicely done and the singing was superb as well. I would definitely pay to see them again.
Yacht Rock nails the genre perfectly! Actually - better than the originals! Love their vibe, music, talent - and the sax player…oh My! Everyone was awesome!
Our seats were in the very last row of the balcony and they were perfect! I don’t think there is a bad seat in that place. The Yacht Rock Review was so fun to hear and dance to!
Yacht Rock Review covered all of the good easy listing "yacht rock"songs very well. They were really good. Nice easy vibe with the crowd. The Brown County Music Center was easy to get to, good parking, and easy to enter. The venue size was perfect for Yacht Rock Review. A larger venue would have had too many empty seats. The rest room access right off of the front entry into the music hall and right next to both the concessions causes a bottleneck though. They need to figure that out as it was hard to get into the restrooms, figure out who was waiting for concessions, who was waiting to get in/out of the center. I saw more than one heated exchange there at a cool vibe yacht rock concert where everyone should have been chilling. Hate to see how an amped up full venue crowd would handle that.
Best concert since Gordon Lightfoot, awesome music
Overall it was a great song list but the vocals were off, especially from the lead singer. The lighting effects were either overkill or poorly adjusted as we kept getting blided directly to the face multiple times by the spots on the right. The crowd tends to stand most of the show, even when everyone sits down you'll have that one clown who won't get the msg somewhere in front of you. So plan your seats accordingly if you want to see and sit at the same time. We left at the end of the first hour, great song choices but just not a good atmosphere for us anyways. No complaints on the venue though it's a great venue!
So much fun! High energy & talented musicians! We are going to see them again soon.
As usual, this band does not disappoint. The music selection is refreshing and I always try to see them when they’re in town.
One of the best live shows I have seen in recent memory. The band and the vocalist were off the hook good! Totally recommend this show.
best show I have seen in a long time. Music was solid. Vocals on point. Sax player was absolutely on fire! Dude stole the show
This was the best show!!!! I hope the come back!!!!
This is the fifth time that we have seen Yacht Rock Review. We have always had such an enjoyable time. They keep getting better and better. Can't wait for the next show.