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Yacht Rock Revue

Rock

Yacht Rock Revue Tickets

Events46 Results

United States

About

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."

Reviews

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 788 reviews
  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Fun night!

    by Sue Regan on 3/27/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic City

    Great time, though I prefer seeing them in open standing room only venue.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    So much fun

    by Denise on 3/26/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic City

    Incredibly talented crew - every one of them. What a great show!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Fun Night!

    by Kim B on 3/26/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic City

    Just a great selection of music that kept you singing along and dancing in your chair! Terrific musicians and singers- got to love the boat captain hats many people were wearing!

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Great Show

    by Park on 3/26/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic City

    Second time at a yacht rock concert. Awesome show, but I wish the band would’ve introduced themselves. I would have liked to follow some of the members to see where else they’ve been.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Good Vibes

    by 55 on 3/26/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic City

    What an amazing band. Played every song I wanted to hear and only a few I didn't . Crowd was so much fun. These are my people

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great musicians!

    by Chimi13 on 3/26/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic City

    This was a great show, better than I expected. Staring off with George Benson and just went into all the songs you love. Best song of the night, Kenny Loggins. Then Bakerstreet, Wow The sax player wailed and came out with a flute too! Just Wow. Very entertaining and I would love to see them warm up for Train. Good performance from all I the band.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome

    by Carp on 3/26/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic City

    Never seen this band before but I’m hooked!!! Unbelievable performance great talent can’t wait to see them again!!!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Yacht Rock......Rocks!

    by Gordy on 3/26/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic City

    They are great! Every band member is so talented. Fun show, they have you wanting to dance and sing along to every song. This was the fourth time seeing them and can't wait for the next time!!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great show- 2 hours of great musical nostalgia

    by Happy retiree on 3/26/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic City

    A group that knew their audience and were wonderfully talented. The song selection was excellent and the pacing was just right. The vocalists were all very good. The musicians really contributed to the show. The crowd made the performance even more fun

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great show!

    by Jenn on 3/26/24Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena - Atlantic City

    We loved the show! So much fun! Great music!! Can’t wait to see them again!!!