Yacht Rock Revue Forever Tour comes to Beaver Creek

What began as a group of musicians doing a one-off show in Atlanta in 2007 has now become the “world’s premier soft-rock party band,” as described by Rolling Stone.

“I would say that Yacht Rock kind of chose us,” said Nick Niespodziani, lead singer, guitarist and co-manager of the 10-piece Yacht Rock Revue, which specializes in 1970’s and ’80’s soft rock hits. “We were not really setting out to create a band or make a living doing this.”

But their one show sold out, leading to another sold-out show. The next thing they knew, they were playing every Thursday night to a packed audience in Atlanta. That led to other offers for other gigs.

“We just kind of followed the head of the snake more than anything; it wasn’t an intentional thing. And honestly, in 2007 when we started, there weren’t really bands like us playing venues on the level that we play now,” he said. “That wasn’t even something you could think was possible, but it’s become possible.”

Now, the nationally touring act often sells out the 120 to 150 shows it does annually, even though other acts also tour, delivering a similar Yacht Rock vibe. But what makes them stand out is the quality of musicianship.

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“Musically, we’re super tight. We’re very serious about the music. We are all serious musicians, and that part is not a joke, which I think is not true with a lot of cover bands,” he said. “Also, because we’ve lived with this music for so long and played so many shows, there’s a natural aspect to what we do, and I think that really connects with the audience in the shows.”

While other bands must play all of their hits every show, Yacht Rock Revue has such a plethora of material to choose from that it always feels fresh.

“That’s the great thing about Yacht Rock, is that it’s not like we have to play the same set list every night. I mean, there are hundreds of incredible yacht rock songs that could be on our set list. We’ve probably played 350, maybe 400 of them,” he said. “Of course, there are songs we’ve got to play every night — ‘Baker Street’ and ‘Africa.’ But then the rest of the set list can kind of flex based on what we’re in the mood for. We just have a lot more flexibility (than original bands).”

While the band sometimes tours under more specific themes than “forever,” the musicians chose that word because great songs are forever.

“They feel just as urgent now if it’s in a viral TikTok video. A lot of kids don’t know that song is from 1977 or 1983. They just know that it’s from that skating video that the guy did or whatever it is. And so I think the idea that this music will live forever is kind of what we are, what we’ve been riding on for the last 20 years,” he said. “This is music that makes you feel good. It’s music that brings back in many people’s minds a simpler time, like that combination of nostalgia, incredibly written and performed songs by the original artists. And I think some of it is what I was speaking about just now with the set list — that there’s an element of surprise to our shows. You’re comfortable, and you know the words to every song, but you’re not sure what song is going to come up next. And (with) that combination, people have a lot of fun.”

The musicians look forward to coming to the Vilar Center, saying that last time, it surprised them.

“Because sometimes a performing arts center vibe can be a little more subdued and chill, but Beaver Creek brought the energy last time, and I expect that again,” he said. “(Audiences) can expect to have a sore voice from singing along and a sore face from smiling a lot. And they can expect a lot of energy to be going back and forth between us and the crowd.”