The second annual Tybee Post Music Festival is all about ’90s nostalgia with iconic alternative rock bands Spin Doctors and Everclear headlining this year’s gathering. The festival promises to be a community rock event that will not only help raise funds for the Tybee Post Theatre, but ensure they can continue to entertain Tybee Island and the Savanah area for years to come.
“Last year ended really well,” Tybee Post Theater executive director Evan Goetz said of the sold-out inaugural festival, which featured the Indigo Girls. “As a fundraiser, we walked away with exactly what we wanted. It was good to be able to feed that directly into our operations for next year.”
Tybee Post Theater hopes to grow its audience while also focusing on expanding its demographics. The festival lineup features a range of acts that should appeal to all types of music fans, but with a special emphasis on popular alternative rock.
Everclear were founded by frontman and guitarist Art Alexakis in 1992 and were one of the leading bands to emerge from the alternative rock boom of the 90s. They currently have 11 albums, four of which have gone gold and platinum. They have sold 6 million records and had 12 top 40 hit singles, including ‘Father of Mine’, ‘Santa Monica’, ‘I Will Buy You A New Life’, ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Everything to Everyone’.
In 2019, Alexakis was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and has since donated $1 from every ticket sold at his shows to charities such as the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and the National MS Society. Everclear recently celebrated its 30th anniversaryth anniversary and have never shown any signs of slowing down.
The Spin Doctors hail from the same jam band scene as Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic and Phish, but are best known for their 1991 debut album. A pocket full of kryptonite, which featured the infectious hit singles ‘Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong’ and ‘Two Princes’. The Spin Doctors could play as long and as far as their peers, but their skill at creating catchy pop songs helped them reach a much wider market. More than three decades into their career, fans still can’t help but sing along to their catchy pop songs.
“We wanted that rock vibe and something that people know,” Goetz said of this year’s headliners. “It’s a younger demographic — when I say young, I mean 30s, 40s, 50s. Our house shows are usually over 55, except for a few things. We really take this music festival as a gateway to theatre. How do we attract a younger demographic and get them to buy into what we’re doing as an organization and trust that we’re going to deliver amazing entertainment and quality performances? We hope to retain these types of customers.”
The Tybee Post Music Fest lineup
The Tybee Post Music Festival begins at 11 a.m. outside the Tybee Hotel. The day-long festival is packed with some entertaining national and local acts.
Keller Williams is a one-man band creating a unique hybrid of alternative folk and groovy electronica using only an acoustic guitar and a loop pedal. Williams calls his sound “acoustic dance music,” or ADM.
The Nth Power are a funky and soulful trio that mixes originals and covers of artists such as Marvin Gaye and Earth, Wind & Fire.
The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra is Savannah’s in-demand big band, creating the classy vibes of Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack.
The Intracoastal Playboys are a classic country cover band made up of local bar and restaurant owners. Their authentic sound and look will make you feel like you’re dancing at a dive bar (even while on the beach at Tybee Island).
Lyn Avenue is a popular Savannah Country/Americana duo that tells captivating stories with Southern charm.
Ricardo Ochoa’s Acoustic Office is an eclectic instrumental ensemble featuring violin, drums, keys and bass. Acoustic Office has some of the most experienced and accomplished virtuosos in Savannah, so they are always a must see.
The Eric Jones Trio is an important part of the Savannah jazz scene. Jones is a member of the Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame and a regular performer at the Savannah Jazz Festival.
Justin Vreeland is a young blues and rock upstart who is quickly making a name for himself on Tybee Island and around Savannah.
And surf rockers The Aloha Joes have just been added to the lineup, marking their return to the Tybee Post Music Fest.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a good seat. The festival lasts all day, so be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen. Beach chair rentals are available for $20 if you don’t bring your own.
VIP tickets include access to free seats near the stage, VIP marquee and bar, VIP hotel lounge and beach chair rental included.
Food trucks from Five Spot, Bayou Cafe and La Chalupa will be on site to keep everyone well fed throughout the day. There will also be plenty of band merchandise and other cool stuff to purchase from a range of vendors.
“We have six or so vendors that fit the style of the festival, so they’re a little punk rock, a little alt, a little grunge,” Goetz said. “It’s eclectic stuff that will really appeal to the type of music we make.”
Tickets are still available at tybeeposttheater.org and can also be purchased the day of the event.
Goetz emphasizes that the Tybee Post Theater is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so any support from the community is essential to their continued success as a performing arts and cultural center.
“We rely on donations and ticket sales to literally keep our lights on, so in order to operate we need funds and people to support what we do as an organization,” Goetz said.
There’s no easier way to help them than to spend a sunny Saturday at the beach with friends and family listening to great live music.
If you go >>
What: Tybee Post Music Festival 2023
When: 11 a.m. Nov. 4
Where: Tybee Hotel, 1401 Strand Ave.
Price: $150 General Admission, $225 VIP Experience
Information: tybeeposttheater.org