LIVE REVIEW: YÄCHTLEY CRËW AT THE METRO, SYDNEY. MAY 17, 2025
by BRIAN GIFFIN
COVER bands don’t usually fall within my wheelhouse when it comes to extended reviews, but it’s hard to ignore an act with a worldwide following despite never having left US shores. LA troupe Yächtley Crëw were in town after rocking the house down at previous Australian ports of call, and here in the Harbour City their “crewpies” were packing out the Metro, dressed in requisite maritime-themed outfits. And while a review of a band doing covers of yacht rock might feel out of place on a site called Hot Metal, hear me out – these guys are gun musicians presenting a fun-filled show, and don’t we all want that?
The fans weren’t kept waiting long; the bar was still 20 deep when Yächtley Crëw burst onto the stage with Christopher Cross’ genre-defining megahit “Ride Like the Wind” and for the next two hours the Metro rocked like it was 1979 (or so) as the nautically clad combo put on a high-energy set of pure escapism.
As they often admit, Yächtley play pretty loose and fast with whatever the rules of yacht rock are. “Whatever fits the vibe,” Philly Ocean says in interviews, and that’s why we get a romping version of Elton’s “I’m Still Standing” late in the night and an emphatic run at “How Deep is Your Love?” Ocean is no Barry Gibb – but who is? – yet he gives it a red-hot go and everyone’s having so much fun it doesn’t really matter. Fun, of course, is the entire reason this band exists, and it’s clear that everyone in the room is having a whale of a time. Singalongs like “Break My Stride” and Pilot’s “Magic” get the crowd into the mood before the assertive piano and surging guitar of “Hold The Line” send them into a frenzy of voices and air-punching. “Reelin’ in the Years” is off the chart and the audience goes off the hook, the band pulling off their synchronised moves with maintaining note perfection.
Following a brief freakout on the keytar from Matthew McDonald, the show hits a peak with a version of “Baker Street” for the ages, Pauly Shores popping up at various locations throughout the room playing THAT sax break. After he returns to the stage and Danny Buoy drops one of rock’s most iconic solos on the room, the band playfully beat the crap out of their sax player while he continues to nail every note. Earlier, Buoy had taken centrestage for a cracking version of “Rosanna” that almost upstaged the Steve Lukather Ba – er, Toto’s – own version from a few weeks back. “Don’t Bring Me Down” with vocals from drummer Sailor Hawkins was also a highlight, but to be fair, it was difficult to find something that wasn’t. Even after almost two hours, no one was ready to go home and the encore – “Lido Shuffle”, all-time yacht rock champion “Africa” and Lionel Richie’s ultra-smooth “All Night Long” were just as energetically delivered and received by band and crowd alike.
For a night of pure musical entertainment, one needed to look no further – no pretences or politics, just a consummate band pulling off a fantastic night. They promise to be back, and there’ll be no shortage of crewpies when they return.
PIX: Courtney Giffin
