'90s Beach Party: Tybee Post Music Festival 2023 brings Everclear and Spin Doctors to Hotel Tybee
The 2nd annual Tybee Post Music Festival is leaning into '90s nostalgia with iconic alternative rock bands Spin Doctors and Everclear headlining this year’s gathering. The festival promises to be a rockin’ community event that will not only help raise funds for Tybee Post Theater, but ensure that they can continue to entertain Tybee Island and the Savanah area in the coming year.
“Last year ended up really well,” said Tybee Post Theater Executive Director Evan Goetz of the sold-out inaugural festival that featured Indigo Girls. “As a fundraiser, we walked away with exactly what we wanted. It was nice to be able to put that directly into our operations for the next year.”
Tybee Post Theater is hoping to grow its audience, with an emphasis on broadening its demographic, as well. The festival line-up features a number of acts that should appeal all kinds of music fans, but with a particular focus on popular alt-rock.
Everclear were founded by frontman and guitarist Art Alexakis in 1992 and are one of the leading bands to emerge from the '90s alternative rock boom. They currently have 11 albums, four of which that have gone gold and platinum. They’ve sold 6 million records, and have 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 since then has donated $1 from each ticket sold at his performances to charities like Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and National MS Society. Everclear recently celebrated their 30th anniversary and have never shown signs of slowing down.
Spin Doctors sprung out of the same jam band scene as Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, and Phish, but are best known for the 1991 debut album, Pocket Full of Kryptonite, which featured infectious hit singles “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” and “Two Princes.” Spin Doctors could jam for as long and as far out as their peers, but their skills at crafting catchy pop songs helped launch them into a much wider market. Over three decades into their career, fans still can’t help but sing along to their groovy, jammy pop songs.
“We wanted that vibe of rock, and something that people were familiar with,” Goetz said of this year’s headliners. “This is a younger demographic—when I say young I mean 30s, 40s, 50s. Typically our shows in-house are 55-plus, with the exception of certain things. We’re really treating this music festival as a door to the theater. How do we get a younger demographic, and get them on board with what we do as an organization, and trust that we are going to provide amazing entertainment and good quality acts? Hopefully we’ll retain those types of customers.”
The Tybee Post Music Fest lineup
Tybee Post Music Festival kicks off at 11 a.m. in front of Hotel Tybee. The all-day festival is full of several entertaining national and local acts.
Keller Williams is a one-man band, creating a unique hybrid of alternative folk and groovy electronica using nothing but 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 mix originals and covers by artists like Marvin Gaye and Earth, Wind & Fire.
The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra are Savannah’s in-demand big band that conjure the classy vibes of Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack.
Intracoastal Playboys are a classic country cover band comprised of local bar and restaurant owners. Their authentic sound and look will make you feel like you’re dancing in a dive bar (even while you’re on the Tybee Island beach.)
Lyn Avenue are a popular Savannah Country/Americana duo that tell compelling stories with Southern charm.
Ricardo Ochoa’s Acoustic Office are an eclectic instrumental ensemble featuring violin, drums, keys, and standup bass. Acoustic Office boasts some of the most experienced and accomplished virtuosos in Savannah, so they are always a must see.
Eric Jones Trio is an important fixture of the Savannah jazz scene. Jones is a Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame inductee and a regular performer at the Savannah Jazz Festival.
Justin Vreeland is a young blues and rock upstart who has been quickly making a name for himself on Tybee Island and around Savannah.
And surf rockers The Aloha Joes have just been added to the line-up marking their return to Tybee Post Music Fest.
Attendees are encouraged to show up on time to get a good spot. The festival is going on all day so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen. Beach chair rentals are available for $20 if you don’t bring your own.
VIP tickets include access to complimentary seating close to the stage, a VIP tent and bar, a VIP lounge in the hotel, and an included beach chair rental.
Food trucks from Five Spot, Bayou Cafe, and La Chalupa will be on site to keep everybody well fed throughout the day. There will also be plenty of band merchandise and other cool stuff to purchase from a vendor row.
“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,” said Goetz. “It’s eclectic stuff that will really appeal to the type of music we’re doing.”
Tickets are still available at tybeeposttheater.org, and can be purchased the day of the event, as well.
Goetz stresses that Tybee Post Theater is a non-profit 501(c)3 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 for us to operate we need funds and people to support what we do as an organization,” said Goetz.
There is no easier way to help them out than by spending 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: Hotel Tybee, 1401 Strand Ave.
Cost: $150 General Admission, $225 VIP Experience
Info: tybeeposttheater.org
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Everclear Spin Doctors headline Tybee Post Music Fest 2023
