LIVE: YACHTLEY CREW – Perth, 12 May 2025

Shane | 13 May 2025 | Reply

LIVE: YACHTLEY CREW – Perth, 12 May 2025
The Astor Theatre, Perth, Western Australia
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar

Hot on the heels of the excellent 2024 Yacht Rock documentary film comes the self-proclaimed “world’s #1 Yacht Rock band,” and I’m here to tell you – they’re pretty bloody good!

To set the scene, imagine seven strapping young chaps, all excellent musicians, dressed head to toe in matching nautical white, navy captain caps and blue sailing club blazers.

The lights dim and Starland Vocal Band’s Afternoon Delight plays from backing tape to get the crowd in the mood, but we can’t help but notice that The Astor – our favourite Perth venue – is barely half full.

The crowd that are in are dead keen, though – keen enough for many to be wearing captain hats (many bought from the merch stand – $55 – and a few brought from home), and a few in stripy sailor tops as well. Keen enough to make almost as much noise as a full house, and keen enough to dance, sing and clap non-stop.

When Yachtley Crew kicks off their first ever Aussie show it’s with impressively high energy and a huge sound, not to mention some of the schmoovest yacht rockin’ grooves ever committed to vinyl.

That energy isn’t just for the music – oh no! There’s choreographed boy band moves, comedic set pieces (sax player Pauly Shores soloing from different parts of the venue during Gerry Raffety’s classic Baker Street is a highlight), and a whole lotta fun.

Close your eyes and it’s easy to imagine you’re being entertained by the coolest (and smoothest) wedding band ever, such is their cool and class.

That’s not to say the band are in the slightest bit bland – guitarist Tommy Buoy and sax star Shores smoothly shred their respective instruments and indulge in some great duelling solos, bring more than enough rock cred to the mellow vibes.

Throw in a bangin’ keytar solo, great memorable tracks such as Ride Like The Wind, Dancing In The Moonlight, Maneater, Don’t Bring Me Down, Rosanna and I’m Still Standing before an encore of Africa (surely the quintessential Yacht Rock song), The Lido Shuffle and All Night Long.

All I can say is that the half of the crowd who didn’t buy tickets sure missed one great party, Monday night or not.