Tribute Bands Take the Summer Stage All Over Westchester

Music is an easy way to connect with people. That may be part of the reason that cover and tribute bands are so successful.

September 6, 2024
4 min read
Back to the Garden frontman Gary Adamson holds a guitar.
Contributed photo

This summer, Westchester residents could hear live music by Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Dave Matthews, and even The Beatles. But that music, of course, wasn’t being performed by those famed artists – it was the work of a slew of tribute and cover bands that have been bringing popular songs to packed crowds at parks, beaches, concert halls, and outdoor venues across the county.  

The enthusiasm for these skilled imitations may be a reaction to the isolation of COVID, but it might be something else entirely — just excited fans enjoying well-performed live music. 

And why not? Tribute bands feature musicians who are very talented in their own right and who make live music accessible, said Björn Olsson, executive director of Tarrytown Music Hall.

“If you want to see the Beatles live, The Fab Faux is the way to do it. You can maybe see Paul McCartney, but it is not the same,” Olsson said. “When the Rolling Stones stop performing, should their music be retired?” 

Rock-and-roll now spans about 75 years, which means there are at least three generations of music that are tribute band material.

Whether you grew up in the ’60s, the ’90s, or in between, you can hear the music of your youth played live on stage. At the outdoor venues, you can pack a picnic and walk or drive a short distance, with kids in tow, at a low cost. It creates the ideal summer night.  

Rocket Man tribute act show performing on piano
The Rocket Man Show paying tribute to Elton John.
Contributed photo

Rye resident Hank Forsyth, co-founder and CEO of Litmus Music, said, “Live music is one of the rare instances where you get people together and they agree on something. Music is unifying. Covering songs has always been part of the fabric of music, and is often done as a sign of respect for another’s work.”  

Music is an easy way to find common ground and connect with people.

That may be part of the reason that cover and tribute bands are so successful. Fans already love the music, and it is more powerful to experience it live with an audience. 

“Tribute bands give us a chance to see acts live that we couldn’t see otherwise,” said Olsson. “They don’t have to be an exact replica. Music is a two-way communication.

“It is an interaction between the performer and the audience. You talk to the artist, give them feedback. You don’t get that with filmed concerts, live streams, or recordings.” 

Tribute bands are increasingly popular throughout Westchester because the core audience and the venues are well-suited to them. The acts are affordable and draw casual crowds across a wide age span.

Communities can often offer that entertainment for free, and dancing outdoors and knowing the words to the songs brings a unique kind of joy.  

The dancing crowd at Rye Town Park on Aug. 6 exemplified that as Back to the Garden, Rye resident Gary Adamson’s Woodstock Musical Festival tribute band, rocked the crowd with hits like “I Want to Take You Higher” by Sly and the Family Stone and “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin. 

Members of the Fab Faux cover band
The Fab Faux cover band performs.
Contributed photo

Many of Westchester’s year-round concert venues are too small for the most popular contemporary acts, and they strive to deliver the kind of music their audiences want to hear.

The Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck, with 267 seats, and Tarrytown Music Hall, with 843 seats, are both non-profit organizations. They contract acts that fit their budget, fill the seats, and serve their mission.  

“Our job is to offer as much as possible to the community through live entertainment and education,” said Olsson of Tarrytown.  

The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester has about 1,800 seats and a general admission space that can accommodate larger audiences. This fall the theater will host Sting, The Doobie Brothers, Bachman-Turner Overdrive and other popular performers.

But also on the schedule are Australian Pink Floyd, a cover band, The Rocket Man Show (which pays tribute to Elton John), an ABBA tribute band, and Jessie’s Girl, an 80’s tribute band that often plays sold-out shows.  

While the growing prevalence of cover bands excites crowds, there are drawbacks, said Rye singer-songwriter and Urban Coyotes frontman Paul Jensen, who often gets crowds cheering when he plays some of the 100 cover songs he has ready to go.  

“There seems to be a generational change, with fewer people today seeking new music in the smaller venues,” he said. “Most people go to relive the music they enjoyed when they were younger, and they love it because they know the songs. Fortunately, there is a small group who wants to go hear new music, and some are musicians themselves.”  

Pink Floyd cover band
The Australian Pink Floyd tribute band.
Contributed photo

As a result, venues are not providing as many opportunities for new music, especially in Westchester.

In New York City, iconic music spots including The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, and Arlene’s Grocery are dedicated to showcasing emerging artists. 

But with a growing catalog of material, tribute acts are here to stay.

Parks and outdoor venues wrap up their seasons in September, just as theaters are releasing their fall and winter lineups.  

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