Yesterday we took to the skies, today we hit the high seas with another interesting mode of bridging the Music-Fan Connection, which is my theme for this year’s A to Z Challenge.
There’s a new fleet in town. Bands are taking over boats. Music is hitting more than just the airwaves these days – it’s hitting the sea waves, and annual festivals are leaving land behind. Welcome to the new breed of cruises: MUSIC CRUISES. It’s the perfect marriage – take a dedicated fan of a particular band, brand or genre, stick them on a ship with said band, brand, or genre and give them a grand cruising experience. A captive audience! And most likely, repeat-customers.
A typical day in the “office” for my bosses. Photo credit: Joshua Timmermans
moe. on Jam Cruise: A typical day in the “office” for my bosses. Photo credit: Joshua Timmermans
No matter what direction your music compass points, there is a ship waiting to take you there. There’s one for Celtic Thunder, Soul Train, Blues, and Smooth Jazz. For the heavier palettes, there’s 7000 Tons of Metal and Shiprocked.
Going on their twelve year is Jam Cruise, catering to fans of the Jamband scene. The band I work for, moe., had previously hosted two successful cruises of their own aboard the Norwegian Sun and the Norwegian Jewel, before playing this year’s Jam Cruise. Admittedly, a bit of the pressure was off.
“About 95% of all artists want to come back on Jam Cruise year after year. It’s incredible,” reports Annabel Lukins, Director of Artist Relations for Jam Cruise. “When you go to a concert, there’s such a thick line between musician and fan. There’s always a pass one needs to have access. The interaction between the two is rare. On Jam Cruise, everyone has a backstage pass. It’s so laid back. I truly believe that the musicians appreciate the ability to just chill out and not have to be pressured to separate from the fans. The fans RESPECT the artists on Jam Cruise. Yes, they will come say hi, but they don’t hassle them. Musicians are just people who want to hang out like the rest of us! FREEDOM!”
Even birthdays don’t go unnoticed on Jam Cruise: Annabel presents a cake to guitarist Al Schnier
Even birthdays don’t go unnoticed on Jam Cruise: Annabel presents a cake to guitarist Al Schnier
When I asked Annabel what it is about music cruises that keep fans coming back: “Let’s be honest. Jam Cruise is like no other music cruise. The Jamband scene is by far the most community oriented group of music fans…the family vibe that has been created on board is everlasting and I believe is one of the biggest draws. All sets on board are never before and never again seen musical experiences. Artists who have dreamed about playing with one another now get the chance. And the fans go NUTS over it until sunrise! Music lovers have all been to festivals with porta potties, mud, tents, etc…Events like Jam Cruise allow music lovers to have a vacation seeing their favorite bands in LUXURY! And once you get on board, there is NO driving, NO cash, nothing to worry about except having fun.”
Director of Artist Relations Annabel Lukins with Jam Cruiser Jill, on board
Director of Artist Relations Annabel Lukins with Jam Cruiser Jill, on board
Are you more of a one-night-stand type of fan? Then check out Rocks Off Cruises. For thirteen years, this NYC-based promoter has hosted rock shows afloat various vessels, as well as on-the-water tailgate parties to Mets games and concerts at Citi Field.
Rocks Off
Rocks Off Bossman Jake Szufnarowski is like a bad-ass version of Julie McCoy, but that’s not to say he doesn’t run a very tight ship! I recently asked him what was the craziest thing he ever witnessed on board, and here’s what he had to say:
“J Roddy Walston and the Business were playing a couple years ago opening for the Giraffes and the lead singer/piano player was rocking the fuck out and at the very end of the last song he stood up from his piano stool, picked it up and threw it right out an open window and into the east River! At the end of the night when it came time to pay him I counted out $500 and said ‘And now we have to discuss the throwing your stool out the window incident.’ He got visibly nervous and I said ‘If the coast guard had seen a stool go flying out the window and into the river, we would’ve been in deep shit and the captain would have been issued a citation….’ As he got ready for the really bad news, I continued ‘BUT they didn’t see it- – and that was THE most rock n roll thing I have ever seen on this boat. So here’s $50 to buy yourself a new piano stool.’ They have been one of my favorite bands ever since.”
On board Rocks Off Cruise with The New Mastersounds. Photo credit: Deneka Peniston
On board Rocks Off Cruise with The New Mastersounds. Photo credit: Deneka Peniston
When asked if it was a challenge to promote a show on a boat, vs the traditional “land” concert in a venue, Jake reported: “Now that we are going into our 13th year, it’s pretty routine. But it was a big challenge at the beginning to get the boat staff and bartenders used to dealing with a live music kind of crowd. But I knew one thing from the beginning: Bands really only need 2 things to be happy. Excellent sound – both in the house and onstage through the monitors – and plenty of beer. I made sure we were tip-fucking-top in both those departments and now approximately 75% of the bands who play every year are repeat performers.”
I couldn’t resist asking Jake: Has anyone ever fallen overboard?
“One dude jumped off the boat one afternoon on a cruise that was going from Manhattan to World’s Fair Marina in Queens for a Mets vs Phillies game. Of course he was a Phillies fan. He did it on a dare from his friends who bet him he couldn’t swim to the shore. He didn’t take into account the crazy currents of the East River. He had to be rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter. He also didn’t take into account that anyone who jumps off of a boat like that gets arrested…Phillies fans. Sheesh.”
Keeping bands and fans happy, one boatload at a time: Rocks Off’s Jake Szufnarowski and Jessica Topper
Keeping bands and fans happy, one boatload at a time: Rocks Off’s Jake Szufnarowski with yours truly!
A Big thank you to Annabel and Jake for hanging out today!
This is something I think that is so kewl. There have been a couple of Contemporary Christian Music cruises that I wish I could go on for the very reasons you talk about in your post. You just get to see the people in those music groups as people who just happen to sing or play a musical instrument for a living. They all put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us. I think sometimes people forget that they are just people. We like to place everyone up on pedastils forgetting they are human just like us. Someday I hope to get on one of these cruises.
I love music and travel – what a great way to combine the two. Thanks for enlightening me!
Thanks for stopping by, Faye!
Love this! Great post. You’ve got me wanting more and will be looking out for one of these when i work out what my music taste is! Thanks for popping by mine so we could meet! Good luck with rest of AtoZ.
Thanks, Lynne – the music cruise fleet seems to be growing by the year!
I have never been on a cruise but the music cruises sound like a lot of fun. Dropped in from the A-Z Challenge.
Thanks, Lucy! What’s your blog name? I will come hop by!
What a fantastic idea!
Thanks, Angeline! Just writing it made me long for sea air and sunshine!