By Dale King
If you’re having a “Hard Day’s Night” and need some “Help” in a big way, you’ll likely find the solution at the annual International Beatles on The Beach Classic Rock Festival, a five-day, city-wide event that returns to downtown Delray Beach from Jan. 24 through Jan. 28.
A multitude of Beatles-inspired rock and roll bands will come together to celebrate the famed foursome, and also commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Liverpool rockers’ 1964 chart-busting arrival in the United States. Festival visitors can see and hear Beatles tribute bands and classic rock legends honoring the icons of rock and roll in what has always been a sell-out event, “attracting 10,000 people each year,” said festival producer Daniel Hartwell.
“Join us for a line-up of world-class music and fab fun at multiple venues in beautiful Delray Beach for a city-wide experience,” said Hartwell, whose legacy, to date, includes successful concerts, festivals and philanthropic networking events that engage audiences, performers, local merchants and the community.
A major fan of the Fab Four, he organized the first local Beatles Festival in 2019 after writing a novel about John Lennon.
“Tons of Beatlesque bands and performers, along with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame superstars Cheap Trick, are expected to draw thousands to the main stage under the stars at the Amphitheatre at Old School Square,” he said. It’s part of an effort, he said, to promote the “beautiful” city of Delray Beach by “introducing it to new people.”
Cheap Trick is one of the two headline bands at the festival, performing at 8 p.m. Jan. 26 on the amphitheater stage. The other, The Fab Faux, will appear Jan. 27 in the same venue. A multitude of bands will rock the amphitheater stage before the main show each night.
Hartwell noted that the musical group The Weeklings has just been added to open for Cheap Trick. That ensemble features former members of Styx, Dave Mason, the original Beatlemania on Broadway, Jon Bon Jovi & The Kings of Suburbia and Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes as well as Max Weinberg’s Jukebox.
Other featured performers this year include:
o Gregg Bissonette (Drummer from Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band)
o KISS Alive (KISS Tribute)
o Living on a Bad Name (Bon Jovi Tribute)
o She’s Leaving Home (The Beatles tribute from Finland)
o Beatology (The Beatles Tribute from USA)
o Ticket to Ride Beatles tunes and stories by Mike Kozak
o Paul Davie
o Forever Eric (Eric Clapton Tribute)
o Miss Dympsey’s Class
o Melody Road – at Deck-84
o Jerry Leemon – at Colony Hotel
o Tony Oldland hosts Beatles Jam Sessions throughout the week
Find the complete schedule online at: https://beatlesonthebeach.com/lineup-2024/
The festival – particularly the Cheap Trick gig — is already on Mayor Shelly Petrolia’s calendar. “We are thrilled to welcome the iconic band, Cheap Trick, to this year’s Beatles on The Beach event in Delray Beach. Their timeless music and energetic performances are sure to create unforgettable memories for our community.”
“This event,” she added, “is a fantastic opportunity to bring people together and celebrate the power of music. We look forward to a night filled with great music, camaraderie and the spirit of Delray Beach.”
A few special side happenings scheduled during the festivities include:
BeatleCon: “A major event where we urge you to dress in costume as your favorite Beatle, rockstar, superhero, Harry Potter character, Blue Meanie, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars or favorite 60s or 70s hippie.” Prizes will be awarded.
Celebrity Symposium, with special guests offering wild Beatles stories.
Beatles Art Exhibition. “The Art of Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon & George Harrison,” brought to the festival by art lover Neal Glaser, is devoted to presenting the finest artwork by members of The Beatles.
Also on tap: A Beatles Bar Crawl, Magical Mystery Mini-Golf, Beatles Yoga, Beatles Art Show and an Abbey Road Replica and Car Show.
New this year is a display of art by Trevor “Stickman” Stickel, who specializes in music-inspired pop-realism paintings “that capture legendary moments, powerful ideas and raw emotion,” said Hartwell.
As part of the multi-day, interactive calendar, the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority will block off 2nd Avenue / Pineapple Grove where bands from around the world will perform in the thriving restaurant/pub circuit, all paying tribute to The Beatles. Local merchants will roll out countless incentives for fans.
Ticket holders will receive discounts and free food and drink from participating restaurants, bars and merchants.
The all-inclusive day or weekend passes start at $39.50 per day. A full multi-day event VIP credential goes for $185.50. Information and tickets are available at beatlesonthebeach.com.