Back in the 2010s, many locals might have thought The Revivalists were a Pensacola band.
After all, throughout that decade, the genre-bending rock band that mixes elements of folk, funk, soul and jam aesthetics, seemed to be as homegrown as a Blue Dot burger, even though the group formed and is based in New Orleans.
Even a year earlier, 2009, The Revivalists had Pensacola funsters dancing in their flip-flops during a three-night gig at the Paradise Bar & Grill on Pensacola Beach. In 2011, there was another three-night performance at another beach club, Bamboo Willies, just a year after the band performed at DeLuna Fest, a now-gone Pensacola Beach music festival.
The Revivalists even performed at Pensacola’s Veteran Memorial Park for the Marine Aviation Memorial Concert in 2012. In 2011, the Pensacola Fans of The Revivalists Facebook page was created, which currently has more than 300 members.
The band played other beach spots, including The Break, and soon was playing shows at Vinyl Music Hall up until September 2015, the band’s last Pensacola appearance, which was sold out. Just months earlier Rolling Stone magazine named The Revivalists as one of “Ten Bands You Need to Know,” and in September 2016, a year after the final Pensacola concert, The Revivalists reached No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Chart with the hit “Wish I Knew You.” The song would reach No 1 on the Alternative Songs chart in May 2017.
But by then, they were gone—at least from Pensacola. The band’s success continued to grow and tours of the southeast and Gulf Coast had turned into national tours, then world tours, even opening for the Rolling Stones.
After a decade’s absence, The Revivalists return to Pensacola on Nov. 22 to perform at the Hunter Amphitheater at the Community Maritime Park.
The concert is presented by The Handlebar. The performance will be in support of The Revivalists upcoming album, “Get It Honest,” which is due for release on July 24, 2026.
“This is a band that kind of grew up playing out at the beach, probably playing for beer and to get their name out there,” said Robert Goodspeed, who books talent for The Handlebar. “Then they moved to Vinyl and did some sellout shows there, and eventually there really wasn’t a room big enough for them here, so many years have passed since the last time they played in town.”
Tickets for the show are now on sale at eventim.com and are $55 for general admission and $95 for VIP tickets, which includes a private viewing area, a private bar and bathroom and other perks.
Fans are ready.
“I remember The Revivalists playing local gigs and pool parties before their stardom,” said fan Mike Urbaniak. “From there, their music kept getting better and more energetic. There are many fans in our local area that remember those early days and will be attending.”
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: New Orlean’s The Revivalists return to Pensacola after decade absence
Reporting by Troy Moon, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
