ORANGEVALE — This coming weekend and in the week ahead, The Boardwalk will host three distinct live music events that span smooth yacht rock, road-tested hard rock and modern guitar virtuosity, as Yacht Rockers, Pat Travers Band, and Matteo Mancuso take the Orangevale stage on consecutive nights to close out January.
The lineup reflects the venue’s wide musical reach, pairing nationally recognized performers with respected regional and emerging artists across three nights in an intimate live setting.
Saturday, Jan. 24 — Yacht Rockers deliver smooth classics: The run begins Saturday night withYacht Rockers, a Northern California band known for its polished, high-energy take on the soft rock sound that defined late-1970s and early-1980s FM radio.
Drawing from a catalog made famous by artists such as Michael McDonald, Hall & Oates, Toto and Steely Dan, Yacht Rockers deliver silky harmonies, tight grooves and carefully detailed arrangements that capture the relaxed yet infectious spirit of the yacht rock era. Their performances invite singalongs and dancing while maintaining the musical precision that made the genre endure.
The Jan. 24 show is open to guests 21 and over, with music starting at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 28 — Pat Travers Band headlines with full opening showcase: Midweek, the venue shifts decisively into hard rock territory as Canadian-born guitar legendPat Traversbrings thePat Travers Bandto The Boardwalk for a special Wednesday night performance.
Travers’ career traces back to Toronto, where he picked up the guitar at age 12 after witnessing Jimi Hendrix perform live — a defining moment that set him on a lifelong pursuit of blues-driven rock. After cutting his teeth in Canadian club bands, Travers relocated to London in the mid-1970s, signed with Polydor Records, and released his self-titled debut in 1976.
Relentless touring followed, and by the late 1970s the Pat Travers Band had built a reputation for explosive live performances, sharing stages with acts like Rush. The breakthrough came withLive! Go for What You Know, which cracked the U.S. Top 40 and delivered the enduring anthem “Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights),” a song that remains a staple of classic rock radio, alongside fan favorites such as “Snortin’ Whiskey.”
Travers has continued recording and touring steadily for decades, influencing generations of guitarists and earning praise from artists including Alex Lifeson, Paul Gilbert, Kirk Hammett and Vito Bratta. His current live shows balance classic material with deep cuts, delivered with the same raw intensity that defined his rise.
Wednesday’s concert also features aBattle of the Bands winners showcase, beginning withLo-Fi Lowdown, a Sacramento-based rock and jam-grass fusion band founded in 2021. The six-piece blends bluegrass instrumentation with rock influences ranging from Billy Strings to AC/DC, driven by dobro, guitar, mandolin, banjo, growling vocals and distinctive five-part harmonies. The band has played extensively throughout Sacramento County and is preparing the release of its debut EP.
Also on the bill isSean Ashe, an instrumental guitarist and composer celebrated for his melodic fusion of progressive rock and jazz. Since his 2016 debut albumFlux, Ashe has gained international recognition for his expressive phrasing and technical precision, most recently showcased on his 2024 releaseSpark Under Water. A Tom Anderson Guitarworks artist and educator, Ashe brings a refined, composition-focused approach to the stage.
Thursday, Jan. 29 — Matteo Mancuso closes week with virtuoso showcase: The trio of unique shows continues next Thursday with a performance byMatteo Mancuso, one of the most talked-about modern guitarists of his generation.
Born in 1996, Mancuso was introduced to music early by his father, Vincenzo, and later studied classical guitar at a musical high school. He first gained widespread attention as part of the trio Snips, whose virtuosic version of “The Chicken” amassed millions of views online and introduced audiences to his fluid fingerstyle technique.
In 2019, Mancuso began collaborating with Yamaha Guitars and appeared at major international events including the NAMM Show in Los Angeles and the Young Guitar Festival in Bangkok. His 2023 solo debut album,The Journey, marked a new creative chapter, showcasing a genre-defying style that moves between jazz, rock, fusion and classical influences. He has since toured extensively across Europe and North America, earning praise from guitar greats including Steve Vai, Al di Meola, Joe Bonamassa and Eric Johnson.
Thursday’s show will include asolo special guest performance by Nikita Nakonechnyi, a San Diego-based jazz guitarist originally from Odesa, Ukraine. Formally trained at the R. Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy of Music, Nakonechnyi blends jazz, fusion and melodic storytelling influenced by both Eastern European roots and West Coast jazz traditions. His debut albumStepsand subsequent releases have drawn international attention.
Opening the night isBattle of the Bands winner Ben Sairin, whose standout performance earned him the slot through strong musicianship, compelling original compositions and confident stage presence. A seasoned performer, Sairin has previously shared bills with artists such as Chris Cornell, UFO and Foreigner and brings experience and enthusiasm to the stage.
All three performances take place at The Boardwalk, located at 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale. Long regarded as one of the region’s most iconic live music venues, The Boardwalk is known for pairing nationally recognized artists with respected regional talent in an intimate setting that places audiences close to the music.
Tickets for all shows are available throughwww.rocktheboardwalk.com. All ticket sales are final.
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