Thatiana Gibbs
Assistant Editor
The Acoustical Mystery Tour, an acoustic and electric tribute band to The Beatles, performed classics on Sept. 20 at Shelton Park in Claremont.
Unlike costumed acts, AMT puts all their focus on the music. Dressed in psychedelic and bright button ups, the group covered hits such as “Here Comes the Sun,” “Something” and “Nowhere Man,” among others.
The band consists of six musicians – Patrick Nais, Hai Muradian, Matt Snyder, Doug Brooks, Dale Brooks and Chris Maury.
Each musician has their own musical backgrounds ranging from performing and recording to touring and teaching. AMT’s musicality consists of guitars, piano, bass, flute, percussion, and vocals.
“I love the Beatles and they sound really good.” Alexa Turner, sophomore at Pitzer College, said.
The venue existed in the heart of Claremont as it neighbored the Claremont Colleges and the city’s downtown Village shopping district. The park’s open layout and scenic backdrop made it an ideal venue for a casual yet engaging evening of music.
The stage sat at the center of the park, drawing people in from all sides. Shelton Park is a space where locals and students alike can gather for events, often stumbling upon live performances while out enjoying the evening.
With an audience of around 45, the atmosphere was lively as people got out of their lawn chairs to dance, clap, and sing-along.
“It’s convenient to have events and a place like this so close to campus,” Anna Wilson, sophomore environmental policy major at Pitzer College, said. “We can kind of walk around and come across stuff like this, so I really like that.”
Thanks to free admission, bystanders would stop by during their evening walks to join in on the concert. The band’s eclectic style paid homage to their predecessors, and provided a nostalgic opportunity to those who listened to The Beatles growing up.
“It’s really nice,” Phil Banks, an audience member said. “Claremont doing the Friday night thing was the greatest thing they’ve ever done. I mean it’s been going on for a long time but it’s so much fun.”
All vocals and music are performed by the band with no backing tracks. In between songs, the singers engaged with the audience and segwayed into the next one intentionally.
“We’re so into it. All of us were raised with The Beatles, we love The Beatles, and so it’s a blast to sing these songs.” Muradian said.
With deep roots in the Los Angeles music scene, AMT’s members have been performing for audiences for decades. AMT got their start in 2011 after an impromptu jam session at a birthday party that consisted of Beatles only music.
The band has performed ever since, securing venues that range from audiences of dozens to thousands. The band’s approach has earned them a wide following, they’ve even played at events like Beatlefest.
Thatiana Gibbs can be reached at thatiana.gibbs@laverne.edu.
Thatiana Gibbs is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print-online journalism. She is a photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. Her enthusiasm lies in research, writing, and effectively delivering captivating information to the public eye. She has previously been an assistant editor and staff writer for the Campus Times, and a staff writer for La Verne Magazine.
