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A Breezy Afternoon Delight with Hamilton Leithauser at Minnesota Yacht Club Festival

By on October 7, 2025

Riverside Rhythms and a Touch of Tribute

It’s mid-afternoon on July 18, 2025, and the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is in full swing along the sun-dappled shores of Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul. The air hums with the distant rumble of the Mississippi and the chatter of festival-goers unpacking chairs and coolers, all eyes turning toward the main stage as Hamilton Leithauser ambles on with his band. There’s something effortlessly cool about him—the tousled hair, the knowing grin—like he’s just stepped out of a smoky lounge to share a few tales with friends. As a fan who’s followed his journey from The Walkmen days, catching him here feels like stumbling upon a secret speakeasy amid the big-tent energy of Hozier headlining later.

File Photo: Hamilton Leithauser and his band performs on Day 1 of the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival, July 18, 2025 (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Leithauser kicks things off with “What Do I Think?,” his raspy baritone slicing through the warm breeze, backed by a tight rhythm section that grooves like a well-worn vinyl. The crowd, a mix of picnickers and indie die-hards, perks up immediately, drawn into his world of wry lyrics and soulful swings. But it’s during “Ocean Roar” that the set takes on a deeper shade. Leithauser pauses to introduce it as a tribute to his late friend Richard Swift, the multi-instrumentalist and producer with whom he shared adventures on the road—smoking cigars in rental cars, dashing through churchyards on Wilshire Boulevard. It’s a breezy vibe, the song’s sax-laced melody floating like summer haze, yet laced with quiet reverence for those fleeting moments they captured together. The audience sways gently, feeling the weight of memory in the melody, a nice pocket of introspection amid the festival’s upbeat pulse.

File Photo: Hamilton Leithauser and his band performs on Day 1 of the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival, July 18, 2025 (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Leithauser’s got a great sense of humor, too, turning song intros into mini stand-up bits that keep everyone chuckling. Take “Happy Lights,” for instance—he quips about the mishap that inspired it, a wild night in DC where things went hilariously sideways, turning dashboard glows into a metaphor for chaotic romance. The band dives in with punchy horns and driving beats, transforming the tale into an energetic romp that has toes tapping and grins widening across the park. Tracks like “Fist of Flowers” and “Knockin’ Heart” follow suit, blending his signature indie soul with doo-wop flair, each one feeling like a chapter from a road-trip novel.

As the set builds through “This Side of the Island” and a heartfelt “A 1000 Times,” Leithauser’s voice—raw, emotive, timeless—holds the afternoon captive. He wraps with “In a Black Out,” leaving the crowd buzzing with that satisfied hum of a performance that lingers. At around 45 minutes, it’s concise but packed, a perfect bridge to the evening’s heavier hitters. Walking away, you can’t help but feel like you’ve just shared a porch swing conversation with a master storyteller—witty, warm, and wonderfully unhurried.

Band History

Hamilton Leithauser, born April 15, 1978, rose to prominence as the lead vocalist of the indie rock band The Walkmen, formed in 2000 in New York City. The group released seven albums, including the critically acclaimed Bows + Arrows (2004) and Heaven (2012), blending post-punk energy with raw emotional delivery. Following the band’s indefinite hiatus in 2013, Leithauser launched his solo career with Black Hours (2014), a collaboration-heavy effort featuring guests like Angel Olsen and Waxahatchee. He followed with I Had a Dream (2019), an album of covers reimagined in his style, and The Loves of Your Life (2022), showcasing his evolving songcraft. His 2025 release, This Side of the Island, marks a return to original material, produced with a focus on live-band vitality and personal reflection.

Current Members

  • Hamilton Leithauser: vocals, guitar

Note: Leithauser performs as a solo artist with a rotating touring band; specific members for the 2025 tour are not detailed in available records.

Verified Setlist

  1. What Do I Think?
  2. Ocean Roar
  3. Fist of Flowers
  4. Happy Lights
  5. Knockin’ Heart
  6. This Side of the Island
  7. A 1000 Times
  8. Alexandra
  9. Sick as a Dog
  10. In a Black Out
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