Calling all ROCK FANS!
I know you guys in most parts of the US are feeling the need for a wild night out, and I have the perfect solution! Deraps is hitting the road for their first-ever US tour, set to shake you out of the “summertime blues.” Their highly anticipated show just lit up NYC on February 6th, 2026. The dynamic frontman, Jacob Deraps, led the charge with his bandmates for an intimate gathering at the iconic Iridium, the house that Les Paul built. It was a night to remember, with Jacob’s enthusiastic followers welcoming Deraps’ debut in the Big Apple.
Manhattan is home to a notable remnant of New York’s live-music past: The Iridium’s compact, relaxed atmosphere, reminiscent of a jazz club, evokes intimacy and warmth. No bigger than a basement apartment on 66th street, the venue fosters both nostalgia and anticipation, reflecting its history as a stage for legendary performances. Photographs of Billy Gibbons, Les Paul, and Steve Vai in action energize the dimly lit space, directly connecting the audience to a legacy of musical excellence as attendees settle amid signed guitars from Buddy Guy and Zakk Wylde, the collective anticipation grows for Deraps to make their debut on this respected stage. With the approach of showtime and refreshments at hand, the atmosphere is charged with expectation for Deraps’ performance at 8:30.
Rising from a strong digital following and the fully independent spirit of this DIY tour, Deraps began their set by synchronizing closely as a trio—Jacob Deraps leading with guitar and vocals, Antony Linteau anchoring on bass, and Nicolas Marcotte on drums and backing vocals. Together, they constructed a tightly woven, nearly two-hour performance that opened with the Van Halen-inspired Viva Rock N’ Roll. In their debut New York appearance, the band’s musical approach became immediately clear: they combined the raw, energetic stylings of 1970s classic rock with a forward-looking, revitalized stage presence. Their method focuses on tight interplay and dynamic pacing, as evidenced by their choice to alternate between original compositions and carefully selected tributes to rock icons. By performing nine consecutive bangers from both their 2022 debut album and 2025’s Viva Rock N’ Roll, Deraps cultivated a sense of momentum that underscored their live agenda. Rather than relying on complex musical theory, they emphasized excitement, spontaneity, and engagement, particularly in numbers like Animals Eyes and Live Fast, Die Slow. Throughout, Deraps maintained a commitment to authenticity, showcasing their musicianship and resisting the artificial enhancements that sometimes define contemporary performances. In 2026, as AI technology can make aging artists sound artificially youthful, Deraps distinguish themselves by delivering a performance grounded in genuine, unprocessed musical expression.
The main man, with bands such as AC/DC and Van Halen coursing through his veins, Jacob Deraps, is still working his presence through YouTube demonstrations of music gear like Marshall amps and Van Halen-related guitars and Instagram reels @derapsofficial showing off highlights of various Deraps songs and iconic moments by Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen. Jacob is earning his long-sought spot in the chronicles of rock in a live setting. Running on little to no sleep, supported by his fans, some of his friends, and family grooving along in the crowd, and caffeinated on music, Jacob presented himself as an utmost professional for the New York crowd. Notably, this professionalism is matched by his versatility and technical command on stage, elevating the audience’s experience beyond mere performance. Jacob’s talents showcase his ability to give his Charvel Super-Stock So-Cal the voice to emote through some sweet guitar antics to dazzle onlookers while summoning the vocal power of Axl Rose, and he can replicate Diamond David Lee Roth’s signature croon via Sex, Drugs, & Rock N’ Roll. These skills reflect both his reverence for rock traditions and his capacity to adapt to diverse musical influences in a live context. Jacob’s stage banter was humble. The Quebec-born Canadian made it clear throughout the show how glad Deraps is to be playing in the States for the first time, and he tells the audience more than once how much he appreciates them.
There is surely praise to bestow upon Jacob’s secured rhythm section. Typically, Australian drummer Josh Gallagher occupies the drums for Deraps, but he was unable to participate in this US tour due to visa difficulties related to his residence in Australia. As a result, Nicolas Marcotte, a devoted fan of the band, stepped in as the touring drummer for these performances. Nicolas propelled the thunderous moments alongside Antony Linteau, who kept it locked on the bass, assisting in consecrating all the core impulsiveness on My Side of Town and Last Fall. Together, they vastly broadened the scope of the mid-tempo tracks in Solitaire and Setting Sun. It’s that snug-mindedness, without losing touch, whether the plan is to go out guns blazing or to chill out, that very much gives Deraps such an alluring appeal to see in concert. Before honoring the legacy of some past rock icons, Deraps sparked the squad of the Iridium with the swaggering, Gun n‘ Roses-sounding Born to Die.
By this point, it was clear that Deraps openly celebrated their musical influences throughout the performance. After warming up with their initial set, the group quickly transitioned to a collection of covers that brought the tropical atmosphere of Pasadena, California, to New York. Jacob prepared this second set with attention, equipping himself with an EVH Bumblebee guitar. The band bridged eras as they had 1978 meeting 2026, launching into Eddie Van Halen’s iconic instrumental, Eruption. This was followed by a creative and experimental rendition of the Kinks’ You Really Got Me, which allowed the trio to showcase their instrumental synergy and maintain the audience’s engagement. The Van Halen influence remained prominent as the group performed four more songs from the legendary 1978 debut album, including favorites like Ain‘t Talkin’ Bout Love and I’m the One. The set continued with John Brim’s Ice Cream Man and Hot for Teacher, further amplifying their Van Halen tribute. As the cold winter night persisted, Jacob switched from the Bumblebee to his Charvel guitar for the remaining Van Halen tracks.
The early Van Halen highlights were appreciated by those who know their history, and then witnessing Deraps offer an explosive take on Stevie Wonder’s Superstition, with another songfest featuring all three members having fun while in the groove. The jam worked better the second time around, providing the influence of classic soul is just as much a part of the Deraps blueprint as touring the music vault of early Van Halen. Bridging a variety of musical influences, Deraps embodies the manifestation of ‘soul meets shred’ in their sonic DNA, which enhances their ability to make these seemingly disparate genres feel harmonious. Deraps plucked out two other strands in its creative DNA as well. Crazy Train, a number that any casual music fan should immediately recognize, is a song that I, and maybe you, don‘t need to hear again for as long as we live. Still, I understand why it was picked, since the New York presentation took place at the very start of the tour, and Randy Rhoads is a student of Les Paul. Ah, but there was one more great jam session to be had. Given the number of big names and marquee international guitar heroes being celebrated—Eddie Van Halen, obviously, but also Randy Rhoads and finally Mark Knopfler, of Dire Straits—chances were probably higher than usual that Deraps got at least five people ready, with a smile, to brave the frosty trip back home happy with Sultans of Swing, their take on the Alchemy Live version.
Naturally, Deraps relied on what they’re used to, but Jacob gave his fellow members room to feel out a new setlist. They’re still tuning up the arrangements, to be honest. It’s like most tours: when you start, you quickly realize a band will get better as it progresses. As we know it now, all live, with no backing tracks whatsoever. And everyone seemed so open and receptive to each other’s styles that the performance felt more like a collaboration between the band and the crowd. From the fearless first set of originals to the cover songs of set two, Deraps brought the duality to life—no fakery, just the hair-raising, guitar-driven sounds of Jacobs’s melodies amped up by the duo of Antony and Nicolas, leaving a very positive impression on the hallowed space of the Iridium and New York itself. Looking beyond this singular event, Deraps exemplifies a broader resurgence in authentic, live rock performance that resists the prevailing trend of artificial enhancement in contemporary music. Their commitment to musicianship and connection with the audience positions them as a shining example of how new rock bands can succeed in an evolving industry. As this initial tour of America demonstrates, the band’s honesty and passion not only set them apart in the current landscape but also signal the potential for continued growth and influence.
In a live music scene adapting to technological shifts and changing audience expectations, bands like Deraps offer a reminder of the enduring value of a real performance. Thus, their emergence arrives at an opportune moment, providing both a respite from the ordinary and a glimpse into the future of concert culture. For those seeking renewal in live music, Deraps stands as both an escape and an inspiration. If seeing them is as exciting as this concert report suggests, it is strongly recommended to step away from doomscrolling, explore their upcoming tour dates at this location with more to be announced, and experience first-hand the revitalizing energy of your new favorite band!
