Article by Ally Bliss
Photography from Cole Cannon
As the lights dimmed at the sold-out Georgia Theater on March 5, the crowd was packed shoulder to shoulder and buzzed with youthful excitement. The moment Winyah ran onstage waving and yelling at the audience, the energy in the room instantly shifted. The emerging indie rock band from South Carolina kicked off the first night of their “There’s No Place Winyah Would Rather Be” tour with an energetic set. Winyah brought a lively energy, creating a lighthearted atmosphere for the night. The band’s following is primarily college students, and this was immediately evident when I entered the venue.
Doors opened at 7:00, and when I walked in at 7:45 the theater was crowded to the back of the room and the balcony was filling quickly. Athens-based band The Ocho opened, beginning their set around 8:00 and played for nearly an hour. The Ocho has a beachy, indie rock sound similar to Winyah. The rhythm guitarist was uplifting, interactive with the audience, and played some sick guitar, including his own solo moments. The lead singer stood front and center with a keyboard and showed off his raspy, melodic vocals in each song. Highlights of The Ocho’s set included a mid-song switchup in “Spring Without A Lover” which strayed from their recorded version, a Widespread Panic cover, and an unreleased track from their highly anticipated debut album. Their entrance onstage was quick and their stage presence was blasé – an odd contrast for an opening act tasked to warm up the crowd. By the end of their set the crowd was more engaged by the music, and when Winyah took the stage there was an even greater shift in excitement.
Around 9:15 Winyah walked on stage to “Bodysnatchers” by Radiohead, waving and jumping. In the time before they came onstage and during the opening set, the crowd was slightly stoic, nodding their heads and swaying. Winyah interacted with fans throughout the set. They talked between songs and gave intel into their songs’ meanings and backstories. Watching the interaction between band members was exciting; they jumped between microphones, traded guitar riffs, and turned the crowd into a room full of dancing fans. The bassist was especially fun to watch, and I loved his groove and organic spirit. When a fan held up their phone requesting the acoustic, alt-version of “Jaded,” which the band had never played live, Winyah spotted and played it. The moment felt spontaneous and personal, the kind of interaction with the audience that makes these shows memorable.
Winyah’s sound is catchy and bubbly with a rock edge, oftentimes hitting a crescendo before a strong chorus. I was impressed by the keyboard solo in “Nothin’ At All.” They also played the newest song they wrote, and a couple of covers which got fans excited. Following their exit from stage, the audience did not hesitate to start a, “one more song” chant. Winyah came back out for an electric encore and covered Jack Johnson’s “Good People.”
For a band with only one album, one EP, and several singles released, Winyah already performs with the confidence of a seasoned band. If this show was any indication for their shows to come, I can see success and an increasing following for the band. Their electric energy, catchy and upbeat sounds, and passion for the music is strong and made the show an overall memorable experience.
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