Congleton Unplugged Festival 2013 - 1/2/3rd March 2013
Sweet Winn Dixie

By Friday, I had beaten my inner-teenager to a bloody pulp and no longer felt the need to squeal, well, not so often, at any rate. At the appointed hour, I wandered along to The Young Pretender to await Sweet Winn Dixie's last performance - for a while, that is.
I make no secret that I like this lot (although they do look terribly young to me) and I had them on my radio show earlier in the week. I would like to say why I like them but, I'm not really sure.
I won't embarrass myself by trying to bluff my way through something I know nothing about. I just enjoy their music. It's catchy (in a weird way). It's fun. It's well played. The songs are very creative and well-written. They're nice lads and very talented. Most of all, I find myself singing one of their songs quite a lot. I've noticed that this happens when I find a band or, a musician, for the first time. When I like what I hear, one song in particular sticks in my mind. When that happens, I take notice. I guess that's why I have such a weird music collection. Still, I'm not wrong...
I make no secret that I like this lot (although they do look terribly young to me) and I had them on my radio show earlier in the week. I would like to say why I like them but, I'm not really sure.
I won't embarrass myself by trying to bluff my way through something I know nothing about. I just enjoy their music. It's catchy (in a weird way). It's fun. It's well played. The songs are very creative and well-written. They're nice lads and very talented. Most of all, I find myself singing one of their songs quite a lot. I've noticed that this happens when I find a band or, a musician, for the first time. When I like what I hear, one song in particular sticks in my mind. When that happens, I take notice. I guess that's why I have such a weird music collection. Still, I'm not wrong...

I have seen SWD live, before, with Fire Beneath The Sea, back in December, at The Post Apocalypse Party in The Pavillion. I enjoyed them. I liked their quirky music and their distinct style. Then, I had focussed on what was right in front of my eyes. I saw Ollie, the front-man, and paid relatively little attention the the others. This time around, I realised how much more of a band they were. Whilst there is no denying Ollie Winnington's talent and versatility, guitarist, Kieran Wesley does a damn fine job and the 'beat box' / scratching thing he does with Ollie is, really, quite impressive. On acoustic bass, Luke Parker, does a nice job of keeping all the histrionics in check and keeping the other two reprobates in order. At this performance, we were even treated to an impromptu performance, on the drum kit, by none other than Mr. Richard Wilson, drummer with The Robin Pierce Band.
I suppose the thing I like most about Sweet Winn Dixie is that they look like they are having fun and it sounds like it. Their musical style is hard to describe. It is some kind of acousticyfunkyreggaeindierock. You know, for young people. The songs, although penned by ones of such tender years, are very well-written and, Dear England, even has a line it it that I wish I'd thought of. (I'm not going to say which one, No.)
I suppose the thing I like most about Sweet Winn Dixie is that they look like they are having fun and it sounds like it. Their musical style is hard to describe. It is some kind of acousticyfunkyreggaeindierock. You know, for young people. The songs, although penned by ones of such tender years, are very well-written and, Dear England, even has a line it it that I wish I'd thought of. (I'm not going to say which one, No.)
I'm not making a good job of describing why you should go and see Sweet Winn Dixie here. Am I? No. I thought not.
OK. Here we go: If the thought of seeing someone do a brilliant version of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme doesn't ring your bell, you wouldn't like it, any way. But if, like me, you think: Yeah, I like that! You'll enjoy these lads. Mark L. Potts The God of Thunder 4th March 2013 |
|