Winyah? A South Carolina bay or the state’s next breakout indie rock band? Turns out, both.
Winyah brought a packed college crowd to New Brookland Tavern, opening for Stop Light Observations. Their set had the energy of a rowdy fraternity house party but proved they’re ready for a bigger stage. Their sound—built for midnight drives with the windows down or impulsive trips to the coast—had the crowd moving from the jump. The band’s onstage chemistry was electric, with fans locked in on every beat, fully experiencing indie rock at its best.
Between punchy rhythms and melodies that hit somewhere between fun and nostalgic, Winyah’s storytelling sticks. The intimate show brought plenty of laughs, casual merch stand hangs, and even a spaceman on keys. Their debut album, Lot to Learn, drops February 28.
After the set, I caught up with lead singer Thomas Rowland to talk about Winyah’s South Carolina roots:
“Our name is Winyah, so we bring a little bit of home with us wherever we go. But being from South Carolina and getting to come back and play here really means a lot. It’s super special… South Carolina has had a huge influence on us in writing and everything else. South Carolina is everything.”
Keep an eye out for their debut release and future singles. And if you missed this set, you’ve got another shot—Winyah returns to Columbia for St. Pat’s in Five Points on March 15.
