By Lily Rutherford
Dawes and Winnetka Bowling League graced Knoxville with their performances at the Mill & Mine on November 7, 2024.
Sam Beresford and Matthew Koma, members of Winnetka Bowling League, shared some words before the show.
“My name’s Matt and I sing and play guitar in this godforsaken band, Winnetka Bowling League,” followed by, “I’m Sam, and I play keys in the band he mentioned.” They elaborated on the hint of self depreciation in their word choice. “You can’t take anything too seriously,” said Sam.
This same sense of comedy and unseriousness continued to uphold the interview.
Winnetka Bowling League released their first album, “Sha La La,” this past May, and has since been touring across the U.S. Crazy enough, their tour with Dawes started the same night as their show in Knoxville.
“I just have so little concept anymore for how other people’s tastes work,” Sam said.
I wanted to know more about how touring across the country has impacted the musicians. Matt offered his insight.
“I think you’re a product of what you eat..especially playing live shows – definitely informs when you go back to the studio…you want to channel that thing that felt really good there [playing live]. I feel like it’s more the people in the cities than places a lot of the time.”
After discussing how touring has impacted their process as musicians, Matt and Sam shared how much fun they’d had the night before scootering around Knoxville – an experience many students at UT are familiar with.
Closing out the interview, I inquired about advice for any college students looking to go into the music industry, a path many working at 90.3 The Rock are also passionate about.
“If you can’t think of absolutely anything else that interests you, then definitely walk forward in it. I think you really just got to be in love with it and figure out ways to stay in love with it,” Matt offered.
Between Knoxville’s music scene and the countless music lovers throughout the city, it’s safe to say there is plenty of love for it here.
Regardless of Winnetka’s own perception of themselves being “godforsaken,” or their experience playing for the people and not the place on tour, they were undoubtedly a success in Knoxville.
Following the interview, we got to sit back and enjoy the show.
Winnetka Bowling League sent a buzz through the crowd opening with “Sha La La” off their newest album by the same name. The hit from their discography, “On The 5,” followed and gave a nod to their Californian roots. Vibrations from the drums thrummed across the floor, and neon red stage lights electrified their set.
The band played other especially notable songs, including their hit “CVS” while winding down their set.
At this point in the night, the floor was finally packed. Applause pushed Winnetka off stage and every person in the Mill & Mine waited in anticipation for Dawes performance. One by one, each band member came on and energy in the room rose.
Dawes started their set with a cold open. “Mister Los Angeles” kicked off the show with vibrant guitar riffs and hearty chords. With comedic and relatable lyrics contrasting the song’s heavier melody, it was a phenomenal start.
The band’s cohesive sound was especially notable. Their sound was put together and strong, and the chemistry between the members showed through their music.
This set was full of amazing songs, but later on in the night, “Time Spent in Los Angeles” stuck out. Almost every concert goer knew the lyrics; the crowd was a choir singing back to the band with every word. Hearing and feeling real connection in music like that was memorable.
Dawes made some comments celebrating the night as the first show of their tour. During “This Is Life”, Winnetka Bowling League and Dawes played together, and the stage was packed with talent.
There was a unique energy in the crowd, and later on in the night I moved to the upstairs viewing area for a different perspective of the show.
Another woman also standing alone upstairs was enjoying the music beside me, and while I can’t speak for all fans of each band, she reminded me why music is so special. We introduced ourselves and talked about why concerts have been such amazing experiences for us; why we each love music despite being up there and listening alone.
Melissa, I hope you’re reading this – I love being reminded of how music connects us.
Anyways, the night was a blur of good music and great vibes. Winnetka Bowling League and Dawes put on amazing performances, and covering the show was an incredible experience.
Both bands will be continuing on tour and we can only hope to get the chance to see them again in the future.