Upstate Live Music Scene: The Brooks Dixon Band Album Release Party + More Shows To See
Brett Barest Previews This Week's Live Music

When I first met Brooks Dixon I-forget-how-many-years-ago, I knew he was an extremely gifted artist from whom we could expect good things. What I did not see coming, however, was his evolution from strictly a folk singing solo artist to the leader of a full band that bears his name. That is where we are today as The Brooks Dixon Band has been playing venues around the Upstate for quite some time now and sounding really darn good while they are it.
For all the live performances The Brooks Dixon Band has been treating us to, they have been remiss in recording an album. Brooks Dixon himself has a handful of solo EP’s to his credit but, he admits, that is as easy as “setting aside a weekend to go to Nashville and record” while getting a whole band in the studio is a bit more of a challenge. A couple of weddings, some health issues, and a booked show schedule kept the band out of the studio for the better part of two years before they recognized the need to “take a few steps back from playing to finally get it done.” That is exactly what they did and the product of their work arrives this Friday when the full-length album Pocketful of Dreams is released to the public at the album release show at Swanson’s Warehouse.
Having been treated to an advance listen of Pocketful of Dreams, I have to say it was well worth the wait. Dixon’s folk songwriting roots are still on full display but in a catchier manner than ever with the full band with him. Musically, the album does a great job capturing the band’s energy and simulating the live show experience, something Dixon says was the goal from day one. It is also an album that you cannot sustain a bad mood for as every track is upbeat and downright chipper. Even the track “Without You” maintains a “Singin’ in the Rain” level of optimism while reflecting on a now finished terrible relationship.
The first single “Good Intentions” was actually recorded in 2017 and was the track that originally inspired the goal of a full band project. The song’s funk/soul vibe is still one the album’s many highlights, as is the following track, the rockabilly-esque “Pick and Choose”, recorded with fellow local guitarist Jacob Johnson. It is definitely a record that feels like new favorite tracks, moments, and lines will emerge with additional listens which is exactly the kind of thing that makes for a good album, in my opinion.
Friday night’s album release party will be at Swanson’s Warehouse which, if you have not heard of, you are not alone. I have only recently figured out that it is behind a vaguely labeled door in the back section of Fireforge’s building on Washington Street, existing as a semi-private concert venue that you really need to be in the know to find. That said, it is worth the search just to get your hands on the new Brooks Dixon Band’s record this Friday.
Other shows this weekend that have me intrigued…
Thursday, TPP Events brings Darby Wilcox, She Returns From War, and Jordan Igoe to Yee Haw Brewing Company ahead of a weekend full of shows with good deeds in mind. Saturday, Golden Grove Farm & Brew hosts a toy drive featuring John the Revelator while Sunday sees The Spinning Jenny and Gottrocks host festivals to raise money for the Julie Valentine Center and Wind River Cancer Wellness Retreats respectively. Find out all about these shows and so many more on the iOnGreenville concert calendar today.
Weekend Live Music Calendar
- Wednesday
12-11-2019
Open Mic at Holliday Brewing
7pm12-11-2019
Live Karaoke at Smileys
8pm12-11-2019
Darby Wilcox at The Radio Room
8pm12-11-2019
Bill and Tad's Excellent Duo at Delaney's Irish Pub - Spartanburg
9:30pm12-11-2019
Charles Hedgepath at Gaslight Bar and Grill
9pm12-11-2019
Carmen Tate at Macs Speed Shop
7pm12-11-2019
Blacktop Mojo at Ground Zero
8pm12-11-2019
Open Mic at Ground Zero
8pm12-11-2019
Greenville Jazz Collective at Chicora Alley
8pm- Thursday
12-12-2019
Justin Clyde Williams at Tribbles Bar and Grill
7pm12-12-2019
Karaoke at Craft and Barrel
7pm12-12-2019
Darby Wilcox at
7pm12-12-2019
Jazzsmith at Blues Boulevard Jazz
7pm12-12-2019
In Flames with RED at The Firmament GVL
7pm12-12-2019
Shane and Uncle Rick Duo at Delaney's Irish Pub - Spartanburg
8:30pm12-12-2019
Charles Hedgepath at Lowes Foods
5-8pm12-12-2019
Karl Lauber at Golden Grove Farm and Brew
6:30pm12-12-2019
Leisha J at Rainer's Bar
8:30pm12-12-2019
Bluegrass Jam at Jocassee Valley Brewing Company
6:30pm12-12-2019
Karaoke at Triple D Racks Sports Bar
8pm12-12-2019
Mojo On Max at Mellow Mushroom Anderson
6:30pm12-12-2019
Synergy Twins Duo at Sweet Sippin
7pm- Friday
12-13-2019
Hot as a Pepper at Carolina Olive Oil
6:30 and 9:30pm12-13-2019
ELZIG and The Casket Creatures at Tribbles Bar and Grill
9:30pm12-13-2019
3 and Twenty at Hideout Bar
9pm12-13-2019
Rob Seel at Slice Of Brooklyn Pizza Cafe
5:30pm12-13-2019
Muscadine Bloodline at Blind Horse Saloon
7pm12-13-2019
Randomonium at Craft and Barrel
9pm12-13-2019
Excons at Birds Fly South
6-9pm12-13-2019
Teddy and Joe Duo at Growler Haus Fountain Inn
7pm12-13-2019
Jeff Edwards at Growler Haus - Spartanburg
8:30pm12-13-2019
Pickens CreeK at Wings 101
9pm12-13-2019
The Unmentionables at Sports Break
10pm12-13-2019
Castaway at The Brass Monkey
8pm12-13-2019
John The Revelator at Eighth State Brewing Co.
8pm12-13-2019
The Wobblers at Gottrocks
9pm12-13-2019
Layton Meacham at Yee-Haw Brewing Co.
7pm12-13-2019
The Black River Rebels at The Radio Room
9pm12-13-2019
Men in Motion at Rainer's Bar
9pm12-13-2019
Space Laces at The Firmament GVL
8pm12-13-2019
Brandy Lindsey and the Punch at Delaney's Irish Pub - Spartanburg
9:30pm12-13-2019
The Piedmont Boys at Steddy's Bar and Grill
9pm12-13-2019
Shane Pruitt at New Groove Artisan Brewery
8pm12-13-2019
Red Bank Road at Fireforge Crafted Beer
7pm12-13-2019
Greenville Jazz Collective at Topsoil Kitchen and Market
6-9pm12-13-2019
The Long View at Macs Speed Shop
7pm12-13-2019
Karl Lauber at Golden Grove Farm and Brew
6-8pm12-13-2019
The Substitutes at Smileys
6:30pm12-13-2019
Marvin King Review at Smileys
10pm12-13-2019
Rob Seel at Slice Of Brooklyn Pizza Cafe
6:30pm12-13-2019
Parker Ford at The Pumphouse
9pm12-13-2019
Aunt Vicki at Jocassee Valley Brewing Company
6:30pm12-13-2019
Taylor Richardson at On The Rail
9pm12-13-2019
Filth at Ground Zero
7pm12-13-2019
Remedy58 at Lennies Main St. Pub
9pm12-13-2019
Howl In The Valley at Sweet Sippin
7pm- Saturday
12-14-2019
Haphazard at Mullens Irish Pub
9pm12-14-2019
Nile at The Firmament GVL
7pm12-14-2019
Seth Brand at Rainer's Bar
6:30pm12-14-2019
Jarret Forrester at Sweet Sippin
7pm12-14-2019
Little Strangers at The Radio Room
8pm12-14-2019
Ricky Roles at Slice Of Brooklyn Pizza Cafe
6:45pm12-14-2019
The Piedmont Boys at Reds Watering Hole
9pm12-14-2019
Epicardiectomy at TW Boons
9pm12-14-2019
Pickens CreeK at TW Boons
9pm12-14-2019
Jimmy Dirte Craine at Tribbles Bar and Grill
9pm12-14-2019
Howl In The Valley at Eighth State Brewing Co.
8pm12-14-2019
Marc Higgins at Delaney's Irish Pub - Spartanburg
9:30pm12-14-2019
JL Fulks at New Groove Artisan Brewery
8pm12-14-2019
Greenville Jazz Collective at Topsoil Kitchen and Market
6-9pm12-14-2019
Blue Ridge Busketeers at Fireforge Crafted Beer
7pm12-14-2019
The Well Drinkers at Golden Grove Farm and Brew
9pm12-14-2019
Karl Lauber at Hub City Farmers' Market
8-10am12-14-2019
Karl Lauber at Ciclops Cyderi
7pm12-14-2019
Tim McWilliams at Smileys
6:30pm12-14-2019
Eric Weiler at Smileys
10pm12-14-2019
Ricky Roles at Slice Of Brooklyn Pizza Cafe
6:30pm12-14-2019
Intrigue at Carolina Olive Oil
6:30 and 9:30pm12-14-2019
Luke Smith at Rainer's Bar
9pm12-14-2019
Blue Toad at Jocassee Valley Brewing Company
6pm12-14-2019
Adam Carter at Triple D Racks Sports Bar
9pm- Sunday
12-15-2019
Curfue at The Radio Room
7pm12-15-2019
CPR at Stone Pizza
4:45pm12-15-2019
Greenville Jazz Collective at Topsoil Kitchen and Market
11am to 3pm/Jazz Brunch12-15-2019
Audrey Hamilton Band at Quest Brewing Company
3pm12-15-2019
Darby Wilcox at Smileys
11am12-15-2019
Greenville Jazz Collective at City Range
11:30am- Monday
12-16-2019
Open Mic at Smileys
7pm- Tuesday
12-17-2019
Open Mic at Craft and Barrel
7pm12-17-2019
Kara Claudy at The Radio Room
9pm12-17-2019
DKat Funk Jam at Smileys
7pm
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