Winyah Lights Up Asbury Park for NJ’s Annual North to Shore Festival

The energy at The Stone Pony was impossible to ignore on Tuesday night as fans poured through the venue's outdoor entrance for Winyah's Summer 2026 Tour stop on June 24th. Dressed in pastel outfits and bright summer colors, the crowd reflected the band's sun-soaked aesthetic, filling the legendary Asbury Park venue with an atmosphere that perfectly matched the first days of summer.

As part of the North to Shore Festival, The Stone Pony welcomed another night of live music during New Jersey's annual, multi-city celebration of the arts. Produced by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the festival has showcased performances across Newark, Asbury Park, and Atlantic City since its launch in 2023. 

Opening the night, harf. wasted no time getting the crowd warmed up for Winyah. With an infectious blend of indie rock and high-energy stage presence, the band had fans dancing from the very first song, creating the perfect lead-in for the night ahead.

As rainbow lights cut through clouds of smoke, Winyah emerged to roaring applause. The South Carolina band, formed in Winyah Bay, is made up of Thomas Rowland (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Luke "Butters" Gordon (lead guitar), Stephen Russell (bass), Robert Buffington Jr. (keyboards), and Jacob Riley (drums).

The band immediately leaned into the excitement with an opening run of "Feel It All Again," "Nothin at All," and "XO," as fans sang back every lyric. Following up with "Fool's Game" and "Lovely Girl" kept the energy high, with the audience swaying through softer moments before jumping right back into dancing to the band's upbeat grooves.

One of the night's biggest moments came when the band played "Spinning," a brand-new single that was officially released at midnight on June 25th. As fans made their way out of The Stone Pony following the show, many were already pulling out their phones to stream the newly released track. The rollout made the midnight release a final surprise for attendees this evening, extending the excitement of the night to the drive home.

Closing the main set with "Lot To Learn" and "Lay Me Down," Winyah left the audience chanting for more before returning for an encore that highlighted two of their biggest influences. A heartfelt rendition of Jack Johnson's "Good People" brought the crowd together before the band shifted gears with their rendition of Tame Impala's "Elephant," ending the night on an unforgettable high.

For a festival built around celebrating live music and community, Winyah proved to be a perfect fit. Their blend of infectious indie rock, colorful visuals, and undeniable chemistry transformed The Stone Pony into the soundtrack of summer, leaving fans dancing long after the final note rang out.

Photos and review by Bek Allegretti