Sunday nights are a gamble – especially when there’s school the next morning and a premium ticket price to justify.
Yet, The Lexington in Islington appeared to have played it right and proved the perfect stage for Sunny Sweeney, the Texas troubadour whose name has become shorthand for sharp storytelling and melodies that stick to your soul like honey on cornbread.
As you may know, The Lexington is home to a snug and characterful upstairs venue which was the perfect space to amplify the intimacy of Sunny Sweeney’s unvarnished Americana—a blend of heartbreak, humour, and just enough grit to keep the punters guessing.
Sweeney walked on stage with the confidence of someone who knew the gamble had paid off; the room was buzzing, packed with the party faithful for the final night of her tour. With a presence as warm and engaging as her Texas roots, a mischievous grin and a wry remark, she kicked off the set with On the Road Again—a barnburner of a track that set the tone for an evening as emotionally charged as it was musically masterful; an evening that was equal parts spirit and compassionate, heartfelt balladry. She’s the real deal.
Her voice—smoky, rich, and beautifully weathered—hit like a shot of fine whiskey"
Her voice—smoky, rich, and beautifully weathered—hit like a shot of fine whiskey: smooth going down but with a kick that lingered in the belly. Whilst injecting a dose of raw vulnerability Sweeney effortlessly shifted between razor-sharp honky-tonk and gut-punching ballads. Her ability to wear her heart on her sleeve, all while keeping a glint of mischief in her eye, ensured that no song ever felt overwrought or self-pitying.
Her authenticity shines bright, encapsulating her knack for turning heartbreak into relatable, poignant art."
The between-song banter was as much a highlight as the music. Before singing Staying’s Worse than Leaving, Sunny tells us that it’s for Peter who’s come from The Netherlands tonight to hear this particular song that helped him through his divorce. A natural raconteur, self-deprecating and resilient, Sweeney peppered the set with sardonic reflections on love, loss, and life on the road. She sings her ‘one love song’ Grow Old With Me (which is actually about her dog), followed by Bob Dylan’s gorgeous To be Alone With You. What sets Sweeney apart is her genuine ability to connect with everyone in the room. She charms the crowd with anecdotes that share her vulnerability and genuinely make us laugh, making the evening feel like a get together with old friends. Her authenticity shines bright, encapsulating her knack for turning heartbreak into relatable, poignant art.
Sharing the stage with her was a ruggedly handsome man named Harley W Husbands, a guitarist extraordinaire"
Sharing the stage with her was a ruggedly handsome man named Harley W Husbands, a guitarist extraordinaire whose deft playing provided both a counterpoint to Sweeney’s vocals and a second layer of emotional depth to the stripped-down setup. The duo was tight, dynamic, and utterly captivating, proving that less is often more when it comes to live music. Harley and Sunny are perfectly in-sync; stellar and versatile, seamlessly transitioning from rollicking, hard guitar-driven grooves to tender acoustic moments. Flawless timing, tender, stripped back goose-bump-inducing moments and a blending of classic country traditions with a modern edge, lift and fill hearts tonight.
The audience, a delightful mix of die-hard fans, intrigued newcomers, and the occasional out-of-towner (the aforementioned traveller just here for the show), hung on every note. By the time Sweeney closed the night, the room was alive with energy—a testament to the attachment she’s built over the course of the evening.
At The Lexington, she reaffirmed why country music—real country music—remains one of the most honest and affecting genres"
Sunny Sweeney doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but she doesn’t have to. She polishes it some, spins it, and lets it roll down a dusty back road where heartache and hilarity collide. At The Lexington, she reaffirmed why country music—real country music—remains one of the most honest and affecting genres.
As for Sweeney herself? She’s a star who seems perfectly content shining just off the beaten path. And honestly, if that suits her—and her audience—that’s just fine.
Sunny Sweeney played The Lexington 17.11.24
