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DEWEY DECIBELS: A NIGHT OF LIVE MUSIC AT EXETER LIBRARY

Apr 2025 by Chelsea Branch

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A female singer-guitarist performs indoors on a small stage in Exeter public library. Bright, colourful lighting highlights her while a small seated audience watches attentively in the background.

Music at Exeter Library

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Dewey Decibels has officially returned to Exeter Library, and 2025’s first event of the year kicked off with an undeniable bang. Co-organised by Exeter Library and Obvious Events, Dewey Decibels offers regular evenings of raw, local talent and a celebration of music’s power to unite people.

Sunday 13th April’s event showcased some of the Southwest’s emerging and established musicians, with an atmosphere that captivated the crowd from start to finish.

When you think of a library, the immediate assumption might be one of silence. And while the library code of quiet was still respected in the live music setting, the crowd’s sheer attention to the music was truly special. You could feel the connection between the performers and the audience throughout the room as people listened intently, fully immersing themselves in the experience.

Sam Jones

The night opened with Sam Jones, an emerging singer-songwriter from Devon whose powerful voice and genuine stage presence won over the crowd. Sam humbly described some of his songs as ‘depressing,’ but artists often label their most vulnerable tracks this way. Rather than depressing, I’d say his music is profoundly moving, evoking a powerful emotional response from listeners.

His sincere lyrics resonated and his raw acoustic sound left the audience feeling they had just witnessed something pretty special. Sam is an artist to watch. He’s currently working on his debut EP The Groundwork and Sunday’s performance gave us a taste of the talent to come.

Sam Jones

Jonah Corren

Next up was Jonah Corren, a singer-songwriter and poet who’s made a name for himself as a BBC New Creatives alum. Jonah’s music painted a vivid picture of nature, trees and the countryside, transporting the audience from the library’s cosy atmosphere and city centre location to the open fields of his imagination.

Maybe it was the backdrop of trees in Rougemont Gardens, but Jonah Corren truly brought the outdoors inside. His deep connection with nature is evident, drawing the audience into the world he so beautifully sings about.

Jonah is gearing up to release his latest single, Constellations/Dandelions, as part of his EP The Trees Apart. The EP, which explores themes of nature, grief, and contemplation, features a rich blend of strings, guitars, pianos, drums, and harmonies. Jonah has committed to releasing one track per month, each carrying the powerful themes of his work and bringing his emotive storytelling to life.

Jonah Corren

  • A black-and-white photo of Sam Jones playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone indoors. The background is softly out of focus with windows letting in natural light.
    Sam Jones – Photo Credit: Involving Music
  • Jonah Corren singer-songwriter plays an acoustic guitar and sings into a microphone in a daytime indoor setting with large windows behind him. The natural light outside contrasts with the warm indoor lighting highlighting the performer.
    Jonah Corren – Photo Credit: Involving Music
  • A live music performance in a bright, modern space with large windows showing bare tree branches outside. A group of seven vocalists, three men and four women, stand in a line holding microphones, performing energetically on stage under pink and purple stage lights.
    The Tryani Collective Photo Credit: Involving Music

The Tryani Collective

Then came the night’s showstopper: The Tryani Collective, a Bristol-based ensemble of six incredible vocalists and instrumentalists. Their polyphonic arrangements, intricate harmonies and dynamic blend of percussion, synth, drums and energy created an experience unlike anything else.

Honestly? I didn’t know if I wanted to join their band, start up something similar or make a (humane) sacrifice to the higher powers.

Their music is deeply rooted in tradition yet feels entirely fresh, drawing influence from Henry Purcell, Cocanha and San Salvador while infusing their sound with a contemporary, experimental flair.

One of their final lyrics was “connection is power”. And, what a way to describe the night. This event was about coming together, the power of shared experiences and the feelings music can create. But the perfect way to conclude the night? Getting the crowd to move and groove with their infectious energy!

The Tryani Collective

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– Chelsea Branch

Chelsea Branch, a roots, rocksteady, reggae and everything in between enthusiast. First gig was to see the Ordinary Boys at the Lemon Grove (Exeter) at 16 after taking a liking to their Ska-inspired track 'Rudy's in Love' (and the frontman, Preston). After University, she spent seven years in brilliant Bristol, revelling in its dynamic music scene—a move very much inspired by a first-time visit to St Paul's Carnival. She now lives in Exeter alongside her partner Bev, embracing Devon country life and swapping sound systems for sea swimming and scriptwriting.