Sarah L Dixon Writer

Tonic Music for mental health

So, the lovely human, James Atkin, was everywhere this Skegness weekend but I was everywhere too. It was great to share spaces and chat and hugs and birthday singing for James. Tonic music was a huge part of that and I love the space they give for extra events – interviews, testing out new poetry, intimate sets, day raves, important chat about mental health.

Find out more about the essential work they do here:

Tonic Music for Mental Health | Training and Support for Music Industry Professionals and Music Fans

My interview is here on You Tube:

Tonic Music talks to Sarah L. Dixon

Friday meet up and bands

The Shiine on Singles group is full of many good friends now and I was so excited to see them all again. I met Gillian, Sandi, Nikki and Anne-Marie outside Grantham station toilets and we decided to get a quick pint in before catching the train to Skegness. Then, on the platform were a group of men who I shared a taxi with on the way back from Skegness last year (and I managed to sell books to all of them). They also led me to near the front for dancing to Ash at Minehead (when my legs were tired from dancing on the Friday). Was great to see them again and then the group of friends I had met on the train last year appeared on the train near us.

Meeting up with so many people on that platform/train was overwhelming and I did have a panic that this weekend may well get a bit too much for me at times. This was the most overwhelmed I felt all weekend though. I saw Amanda from the other end of the platform and we ran to hug each other and then Andy (Big Ed Photography). Both Andy and Amanda were people I knew would get these feelings of overwhelm and both seemed to be many of the places I was. I knew they were there if I needed a shoulder to lean or a hug and I offered the same back. Big love to Amanda and Andy.

I caught a little of Britpop Union, The Man from Del Monte, The Beat and Gaye Bykers on Acid.

The afternoon felt like waiting for things to happen, though we could check in quite soon, the Singles gathered in the Jellyfish Lounge and Goughie, Derek, Julia, David, Emily, Roger, Nathans and Lisa and I met up. I saw Andy who had made us a spreadsheet for clashes on a staircase up to his chalet. Several more singles had arrived later on but I didn’t get chance to say Hello! to all and didn’t want to interrupt intense conversations.

I caught lots of parts of sets earlier on but my festival started properly with Transglobal Underground who pulled me in for a full set and the Stereo MCs continued this.

Transglobal Underground

Dancing with Gillian and Sandi and Andy and catching up with Milly and Will

One short aside, I wore my EMF hat and EMF mix tape t-shirt thinking it would be the one day I would not see James so I would get away with looking utter fan girl… … as I was going through a set of double doors I said Hi! to two friends then the next person through bowled me back inwards and it was Jer Holland (town-crier for EMF and Elvis for Bentleys) and he gave me a hug, big grin and Hi! and then James Atkin was right behind him and grinned said Hi! and hugged me then off we go our separate ways after a lovely convergence of evenings. Then, Sarah and Pete told me how much they loved my James Atkin interview.

Stereo MCs

Friday: 5hr 7 min sleep Steps 23927

Saturday

A quick visit to See The Limes and grab a photo and then to friend’s chalet to get some books they had kindly taken from Minehead for me and back to Tonic for my set there. Here I shared new poems – some on the theme of mental health, like one about badger watching and having difficulty staying still and focusing and others on a 90s music theme. The final two were EMF ones which James Atkin had already told me he loved and just as I was starting the final poem James made his way to the front to listen and just stood there beaming at me, he has such a beam and James that wasn’t distracting at all, totally distracting but utterly wonderful to share poems for with James with him in person. I have given him signed copies of the poems but to be able to read these celebrations of EMF’s music, my first album being ‘Schubert Dip’ in 1990, was a moment I will store in my heart forever. There is now a new poem I will share below, James has not seen this one yet (he has now).

New Poem

Musical Armour

If I can’t take you with me
in soundtrack or book form
to hold me up in tough moments,
times when out of my comfort zone,
‘at risk’ or feeling alone

I wear your t-shirt, bobble hat, badge
and tap this armour
for encouragement,
reassurance, support.

Then, I step out
into whatever the next hour is
with you, unknowingly,
on my side.

Sometimes,
all I need is the music in my mind
and a token, totem,
a heart-stored beam from you
to get through this.

Thanks so much to Big Ed Photography and Tonic for the photos and including me in the video of acts at the Tonic Lounge. I reckon there were around 70 people in Tonic lounge for my set. Lots of lovely feedback after and I sold a few books too.

Tonic Music talks to Sarah L. Dixon

The James Atkin interview with Iain Lee was straight after mine. Photos below and I will share the link too, so you can listen for yourselves. We sung Happy Birthday to James. What a place to spend your birthday!

Tonic Music / Iain Lee talks to James Atkin

Morecambe Fringe Podcast – Sarah L.Dixon interviews James Atkin from EMF – The Morecambe Fringe Festival Podcast – Beyond Radio

Do catch EMF as they are full of energy, ideas, enthusiasm and evidently really enjoying playing music together and interacting with the crowd. Also, a lovely bunch of people.

The Utah Saints

The Utahs were on in the Skyline and it was really full and proper bouncing even with it being daytime and light. Loved it and I was bouncing even right back near the bar catching up with my Shiiine mate, made in Minehead, Roger.

The Utah Saints are playing my local, The Parish in Huddersfield in October as part of the venue’s 20th year celebrations this year.

UTAH SAINTS – Huddersfield – Saturday 24 October 2026

The Clone Roses

As I am from Manchester I can’t believe I have never caught this band before. I loved singing along to some of the Roses anthems and the visuals behind them were great.

Green Room Mirror and hat stroking intermission

Tam Coyle and Gerard Corr

Bentley Rhythm Ace

Then, back to the busiest birthday James in the business! Bentley Rhythm Ace kicked off my first ever Shiiine in Skegness in March 2025 and brought the party and energy. They did the same this time but with more cake and I love their outfits, vibe and the evident joy both on stage and in the crowd.

Jer, town-crier and stage Elvis, was lovely and came down to the crowd and made sure I was included in the birthday celebrations by giving me a glowstick and piece of cake at the barrier. Also, I got to hang out with my friend, Gerard, which was brilliant.

The Magic Numbers

I had meant to leave part way thought The Bentleys set to catch more of The Magic Numbers, but I was pulled in and didn’t leave until the end of the set. I caught the last three songs and enjoyed The Magic Numbers and wished they hadn’t clashed. Also, had chance to catch up with Cheryl and Paul, Sam and Andy.

Lo Fidelity All Stars and Alabama Three

I enjoyed Alabama 3 and Lo-Fidelity Allstars sets too. I particularly loved watching the audience dance in the Skyline to Lo Fi Allstars.

A bit more DJ dancing with Emily

Saturday: 3hr 47 min sleep Steps 28,279

Sunday

Poetry set at Hotshots

Thanks to Milly Willy and Sarah Bant for the photos.

I turned up for my set at Hotshots to find out decks had been set up as I was listed as a DJ. I did however mange to set up my new laptop to play music clips and that worked well. The people who were working my tech were surprised I was a poet, they hadn’t expected that but they both told me how much they enjoyed it afterwards as did the man working the bowling desk and many of the audience.

I was very happy with how my set went. The band who were on after me and were supposed to be earlier so they could set up before I was on stage arrived late so had to wait until my set was finished to set up. I was told not to cut my set short as this was the band’s error not mine. I cut the set about 3 minutes short to give them a little set up time back.

I had a panic straight after my set. Jonn had messaged me to let me know he was really sorry he had missed my set as it had taken them a while to get through security, so I rushed off for a quick hug between my set and his interview by Steve Lamacq at The Skyline. Then, I realised I had lost my bank cards holder so was sending Jonn panicky messages about that. He found me near the stage and gave me the biggest hug and reassured me the cards would turn up.

Jonn Penney and Steve Lamacq interview

Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley Radio 1 sessions were the main place I heard new music back in the 90s while I was babysitting for neighbours aged 13-16. Great to see Jonn again and hear him and Steve chat about Jonn’s new book, Self-ish and his time with Ned’s Atomic Dustbin now and back in the day.

Self-ish by Jonn Penney — Ned’s Atomic Dustbin Official Merchandise

I didn’t queue to say Hi! to Jonn as I thought we would get chance to catch up later, we didn’t as it happened, but I did have a good chat with him after the Stourbridge Spoon Speaker Man gig a week later. I did go back to Hotshots though and found my Gig Life Crisis hoodie at the side of the stage and my card holder was in the pocket. Panic over!

James Atkin Day Rave

I went to the day rave at Tonic because I heard great things about the one at Minehead and I missed it. I sipped bottled water and removed hoodie, hat, scarf, t-shirt and leggings as the 90 set went on (I did go outside and hide behind the door to take the leggings off). I had planned to go for half an hour then leave but there was such a great vibe and many friends there, so I stayed until the end.

Thanks to Andy Big Ed Photography again for the photos

Not a clue what we were laughing about but we were having a lot of fun here!

Thanks to Mick Peek for capturing us exhausted at the end of the day rave. Both crashing here, I reckon. I went back to my room and rested for a bit and showered and turned up just in time to catch some Kingmaker who were really good. I was sad to have missed Spoon Speaker Man but at the same time knew I would be seeing them on the Monday night. I almost lay down (that would have been dangerous move as I would then have slept through Jim Bob and Neds sets!)

Kingmaker

Jim Bob and The Hoodrats

Jim Bob and The Hoodrats were on great form. Very annoying sound issue that was not resolved until a few songs in. I am surprised they didn’t leave the stage when it continued. I loved the fact they played many of the newer songs and these were well-received by the crowd. I am excited to see them at Gigantic at The Prospect Building in Bristol next weekend. This has now sold out. I am performing a 30 minute poetry set at The Old Globe, Bedminster, the day before the all-dayer.

Ned’s Atomic Dustbin

Neds were voted the band of the festival on the Shiiine On fan page (I was glad to receive a single vote too). This was with good reason. Brilliant set to close the festival. I know there were other acts on later but I also knew I would not be able to move any more and I sat chatting with people outside the chippy (Gill Barbour gave me a badge), on the edge of Skyline arc and someone lovely bought me a bottle of water from the vending machine as I had forgotten to uncancel my card. They then asked if I was ‘the poetry person’ said they had seen my face on posters and Shiiine group. They both then bought my book!

So good to bounce around with good friends at the barrier and Neds are one of those bands who give it all and the exchange between band and fans and the singing to each other – Jonn sings to individual fans and they sing back – the two -way connection is beautiful. And the whole band just combine to be a chaotic joyful immersion, utterly lost to the experience, we are all changed by it and move through the world differently having been there. The best gigs and sets do this to me.

And, I end the blog with the Fragile photo taken by Andy, Big Ed Photography. This is also the final one in the Shiiine On Weekender gallery on their website here:

2026 Weekender Gallery | Shiiine On

Minehead tickets are still on sale. See you there!

Shiiine On Weekender Minehead Nov 2026 | Butlin’s Indie Festival

Sunday: 3hr 28 min sleep Steps 44,803