Sarah Winter - “I Don’t Hate You” Debut Single Release
On a rainy Friday night at Brighton’s fairy-lit Folklore Rooms, singer-songwriter Sarah Winter took to the stage in a bejewelled denim co-ord and face gems, ready to pour her heart out to a room full of friends and family.
The evening came together to celebrate the release of her debut single “I Don’t Hate You”, a track that is as heartbreakingly beautiful as it is hopeful. A song about choosing yourself and unlearning the feelings you were made to carry, it balances vulnerability with lightness, leaving space for both grief and quiet optimism. Sarah’s gentle, warm vocals make this a song that feels like quiet company through heartbreak. It’s a vulnerable first single, but a brilliant one. The set truly came to life as she was joined by guitarist Matt Jones and bassist Sophie Keys, bringing her songs vividly onto the stage.
The set was built from songs that have shaped Sarah’s musical world, moving seamlessly between covers of Olivia Dean and Taylor Swift, complete with a quirky pink egg shaker. To her own originals, “Sandcastles”, a tender reflection on childhood sung in French, where she is originally from, were especially moving. The night felt like an open invitation into her creative mind, made even more intimate through collaborations with friends Alice Brightman on harp and Nanna Frank on violin for another unreleased song “The Hardest Part”, as well as moments where she sang in her French and Italian.
Beyond the obvious highlight of the single release, another standout was “Hating Pop Doesn’t Make You Deep” an upbeat ode to loving pop music unapologetically. Armed with a megaphone, Sarah pulled the crowd into the moment, clapping along in joyful unison and fully embracing the energy of the song.
While the night centred on celebrating a wonderful new release, it ultimately showcased the depth of Sarah Winter’s talent, moving effortlessly between deeply personal originals and upbeat covers. Bilingual, emotionally honest and effortlessly charming, this felt like the beginning of something special. If this is the first event Sarah has put on herself, there are surely many more magical nights ahead.
