Unwoke Crowned As 2023 Locals Live Champion

Unwoke wins the $5,000 grand prize and will headline a show in the Wolf Den on Saturday, June 15, 2024

UNCASVILLE, CT (December 18, 2023) –Unwoke from Montville, Connecticut was crowned 2023 Locals Live Champions after the finals on Wednesday, December 13th at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den. As part of the grand prize, Unwoke won $5,000 and will headline a show in the Wolf Den on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Modern Country band The Rakes from Litchfield County, CT took 2nd place and received a $1,000 cash prize.

Unwoke, The Rakes, and third-place solo act KENNII from East Haven, CT, were named finalists after an exciting four week-contest hosted by Mohegan Sun and Hall Communications. Twelve bands were originally selected to perform live in the Wolf Den and competed in groups throughout November. Unwoke, The Rakes, and KENNII advanced to the finals after winning their respective first-round battles.

On Wednesday night, the finals attracted an enthusiastic crowd. Attendees were urged to dance to their preferred bands to earn points for crowd participation. The judges’ final decision was based on the audience’s reaction, stage presence, musical presentation, and originality.

“It’s an incredible honor to be acknowledged as the 2023 Locals Live champion,” said Sean Higgins, singer/songwriter of Unwoke. “The Wolf Den atmosphere was second to none from an energy standpoint. That’s as close to Madison Square Garden as it gets for us ’local musicians’!

Unwoke is a three-piece Rock band based out of Montville, CT. The band formed in 2019, featuring Sean Higgins as the lead song writer, guitarist, and vocalist, and Dave Apanashk handling the bass and vocals. Joe Sardo is the man behind the drums.

Most would consider the trio a cross between Metal and Hard Rock. Some songs have a Metallica/Iron Maiden type of sound while others less Metal. The group specializes in Classic Rock covers for familiarity with their own original music mixed in.

The panel of guest judges at the Locals Live finals were Carl Strube, President of Critique Records, Simone Oliva, of “Tip the Van”, and independent Country singer, songwriter, and Locals Live 2022 champion Nick Bosse.

A gallery of Unwoke’s winning performance can be found here.

ABOUT THE WOLF DEN

Located in the center of the action, in Casino of the Earth, the always popular Wolf Den offers full beverage service, a state-of-the-art sound system, intimate seating and top performances by entertainers like Ludacris, The Marshall Tucker Band, Warrant, Sister Hazel, Chubby Checker, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Queensrÿche and Run-DMC – and it’s all free!

ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN

Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States.  Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun

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