The Dip grooved their way into the weekend at Free At Noon

About halfway through their sold-out Free At Noon set, The Dip’s lead singer and guitarist Tom Eddy asked the crowd how they were doing. The room let out cheers, claps, and a couple of thumbs up, signaling they were good. As a first-hand witness to all the dancing and grooving happening in every corner of the room, I can attest that the crowd wasn’t just good, they were fantastic!

The Seattle-based band kept the energy level high throughout their entire set, playing a combination of covers, older hits, and songs from their newest album, Love Direction. Released just over a month ago, it dips into the different angles and challenges faced in relationships, creating a cohesive work that showcases the band’s maturity. The title track, “Love Directions” was indeed a big hit, offering a smoother, jazzier interlude to the set, blending a vintage sound with vivid storytelling. It was a welcome contrast to their next song, “Sure Aint Missing You,” which had everyone around me bouncing around and singing along.

Another highlight was their cover of Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do for Love,” complete with jazz, funk, and killer solos. The strength of the band was found in their collective, with each musician working together in a jam-sesh-like state. The spotlight wasn’t on any one instrument, ensuring that everyone had an equal spot in the sunshine.

If you missed their set, fear not. The Dip will be returning to Philly in October for a headline show at Union Transfer. Get your dancing shoes ready, and check out XPN’s Concert Calendar for more information.