Over the last few years, there’s been a simmering scene of retro soul emerging mostly out of the west coast. One of the biggest names in the genre are Thee Sacred Souls. The trio from San Diego released their debut self titled project in 2022 and quickly grew a following with their vintage sound. This past October the group released their follow-up Got a Story to Tell to rave reviews and Saturday the 9th they landed at the Fillmore to a packed house, ready to deliver so much needed food for the soul.
These Sacred Souls | photo by Melissa Simpson for WXPN
After a lovely opening set from The Heart Tones, the stage went dark and the crowd roared with anticipation. Thee Scared Souls took the stage starting the evening with their lead single “Lucid Girl” from their sophomore album. The opening line “I got a story to tell” set the tone for the evening as the group weaved a soul-stirring tale of love and loss throughout the night. Smoothly moving through a growing list of hits like “Easier Said Than Done,” and “Waiting on the Right Time.”
The crowd swayed and danced as vocalist Josh Lane showed his range. Before going into the second single from their new record, “Live For You,” he spoke about really trying to live the message in the song of loving oneself and using that love to go out in the world, and spread that feeling, especially in these trying times. After thanking the crowd and starting to exit the energy was still at a high when the trio came back on stage to gives us an encore closing with their biggest hit “Can I Call You Rose” that has help skyrocket the band to national prominence. The audience sang word for word and we ended a gorgeous evening in sync, for a soulful Saturday night.
These Sacred Souls | photo by Melissa Simpson for WXPN
Thee Sacred Souls has played Philly every fall for the past three years, playing increasingly bigger venues each time; in 2022, they packed the house at Underground Arts, and last year they did the same at Union Transfer. The band’s 2024 tour continues Thursday with a sold out show in Silver Springs. Find their full rundown of dates here, and see more photos from The Fillmore below.