Thee Sacred Souls @ Oran Mor

By Oona Wolseley

As you descend the steps into the basement of the Oran Mor in Glasgow's West End, the journey feels like a temporal shift, where past and present intertwined. The setting is perfect for Thee Sacred Souls, a San Diego based band who are currently on tour celebrating their debut album. The evening commenced with a curated DJ set by Andrew Devin, who played 7-inch vinyls, with Memorable tracks ranging from the timeless ‘I Believe in Miracles’ by the Jackson Sisters and the soulful rendition of Donny Hathaway’s ‘Jealous Guy’. Fractured light bounced off the disco ball illuminating the crowd, complementing Andrew’s set, imbuing the stage with an electric tone that resonated throughout the night.

This night was Thee Sacred Souls’ inaugural performance in Glasgow, adding to the collective excitement in the room. The intimate stage at the Oran mor was transformed into a lively spectacle as the band member commanded every inch of the intimate stage, creating a magnetic presence. The band kicked off the set with a spirited instrumental track, demonstrating the band's skill even without the intoxicating performance of the lead singer, Josh Lane, who had let to appear on the stage. The bassist Sal Samino, clad in a cowboy shirt and toothpick in his mouth, reminded me of the quietly confident cowboy at a saloon, waiting for his moment to pounce. After a spirited performance by the band, Lane confidently strode onto the stage, almost immediately engaging with the audience at the barriers, showcasing a charismatic swagger. Lane then butchered the pronunciation of Glasgow, but for the most part he managed to pull it off as a play at humor.

Thee Sacred Souls, sweet, and soulful music transcends the risk of becoming the backdrop music of weddings or a nostalgic echo of bygone love songs. The band's masterful fusion of Chicano soul, tender sounds of Motown and the rhythmic pulse of funk, created a delicate balance between homage and innovation. Rather than succumbing to the strong gravitational pull of music history, Thee Sacred Souls carve a segment of soul music for themselves. The analog perfection of Thee Sacred Souls is seen both in their album and their performance. It is a testament to the band's clear status as music enthusiasts. The nodes to analogy music permeate the night as seen in the vinyl covered merch stand.  

Lane requested a red hue to wash the stage in its entirety,  As the notes of ‘Trade of Hearts’ filled the venue. As the song began it was evident that this is a tightly-knit unit, a band well-versed in countless live performances. Within their seamless synergy, the vocals of Lane are not merely a separate entity but an instrument weaved into the wider performance. Lanes left the audience captivated by his impressive vocal range he belted out with a carefree air. Anchored by the deep bass, consistent drums, light keys, melodic guitar and beautiful harmonies, Lane's smooth voice guides the audience on a neo-soul story about the trials and tribulations of love and loving. 

Lane asked for the audience to be lit and announced what he describes as a sad song, a song about collective grieving and the pain of love and feeling. Lane reflected on the death of his cousin in ‘Sorrow for Tomorrow’ and encouraged all those in the crowd to join him and take a moment for their grief to be truly felt. In the midst of this sad yet somehow hopeful song, Lane took time to add an evocative and raw moment to the set, by acknowledging the murder of those in Israel and the ethnic cleansing being committed against Palestinians in Gaza. Lane demanded for a ceasefire which was met with an overwhelming chorus of support from the impassioned crowd. 

The soulful backup singers, Astyn Turr and Viane Escobar, stand both as individuals and key contributors to the creation of a rich sound. Turr shone especially brightly alongside Lane as they sang ‘Happy and Well’ together. The lights changed and as the first notes of ‘Running Away’ was played, the audience started to dance with joy. The song launched the audience into a slight frenzy, creating perhaps the most respectful mosh I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of. Lane then leaped into the mosh, all while still singing, sending the audience into utter disbelief and euphoric joy. 

As Lane headed back onto the stage he weaved in reflections on the feelings and meanings of love, offering up a number of poetic lines before sliding into a soulful rendition of ‘Weak for Your Love;’ which the cowed sang almost every word to. Like many of the songs on this album, ‘Weak for Your Love’ feels like a melodic hymn dedicated to the intoxication of love rather than a specific relationship. Throughout the evening, love was made the centerpiece. Love was presented over and over as an ethereal force, a divine essence that beckons all in the room to unite around Lane in a collective prayer to the transformative power of love. The evocative storytelling about love in all its forms, paired with the relaxed soul-full melodies reminded me of the likes of The Delfonics. Perhaps Lane's many reflections on love could be seen as corny, but it somehow fit the aesthetic of the band, with the crowd soaking up every word. The primary limitation of Thee Sacred Souls performance may lie in this pursuit of perfection, as the many poetic lines Lane delivered came across as rehearsed, creating a polished facade that detaches him slightly from the audience in the moments when he wishes to connect to them the most.

At the end of the set the audience and the band fall into a practiced ritual. In typical Glasgow fashion, ‘one more tune’ was chanted and the ground reverberated beneath a rapid stampede of feet. Succing to the call, the band surrendered, entering back onto the stage. Showcasing their instrumental versatility and skill the band switched roles and launched into a rendition of ‘Future Lover’. The drummer became the guitarist, the bassist the drummer, and the guitarist now on bass. It seemed almost to be an inside joke amongst the band, as the band members showcased their technical prowess at different instruments, all while laughing throughout. 

In a further impressive display of showmanship, Lane leapt into the audience yet again during the performance of ‘Future Lover’. Navigating through the ecstatic crowd Lane was like the eye of a storm, everyone locked in around him. Upon making it to the back of the crowd he stands atop a table, all while continuing to serenade the enraptured audience. The room came alive. Lane returned to the stage for his grand finale, in which the band launched into their hit single ‘Can I Call You Rose’, which has turned into a communal anthem, as the sound of Lane's voice melded with the audiences. This song drew the night draws to a close, as Lane held his hand together around the microphone, offering up a prayer to the ethereal forces of love and longing before thanking his band members and audience alike.