One of Brooklyn Bowl’s last shows of 2023 was undeniably one for the books. Thee Sacred Souls didn’t just perform to a sold-out house last Wednesday, December 27; they orchestrated a symphony of emotion and connection. The band’s soul and R&B sound is timeless and draws a diverse audience of generations and lifestyles, but they all blend seamlessly together once the lights are lowered and the San Diego headliners take the stage.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. The night unfolded with opening act Johnny Ruiz and The Escapers. The local band is renowned for their blend of soul and rocksteady reggae sounds, and after seeing them take hold of the jam-packed venue it's hard to imagine who else could have opened the night.
“We’ve played here many times, but I think this is the most packed I’ve seen this place,” said lead vocalist Ruiz. The sextet has an unmatched stilo and groove that reaches unexpected heights with Ruiz’s explosive vocals that can wake the sleepiest souls. The set included original tracks and classic oldie covers; they closed with a cover of Bloodstone’s “Natural High,” which inspired a audience sing-along and left us wanting more.
When Thee Sacred Souls took the stage, it was hard to choose which member of the seven-person ensemble to focus on. Your eyes could land on the jamming keyboardist; the two backup vocalists whose presence and singing style is anything but secondary; the rhythm section whose groove and musicianship seemingly comes straight from the 1970s; or, naturally, your eyes could follow frontman Josh Lane. The view nearly didn’t matter, though, because this was a feast for the ears.
The band showcased a blend of singles and tracks from their self-titled album. During the song “Running Away,” Lane jumped from the stage and made his way through the crowd to dance alongside fans. As he navigated the sea of swaying bodies, the venue became a vivid trove of sound and energy.
This musical voyage not only painted the room with sound, but the themes of love and heartbreak were framed by hued lighting. Lane asked to switch the stage lights to red, because, “All around the world, love is the color red, right?” Then, the light shifted back to blue to match the more somber songs.
The singer took some time to talk to the audience about the power of love, its highs and lows, and acceptance of loss. These meditations fell on open ears and weighed on the audience’s hearts. “Sometimes the only cure is solidarity through tears, so let the floodgates open,” said Lane, before breaking into the soul-crushing tune “For Now”. Every other person in the crowd hung onto their lover as Lane serenaded us and the emotional performance left tears in everyone's eyes. (There’s no way it was just me!)
After delving into the depths of their discography, the band extended their thanks and bid goodnight. Yet, the audience held its ground, anticipating the encore-worthy tracks they knew were yet to come. Responding to the persistent cheers, the band returned, delivering the highly anticipated performance of their hit "Can I Call You Rose?" that not only met expectations and left a lasting resonance.
