Hamer Hall, where Thee Sacred Souls played last Sunday evening, is one of my favourite venues in Melbourne. It's grand and beautiful and impressive, in the way only a proper concert hall can be.
And yet, settling into my seat that night as the first few songs played our across the huge room, I found myself caught in a quiet contradiction: the room felt almost too huge for what Thee Sacred Souls were offering.
That’s not quite a criticism. Josh Lane’s vocals are straight-up silk; clear and controlled, with a natural clarity and warmth that absolutely warrants a grand room.
The brass section, too, came alive with a fullness that deserved height and scale and space to be heard. But there’s a particular alchemy to the music of Thee Sacred Souls, those layered melodies, the tender harmonies, the way that luminous 60s soul breathes through every arrangement, and it craves intimacy. Or, at least, I did.
Thee Sacred Souls
- Hamer Hall, Melbourne
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In a space this vast, I found myself too aware of the geography between sounds, each instrument a touch too distinct and identifiable, when what I was longing for was that indivisible swirl where music becomes something you feel wash over you rather than hear in parts. It may be personal preference entirely, and others around me seemed perfectly transported. But I must admit the feeling lingered.
Still, what unfolded on that stage was something genuinely lovely. I’m a sucker for a love song, so seeing a band that performs love song after love song after love song…I love that.
For a one-off Melbourne show, the band brought a presence and warmth that made it feel like far more than a passing visit, and a band that is clearly having the time of their lives pulls you into their joy whether you planned to go or not.
Every member wore it openly, which always makes for a great show, and shoutout to the incredibly enthusiastic and rhythmic man on percussion who took to every instrument with zest and joy, hard to take your eyes off someone grooving as much as you are.
Lane himself moved around the space generously, crossing the stage, moving between his bandmates, sharing the room. You got the sense of a group that genuinely likes each other, and those easy shared glances between songs were lovely to see.
His two backing vocalists were exquisitely remarkable, their harmonies sitting just beneath Lane’s lead with a delicacy that made you lean forward in your seat to catch it. I was glad to see them offered a number of moments to really shine, those vocals are worth drawing attention to!
A one-off show, and one absolutely worth having been there for. Just gorgeous.
Thee Sacred Souls performed at Hamer Hall on Sunday 31 May, 2026.
