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 erupted with cheers, clapping and a few thumbs up, signaling that they were doing well. Having witnessed all the dancing and grooving in every corner of the room, I can confirm that the crowd was not just good, it was amazing!
The Seattle-based band kept the energy level high throughout their performance, playing a combination of covers, older hits and songs from their latest album, Love direction. It was released just over a month ago and Dips delving into the different aspects and challenges of relationships and creating a cohesive body of work that showcases the maturity of the band. The title track, “Love Directions,” was actually a big hit, offering a softer, jazzier interlude to the set that blended a vintage sound with lively storytelling. It was a welcome contrast to their next song, “Sure Aint Missing You,” which had everyone around me jumping 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 dazzling solos. The band’s strength lay in its collective nature, with each musician working together in a jam-like state. The spotlight wasn’t on any one instrument, so everyone had equal space in the sunlight.
If you missed their performance, don’t worry. The Dip will return to Philly in October for a headlining show at the Union Transfer. Get your dancing shoes ready and check out XPN’s concert schedule for more information.
