by Gaby Nieraeth

9/10/2026, Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas

Don’t let TikTok fool you; Thee Sacred Souls (@theesacredsouls) are so much more than their viral song, “Can I Call You Rose?” While the single may have initially garnered them widespread attention online, their recent show at the Freeman Coliseum proved they are more than deserving of it.

Before Thee Sacred Souls took the stage, the Womack Sisters (@thewomacksisters) immediately commanded the crowd’s attention with their powerful vocals and tightly choreographed performance. As granddaughters of the legendary Sam Cooke and nieces of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bobby Womack, they proved that talent certainly runs in the family. To be honest, I wasn’t familiar with their music beforehand, but I was instantly captivated by their groovy retro sound (and fabulously coordinated outfits). 

Following the Womack Sisters, La Lom (@the_lalom) turned up the energy with a Chicano-influenced, psychedelic cumbia set. I was blown away by their drummer, Nicholas Baker, who managed to simultaneously play the drums with one hand and Latin percussion congas with the other. As a native Southern Californian, it struck me how well they captured the spirit of Los Angeles and transported it roughly 1,300 miles away. Their sound reminded me of what I miss most about home: the rich cultural history and music traditions created, blended, and remixed time and time again by Angelenos. You can hear it in the waves crashing on the beach, the loud backyard parties that go on late into the night, and even the 50’s and 60’s oldies spun on K-EARTH 101 (a station that feels synonymous with growing up in SoCal). Hearing these familiar sounds fill a San Antonio venue felt like a piece of home had followed me to Texas. 

Next, Thee Sacred Souls came out to an excited crowd, who greeted them warmly with cheers. Their setlist spanned several years, combining recent releases like “We Don’t Have to Be Alone” with older tunes like “Weak for Your Love.” I was impressed by how intentional lead vocalist Josh Lane was about creating memorable moments for everyone in the audience, whether they were standing at the barricade or seated at the back of the lower bowl. In the midst of their set, Lane jumped into the surprised crowd and asked the audience to dance alongside him. A few minutes later, he began running around the lower area of the coliseum, which seemed fitting for their song, “Running Away.”

While I was impressed by the musicians, I particularly enjoyed seeing how the crowd responded to the music. Watching lovers slow-dance together as the world around them seemingly disappeared, friends sing their hearts out to each other, and feeling my own excitement continue to build made this concert a truly enjoyable experience. All three retro-inspired groups transported us to another time while creating a welcoming space where dancing and singing became a language we could all easily speak. For a few hours, being part of this shared experience made me, as I’m sure it did many other attendees, forget about all my other troubles or fears. As I (sadly) continue my life beyond the concert, I’m grateful to take away a “love so good that it overflows.”