Thee Sacred Souls in Forest Grove: a modern soul evening under the open sky
Thee Sacred Souls are coming to McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, with a concert that combines contemporary original soul music with the aesthetics of classic recordings from the 1960s and 1970s. The headline performance is part of The Constellation Tour, while LA LOM and The Womack Sisters will open the evening. The concert venue doors open at 4:30 p.m., the program begins at 6:00 p.m., and the event is intended for audiences of all ages.
All three acts draw on older musical languages - sweet soul, R&B, cumbia, bolero, chicha and instrumental rock - but bring them into the present. The evening builds from an instrumental introduction, through vocal harmonies, to the full soul ensemble of Thee Sacred Souls.
Ticket sales for this event are underway.
Why Thee Sacred Souls are one of the more recognizable new names in soul
Thee Sacred Souls were formed in San Diego, and the core of the group consists of singer Josh Lane, drummer and guitarist Alex Garcia, and bassist and drummer Sal Samano. A wider audience discovered them through the song "Can I Call You Rose?", after which their self-titled debut album was released in 2022. Their sound is often described by the term "souldies", associated with the Southern California tradition of gentle, romantic soul that works equally well on the radio, on the dance floor and in a more intimate concert venue.
Lane's vocals move from a quiet, almost conversational tone into high registers, while the rhythm section remains precise and restrained. The songs are built around infatuation, waiting, doubt and breakups. That is why titles such as "Weak for Your Love", "Will I See You Again?", "Easier Said Than Done" and "Running Away" already feel familiar upon the first listen.
In a short period, the group has performed in formats such as NPR Tiny Desk and Austin City Limits, as well as at major festivals, but the concerts still retain a sense of intimacy. Thee Sacred Souls do not sound like a small studio trio live. Previous performances have included an expanded lineup with horns, backing vocals, guitar, bass, drums and percussion, giving the quiet studio recordings a broader dynamic range.
The album "Got A Story To Tell" and the group's current phase
The second album, "Got A Story To Tell", was released in October 2024 and brought 12 original songs. Gentle ballads stand alongside more rhythmic compositions, while the lyrics expand from romantic longing toward loss and personal growth. The songs "Lucid Girl", "Live For You", "Waiting on the Right Time" and "On My Mind" are important to the group's current concert identity.
In April 2026, the single "Any Old Fool" was released, a recording from an earlier studio period with a pronounced bass line, firm drums and Lane's more relaxed vocals. At the end of July of the same year, reggae versions of the songs "Waiting on the Right Time" and "One and the Same" also arrived, created in collaboration with producer Victor Axelrod and the band The Inversions. These versions do not confirm what will be played in Forest Grove, but they show that the group is currently not standing still between albums and tours.
What can be expected from the live performance
The exact set list for Forest Grove has not been published, and the order of the songs should not be assumed in advance. Nevertheless, reports from previous concerts provide a good framework for the type of performance. More recent programs have combined songs from both albums, including "Lucid Girl", "Will I See You Again?", "Easier Said Than Done", "Running Away", "It's Our Love" and "On My Mind". The repertoire moves from slow swaying to faster soul numbers that naturally bring the audience to its feet.
Josh Lane is known for direct contact with the audience. At earlier performances, he came down from the stage, moved along the security barrier and sang among the visitors. Such moments cannot be guaranteed for every venue, but they show that the concert is not conceived as a static reproduction of the albums. Lane often briefly introduces the songs and explains the emotion or experience from which they emerged, while the rest of the band maintains a highly disciplined groove.
For longtime fans, it will be important to hear how the studio songs have been expanded with horns and backing vocals. For new listeners, the concert offers an accessible introduction to the catalog: the melodies are clear, and the voice is more important than large stage effects. It will particularly appeal to fans of sweet soul, quieter R&B and Daptone's contemporary catalog.
LA LOM and The Womack Sisters are not merely brief opening acts
LA LOM is an instrumental trio from Los Angeles consisting of Zac Sokolow on guitar, Jake Faulkner on bass, and Nicholas Baker on drums and percussion. The name is an abbreviation of The Los Angeles League of Musicians. Their music connects cumbia, bolero, Peruvian chicha, surf guitar, country twang and the lounge atmosphere of old Los Angeles. The debut album "The Los Angeles League of Musicians" was released in 2024, while the concert format relies on clear communication between guitar, bass and rhythm, without a lead singer.
LA LOM provides an important contrast: danceable compositions without an aggressive tempo, with enough space for the details of the percussion and bass. They have already shared the stage with Thee Sacred Souls, so the transition between their sets has a clear musical logic.
The Womack Sisters consist of BG, Zeimani and Kucha Womack. The trio moves between soul and R&B, with an emphasis on the different colors of the three voices and their shared harmonies. The performance in Forest Grove is particularly interesting because it takes place only a few days before the release of their self-titled debut album, announced for August 14, 2026. The latest single, "If I Let You", was released at the end of July, giving the audience an opportunity to hear the performers at the moment when they are entering a new phase of their careers.
- Thee Sacred Souls - romantic sweet soul, original songs and an expanded concert ensemble
- LA LOM - instrumental cumbia, bolero, chicha, surf guitar and the rhythms of Los Angeles
- The Womack Sisters - soul and R&B with prominent sisterly vocal harmonies
McMenamins Grand Lodge as a concert venue
Grand Lodge Concerts in the Grove is located at 3505 Pacific Ave. in Forest Grove. It is an open-air space on the lawn beside the Grand Lodge complex, with a maximum capacity of 3,300 visitors. The stage and broad green area create a different relationship between performers and audience than an enclosed arena: there are no high stands, and the experience depends on the place a visitor takes on the lawn.
Slower songs gain a calmer early-evening setting, while faster rhythms suit an audience that is standing or dancing. Sound behaves differently outdoors than it does in a theater, so visitors for whom vocal details are important should arrive earlier and choose a place with a clear view toward the stage and sound system.
Tickets for this event are in demand. Arriving early is important not only because of parking, but also because the general-admission lawn is organized on a first-come, first-served basis.
Lawn seating
Personal chairs are not permitted. A limited number of venue chairs can be reserved in advance, while smaller seating pads up to 16 x 16 inches, towels up to 30 x 60 inches and portable legless seats up to 16 x 16 x 16 inches are allowed. Blankets and yoga mats are not permitted.
The venue has a designated area for visitors with mobility difficulties, but the number of spaces is limited. The ground may be uneven, so it is advisable to request the required accommodation in advance. Staff and transportation within the complex can assist with travel from the parking area to the concert venue.
Arrival, parking and public transportation
Parking at Grand Lodge is free, but the number of spaces is limited. Organizers recommend carpooling and arriving at the location early. Since the doors open at 4:30 p.m., allowing enough time for traffic, parking, the security check and finding a place on the lawn reduces the risk of missing the beginning of the program.
TriMet bus line 57 connects Beaverton Transit Center, Aloha, Hillsboro, Cornelius and Forest Grove via TV Highway and Pacific Avenue. Visitors arriving from the wider Portland area can combine MAX to Beaverton Transit Center with bus 57 toward Forest Grove. For events at Grand Lodge, getting off near Pacific Ave. and Highway 47 is recommended, with a required check of the current timetable and possible construction work before departure.
Forest Grove is located west of Portland, at the edge of Oregon's wine region. After the program ends, transportation options may be more limited than in a large urban center, so it is useful to plan the return route before entering.
- Doors: 4:30 p.m.
- Program begins: 6:00 p.m.
- Age policy: all ages; visitors aged 3 and older require a ticket
- Location: Grand Lodge Concerts in the Grove, 3505 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove
- Parking: free, but limited
- Format: general admission on the lawn, in order of arrival
What to bring and what to leave outside the concert venue
Sealed plastic water bottles and empty non-glass bottles are permitted; water-filling stations are available inside the venue. Other outside food and drinks are not allowed. Payment can be made in cash and by card, and metal-detector screenings are conducted at the entrances.
The bag rules are strict. Clear bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, clear one-gallon bags and very small opaque purses up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches are permitted. Bags that do not comply with the rules must be returned to the vehicle. Re-entry after leaving the concert venue is not allowed, unless otherwise stated for an individual event.
The concert takes place rain or shine. Small personal umbrellas may be brought in, but after the performance begins they may not be used in audience areas if they obstruct the view. A lightweight waterproof jacket, footwear suitable for grass and layered clothing for the evening drop in temperature are more practical choices. Smoking and vaping are permitted only in designated areas, pets are not allowed inside the concert venue, and service animals are the exception.
How to make the most of the evening
Arriving soon after the doors open provides enough time to enter without rushing and to see the entire performances by LA LOM and The Womack Sisters. Skipping the opening performers means losing an important part of the tour's concept: first an instrumental Los Angeles groove, then three-part soul, and only afterward the full emotional range of Thee Sacred Souls.
On the lawn, part of the audience will sit during the slower songs and stand and dance during the faster ones. The front area offers more energy and proximity to the performers, while the rear area offers more space. Visitors hearing the group for the first time would benefit from becoming familiar with "Can I Call You Rose?", "Weak for Your Love", "Easier Said Than Done", "Lucid Girl", "Live For You" and "Any Old Fool".
It is worth securing tickets in time and then checking the final information about admission, transportation and venue rules immediately before departure.
Sources:
- McMenamins - confirmed performers, date, door-opening time, program start, address and age policy.
- Thee Sacred Souls - The Constellation Tour schedule and the current concert stage.
- Daptone Records - group biography, albums, singles from 2025 and 2026, and the collaboration with Victor Axelrod.
- Hot Press - description of an earlier performance, the expanded lineup, instruments used and Josh Lane's contact with the audience.
- LA LOM and Verve Records - trio members, musical influences and debut album.
- The Womack Sisters and Daptone Records - trio lineup, the single "If I Let You" and the announcement of the debut album.
- Grand Lodge Concerts in the Grove - capacity, seating, bags, water, weather rules, accessibility and parking.
- TriMet - bus line 57 and the connection between Beaverton, Hillsboro and Forest Grove.