Desert funk for the soul
On a crisp Edinburgh evening, Dean Owens and the Sinners delivered a captivating performance at the city’s iconic Traverse Theatre. The full auditorium, with every seat sold, was filled with anticipation for a night of potent storytelling and soulful music. The band’s unique blend of postindustrial Scottish grit and the rugged spirit of America’s desert states was on full display as they played two 45-minute sets, offering both new material and well-loved classics from their back catalogue.
Dean Owens, joined by his talented bandmates – Craig Ross on guitar, Adam McMillan on double bass, Philip Cardwell on trumpet, and guest drummer Andy Duncan – created a sonic landscape that swept the audience from moody introspection to moments of infectious energy. Dean’s deep, evocative voice, paired with his skillful acoustic guitar playing, painted vivid tales of love, lust, and the wandering souls caught between distant worlds. The Sinners’ mix of instruments – including the trumpet’s brassy presence and the dynamic percussion – infused the performance with rich, textured layers.
However, while the evening had its moments of grandeur, especially in the funkier numbers and the more upbeat tunes like Up On The Hill, there were times when the mood veered too much into melancholy. Many of the newer songs felt similar in tone, with an overall air of longing and nostalgia that at times made it hard to distinguish one from the other. This created a certain sameness in the atmosphere that occasionally dulled the energy of the performance.
Despite this, the band’s ability to weave in moments of intensity and joy – whether through a sudden rhythmic shift or an unexpected trumpet solo – kept the audience engaged. Tracks from Dean’s upcoming album Spirit Ridge, which was recorded in the heart of Italy, also injected a fresh sense of anticipation for what’s to come from this talented ensemble.
Overall, Dean Owens and the Sinners provided a night of rich, soulful music and stories that resonated with the crowd. While the sombre undertones of their newer material might not be to everyone’s taste, their more upbeat tracks certainly proved to be a much-needed shot of vitality, proving that this band has both the heart and the spirit to carry their tales far beyond the walls of the Traverse Theatre.