The Dip

Review & Photos by Jackie Tanner

The soulful Seattle based band The Dip brought their infectious grooves to Capitol Federal Amphitheatre in Andover, Kansas on September 11th, 2025. Known for their tight musicianship, stellar songwriting, and dynamic live performances, The Dip has made a name for themselves as one of the notable acts in today’s R&B scene and this show made it clear why. While The Dip may have opened for The Red Clay Strays, their set felt like a headliner in itself. With a well balanced setlist and seamless arrangements, the band left a lasting impression on the audience. The Dip’s current lineup features frontman Tom Eddy on vocals and guitar, Jace Holmes on keys, Jarred Katz on drums, and Mark Hunter on bass guitar. At the heart of their sound is the horn section, made up of Brennan Carter on trumpet and flugelhorn, Levi Gillis on tenor saxophone, and Evan Smith on baritone saxophone.

Their setlist showed off the band’s versatility, spanning a wide variety of their discography as well as a few unexpected covers. Off of their most recent album, Love Direction, “Fill My Cup” began with a very wistful, improvisational intro from Holmes on keys that had the audience captivated from the first notes. The song highlighted Eddy’s rich, warm vocals alongside a lively performance from the rest of the band that drew the crowd in immediately. “Head on a Swivel” let the horn section shine, specifically Gillis, who delivered two stellar solos on saxophone. Holmes also had a playful solo on keys that lifted the song’s energy to another level. In combination with catchy riffs from Eddy and Hunter, their sound filled the open air venue with a wall of sound that had the audience all jamming along. “Atlas” slowed the pace with a very heartfelt performance, Eddy’s delivery of the chorus’ main hook “don’t put the weight on your shoulders, cause you know it ain’t your load to bare” made the song especially moving for the audience. The band closed with “Sure Don’t Miss You,” which turned into a joyous back-and-forth between the stage and the crowd. The song showcases Katz’s tight, driving groove on drums. The crisp cowbell and steady backbeat give the horns and vocals room to play while keeping the energy high. The call-and-response of “sure don’t miss you right now” left the audience buzzing as the last notes rang out.

The Dip also showcased two standout covers: a heartfelt and warm take on “Wichita Lineman,” where their horns added fresh texture to the Glen Campbell classic. The second being,band’s newest release to streaming platforms, a cover of Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do for Love,” featured the entire band’s talents. The three piece horn section, Gillis, Smith, and Carter, layered in rich accents that gave the song its depth, Carter’s expressive solo added a moody quality that made it one of the night’s highlights.

Go catch The Dip when they come to a city near you, their set in Andover was a testament to what makes them so distinctive, they are a rare balance of sharp musicianship, heartfelt songwriting, and improvisational chemistry ensures that each show feels both fresh and unforgettable. With each performance, The Dip reinforces why they stand apart.