Using Density Functional Theory approaches, we investigate the structure and spectroscopic signatures of sumanene, monooxosumanene and trioxosumanene, three synthesised bowl-shaped compounds. The simulated properties include geometries, charges, polarisabilities, infrared and UV/visible spectra as well as complexation energies. Refined approaches have been considered (anharmonic frequencies, state-specific solvent model, dispersion-corrected DFT ...) and a valuable agreement with experimental reference values is reached for most properties. The evolution of the electronic features of sumanene upon oxidation has been rationalised. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.