live review by Sparky in London, photos by Kristy Eighteen in Manchester
Soccer Mommy – Tennessee’s Sophie Allison – has earned a reputation for crafting emotionally charged, atmospheric indie rock that resonates deeply with listeners. With four albums under her belt, her ability to merge personal vulnerability with expansive soundscapes has captivated audiences across the globe. Whether exploring themes of grief, self-reflection, or longing, Allison’s live performances are known for their intimate yet immersive quality, making each show feel like a private moment shared with the audience.
The evening commenced with Bored at My Grandma’s House, the musical project of Leeds-based singer-songwriter Amber Strawbridge. Known for her introspective blend of shoegaze and dream pop, Strawbridge’s performance was a captivating prelude to the main act. Her set showcased tracks from her debut album Show & Tell, including the standout single ‘Inhibitions’, which delves into themes of self-doubt and vulnerability. The intimate atmosphere of St John at Hackney Church complemented her ethereal sound, setting a reflective tone for the night ahead.
When Allison and her band took the stage, it was clear from the outset that this would be a night of deep emotional connection, rather than a spectacle of bombast. The stunning St John at Hackney Church, with its soaring architecture and ethereal lighting, provided a breathtaking backdrop for Soccer Mommy’s dreamy, layered sound. The contrast between the grand, classical venue and the personal intimacy of Allison’s music created a unique atmosphere that felt both expansive and intimate at the same time.
The set opened with ‘Abigail,’ a delicate track that immediately set the tone for the evening, followed by ‘Circle the Drain’ from Color Theory, which had the crowd fully immersed in Allison’s introspective world. While the pace was gentle at first, songs like ‘Driver’ and ‘Bones’ introduced a welcome urgency, with lush shoegaze textures and influences of Slowdive and Cocteau Twins. ‘Shotgun’ added a driving bassline that felt reminiscent of The Cure, pulling the audience deeper into the emotional landscape of the night.
The most poignant moments of the evening came during ‘M’ and ‘Lost,’ where Allison explored the grief of losing her mother. The songs’ raw tenderness was complemented by rich shoegaze guitars and haunting synths, drawing the audience into a shared space of vulnerability.
But it was ‘Still Clean,’ performed solo, that truly stole the show. Stripped back to its raw essence, the track revealed Allison at her most intimate, her voice cutting through the stillness in a way that felt like a private moment of confessional honesty.
As the band returned to the stage for the final stretch, the intensity of tracks like ‘Crawling in My Skin’ and ‘Salt in the Wound’ carried a sense of controlled urgency. Rather than descending into chaos, every note and every layer felt purposeful, contributing to the overall emotional arc of the set. Allison’s dry wit added a light touch to the evening, as she jokingly referred to her Hackney audience as “rowdy,” which was met with knowing laughter. There was an undeniable connection between Allison and the crowd, a shared understanding that ran deeper than the music itself.
Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without a performance of ‘Your Dog,’ which earned one of the loudest cheers of the evening. The crowd’s energy reached a fever pitch, only to be surpassed by the unexpected encore. The final tracks—Evergreen’s title track and ‘Don’t Ask Me’—left the audience with one last burst of energy, inviting us to let go and lose ourselves in the cathartic release that Soccer Mommy so effortlessly creates.
Soccer Mommy’s ability to combine personal reflection with expansive soundscapes has made her a standout artist in the indie rock scene. With four albums—Clean (2018), Color Theory (2020), Sometimes, Forever (2022), and Evergreen (2023)—Allison has continually evolved her sound, exploring new emotional depths with each release. Her music resonates because it speaks to universal themes of grief, love, and self-discovery, and her live performances bring those themes to life with an intimacy that feels both personal and cathartic. Through every song and every performance, Soccer Mommy invites the audience into her world, creating a space for shared experience and emotional release.