NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
With her new single “Shotgun” already out and her new album “Sometimes, Forever” about to drop in May, it almost feels like I’m seeing Soccer Mommy (aka Sophie Regina Allison) just a month early. That being said, this spring tour is really what we had expected back in 2020 in support of her then new album “Color Theory”. Of course we all know what happened. That didn’t prevent me from listening to the record non-stop and naming it one of my top albums of 2020. Either way, I was excited to see and hear those songs in a live setting.
Supporting band Peel Dream Magazine was scheduled to open for Soccer Mommy but has dropped from the last week of shows due to medical issues. Not confirmed but, these days, I have to assume that someone in the group tested positive for Covid. For all you fans out there, please do wear your masks. We hate to see bands have to cancel shows or a whole tour because they came down with Covid.
Local PIttsburgh band Scratchy Blanket opened as a last minute replacement and seemed extremely shy and self-deprecating on stage. But with lead vocalist Shannon Keating seemingly singing to you personally and partner Chloe’s hands flying across the guitar, they had the crowd bopping along to every song for quite an enjoyable set.
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Soccer Mommy didn’t come out as planned at 9pm, probably because the crowd was singing along to Avil Lavigne’s “Complicated” and the band waited for the song to finish. With many members of the crowd under 21, wouldn’t have been in elementary school at most when the song came out in 2002? Anyway, it seemed to be the perfect song for the crowd singalong.
I won’t say too much about Soccer Mommy’s setlist except that it leaned heavily towards songs from “Color Theory”, which was perfect for me. The band was top notch (special call out to guitarist/keyboardist Rodrigo Avendano) and the drumming of Rollum Haas, which isn’t as evident on the records, was very prominent. Often times, I feel that drums and bass are toned down on records. Perhaps that’s why I much prefer live music performances. I feel that Soccer Mommy has established herself as one of the top young indie rock songwriters and I can’t wait for the new album to be released so we can hear some more of what Sophie has to say.
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