NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
We got a preview of Soccer Mommy’s (aka Sophia Regina Allison) fourth studio album “Evergreen” during her “Lost Shows” mini-tour last May. The album, released in October, once again solidifies her as one of the best young songwriters. The lyrics on this record feel even more melancholy, if possible, than ever and while “Color Theory” will always have a special place in my heart, “Evergreen” is a solid addition to the her discography. To support the album, Soccer Mommy has embarked on a North American tour and stopped at the Concert Hall in Toronto on a frigid Tuesday night, February 4th.
Opening for Soccer Mommy was Louisville, Kentucky based singer/songwriter Tomberlin (aka Sarah Beth Tomberlin). I’ve seen her as a support act twice but it feels like the first time I saw her perform was ten years ago, even though Wikipedia says I’m mistaken. Must be COVID time then. With Tomberlin’s beautiful voice reaching out through the venue, it was about as silent as could possibly be expected for an opener. Her last record was 2022’s “I Don’t Know Who Needs to Hear This” but take a listen. You won’t regret it.
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As with the Lost Shows Tour, flowers were in abundance on the stage for Soccer Mommy. Props to the band for coming out and doing their own sound checks. You don’t see many bands do that anymore, even smaller acts! Soccer Mommy obviously wants to make sure everything is perfect…except when she had the wrong guitar for “Some Sunny Day”!
They kicked off the set with “Abigail” off the new record before going back to “Circle the Drain” from “Color Theory”. The set comprised of every song from “Evergreen” except for “Anchor”, four songs from her third studio album “Sometimes, Forever” and only three songs from “Color Theory”. Did I say that “Color Theory” was one my favorite albums ever? I guess we must move on because new music must override old. But in the middle of a mostly chill set, they performed an extended arrangement of “Crawling in My Skin” and really rocked out. It was a sight to see!
There wasn’t much banter in between songs but we do know that Allison is planning to go to bed after the show like many others in the crowd. When she asked her fans what they do for fun after concerts, we thought she might want to go out but such was not the case. On a cold night, going to a warm bed was probably the best idea anyway. Check out “Evergreen” on you favorite streaming service and/or catch Soccer Mommy on tour! She’ll be on the road through mid-March.
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