The energy is always electric outside of a concert at Headliners Music Hall, and as staffer Sadie Eichenberger and I stood in the line for security, we were practically pulsing with the music overflowing from the open venue doors.
Tomberlin, the opening act for the night, had already started playing. It was just Sarah Beth Tomberlin – lead vocals and guitar – and her cellist, giving the act an intimacy with the audience that’s often hard to achieve. Tomberlin is a Louisville-based artist, and it was great to see her shine in a space she knows well. The crowd couldn’t help but sway along to her songs, the strings and her voice melding perfectly. Her songs paint pictures of exploration, nature, and wonderlust, all accentuated by the set pieces accompanying the show – flowers upon flowers. Tomberlin ended with her most popular song, “Wasted,” in which the guitar really shines through, taking control of the song and the crowd.
After a brief interlude, Soccer Mommy took the stage. Lead singer Sophie Allison and her band of six others were now framed by the flower pots, vines, and swirl of colors. The setlist frequently shifts from show to show, and Louisville was lucky enough to hear a mix of old and new. From her new album, “Evergreen,” she played hits including “Lost,” “Driver,” “Abigail” and “M,” each with themes of loss. The lyrics and mood were haunting, but also self-reflective – like spring after winter. The show also featured “Henry,” not usually on the setlist, but one of my personal favorites from Soccer Mommy’s debut album, “For Young Hearts.”
Throughout the show, members of the crowd had been barking – an indication of their desire for “Your Dog,” one of Soccer Mommy’s biggest hits and a fan-favorite from her 2018 album “Clean.” At the show’s closing, the band performed “Your Dog,” the perfect closer to highlight the beautiful blend of Allison’s vocals and her band’s excellent instrumentals.
“Your Dog” marked the end of the show – at least, until the encore. Soccer Mommy came back out to perform “Changes” and “Don’t Ask Me,” the former from “Evergreen,” and the latter from “Sometimes, Forever,” the album preceding “Evergreen.” The band and the crowd brought the energy throughout the whole show, carrying it into the encore and even after the show as a few fans clamored for the setlist.
Soccer Mommy’s music is reminiscent of early 2010s indie rock, but Allison’s Phoebe Bridgers-like vocals and guttural lyrics bring a fresh twist to every song. Soccer Mommy’s North America Tour continues well into May 2025, and I’m excited to see what the artist does next.
