It’s official: Soccer Mommy, a.k.a. Sophia Regina Allison, is a Birds fan.
Well, maybe not a fan. But the Swiss-born, Nashville-raised indie/emo/grunge artist did give her Philly audience a “Go Eagles!” amidst persistent shouts ahead of Sunday’s NFC Championship game.
Saturday night’s stop at Union Transfer was the second show on Allison’s North American tour promoting Evergreen, her project’s sixth LP. Though earlier albums offered an exposed look into Soccer Mommy’s world, Evergreen is a different animal. Written in the midst of grief, songs like “Some Sunny Day” and “Thinking of You” offer a light in the darkness, whether that’s in the uptempo drums or persisting melodies. If vulnerability were a tightrope, Soccer Mommy would find a way to dance across it.
L’Rain | photo by Gavyn Green for WXPN
But the first hour was for opener L’Rain. The artist and experimental pop group founded by Taja Cheek brought ethereal vocals, cyclical rhythm, and sax to Union Transfer. L’Rain’s hypnotizing, genre-defying sound shone through with songs like “5 to 8 Hours a Day (WWwaG)” from her 2023 LP I Killed Your Dog. As Cheek played, throwing back her head to laugh, it was clear that L’Rain’s art is a labor of love, one that takes teamwork.
“Dylan and Tracy, where the F*** are you?” Cheek said, suddenly with a birthday cake – for those on the team who helped L’Rain tour with Soccer Mommy, and even for fans after the show. As the set’s velvety, shifting sound wound down, it became time for the Mother herself.
Soccer Mommy | photo by Gavyn Green for WXPN
Beneath a flower-framed portal and shimmering lights, Allison captivated with a mix of old favorites and new releases. From grungy recent release “Driver” to 2020’s swirling, moody “Circle the Drain,” Soccer Mommy gave Philly all her bittersweet-yet-heartfelt love.
Percussion stepped back for a dreamy version of “Lost.” The pared-down version of the song made it all the more impactful, with Allison’s final lyric, “If I’d had another chance, I’d tell her then” turning into an absolute sucker-punch.
After so much introspection, one eventually needs to let it all out. Soccer Mommy’s finale, the now-classic “Your Dog” from her 2018 LP, did just that, the song’s raw defiance getting the audience to sing, scream and dance along.
“You guys are all still here,” Allison said, returning to the stage with a smile and an encore.
As Soccer Mommy herself said, “It’s always better in Philly.”
Soccer Mommy is playing Brooklyn Steel on the 30th and is leaving for Europe this spring. See more photos from Union Transfer below and check out XPN’s Concert Calendar for more concerts in the area.