“From Pew to Power Chords: Soccer Mommy Delivers Indie Sermon at Hackney Church”
- Dave Broome
- 13 hours ago
- 4 min read
Hackney Church London, 8th May 2025.
WORDS SAFFRON STILLER AND IMAGES DAVE BROOME
.“All praise to Soccer Mommy as she brings the Evergreen tour to Hackney Church”
The excitement and anticipation when stepping foot into Hackney Church is so electric you can feel it running through the walls. The venue, already revered for its unique acoustics and majestic architecture, somehow feels even more alive tonight. Its stained glass windows shimmer under the dimmed stage lights, and the tall arches reverberate with the murmurs of an expectant crowd. The incredible stage, home to an array of colourful guitars, is thoughtfully laid out, promising the performance to come. It’s an altar of indie magic in the making, framed by soft lighting and the gentle hush before the first note.
Shortly after 8 p.m., the support act Bored at My Grandma’s House walks onto the stage, plugs in her Telecaster-shaped guitar, and is soon joined by the accompanying guitarist. There’s a quiet confidence in their presence — no need for fanfare or theatrics. Their first song, "Inhibitions", begins. A classic drumbeat sounds out solo for a beat or two until the guitars join in, creating the perfect introduction for her soft voice that carries a sweet melody. It’s understated yet captivating. The guitars melt together wonderfully throughout the set, laying the groundwork for the performance to flourish until they step off stage. Their set is brief but memorable, a mellow and moving prelude to the headline act. Bored at My Grandma’s House is supporting Soccer Mommy on her UK tour, and those other cities are definitely in for a treat.
The stage may be empty, but the crowd is buzzing now, completely filled with a surprisingly diverse audience awaiting the main act. From vintage band tee veterans to fresh-faced indie fans, the spectrum of faces reflects the wide-reaching emotional resonance of Soccer Mommy’s music. The star of the show steps onto the stage, and the crowd reacts enthusiastically as she walks across, followed by her band. Their setup time is impressively fast (to the eager fans' relief), and they’re straight into it. No dramatic intro, no delay — just music.
The first song, "Abigail", begins with no introduction, and the crowd greets it with a cheer. Skipping the introduction is often a personal artistic choice, and if it was hers, it was a mighty good one; it let the music speak for itself. The tone was set: direct, emotionally raw, and instantly immersive. As soon as Soccer Mommy’s lovely voice was heard, the crowd showed their appreciation. A hush fell during her verses, followed by reverent cheers during each chorus.
A bright purple guitar was strapped across her frame, but rather than restricting her, it enabled a free yet skilled instrumental performance. She moved with casual precision, flowing with her band rather than simply leading it. After the first song ended, Soccer Mommy greeted her crowd with ease, earning their praise. Her natural charisma shone, blending humility and warmth in a way that only made the audience love her more. The transitions throughout the performance were seamless from every verse to chorus, and the flow into instrumental sections was particularly striking. They created moments where time felt suspended — where you could almost forget where you were, entirely lost in the music. At a glance, you could tell the band was confident in their flawlessly played parts, but with a longer look, it was clear how deeply they were feeling the music in the moment.
From whimsical vocals and pretty guitar parts to heavy drums and distorted guitar, Soccer Mommy maintained her authentic sound throughout, which was truly special. She didn’t try to overly polish or rework her songs for a live setting — instead, she enhanced what already made them great. The sweet, unique melodies, combined with clever lyrics, created a spectacular listening experience to complement the visual. Hackney Church offered an almost sacred space for the performance, and the combination felt spellbinding. Each and every song was executed beautifully, with every ending followed by raving applause and the wish to hear it again. There was an emotional arc to the whole evening, a gradual build of connection and release.
Soccer Mommy and her band exited the stage after the final song, Your Dog, with the crowd craving more proved by the calls from the audience. The applause felt like it might lift the roof off the church. The star returned for her highly anticipated encore, performing one last time before stepping off the stage for good. Her final goodbye was as unassuming and graceful as her entrance, leaving the crowd wrapped in gratitude and a shared sense of wonder. But the desire to experience it all again lingered long after the final note.
Set List:
1/ Abigail
2/ Circle the Drain
3/ Driver
4/ Bones
5/ Shotgun
6/ Dreaming of Falling
7/ Cool
8/ Thinking of You
9/ M
10/ Lost
11/ Still Clean
12/ Crawling in My Skin
13/ Salt in Wound
14/ Your Dog
15/ Evergreen
16/ Don’t Ask Me
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