Review by Markus Hamence – Performance date: Saturday 16 November 2024, Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, SA
Considering Mother Mother are only in their ‘Courting’ period with Australia I was epically impressed to walk into a full-house of varied punters at Hindley Street Music Hall on Saturday November 16, 2024. It was a proven showcase of their musical evolution and connection with fans. The Canadian alt-rock band, comprising Ryan Guldemond (vocals, guitar), Molly Guldemond (vocals, keys), Jasmin Parkin (vocals, keys), Ali Siadat (drums), and Mike Young (bass), gave us a killer set that punched powefully with us, the audience.
‘Mother’ have visited Australia only once before, in 2023, but this is the first performance in Adelaide and we 100% showed them why we should not ever be left of the schedule ever again. Indeed, Ryan acknowledged this ensuring (jokingly) someone will be sacked over that oversight.
Support Act
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Ūla opened the night, so we’re going to start there. Ūla is a naturally talented artist with stacks of quirk and uniqueness, AND, ready for greatness. Born and raised in Sydney, on a diet of 80’s rock with a side serving of traditional Lithuanian folk music. She currently has over 300k TikTok followers and a growing international fanbase. She recently starred on The Voice Australia, so she’s certainly no stranger to us. ‘Futon’, ‘Nose Bleed’ and ‘God Complex’ amongst the other numbers were total bangers and set the stage perfectly for the headliners to follow. What a pleasure to experience this artist live. Definitely watch this one, she’s making serious waves in the industry… Stay tuned 🙂
The Headliners
Then the heat was turned up even further. The chandelier dimmed and Mother Mother took to stage. The crowd, pretty simply, erupted. This band know how to work the stage – Ryan, Molly and crew delivered high energy. They danced, belted out big numbers, even anthems. Their musicianship is sharp and they work extremely tight together as a unit. Backing up the rear of the stage is Ali on drums. He is a machine on that kit.
‘Nobody Escapes’ kicked off the set. Then followed a whallop after whallop of BIG songs… ‘Problems’, ‘Bit By Bit’, ‘Bodies’ and my favourite ‘Explode’ from their new album ‘Grief Chapter’. In all, on reflection, I think there were about four tracks off the latest album. Just EPIC.
Performance Highlights
The setlist, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, featured a blend of tracks from their latest album, Grief Chapter, and fan favourites from their extensive discography. Notable performances included:
- Hayloft II: The band delivered this track with high energy, engaging the crowd in a lively sing-along.
- Normalize: This song showcased their lyrical depth and musical versatility, resonating with the audience on a profound level.
- Wrecking Ball: A heartfelt performance that highlighted the band’s ability to connect emotionally with their listeners.
Special mention to the lighting guy. Lighting makes the show (as well as the audio obviously) BUT, the light really shone (no pun intended), fabulous work whoever was in charge there at the desk.
Audience Engagement
Mother Mother’s interaction with the audience was a special standout aspect of the evening. Lead vocalist Ryan Guldemond shared personal anecdotes between songs, fostering a sense of intimacy. The band’s genuine appreciation for their fans was evident, creating a memorable and inclusive atmosphere. Pretty sure there wasn’t one person in the crowd that walked away without being engrossed in the momentous energy of the night.
Conclusion
Mother Mother’s show at Hindley Street Music Hall was evidence of their artistry and the strong bond they share with their audience. The combination of a thoughtfully curated setlist, engaging performances, and the venue’s ambiance made for an unforgettable evening. Fans left with a renewed appreciation for the band’s musical journey and eagerly anticipate their next visit to Adelaide.
I promptly headed to the merch desk and secured myself the new album on vinyl. I have played this three time over while writing this review and feel I have live the performance all over again. Thank you Mother Mother for a great ngiht.
Stars? This was tooooooo easy:
Check out our gallery of pics here!
