MOTHER MOTHER @ O2 BRIXTON ACADEMY /16.07.2025

With their biggest ever UK headline show at Brixton’s O2 Academy on July 16th, Mother Mother proved once again why they’ve become one of Canada’s most captivating alt-rock acts. The Vancouver based five-piece delivered a night that was full of surprises and full of heart - a perfect showcase of the quirks, chaos, and connection that make them such an entertaining live act.

Opening the night was Fish in a Birdcage, the music project by Dustan Townsend, whose unique and intriguing set made a lasting impression. Blending expressive vocals with cinematic instrumentation, Dusty delivered an experimental, genre-blending sound that felt like a fitting introduction to the evening. A wonderfully offbeat fusion of electronica and folk, the crowd seemed fully engaged from the start. Seated centre front of the stage, Dustan invited the audience into his world, creating a performance that was intimate and immersive. Part way through, he was joined by his partner Luna Charlotte, who added beautiful vocal layers to the already captivating set, enhancing the atmosphere even further. Fish in a Birdcage was a strikingly original act - the kind you don’t forget in a hurry - and this set paved the way perfectly for the night that followed.

As the lights dimmed, the unmistakable opening to ‘The Sticks’ filled the venue. Frontman Ryan Guldemond was joined by his sister Molly Guldemond and bandmate Jasmin Parkin, both on vocals and keys, with the three of them delivering rich harmonies and sharp energy throughout. Holding down the rhythm section was Mike Young on bass and Ali Siadat on drums, driving the momentum from the back. They wasted no time pulling out big moments, and just a few songs in, fan favourite ‘Hayloft’ sent the crowd into a frenzy, only to be smashed together with a bold cover of Nirvana’s ‘In Bloom’. That was the first of multiple mashups that kept fans on their toes throughout the set. Their reimagining of Pixies’ ‘Where Is My Mind?’ alongside their own track ‘The Matrix’ was another highlight - eerie, beautiful, and utterly immersive.

They kept the momentum rolling with an energetic rendition of ‘Burning Pile’, another fan favourite that had everyone singing along. The band then briefly left the stage, returning moments later for a stripped-back moment of unity. All five members moved to the front of the stage for an acoustic medley, blending the tracks ‘Tic Toc’, ‘Touch Up’, Body’, ‘Ghosting’, and ‘Little Pistol’. It was a playful, feel-good moment and an opportunity to lean into the fun, communal spirit of the night.

The band’s connection to their fans shone through all night, especially when Ryan paused mid-set to ask if anyone had anything to say. What followed was one of the more unexpected and endearing moments of the night - a fan proposed to his girlfriend, prompting Ryan to ask her favourite Mother Mother song. After a moment of hesitation Ryan teased that she might not know their music very well, before she proved him wrong by revealing a Mother Mother tattoo and requesting ‘God’s Plan’, which the band played on the spot. 

After a couple more songs, the band ramped things up again with a fiery rendition of ‘Hayloft II’, before exiting the stage for the second time. But the crowd wasn’t ready for the night to end, and chants of “one more song” quickly brought them back. When they returned for the encore, it was with the beautiful ‘To Regret’, with Molly taking centre stage. A fan’s sign reading “Queen Molly” was placed on Ryan’s keyboard to set the scene.

Pausing to have a chat with the audience, Ryan took a moment to reflect on what shows like this mean to them, and how happy they were to be playing at that venue. And there was still time for one final round of fan interaction. After asking once more if anybody has anything to say, Ryan scanned the room and spotted Preston, a familiar face who had given the band a letter after meeting them at a recent show. After being handed the microphone, Preston asked if the band would play the Eureka title track. Ryan joked, “That’s it? That’s all you’ve got to say?” before Preston replied, “I love you", Ryan responding “We love you too”. The band obliged and performed the track before closing out the night with ‘Oh Ana’.

With only one UK date this year, this Brixton show felt like a celebration - of the band’s journey, their fans, and their wonderful discography. Mother Mother have just a couple more stops left on their current EU/UK tour before wrapping up up in Istanbul on July 22nd. It’s been a run packed with memorable moments and endless fun, and this show was no exception. If you get the chance to see Mother Mother live, I strongly urge you to take it.