PHOENIX, AZ | Mother Mother and Cavetown kicked off their joint coast to coast tour in Arizona on Friday in downtown Phoenix. The Arizona Financial Theatre was packed full of dedicated fans of both bands. The joint tour offers the unique ability to see two full concerts in one night with a supporting band kicking things off as well. The two band’s followings are some of the most respectful fans I have interacted with and consistently looked out for each other as the night went on. Evident by the merch line that went up two flights of stairs, the tour deserves the larger venues they’re sharing as the trek travels on. Both bands are fans of each other, and their fans line up perfectly to make something like this happen.
The night was kicked off by Meet Me @ The Altar. The pop-punk trio has been releasing music since 2018, and originally started writing virtually with all the members in different states. The group clearly has years of performing experience and is a great choice to warm up a crowd. The trio mixes just about everything under the rock umbrella—lead guitar lines, pop harmonies, and a punk attitude and the band makes sure they do everything to the max. They have a bright future and will be headlining shows soon.
First up on the joint-tour in Phoenix was Mother Mother. The Canadian natives have been releasing music since 2007, but really hit it off with their 2022 album Inside. Renowned as Canada’s biggest alt-rock export, the group is touring on their 2024 album Grief Chapter. Influenced by the larger stages the band has played, this night the high energy of those rooms made it into their music. Notably influenced by the Pixies, they also reminded me of Of Monsters and Men, the mid 2010s alternative/indie band. Mother Mother has a loyal, dedicated fan base. Folks showed up early, and certainly came through the merch line.
What is special about Mother Mother and this tour in general is how welcoming it is. Opening the doors to everyone under the sun, the energy is felt throughout the entire 5,000 person theater. It’s hard to believe we got to experience Mother Mother and then have an entire concert setlist to look forward to afterward. It is trivial to refer to Mother Mother as an opening band, as they could headline most theaters in the country, but on Friday we got to experience them as such. Mother Mother is coming off a European tour with a two month break, and they are back like they’ve never left the stage.
The “headliner” for the night was Cavetown. Cavetown has been releasing music since 2015, but really hit the scene with his 2022 album “Worm Food.” The alternative/indie artist starts his set playing on an inflatable smaller stage in the middle of the larger Arizona Financial Theatre stage. His band plays behind him under large Mario Brothers inspired mushrooms.
The UK native mixes a little bit of everything, but I would say he leans more towards the mellow alt-pop arena. His sound is melodic and offers upbeat synthesizers to bring the mood. At only 25, he is headlining some of the biggest theaters in America. It’s hard to imagine, but he has been self-producing music since he was 14, so even at 25 he has over a decade of experience. Utilizing YouTube and other social media, Robbie Skinner—Cavetown—gained a following by putting out genuine, true to the heart content on all of his platforms. He organically gained a following by being himself and letting his personality ring true in his DIY music.
Kudos to the Mother Mother fans who stayed all the way to the end, and kudos to the Cavetown fans that arrived early. The tour offers something for everyone, even if you’re not currently a fan of one or the other. Each band welcomes everyone there like they have been a fan from the very start. Head to either band’s website for more information on the tour.
CAVETOWN
MOTHER MOTHER
MEET ME @ THE ALTAR
