Featuring Ash Molloy, July Talk, and Mother Mother
All Photo Credit: Tara Thompson
Night Four was one of the nights at the top of my list. I did not realize how much I missed this atmosphere until I stepped foot in such an amazing venue, ready to hear some amazing music!
First up for the night was Ash Molloy. This Newfoundland native (currently living in Toronto, Ontario) sought out musical success and found it. Described as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Molloy, with a raw, vulnerable, and unflustered approach to music, Molloy started the night off right with her soulful sound and catchy rhythms.
According to her website, 2024 saw Molloy “breakout of her small town in Newfoundland to make her mark on the Canadian alt scene with her mesmerizing live show, powerhouse vocals, poignant lyrics, and sheer tenacity to get her message and music out into the world”. Many of Molloy’s tracks were inspired by real life. One song, written for a friend of hers who was in a bad relationship at the time, displayed emotions that could be felt throughout the tent. Another song called ‘Breakdown’ is one that I am sure many of us could relate to at one point or another. The crowd erupted in cheers for this one. We were also treated to some brand-new unreleased future hits. Molloy ended her set with ‘Will I Ever Learn’, a song that was about getting messed with by the same types of people over and over again.
Next up was July Talk. It has been a while since I have seen them live, and they did not disappoint. Formed in 2012, this Canadian alternative rock band has solidified their reputation for explosive live shows from Canada to the United States to Europe to Australia.
They started off the set playing some of their newer tracks, including ‘After This’, ‘Certain Father’, and ‘I Am Water’ from their latest album, Remember Never Before, released in 2023.
The band was not long breaking into some fan favorites, such as ‘Beck + Call’, ‘Guns + Ammunition’, ‘Lola + Joseph’, and ‘Picturing Love’. Their set ended with ‘The Garden’, a track from their self-titled debut album released in 2012. This album went on to aid in winning a Juno for Alternative Album of the Year in 2015.
Not only do we get to listen to some absolutely fantastic music when seeing July Talk, but members of the band are true advocates of ensuring everyone feels safe. Since 2017, the band has been putting up posters and preaching the words “Love Lives Here”. Fans at the show were seen wearing shirts with the motto, helping to spread the word. According to their website, the post reads, “It’s important to us that our shows feel safe for everybody. Regardless of the colour of your beautiful skin, what you believe in, where you come from, how you got here, who/how you love, how you choose to identify yourself + how your exquisite body moves through space; We Welcome You.” It is performers such as these that keep us coming back for more.
Last up for the night was Mother Mother. Not only was this their first time in the tent, but their first time on the island. Mother Mother is a Canadian indie rock band hailing from Quadra Island, British Columbia. They combine adventurous, electric sounds ranging from indie-folk and quirky art pop to electronic-infused alt-rock.
Mother Mother started their journey in January 2005 under the name Mother. By the end of that year, they had independently released their debut self-titled album. This album helped them gain success, being named one of the top five BC bands to watch for in 2007. In late 2006, the band officially changed their name to Mother Mother, with a re-release of their debut album (renamed Touch Up) early in 2007.
Mother Mother started their set with an impressive mixture of melodies that spanned about a twenty-minute timeframe. The audience ate it up! The band played a mixture of new and old music for their fans. Tracks from their earlier days, such as ‘The Stand’ and ‘Verbatim’, showcased where they began. Many tracks from this era became popular on a video-sharing social media platform in late 2020, when many people were still staying home due to the pandemic. These tracks included ‘Hayloft’, ‘Arms Tonite’, and ‘Burning Pile’. Fans were excited to hear these live.
Mother Mother also treated the audience to some of their newer tracks from their 10th studio album, Nostalgia, released on June 6, 2025. These included the album’s first single, ‘Make Believe’, ‘Love To Death’, and ‘On and On (Song for Jasmin)’. This release also marks the band’s 20th anniversary. Mother Mother finished off their set with ‘To Regret’, ‘Finger’, and ‘Oh Ana’, leaving the audience wanting more. Now that they have been to Newfoundland for the first time, I am sure it won’t be their last!
