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Mannequin Pussy concert review: Raging loud and proud in the nation’s capital

BBG News

On the last day of their month-long tour, a band known for its outspoken political views was situated less than two miles from the White House. This setup promises an electrifying evening of rock music, and that’s precisely what Mannequin Pussy served up at Washington D.C.’s legendary 9:30 Club on Thursday night.

During an electrifying 19-track performance lasting 75 minutes, lead singer Missy Dabice openly expressed her views. In the introduction to their noisy metal track “Pledge,” from the 2016 album Romantic, she confessed that they had temporarily removed this song from their set list.

Seeing an online video of a child questioning why musicians should avoid politics in punk music, stirred a strong reaction in Dabice, prompting her to feel compelled to return something.

Mannequin Pussy in DC review

She exclaimed angrily, “I’ve never encountered such nonsense in my existence!” she bellowed, followed by singing, “I vow loyalty only to myself – Regardless of your actions, they’re always observing and eavesdropping.” Dabice and his group aimed to ensure that “they” wouldn’t need to exert much effort to hear what Mannequin Pussy is communicating.

She exploded in frustration, “I’ve never heard such foolish rubbish in my entire life!” she shouted, then broke into song, “I promise fealty solely to myself – No matter what you do, they’re always keeping tabs on you and tuning in.” Dabice and his crew intended to make it easy for “they” to catch the message from Mannequin Pussy.

Or:

She erupted with indignation, “I’ve never come across such idiotic nonsense in all my days!” she roared, before belting out a tune that went, “I dedicate my loyalty exclusively to myself – Whatever you do, they’re always spying on and eavesdropping.” Dabice and his associates planned to facilitate “they” overhearing what Mannequin Pussy was saying.

It’s possible that the events on Thursday’s show were influenced by some mischievous deity, as it coincided with the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a Tennessee law, which critics argue severely limits the rights of the transgender community. Although she didn’t explicitly refer to this recent verdict, it might have fanned the flames of an already heated issue.

In their second sold-out show, marking the end of this tour leg for their I Got Heaven tour, the Philadelphia quartet kicked off with a pair of hits from their past – “Everything,” from their album Romantic, and “Cream,” from Patience (2019). The latter song, beginning with “And I was standing at the gates of my hell,” ignited the first mosh pit of the evening.

Following the revival of “Pledge”, the band delivered a stunning sequence of tracks from the exceptional 2024 album, I Got Heaven. These included the heartfelt love song “I Don’t Know You” (dedicated to those pining for someone else), the powerful “Loud Bark” (preceded by a strong critique of how ‘traditional values’ are being misused today to limit others’ freedoms), and the title track “I Got Heaven”, which featured one of 2024’s most provocative lyrics, followed by one of its most insightful – “And what if I’m an angel, what if I’m a bore – And what if I was confident, would you just hate me more?

After “Perfect,” it was time for the signature aspect of a Mannequin Pussy concert. Dabice spoke directly to the boys in the audience, urging them to show more respect towards themselves and others. She then called on everyone present to let out a primal yell together.

The shout that we were supposed to make at full volume was actually the name of the band, not “mannequin.” The boys performed a scream session first, followed by the rest of us joining in.

Then it was into the short jolts of electricity from I Got Heaven, “Clams” and “OK? OK! OK? OK!”

Musically, Mannequin Pussy has significantly evolved over the past decade since they began releasing albums. Originally known for raw punk screamers, their maturity, life experiences, and lineup adjustments have transformed them into a highly skilled group capable of experimenting with various musical styles while still maintaining their characteristic high-energy intensity. This versatility is part of what makes their latest album, I Got Heaven, so powerful.

On Thursday, the powerful rhythm section, led by bassist Bear Regisford and drummer Kaleen Reading, consistently maintained a steady pace without any slowdowns. While Kaleen might be their hidden strength, she impressively demonstrated her technical skills and immense power in “Of Her.

In their live performances, the quartet welcomes multi-instrumentalist Carolyn Haynes to join them. This is particularly advantageous because the lead guitarist, Maxine Steen, is proficient in playing keys as well. This versatility allows for a variety of arrangements. For instance, they can opt for a three-guitar setup during “Softly,” or create a whirling sonic landscape with the dual keyboard tones in “Drunk II.

At the heart of everything is Dabice. She dominates the stage with a palpable, contemplative anger. To be honest, I don’t believe her voice was at its best on Thursday. A month of shouting can take a toll on one’s vocal cords. During some quieter instances, her voice seemed to vanish almost completely. However, this had no impact whatsoever. The raw emotion and potency she exudes during her performance charge every second of the show.

Initiating the events at Miami’s Two Faces, the band made their debut playing two successive nights away from home in a club setting for the first time. Vocalist Daphney Hanono highlighted this unique occasion. The performance spanned thirty minutes, showcasing two powerful tracks, namely “Cut Bangs” and “Tethered.

However, Hanono’s voice, while expressive yet lacking in great strength, frequently got lost amidst the mix due to Tony Jouvin’s bass dominating the soundscape.

Missy Dabice won’t encounter the issue I mentioned in my initial review of “I Got Heaven.” In my first analysis, I pointed out that referencing “heaven” in this groundbreaking album seemed providential. To any biblical scholar, “heaven” is a concept that has evolved over time.

In Jesus’ teachings, the idea of a heavenly afterlife was seldom emphasized. However, it was only when Paul started sharing the message many years afterwards that our contemporary understanding of heaven developed.

Similar to how “I Got Heaven” marked a significant evolution for the band before, this time around, it was the departure of co-founder Thanasi Paul that facilitated this change. Previously, I had stated that his absence provided Dabice with more flexibility in charting the group’s course.

On Thursdays, witnessing them ignites a spark within me to challenge that hasty judgment. Dabice has always been the pulsating core of Mannequin Pussy, and even though she’s in her 30s and occasionally expresses feelings of aging, she’s merely amplifying her power and intensity.

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2025-06-19 17:00

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