Live Review: Mannequin Pussy and Soul Glo at the Fonda Theatre

Philadelphia based indie-rock artists Mannequin Pussy took to the Fonda Theatre on Friday, April 26 as part of their I Got Heaven tour. Fellow Philadelphia based band Soul Glo graced the stage first, opening the show, and setting the audience up for an exciting, high-energy night.

Soul Glo’s GG Guerra and Pierce Jordan welcomed a loving crowd of fans before breaking out into their opening song, “Rolling Loud.” It was not long before Jordan had left the stage to reach fans at the barricade. The crowd reflected something more of a tide pushing towards the band’s lead singer, pulling him closer and eventually carrying him in a crowd surf while singing along to “Coming Correct.” To the left, Guerra teased the audience as he tossed his Fender Telecaster higher and higher into the air during “Jump!” with a safe and secure catch every time. Finally, joining them in their last song was Mannequin Pussy’s own bassist and supporting vocalist, Colins “Bear” Regisford in “Ass” to close out the set. Obviously, the band’s goal for this performance was to keep the crowd on its toes.

As the night went on, Mannequin Pussy and Soul Glo fans packed themselves like sardines to welcome lead singer Marisa “Missy” Dabice as she strutted onto the stage in a white gown adorned with pink roses and opened with “I Don’t Know You.” On par with a theme of black and white, lead guitarist Maxine Steen wore a lace, sparkly dress to match her black Gibson ‘70s Flying V guitar. Supporting members matched Regisford’s loose white linens.

In addition to the fashion game, the band moved swiftly from song to song until reaching “Loud Bark,” where Dabice demanded the crowd sing along. Luckily enough, this was not a problem for this passionate audience to deliver such a powerful chorus, chanting “a loud bark, deep bite.” Dabice appeared pleased with the result.

Taking a moment to speak in a tantalizing whisper, Dabice walked the audience through a tone transition in the band’s songs, describing what it means to feel ashamed and what inspires their angst. Leading the way into songs like “Aching” and “Perfect,” and delving deeper into the subject, Dabice defined anger as a “pit in your stomach” that sits and grows unless a way to let it out can be found. For Mannequin Pussy, it is the music they create which helps release that anger. Behind Dabice hung a Palestinian flag pinned under the band’s synthesizer. Reaching back into the music, Dabice explained that their songs are a place to feel and recognize anger while “OK?OK!OK?OK!” began to play. Within this, she acknowledged the current state of affairs in Palestine and how songs like their own are a form of speaking out for those who cannot. Demonstrating a method of expressing anger and grievance with a tone of eloquence and sympathy for those who suffer under oppression and indiscriminate violence.

Entering their closing segment, the band shifted to “Pigs is Pigs” where Regisford switched positions with Dabice to show off his vocals and Dabice’s bass guitar expertise. For their final song, the band played “Romantic” and gave thanks to Soul Glo for accompanying them. They also expressed gracious thanks to the loving crowd of new and old fans, reflecting on their first show in Los Angeles to a crowd of twenty people.

Soul Glo’s ability to rile up a crowd and Mannequin Pussy’s beautiful display of emotions went hand in hand to create a memorable night.

Setlists

Soul Glo:

1. Rolling Loud
2. Bombs
3. Coming Correct
4. Jump!
5. Revenge
6. 19
7. If I Speak
8. John.J
9. Driponomics
10. Ass

Mannequin Pussy:

1. I Don’t Know You
2. Sometimes
3. Nothing Like
4. Patience
5. Drunk II
6. Control
7. Softly
8. C.R.E.A.M.
9. Loud Bark
10. I Got Heaven
11. Of Her
12. Aching
13. Everything
14. Perfect
15. Clams
16. OK?OK!OK?OK!
17. Pigs is Pigs
18. Emotional High
19. Romantic

Photo credit: Aldi Victoria