Four piece band genre bending band Mannequin Pussy played an absolutely breathtaking set Last Thursday at the Observatory North Park. The most amazing thing about this band is their energy- you hear it in their recorded music, and you can see it in photographs from their live events. The band spews passion in every lyric, chord, and movement. Thursday’s show was a part of the second leg of their “I Got Heaven” tour, focusing on their recent album of the same name. 

The band opened with their song “I Don’t Know You” from their most recent album, which starts as a whisper-like ballad. Vocalist and Lead guitarist Marisa “Missy” Dabice begins the show on a quiet, intimate note with the opening verse of this song, pulling her viewers into the show slowly and instantly captivating the audience. Slow, soft string plucks from guitarist Maxine Steen, quiet taps from drummer Kaleen Reading and steady basslines from bassist Collins “Bear” Regisford pebbled into the venue. “I Don’t Know You” is one of the band’s slower, quieter songs and the transition into the quick surge of “Sometimes” shot an energy into the crowd. The band went on to play a setlist that plucked from almost all of their albums allowing there to be something for everyone, whether you like the more DIY-melodic punk record Romantic, their raw, cutting 2019 album Patience, their new fuzzy genre bending I Got Heaven, or anything in between. 

The stage presence of every band member throughout was incredible, with vocalist and guitarist Missy strutting across stage, Reading absolutely killing it on the drums, Bear screaming and setting strong bass lines down, and Maxine proving beautiful structure on guitar on stage right. The band’s display of their love of creating and playing music was apparent in the performances of all members, and the four play together so wonderfully and you hear that reflected in their live and studio music. The smoky pink and blue lighting mixed with lone spotlight shots captured the vibes of the music perfectly and kept up the mood throughout the show.

The show is not only a musical experience but also an emotional one, with vocalist Missy taking extremely moving breaks to speak on various topics related to their songs, all striking an emotional chord with the audience. The show features a cathartic scream session, and I was honored to partake in my second. Missy makes it a habit to talk to the audience, keeping every attendee roped into the show whether introducing a song like “I Got Heaven” by delivering a touching speech about the harsh feelings related to experiences of those once close to you choosing their faith over you, or by asking all the men in the audience to scream “Pussy” after explaining the significance of their name.  

Closing out the show, the band delved into two of their most popular songs off of their extremely popular second album, Romantic, finishing off with the loud, soul crushing, late night song “Romantic”. Every Mannequin Pussy show feels like more than a show, but a musical experience, and one that lingers on you for weeks after. The incredible performances from the band members perfectly encapsulated the energy from their studio songs that makes it impossible for you to be both still and quiet listening to one of their songs, which is exactly what was seen on the floor at their October 10th show.