MisterWives and Bishop Briggs team up to co-headline The Sylvee
Madison, Wisconsin - September 23rd, 2023
MisterWives and Bishop Briggs graced the stage at The Sylvee in Madison, WI, with a killer night of rocking feminity for The Don’t Look Down Tour with support by Raffaella.
Photo: Matty Vogel
“For the ten years of being a band, this is the first time having an all-female lineup,” Frontwoman Mandy Lee of MisterWives said to the packed venue during their set, referring to co-headliner Bishop Briggs as an “incomparable superhuman.”
The evening began with a set by Raffaella, who went to summer camp in Wisconsin as a child. She shared that her goal was to impress fans and “make you feel some feelings” before diving into songs off the 2022 EP LIVE, RAFF LOVE (ACT I).
Raffaella used the stage to voice her opinions on reproductive rights through the unreleased song “Polly Pocket” and her experience with having divorced parents with “GROWN UP.” She shared stories as context to her tracks in stand-up comedy-like monologues, causing roars of laughter.
“Last time I was here, I was watching my boyfriend,” she explained. “Somebody spilled beer on my head from the balcony, so this is much better.”
The members of MisterWives are also no strangers to Madison, having performed in the city multiple times at The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s “Freak Fest.” At the start of MisterWives’ set, Mandy Lee expressed her love for the Badger State.
“We went on a bright drive and soaked up the sunshine before the show,” she said. “That is a real treat on tour, so thank you for making us feel at home.”
MisterWives may have shed their bright, indie-pop sound with the rock-inspired album Nosebleeds, but they did not lose the positive foundation that they built on. Between headbanging to songs like “Out Of Your Mind” and “Dagger,” Lee urged fans to dance freely and feel as joyous as possible.
With kitschy group dances and Lee kicking so high she nearly hit herself in the face (all while delivering flawless vocals) MisterWives proved that their commitment to live performance is otherworldly.
“Thank you so much for filling our hearts tonight and reminding us that music is the biggest gift in the world,” she said.
Lee continued delivering a speech on perseverance, referencing lyrics from the 2020 uplifting single, “SUPERBLOOM,” before the band put on a show-stopping performance. The members led a sing-a-long of the optimistic, affirmation-like chorus, moving me to tears.
“I deserve congratulations / 'Cause I came out the other side / I've been having revelations / And I'm gon' let them shine,” the crowd chanted.
“Madison, you are a SUPERBLOOM, and don’t you ever forget it,” Lee responded. “We are so fucking lucky. Thank you so much, Madison. I can’t believe this is real life.”
On-stage screens began to play old tour footage of the band, teasing hits from the 2015 album Our Own House that cemented MisterWives’ place as indie pop trailblazers. A throwback portion began, starting with the album’s title track, oozing lighthearted nostalgia, before taking the audience of 20-somethings back to the days of Vine virality with “Reflections.” MisterWives ended their set with “Nosebleeds,” complete with Lee jumping off stage to join fans at the barricade.
Bishop Briggs kept the energy high, opening with “Art of Survival” before taking it back to her debut single “Wild Horses.” Briggs’ exuberance on stage is that of an athlete as she runs in place and bolts back and forth to engage with the entire venue.
“I would love to do a cheese curd tasting,” Briggs said after thanking the crowd numerous times for their attendance. “The only problem is I’m married, but he can come. He can join.”
Briggs’ husband is Landon Jacobs, frontman of the indie rock band Sir Sly. The two welcomed their first child in 2022. Briggs performed “Baby,” written about Jacobs, and switched the lyrics on the last chorus to honor her relationship and son.
“Yeah, he’s fucking crazy / But I had his baby,” she sang with a loving smile.
Briggs welcomed her guitarist to center stage to perform an acoustic rendition of “The Way I Do,” showcasing her soulful vocals. Phone lights shot up to show love for Briggs’ serenade. She was nearly brought to tears.
Earlier this year, Briggs was a contestant on Fox’s “The Masked Singer” Season 9. On the show, she dressed as the character “Medusa” and covered songs like My Chemical Romance’s “Welcome to the Black Parade” and “Elastic Heart” by Sia.
“I don’t want you guys to treat me differently at all, but I won,” she said while discussing her time on the show, teasing and acting coy in response to the cheers. “...So I thought, if you guys were up for it, I could do [one of the covers] I did on the show.” She then delivered a powerhouse performance of Hozier’s “Take Me To Church.”
Briggs brought the show to a close with the 2016 hit “River.” The bass pounded through the speakers as she jumped to the infectious Billboard Alternative chart-topping beat. She served vocals and star quality without even needing to do the infamous 2020 “River” TikTok challenge dance.
MisterWives and Bishop Briggs will continue The Don’t Look Down Tour until the middle of October. Click here for tickets and more information.