Mannequin Pussy Plays a Sold Out Show at Delmar Hall
st. louis, mo - october 17, 2024
On what would typically be an average Thursday night for the city of St. Louis, American punk rock band Mannequin Pussy brought the I GOT HEAVEN tour to Delmar Hall. With a sold-out show, fans were ready for an electrifying evening.
Hailing from Sonora, México, Margaritas Podridas opened with a set that was vibrant and eclectic in sound, preparing the audience for what was to come. When Mannequin Pussy took the stage with “I Don’t Know You,” the crowd got their first glimpse of Missy Dabice’s powerful vocals–and it only escalated from there. From the intricacies of the rhythms to the vulnerabilities in their lyrics, every element of their performance gave people a reason to feel connected, be heard, and want to sing along.
The musicality of the band is impeccable. The set showcased not only their powerful instrumentation but also how important it is for musicians to have chemistry onstage. They worked together to inject energy and charm into the audience. This was most evident as the set moved into “Denial,” “Loud Bark,” and “I Got Heaven”—delicate and powerful at the same time. The crowd responded enthusiastically to the way the music accompanied the stories in a blend of raw passion and infectious tones.
As the night continued, an exhilarating wave of emotions followed. Angst, joy, liberation, humor. There was a sense of emotional depth in every song, casting a shared connection within the audience. You could tell how they resonated with the music—cheering, singing along, dancing in their spots, and even attempting to surf the crowd. The band encouraged this as they moved around the stage with repetitive dances and headbangs that matched the strong beats and playful melodies. People were comfortable celebrating the music however they chose because that is the atmosphere Mannequin Pussy creates for their fans.
Dabice has a remarkable ability to connect with the audience–every few songs she paused to discuss a topic that weighs on her, on the audience, and on the world. Often, she whispered these messages, giving a sense of urgency. These topics ranged from self-reflection to religion to current social issues. Dabice allowed the crowd to release their frustrations, their joys, and everything in between.
The night ended with two powerful stories, “Romantic” and “Drunk I,” providing an energy that closed the set just perfectly. The crowd came to enjoy their favorite songs, and left with a deeper connection to the music, to the band, and to themselves. There is nothing that beats the authenticity of a Mannequin Pussy show, and after experiencing it first-hand, there is no question that they will sell out St. Louis again.
