Mannequin Pussy commands St. Louis in knee-high boots

It was another packed house at Delmar Hall in St. Louis and Philadelphia indie rock band Mannequin Pussy were the ones responsible for the sold-out show this night. They were accompanied by the Mexico-based rock group Margaritas Podridas.

Both bands played to a roaring crowd of 750 enthusiastic fans, all crammed into the small venue.

Margaritas Podridas started the show with an energy that caught me off-guard. The lead vocalist came to life, swirling around the stage and growling into the mic in a very aggressively grungy manner. The crowd was instantly all-in and the room came alive just like the band had. Rocking with the music, it didn’t matter if they songs were in Spanish or English, for the energy was felt regardless.

After being adequately warmed up, the crowd and stage were handed over to Mannequin Pussy — the main draw of the night. Defiantly, the band took the stage and cranked out a set that lived up to their hype! Back in March, they released their 4th studio album I Got Heaven to rave reviews and was described in Rolling Stone as “a perfect mix of rage and longing”. I would say the show also managed to hit that mark. Lead singer Marisa “Missy” Dabice commanded the stage with her presence and knee-high boots. A vessel of discontent, the entire band felt like the embodiment of modern day punk rock music.

The crowd seemed to agree, as the entire venue cheered and jostled as the waves of rock crashed down over them.

It’s rare to see Delmar Hall so tightly packed and with such a lively crowd. This was especially noticeable when, towards the end of the set, Dabice went on a minute- or two-long rant, airing several of her grievances to all (especially when it came to controlling women’s bodies). The crowd roared in response to her words, so loudly that it became a bit difficult to hear Missy encouraging us all to quit our corporate jobs and pursue artistic endeavors if we wanted to.

In a world that is increasingly filled with algorithms and TikToks, and bands that seem to lack substance, it feels like a rare occurrence when you find a band that feels raw and authentic, and makes you feel something. It’s even more rare when you find two in one night!

Photography by Sean Rider

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