Mannequin Pussy and Soul Glo are Epitaph labelmates, Philly neighbors, longtime friends, and two of the most impacting punk bands around, and they also are just days away from wrapping up an entirely sold-out joint tour, which landed at NYC’s Brooklyn Steel last night (5/16). The place was close to full by the time Soul Glo took the stage at 8 PM. Without saying a word, vocalist Pierce Jordan pointed to the words “SOUL GLO” on the backdrop behind him, was met with rapturous applause, and then proceeded to repeatedly yell “FREE PALESTINE” followed by a speech about how the killings of innocent Palestinians and the support from the US government is all happening because of white supremacy. It set the tone for a night that was full of sentiments of discontent with the world, as well as a lot of great music.
Soul Glo then proceeded to play a set that was as intense as they’ve ever been, and just as powerful on this bigger stage as the band is at their smaller headlining shows. As good as Soul Glo’s albums are (we named their last album Diaspora Problems the best album of 2022), their live show is an entirely different beast and it’s something you really just have to experience for yourself if you haven’t already. It’s a melting pot of hardcore, screamo, metal, hip hop, dance beats, industrial, noise, and more, and it’s as rowdy as it is artistic. It was a constant give and take between the energy from the band and the energy from the crowd, and singalongs broke out during fan faves like “Gold Chain Punk (whogonbeatmyass?),” “Driponomics,” and “GODBLESSYALLREALGOOD.” They also had a couple surprises in store when they brought out Thirdface’s Kathryn Edwards (who’s also their tour manager) for her guest screams on “John J,” and when they brought out Bear from Mannequin Pussy during the climactic end of set-closer “Gold Chain Punk (whogonbeatmyass?).”
Soul Glo had no trouble winning over the crowd on their own, but Mannequin Pussy were the clear headliners and that was obvious from the minute they started their set. They’re fresh off releasing their excellent new album I Got Heaven, which they played all but one song from, and from the moment they opened with its second single “I Don’t Know You,” it felt like they were playing a long-established hit–a feeling that continued on so many other songs they played throughout the night, even ones that weren’t singles. The place was packed like sardines by the time they started, the crowd singalongs were drowning out the band from the first note, and Mannequin Pussy looked like total rock stars, with the kind of effortless confidence that could’ve commanded an arena.
Mannequin Pussy opened with their softer, poppier songs, and gradually built to the heavier, angrier material. The tipping point came with back-to-back performances of “Loud Bark” and “I Got Heaven,” which had the crowd screaming louder than they had all day, and then they went straight into an onslaught of the fastest, loudest punk songs they’ve released over the years: “Of Her,” “Aching,” “Everything,” “Perfect,” “Clams,” and “OK? OK! OK? OK!.” It was around the angrier portion of the night that singer Marisa Dabice gave her own impassioned, empowering speeches. She opened “I Got Heaven” by taking aim at any religion that won’t accept people the way they are, and she later spoke with just as much fire when she voiced support for the people of Palestine, referred to the US politicians funding Israel’s attacks as war criminals, and made a point to say that protests against genocide should never be accompanied by anti-semitism. When the band returned for their encore, Bear gave his own powerful speech before launching into the song that he sings lead on, “Pigs Is Pigs.” (“It’s about how all cops suck dick.”) Even if Marisa didn’t lead the crowd in a group primal scream at one point, the whole set would’ve felt like total catharsis. It was a night of fun, a night of released anger, and a genuinely awesome performance from a great band who’s never been better.
The tour continues in DC tonight (5/17) and Saturday (5/18) and wraps up with three Philly shows after that. Mannequin Pussy also have some August dates with Ovlov and a fall tour with Margaritas Podridas, including NYC-area shows on September 26 at Toad’s Place in New Haven and September 27 at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park. Soul Glo will be on tour with Upchuck this summer, including a show at Long Island’s soon-to-reopen Amityville Music Hall on July 14.
For more, read our Mannequin Pussy cover story in the first issue of the new BrooklynVegan digital magazine (just enter your email address and instantly read for free).
Pictures from Brooklyn Steel by Amanda Hatfield continue below…
Mannequin Pussy Setlist
I Don’t Know You
Sometimes
Nothing Like
Patience
Drunk II
Control
Softly
Cream
Loud Bark
I Got Heaven
Of Her
Aching
Everything
Perfect
Clams
OK? OK! OK? OK!
Encore:
Pigs Is Pigs
Emotional High
Romantic