Justin Nuoffer
CONCERT REVIEW + PHOTOS
Mannequin Pussy, Soul Glo
5/8/24 – Majestic Theater, Madison, WI
Review + Photos © Justin Nuoffer / NuofferMedia
On a warm Wednesday evening, the streets of Madison, WI were filled with folks out enjoying their post-work cocktails and meals. After all, it was hump day and the weekend is bearing down on us. On this night, however, the Majestic Theater had a line out front working its way up the street toward the state capital at the end of the block. The backdrop is beautiful and the faces were smiling.
As the doors opened below, the marquee in big bold red lettering read “Mannequin Pussy“. The reaction to the name by gawkers brought laughter and intrigue. Moving through the security check at the doors you could head left and to the stairs which led to the balcony and multiple levels of booth seating and opera seating along the side. On the main floor, you enter the GA area. There are 3 levels down the middle and it is prime viewing for any performance. Along the entire left side is a bar that wraps around the corner. The merch stand is in a corner next to the entryway. The stage was illuminated in blue and a projection screen ran ads for upcoming shows. The room filled quickly and the atmosphere was beyond radiant.
The Philadelphia punkers Soul Glo was beyond perfect for an opener. They brought nothing but pure energy and hard-hitting lyrics. The contagious power of this foursome won over the Madison crowd rather quickly. Brash and in your face is purely a way of life for these guys. Armed with a 12-song setlist, Soul Glo blew the doors off of the venue. The lyricism about social issues, politics, and real life brought back something that was lost within the genre itself, intellectualism.
The Majestic’s main room was filled to capacity and the heat lifted into the air like a large steamy cloud. The 90s dance music pumping through the club’s speakers had people dancing. The stage was bathed in blue. The drum riser sat below a large banner across the back of the hardwood stage. A guitar rack stood in front of the drum kit. To the left of the drum kit a keyboard and guitar sat. In front of that another keyboard. Across the stage to the right stood a large bass guitar and cabinet.
Mannequin Pussy opened their show with “I Don’t Know You” a softer warm-up featuring keyboard notes pairing with vocalist Marisa Dabice‘s soft and sweet vocals. This would be the very last moment everything was calmed and controlled. “Sometimes” and “Nothing Like” kicked the 90s alternative vibes out and into the ether. With their remarkable new album I Got Heaven being released just 2 months previous, it was a fantastic way to kick off their tour with the same title. Mannequin Pussy’s grab-them-by-the-throat-and-listen style was in full swing. The entire show was one for not only newer fans, but long-time fans got served every released video single from their catalog. The covered items came from multiple albums and fan favorites such as “Drunk II”, “Softly”, “Loud Bark”, and “Of Her” were perhaps the most anticipated.
Towards the end of the set Colins “Bear” Regisford, the bassist and backing vocalist, grabbed the main microphone and lead Mannequin Pussy through two songs before a small encore. “OK? OK! OK? OK!” and “Pig is Pig” delivered on the social commentary that was previously spoken upon by Soul Glo. Both bands rocked the same stances. Colins was a natural frontman who engaged with the crowd and heaved screams at will. Closing out the night, the band still was firing at full strength. They launched into “Emotional High” and “Romantic” both from the Romantic album. Unquestionably, two impeccable choices. The crowd filled the Majestic with echoing singing. With the crowd’s familiarity with the material, the experience was beyond divine. The band grooved through the classics with ease and just like that all of the strength, sass, and good vibes from the stage ended.
Leaving the venue all you wanted was more. Mannequin Pussy and Soul Glo gave incredible performances. It was more than fulfilling, but the thirst for more was there. The crowd exited the venue feeling good and to Cher’s “Believe” blasting from the stage. The mood may be fun and funky, but that performance was punk rock as hell.
Check out the Mannequin Pussy concert photo gallery below:
Check out the Soul Glo concert photo gallery below:
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