It’s the first week of May in 2021, I finished my Bachelor’s degree and I’m visiting my family in San Antonio, Texas. It’s a warm summer night and I’m restless. As I lay down and reflect on how that chapter of my life ended and I’m about to start a new one in LA with the start of my Master’s degree, I pop in my headphones and listen to my recommended list on Spotify. Among the various songs that appear, one catches my attention: “Fear/+/Desire” by Mannequin Pussy. The song was so beautifully executed and the pierced my ears like tiny daggers that transported me to a separate world, one filled with gloom and beauty, in a period of my life where change was rampant and overwhelming. I was able to listen to a band that transported me to a world where I can crash and wait it all out for however long I needed to wait. Flash forward to 2024, I’m done with my Master’s, I’m working a corporate job and I’ve become a bigger fan of Mannequin Pussy. So much so that I had the privilege to come and cover their show at the Bellwether in Los Angeles with Margaritas Podridas as their opener. 
I am a massive fan of the shoegaze genre and have been super excited for this tour since it was announced and finally seeing supporting act Margaritas Podridas live was a huge treat on top of seeing Mannequin Pussy. Margaritas Podridas came on with such a poetic and hazy aura that left me absolutely enthralled. The Hermosillo, Mexico based band fused 90’s grunge and shoegaze in such an eloquent manner. Bringing this sound to the forefront in a live setting felt like a privilege to see as their raw and chaotic sound hypnotized me while watching from the crowd. With an impressive set-list consisting of songs like “Wow” and “Filosa” , the band ensured that they would leave all those in the audience asking for more! On top of that, they successfully warmed up for Mannequin Pussy. Although I have been familiar with their work, I have not stopped exploring their discography since then as I am now a full fledged fan of Margaritas Podridas and look forward to hearing their new music. 
After having seen them in 2022 at Riotfest in Chicago, I was excited to finally see Mannequin Pussy once more and after having heard their new album I Got Heaven (released in March of this year), I was ecstatic to see them as their own headliner and really catch their energy at the forefront. The crowd roared with excitement as soon as they rushed the stage and started the set with the tune “I Don’t Know You”. The band’s energy was infectious as they played with immense passion and force. Vocalist Missy Dabice danced and dashed across the stage as drummer Kaleen Reading, bassist Bear Regisford, guitarist Maxine Steen, and multi-instrumentalist Carolyn Haynes performed with great enthusiasm and excitement. Fans were roaring the lyrics back to the band as they carried on with their electric performance and I truly felt like I was dreaming as they delivered such a mesmerizing performance. 
Although the setlist placed a heavy emphasis on tracks from album I Got Heaven, they were also able to play songs from other albums such as “Control”, “Denial”, and “Clams”. As a result, the band was able to have both old and new fans on their feet with such a diverse set list, thus causing a more intimate performance in the process. The band would end their set with “Romantic” and I would be left in shock as I felt like I was transported back to Chicago in 2022 when I first saw them and first became a fan of them. I was overwhelmed with joy as the band that helped me get through such a radical transition in my life was once again right in front of me and sound even better than before. The experience was truly a magical one and I am excited to see what else the Philadelphia based band will prepare for the future. Enjoy our exclusive photo gallery from the concert linked in just below featuring both bands playing live at The Bellwether on October 14th. Finally, make sure to follow Mannequin Pussy on Instagram @MannequinPussy to see what then have in store for 2025!
Article & Photos By Hector Mendoza (@mendoza_photos)
