Mannequin Pussy is arguably one of the greatest band names. It’s everything a punk band aspires to be–it’s shocking, it captures your attention, and simply put, it’s badass. From the controversy behind their name, to the theft of some $50,000 worth of gear while on tour in 2021, Mannequin Pussy, despite the odds, never threw in the towel, and have since managed to take larger stages as each year passes. I was thankful to have the opportunity to finally catch them on tour in Cincinnati at Bogart’s, and they did not disappoint.

Missy is an incredible performer, and Mannequin Pussy is what America needs right now. In a time where so much is uncertain and so much collective pain is festering, releasing this energy is important to maintain an iota of sanity. The stage is Missy’s outlet, and it’s easy to see why the band has grown a significant fanbase. During one of her monologues, Missy made several notable statements surrounding the current political climate, the band, and the collective anger of living in a society that devalues those outside who aren’t straight, white men. “I think you all have suffered from the rage that lives in your body every fucking day of your lives. Like us, you too feel sometimes and don’t know what the fuck to do with it. You feel the anger and rage pulsate in your body, because every single day, especially in this country, especially under capitalism, they try to disconnect us from our empathy…They infantilize our rage and tell us it’s something you’ll grow out of when you grow older. But, the truth is, my rage has grown every fucking year I have been alive.” Missy raises her microphone, and the audience erupts into cheers. Seeing such a receptive audience of nearly 1500 people cheer gives me hope for the future. Despite the attempts to make us feel helpless through legislating hate, resistance is everywhere. Personally, I enjoyed the primal scream–it felt good to let out a guttural, throat-irritating yell that nearly triggered my gag reflex.

Mannequin Pussy put on an incredible performance and did what many artists are afraid to do–speak up. In the words of Missy herself, “if you’re the type of person who doesn’t think politics belong in entertainment, you’re gonna fucking hate this.” The show was full of positive energy, and most importantly, people of all ages and backgrounds letting go and embracing the beauty of live music. Their musicianship was impeccable on all fronts, and they are a group that you do not want to miss. My favorite songs from the night included “Drunk II,” “Loud Bark,” and “Romantic.” The setlist covered most of their discography and gave a stellar synopsis of the band’s dynamic, eclectic sound.

Ratboys