Mannequin Pussy’s recent Philly homecoming show at the First Unitarian Church offered so many reasons to celebrate. Indefatigable frontwoman Marisa Dabice, powering through sickness, led the way through emotionally raw, cathartic punk songs in a packed, sweaty, stinky basement on her birthday (with a cake brought by her parents and cookies courtesy of Miss Rachel’s Pantry).
The quartet played more than 20 raging, rocking songs from the new Patience (Epitaph), 2016’s Romantic and beyond, with highlights including “High Horse,” “Kiss” and the not-yet-released “Control.” Dabice’s wish for us all to transform our anger into kindness and our trauma into art and other positive outcomes was the perfect complement to the most respectful, controlled moshing/crowd surfing I’ve ever seen.
Openers Destroy Boys and Ellis both delivered powerful, dynamic sets that instantly turned skeptics into fans. From start to finish, it was a night to remember.
—M.J. Fine; photos by Chris Sikich
