Mannequin Pussy kicked off their 2025 tour with a powerful, emotionally charged performance at Glasgow’s Queen Margaret Union — and what a way to start the year. Originally set to play the more intimate St Luke’s, overwhelming demand led to a sold-out upgrade to the iconic QMU.

Easing into the set with the dreamy trio of Softly, Sometimes, and Nothing Like from their most recent album I Got Heaven, the band built a slow, suspenseful atmosphere that burst into full energy with the arrival of Control — a crowd favourite from their 2021 Perfect EP.

It wasn’t until midway through the set that vocalist Marisa Dabice addressed the crowd, but when she did, she had a lot to say. With fierce honesty, she spoke about misogyny and societal pressures, noting: “Every day we get a message from someone telling us we should be ashamed of what we do… but it doesn’t make sense to be so conservative.” Her commentary struck a chord with fans: “It’s the boys that usually have the problem with the word ‘pussy’.”

“Boys, men, I want you to scream ‘pussy’ as loud as you can.” The response from the crowd — particularly the male fans — was loud and affirming. Dabice continued, “There’s something beautiful when everyone gets invited to talk at the table,” highlighting the inclusive spirit that defines the band’s message.

The second half of the show, following Loud Bark and I Got Heaven, hit with back-to-back energy bombs — the night turning heavier, faster, louder. Colins “Bear” Regisford’s deeper, gritty vocals counterbalanced Dabice’s punk-like screams, bringing a raw, hardcore edge to tracks like Pigs is Pigs.

Among the night’s most poignant moments was Dabice’s call for solidarity with Palestine, prompting chants of “Free, Free Palestine!” Her response — “When we say Free Palestine, it’s not antisemitism” — was followed by a passionate speech against political injustice and corporate greed. “All they want you to do is aspire to be a billionaire, as if that means anything,” she said, before inviting the crowd to release their fury with a primal group scream — leading perfectly into OK? OK! OK? OK!

With regular drummer Kaleen Reading out due to illness, the band’s friend Lucy stepped in seamlessly on drums. Nearing the end, they dedicated Emotional High to those who came alone, noting there’d be no encore — “because that’s self-indulgent.”

They closed with Romantic, with Dabice declaring, “This one is for all of you,” before climbing into the crowd for a final, intimate connection with fans.

Article: Reanne McArthur