Jack’s Mannequin at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri on June 6, 2025.
Photos and Review by The Pit Magazine Contributor Sevauna Photography
The Pageant in St. Louis transformed into a time capsule, fans eager to relive the piano-punk anthems of the Jack’s Mannequin, The MFEO Tour. Named after their 2005 track “MFEO (Made for Each Other),†the tour marked a 20-year celebration of the band’s seminal debut, Everything in Transit.
Jack’s Mannequin hit the stage opening with “The Resolution.†The anthemic track from The Glass Passenger ignited the sold-out crowd, setting the stage for a nearly two-hour journey through their discography. The setlist spanned all three albums, with a surprise mid-set performance of “American Love.†lead singer and pianist Andrew McMahon introduced it as “a fucking banger,†and the crowd’s enthusiastic response proved him right, singing along to the lesser-known track.
McMahon’s heartfelt storytelling was a highlight, with pauses to reflect on the band’s 20-year history and his 2005 leukemia diagnosis during the creation of Everything in Transit. Purposefully not going too in-depth to keep spirits high, He explained how difficult this time was, and how he would’ve never imagined life after his diagnosis being this wonderful. He of course, earned an emotional applause.
The main set closed with “MFEO: Pt. 1 – Made for Each Other / Pt. 2 – You Can Breathe,†the tour’s namesake.†The two-part song’s emotional weight and McMahon’s raw delivery made it a perfect capstone, tying together themes of love and resilience. The Pageant turned into a sing-along frenzy. The much-anticipated encore featured their biggest hit “Dark Blueâ€. Its iconic piano riff and soaring chorus turn The Pageant into a sing-along frenzy.
The MFEO Tour was a triumphant celebration of Jack’s Mannequin’s enduring legacy, even through the ups and downs they have endured throughout the last 20 years. McMahon and company delivered a performance that balanced nostalgia with raw emotion. From the surprise of “American Love†to the cathartic closer “Dark Blueâ€, the night was a testament to the power of music to connect and heal. Fans left The Pageant with hearts full and voices hoarse, carrying new memories of their favorite band.
Photos by The Pit Magazine photographer Sevauna Photography in St. Louis, Missouri. ©2025.
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