Jack's Mannequin with illuminati hotties at Showbox SoDo in Seattle | November 19th, 2025
- Dive In Magazine
- Dec 13, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Review and Photos by Camille Germain
Jack’s Mannequin performed at Showbox SoDo during The MFEO Tour (Made For Each Other), celebrating 20 years of Everything in Transit. For many attendees, the album has held a meaningful presence for decades, and that shared history shaped the sold-out night. The band, led by Andrew McMahon, leaned into the emotional weight of the record without overemphasizing it, allowing the songs to breathe and resonate naturally. Rather than relying on nostalgia alone, the set felt like a meaningful reunion, acknowledging how both the music and its listeners have developed together over time.
The night opened with sharp energy from the Los Angeles band illuminati hotties, met with immediate enthusiasm from the audience. Fronted by Sarah Tudzin, the self-proclaimed “tenderpunk” group balanced quirky confidence and dry humor with spunky indie pop-rock hooks. They kicked off their set with “Can’t Be Still,” a lo-fi, surf and pop-rock fusion jam that set an eclectic yet sincere tone.
illuminati hotties clearly had fun onstage, moving around with enthusiasm and leaning into the momentum of their songs and the energy of a crowd that was already fully engaged. They flowed quickly from one track to the next with little pause, weaving in fan favorites like “(You’re Better) Than Ever” and “freequent letdown.” Between bursts of punchy rhythm and chaotic guitar, Tudzin spoke to the room with a candid demeanor and relatable ease. Before closing their set, the band performed the lively “MMMOOOAAAAAYAYA,” with Tudzin stepping into the audience to sing directly along both sides of the barricade, leaving the room energized for the rest of the night.
When Jack’s Mannequin took the stage, the room erupted. McMahon immediately sat at the piano, front and center, and launched into “I’m Ready,” an energetic opener that had the crowd singing along from the first notes. By the third song, “The Mixed Tape,” he had climbed on top of his piano, belted out the lyrics, and leapt back down—a move he repeated several times during the night.
The band performed Everything in Transit in full as part of a 21-song setlist, while also sprinkling in a few additional favorites like “Spinning” and “Amy, I.” Clear care was taken with the beloved album, which was delivered with both precision and passion. Between songs, McMahon shared brief anecdotes about the tracks and his experiences, summing it up: “This is the only job I know how to do, so I’m glad I enjoy it so much.” He moved seamlessly between the piano and the crowd, never lingering too long, allowing the songs to speak for themselves. Every musician onstage seemed to understand when to push forward and when to pause, giving the set a cohesive flow.
Throughout the night, a backdrop of videos and photos tracing the band’s journey played behind them, adding to the reflective atmosphere. The show also highlighted McMahon’s Dear Jack Foundation, with a portion of each ticket supporting the nonprofit he founded following his recovery from leukemia in his early twenties. As the night progressed, he crowdsurfed atop an inflatable llama to the soundboard to draw the winner of a signed drumhead auctioned for the foundation.
Jack’s Mannequin’s return to the road carried a sense of perspective shaped by the band’s long, intermittent history. The project, led by McMahon, also known for Something Corporate and Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness, has existed in chapters rather than a straight line. This return did not disappoint. From heartfelt stories to McMahon entering the crowd twice, the packed room soaked up every moment. They closed their main set with the beloved “Dark Blue” before returning for a short encore of “Rescued” and “MFEO: Pt. 1 – Made for Each Other / Pt. 2 – You Can Breathe.” To conclude the night, McMahon stood atop the keys of his piano, waved to the crowd, and thanked them—an understated but fitting end to a near-perfect show.
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