Jack’s Mannequin turns 20 with a benefit show at the Detroit Fillmore

ALL PHOTOS AND STORY BY STEVE SERGENT

Jack’s Mannequin, Andrew McMahon’s long-running alternative pop-rock band, played The Fillmore Detroit Tuesday night as part of the band’s ongoing MFEO 20th Anniversary Tour.

The night celebrated Everything in Transit’s 20th anniversary along with doubling as a fundraiser for the Dear Jack Foundation. Wherever McMahon is on tour on 11.11 usually marks the benefit show, supporting adolescent and young-adult cancer from treatment through survivorship. A smaller acoustic show and fundraiser the night before along with tonights show led to a successful campaign. By the end of the evening, the event had blown away their goal, raising more than $350,000 for the foundation.

The show was part of the band’s ongoing MFEO 20th Anniversary Tour, celebrating the bands debut album each night. For Detroit fans, the benefit show added an extra layer of significance by joining music and a meaningful cause along with the celebration of McMahon’s own two-decade milestone of being cancer-free.

Before Jack’s Mannequin took the stage a group from the Dear Jack Foundation took the stage to thank and ask for continued donations challenging the crowd to eclipse the $300,000 mark. They introduced the band and a short intro film played across the back screen. Following the journey of the band’s beginnings and McMahon’s journey through illness and recovery. As the screen faded and the opening chords of “Holiday From Real,” echoed through the theater, the crowd joined in, filling the historic venue with the chorus. Backed by longtime bandmates Bobby “Raw” Anderson (guitar), Jay McMillan (drums), and Mikey Wagner (bass and keys) McMahon was all smiles as he eased into the first few songs, setting the tone for a magical night.

From there, the band launched into “Spinning” and “The Mixed Tape,” the first of several full-on singalongs that underscored how well these songs connect to the long time fans. McMahon climbed atop his beautiful, well seasoned, Baldwin piano during “The Mixed Tape,” connecting on a well timed jump off of it before hopping in the pit for a few moments with the fans up close. “Release Me” and “Kill the Messenger,” followed after keeping an upbeat pulse that carried through each track off the celebrated debut album.

The set slowed with some more mellow moments with “Miss Delaney,” “Amy, I” and “Swim” with the latter standing tall as the night’s emotional centerpiece. Fans throughout the Fillmore lifted their phones, illuminating the crowd creating an intimate vibe throughout the song. That realism continued through “I’m Ready,” “Cell Phone,” and “Bruised,” each met with a large amount of engagement from the crowd that’s hard to create. Fans voices were amplified during “The Resolution,” before the band shifted into the expansive “MFEO: Pt. 1 – Made for Each Other / Pt. 2 – You Can Breathe.” As the main set neared its end, McMahon and the band closed with “Caves,” “Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)” and “Dark Blue”, which drew the loudest reaction of the night confirming that the song’s powerful piano line and tone remain as remarkable as ever.

The encore surprised fans with McMahon alone at the piano for an unexpected surprise. As the first few notes were played the true McMahon fan’s quickly noted and erupted for the song “Konstantine”. This song is a staple from one of McMahons other bands, Something Corporate. It added to the special night as this Jack’s Mannequin tour has not had any Something Corporate songs played on it. The show ended with McMahon welcoming some special guests whom donated graciously to the Dear Jack Foundation, onto stage for the final song “La La Lie,”.

By the end of the show the tone of the crowd was that of nostalgia and celebration of both the record and McMahons journey. Detroit and it’s fans have always showed up for all of McMahons projects, from Jack’s Mannequin to Something Corporate, to his Solo project Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness. This night was no different and there’s sure to be many many more.

Donate to the Dear Jack Foundation

Setlist – Jack’s Mannequin at The Fillmore Detroit (Nov. 11, 2025)
Holiday From Real
Spinning
The Mixed Tape
Release Me
Kill the Messenger
Miss Delaney
Swim
Amy, I
I’m Ready
Cell Phone
Restless Dream
Bruised
Amelia Jean
The Resolution
MFEO: Pt. 1 – Made for Each Other / Pt. 2 – You Can Breathe
Caves
Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)
Dark Blue

Encore:
Konstantine (Something Corporate cover)
La La Lie