Source: Promo Image
The last time rock weirdos Garbage set foot in the UK wasn’t that long ago, back in November they played a string of shows here in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their multi-platinum debut self-titled album.
But, before the congregation of outcasts could really ensue, bluesy garage rock duo The Pearl Harts took to the stage. With the interval booming Royal Blood out of the speakers, it’s no surprise that the girls play a broody and dark type of rock. Whilst the band’s sound perseveres and is unremitting, with a lyrical attention that’s twisted and candid, the technical aspects of the show could have propelled the band’s obvious dynamism tenfold, but the sound just felt hollow in the spacious room of the East End’s Troxy.
It’s not long however, before Garbage hit the stage with the eerie and paranormal fuzzes of ‘Sometimes’, which is also the opening track on their new, sixth studio album Strange Little Birds. The pulsating beats of the track flow effortlessly into latest single ‘Empty’, which somehow manages to be quintessential Garbage, 20 years on with a booming chorus and sensitive, unsure lyrics.
With the anthemic electronic pop of ‘Stupid Girl’, to the fragile honesty of ‘Bleed Like Me’, the setlist tonight feels like a memoir of all that is brilliant about the 90s heroes. Their unwavering versatility, ability to churn out solid and gripping singles this far on in their careers, such as the gothic ‘Blackout’ from the new album, which frontwoman Shirley Manson admits was initially written for a vampire movie, but the band loved it so much they kept it for themselves.
The gig conjures up an unfamiliar concoction of emotions, a nostalgia that comes with hearing the older tracks like the impeccable and fearful ‘My Lover’s Box’ , which despite the fact is older than some of the audience members, still feels so new and youthful. Tied in with this confusion, the band’s more clear-cut electronica thunders like the Troxy has turned into an uncouth rave with 2012’s ‘Automatic Systematic Habit’, which is drummer Butch Vig‘s favourite Garbage track as Shirley announces, but unfortunately he could not attend the show due to a sinusitis infection and strict doctor’s orders.
Garbage’s show truly feels like a quirky and unconventional family gathering, and the sense of solidarity is almost tangible in the dedication of ‘Sex Is Not The Enemy’ to the LGBT+ community in light of the recent events in Orlando, and a near gut-wrenching and poetic rendition of ‘So Like A Rose’ (which the band have not played since 2002), dedicated to the late photographer and friend of the band Matt Irwin.
Garbage are weirdos, unashamed and proud. Whether it be the blistering cult-like ‘#1 Crush’, a re-vamped rendition of ‘Vow’ with aggressive mantras of Beyoncé’s ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’, or the electrorock trans tale of ‘Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)‘ (that couldn’t have been a wiser recapitulation song choice to close the show with), the four piece prove that they are ageless. No line-up changes, no holding back on being yourself and no judgement over the past 20 odd years, is clearly the key to longevity and being a remarkably sublime live band in this world.
