Garbage

The latest gig on our A to Z Musical Tour was ……

The iconic Usher Hall in Edinburgh was once again the venue for hometown girl Shirley Manson and her band of seasoned American musicians – Duke Erikson – guitar, bass, keyboards, Steve Marker – guitar, bass, keyboards, Butch Vig – drums, percussion, keyboards and Ginger Pooley – bass

Not a venue she is unfamiliar with, having been singing there since she was a very young schoolgirl. Poignancy wasn’t in short supply though as it was the first time her dad had missed her perform there.

It’s now almost thirty years since their debut album Garbage, with the follow up, Garbage Version 2.0 following a few years later. Thirty years in the spotlight, with many of those fighting for the right to play and record the music they wanted to play. The lyrics testimony to just some of the turmoil that they have endured

The men who rule the world
Have made a fucking mess
The history of power
The worship of success
The king is in the counting house
He’s chairman of the board
The women who crowd the courtrooms
All accused of being whores

In a set full of nostalgic memories, Shirley Manson held the audience in the palm of her hand with the confidence of someone who has been there, seen that and worn the t-shirt.

The band are the ideal musical complement to the angst she demonstrates throughout the set. It’s the professionalism that years of touring, recording and rehearsals bring to the fore and it brings out the best in all the songs throughout the night.

As you would expect, the adoration reached fever pitch when then opening bars of the hit singles were blasted out of the speakers, I Think I’m Paranoid, Stupid Girl and Only When It Rains had the crowd singing along in tandem with the band with the Siouxsie and the Banshees cover Cities In The Dust raising the sound levels up another notch.

There have been some doubts raised as to whether Garbage have many years left on the touring circuit, being of a rather mature age. (Shirley’s comment!). However, drummer Buth Vig took time out from the drum seat to put those rumours firmly to bed with the announcement of a forthcoming album and promise to be back in Shirley’s city at some point in the not-too-distant future.

The fighting spirit remains strong across the band and Shirley in particular. More power to their elbow. Take a bow guys, you’ll be more than welcomed back.

Support Act

Lucia and The Best Boys have been on the European leg of the Garbage tour, and there was no doubt of the love for each band during the sets with Shirley Manson ‘bigging up’ the successful future Lucia and the band can look forward to.

Glasgow’s Lucia and The Best Boys had no problems in winning over the Edinburgh audience with a short set of powerful indie rock pop songs from their debut album.

Having seen them a few years ago they’ve definitely progressed an awful lot in terms of confidence and rounded production of the songs.