On Tuesday night, Garbage, the alternative rock titans who have soundtracked the last three decades, took the stage at the Franklin Music Hall for what felt like a victory lap but with the ferocity of a band still hungry. This was their 18th time playing in the City of Brotherly Love, a fact not lost on Shirley Manson, and it was a poignant stop on what the band has billed as their last headlining North American tour.
The tour is in support of their new album, Let All That We Imagine be the Light, and the setlist was a masterclass in blending the new with the nostalgic. They opened with "There's No Future in Optimism," a perfect entry point that feels both classic Garbage and fresh. The band, tight as ever, launched into "Hold" and "Empty" before hitting the crowd with the one-two punch of "I Think I'm Paranoid" and "Vow," songs that sent the faithful into a frenzy. The Franklin became a time machine, with fans screaming every word, a testament to the band's enduring power.
Shirley, a vision of defiance, held the stage with the kind of magnetic authority few can summon. Her voice, a perfect blend of vulnerability and venom, cut through the mix as she led the band through new tracks like "Run Baby Run" and the hypnotic "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing." The new material, a powerful and introspective evolution for the band, felt right at home alongside classics like "Not My Idea" and "Hammering in My Head." The crowd's reception was as warm for the new songs as the old, proving that Garbage's creative fire hasn't dimmed.
A particularly emotional moment came when Manson paused to address the crowd. Her voice, thick with emotion, expressed the band’s deep gratitude for the fans' unwavering loyalty over the years. She spoke about the bond with Philadelphia and how the city has always felt like a home away from home. The sincerity in her words was palpable, a moment of genuine connection that transcended the typical concert platitudes.
The set was relentless, a showcase of their discography. "Bleed Like Me," making its tour debut, was a highlight, a raw and powerful performance that felt like a gift to the Philly crowd. The band then powered through fan favorites like "Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)" and "Push It," the latter turning the venue into a pulsating dance party. They closed the main set with a blistering run of "Why Do You Love Me" and "The Day That I Met God," leaving the audience breathless.
For the encore, the band returned to deliver the anthems everyone was waiting for. "Stupid Girl" was a cathartic sing-along, and they fittingly ended with "Only Happy When It Rains," a song that encapsulates their signature blend of melancholy and pop brilliance. As the final notes faded, it was clear that Garbage remains a force. And while this might be their last headlining tour, their legacy and their connection to the city will rain down for years to come.
Set List:
There’s No Future in Optimism
Hold
Empty
I Think I'm Paranoid
Vow
Run Baby Run
The Trick Is to Keep Breathing
Not My Idea
Hammering in My Head
Wolves
Parade
No Gods No Masters
Bleed Like Me (tour debut)
Godhead
Chinese Fire Horse
Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)
Push It
Why Do You Love Me
The Day That I Met God
Encore:
Stupid Girl
Only Happy When It Rains
Next Tour Stops:
Sep 17, 2025, Washington, DC
Sep 18, 2025, Boston, MA
Sep 20, 2025, New York, NY
Sep 21, 2025, New Haven, CT
Sep 23, 2025, Pittsburgh, PA
Sep 24, 2025, Toronto, ON
Review and Photography by: Craig Eidell