Live Review : Garbage + Starcrawler @ The Eastern, Atlanta - Sep 8th 2025

Chris Collett
Sep 11
4 min read

Garbage’s stop at The Eastern on September 8 was one of those Atlanta nights where everything lined up just right. On the fourth night of their tour, the alt-rock legends delivered a set that was fiery, vulnerable, and filled with moments that reminded the crowd why this band has remained essential for decades. But before Shirley Manson and company took the stage, Starcrawler proved they were more than just an opening act, leaving a lasting impression that made this show feel like a true double bill.

If Nancy Sinatra and The Cramps spawned a love child and raised it on nothing but chaos and Monster, you’d get Starcrawler. They came out swinging, Arrow de Wilde twisting and thrashing like the kind of frontwoman you can’t look away from. Her wiry energy made every lyric feel like it could collapse into chaos at any second, and that unpredictability only pulled the crowd in closer. It was dangerous and fun in equal measure, like being dropped straight into the middle of a Tarantino scene.

From their pink color-coded stage setup to their country-western uniforms, it was clear they had a plan for the ride they wanted to take you on. Of course, Arrow wasn’t carrying it alone. The rest of the band brought a ferocious drive, riff after riff locking in tight and giving her room to burn across the stage. Together they made it impossible to dismiss them as an opener. By the end of their set, the question wasn’t whether they had won the room, but how long until they come back headlining on their own. They didn’t just open for Garbage; they made sure their presence couldn’t be forgotten.

When Garbage took over, the atmosphere shifted into something familiar yet electric. Opening with “No Future” and “Hold On,” they set the tone with dark, cinematic textures before sliding into “Empty” and the biting “Paranoid.” Shirley Manson’s charisma was immediate, her voice cutting through with clarity and edge. At one point she pulled off her jacket, accidentally blasting her in-ear monitors so loud she thought she might have done real damage. Instead of faltering, she laughed, downed a quick whiskey shot, and carried on like nothing had happened.

Manson also took time to speak from the heart about Atlanta’s own Brent Hinds. She said she had only met him a few times but that he was one of a kind, a true free spirit. As she expressed her condolences, her voice caught and it was clear the emotion hit hard. She shed a few tears, and many in the room did the same. It was a reminder of how deep the connections in music run, even across bands and genres, and it gave the show an added layer of weight that went far beyond the songs.

The night wasn’t without its political edge either. At one point, Manson said “Free Palestine,” underscoring Garbage’s long history of weaving conscience into their art. Later, she admitted that touring has become harder to sustain financially, even suggesting this could be the last run. The moment sobered the crowd, and then drummer Butch Vig followed by saying they would be back playing the arena next time. It felt less like a throwaway comment and more like a promise that Garbage still has plenty left to give.

The setlist carried the show forward with precision. “Vow” and “Run Baby Run” pulled long-time fans back into the early days, while “Trick Is to Keep Breathing” hushed the venue with its haunting beauty. “Not My Idea” and “Hammering in My Head” brought raw intensity, “Wolves” and “Parade” swirled with hypnotic drive, and mid-set staples like “Doomed,” “Godhead,” and “Chinese Rocks” kept the grit front and center. By the time “Cherry Lips” came around, the crowd was singing every word, a burst of catharsis that lit up the room.

Momentum carried through the closing stretch as “Push It” landed with industrial punch and “Why Do You Love Me” snarled with fresh bite. For the encore, Garbage left nothing on the table. “The Day I Met God” hit with raw intensity, and then came “Only Happy When It Rains.” Instead of taking full control, Shirley let the audience serenade her through most of the song. The room sang it back so loud it felt like the band could have dropped out completely and the crowd would have carried it to the end. It was one of those goosebump moments that live shows are made for. They wrapped with “Grow Up,” closing the night in dramatic fashion.

What made the evening unforgettable wasn’t just the songs but the human moments woven between them. The jokes, the honesty, the quick shots of whiskey, the heartfelt tears for Brent Hinds, and the acknowledgment of how tough life on the road has become all made the performance feel real. Garbage once again proved that their music carries weight because they deliver it with conviction. Paired with Starcrawler’s fearless opening set, it was a night that reminded Atlanta why live music will always matter.