Review: Garbage Returns to Seattle for Hotly-Anticipated Show

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I was really excited for tonight’s show, not just for legendary alternative rock outfit Garbage, but I’ve also been interested in seeing Cigarettes After Sex perform live for a while. After their debut EP was released in 2012, the band, fronted by Greg Gonzalez, has gathered millions of views on YouTube, leading to live shows in the U.S. and Europe. The band was founded in El Paso, Texas, but is now based in Brooklyn.

Their ambient pop sound has the right balance of romantic, and mystic paired with Gonzalez’s androgynous voice. After just a few notes, the band will pull you right in to their world, which is much inspired by Mazzy Star, Cocteau Twins, and Red House Painters. The band has recently released a new single “Affection,” and are due to release an LP in early 2017. I can’t wait to hear more from them in the future.

It was finally time to see Garbage return this time at the Paramount in support of their latest record Strange Little Birds. The band, consisting of Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig, took the stage right after 9:00, and wasted no time charging people with energy. They played “I Think I’m Paranoid” and “Stupid Girl,” followed by “Automatic Systematic Habit” and “Blood for Poppies.”

Manson stopped after that to chat with the audience for a bit, sharing that the next song was dedicated to the openers Cigs after Sex, as they requested the song the night before, going on to play “Milk,” which took the place of “Queer.” They are huge fans promoting and giving credit to them whenever they can, which is nice to see in the industry.

After that they paused again and Manson went on to say, “There is someone very special here tonight with us. He was the first person to ever play Garbage in the U.S. and helped launch our career. A band doesn’t forget that support and love. Marco Collins, thank you for everything you’ve done for us, we love you.” She dedicated “Sex Is Not The Enemy” to him after that, and I thought it was cool to take a moment to thank him in front of the whole audience.

The night became more eventful as they pranked one of their roadies on stage with a singing clown for his birthday. Towards the end, “Only Happy When It Rains” and “Push It” concluded the main set, and the encore was “Sometimes,” “Empty,” and “#1 Crush.” Seeing Manson and the guys after all these years only proved one thing: they’ve still got it. She still demands your absolute attention, and walks around with so much confidence and swagger that you really don’t have a choice other than to oblige.

(More photos of the event can be found here courtesy of “Iron” Mike Savoia.)

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Sophia Barkalakis

Music is probably the most important part of her life. Sophia is constantly searching for new material, old and new. Always looking forward to the next live show she can attend, ready to immerse herself in the sound. "There is something so magical about attending a live show that you cannot possibly feel from a recording itself that makes it worth going to", she says. She also says she's lucky to be able to combine her passion for music with her obsession of capturing moments. She finds that being able to look at a photograph and be transported to that second of your life is indescribable and she's so grateful for all those great moments.

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