Southampton's Guildhall Square erupted into a riot of sound and colour on Tuesday, 23rd June, as Garbage and Skunk Anansie brought their co-headline UK tour to a thunderous finale. The electric atmosphere was palpable as the two iconic rock bands joined forces for a blistering rendition of Garbage's classic single 'Only Happy When It Rains', sending shivers down the spines of the packed crowd.
Shirley Manson, ever the consummate performer, welcomed Skunk Anansie to the stage with open arms, and what followed was nothing short of magic. The multicoloured umbrellas that danced above the audience added a playful touch, cleverly referencing the song's title and lyrics in a moment of pure rock 'n' roll theatre. Despite reports suggesting Manson had been feeling unwell, she still delivered an electrifying performance, her vocals soaring as ever. Meanwhile, Skin and Skunk Anansie brought their trademark energy to the occasion, elevating it to new heights.
The tour, which has seen Garbage and Skunk Anansie tear up stages across the UK from Halifax to Cardiff and Scarborough, has been a resounding success by any measure. And it's no surprise – with two of rock's most beloved acts sharing the spotlight, the chemistry between them was palpable. Skin gushed about the experience in a heartfelt video message, describing it as "mindblowing" and her favourite-ever tour, praising Garbage for their consistency and Shirley Manson's vocal precision night after night.
Shirley Manson reciprocated the love, calling the tour a "gorgeous fever dream" and expressing gratitude for the camaraderie that had developed between the bands. The affection was mutual – on social media, Garbage hailed the tour as the "best ever," celebrating 30 years of mutual respect and admiration between them.
The bond between Manson and Skin has been a recurring theme throughout the tour. In an interview with NME earlier this year, Manson praised Skin as a "national treasure", admiring her talent, tenacity, and endurance in the face of adversity. She drew parallels between their shared histories in the music industry, acknowledging the added challenges that Skin faced as a Black artist in Britain and expressing admiration for her strength.
With the UK tour now behind them, Garbage are set to take their energetic live show to European shores, with a major concert at Edinburgh Castle on 11th July – which they anticipate will be their final headline show in Scotland. They also have upcoming dates in London, Belfast, and Dublin. Meanwhile, Skunk Anansie continue their blistering live schedule, joining Alanis Morissette for her UK and Ireland tour and performing at the inaugural State Fayre festival in Chelmsford.