Review & Photos: Garbage, Starcrawler in Cleveland, Ohio

By David Desin, OOTB Publications

Iconic alt-rock band Garbage lit up The Agora in Cleveland, Ohio last night on their Happy Endings Tour—a bittersweet celebration marking their possible final major North American headlining tour and their 30th Anniversary.

With the recently released Let All That We Imagine Be The Light—their eighth studio album—Shirley Manson and company proved they still have the edge, energy, and emotional punch that first captivated us back in the '90s.

Opening the night was Los Angeles glam-punk band Starcrawler, whose chaotic, high-energy set perfectly primed the crowd.

Lead singer Arrow de Wilde commanded the stage with a frantic, magnetic presence, flanked by snarling guitars and pounding drums.

They tore through tracks like “Roadkill” and “She Gets Around” with raw power, earning more than a few new fans.

When Garbage took the stage, the energy shifted to something deeper—a mix of nostalgia, reverence, and admiration.

Dressed in her signature noir-glam aesthetic, Shirley Manson emerged like a force of nature. Her voice—equal parts snarling, seductive, and sorrowful—was

as strong and haunting as ever.

From the opening chords of “There’s No Future in Optimism” to the moody grandeur of “Only Happy When It Rains,” the setlist was a love letter to their career; peppered with fan favorites, deeper cuts, and a few standout tracks from the new album.

Garbage is still innovating without losing their distinctive sound.

Manson is more than a frontwoman—she is a storyteller, a preacher, and a punk-rock priestess.

Between songs, she spoke candidly to the audience about the band’s journey, the state of the world, and the importance of art and resistance.

Manson’s command of the audience hasn’t waned one bit. Every scream, every whisper, every glare—she still owns the stage completely.

As they closed with “Stupid Girl” and a cathartic encore of “Only Happy When It Rains,” it was clear this was more than just another tour stop: It was a celebration, a farewell, and a thank-you to the fans who have stood by them for three decades.

If you’ve ever loved Garbage, this is the time to see them. There may not be another chance like this.

The Happy Endings Tour isn’t just a concert—it’s a reminder of everything the band has given us: rage, beauty, grit and vulnerability.

Garbage hasn’t lost a step—and Shirley Manson still reigns supreme.

Catch them while you still can. I highly recommend. Don’t miss it. If this is the end, Garbage is going out with fire.

Setlist

1. There’s No Future in Optimism

2. Hold

3. Empty

4. I Think Im Paranoid

5. Vow

6. Run Baby Run

7. The Trick Is To Keep Breathing