Staff Editor on May 18th, 2019

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Rock luminaries Garbage enthralled a flush Thursday crowd at the Shrine Auditorium. Playing the Shrine for the very first time — but making the point that they had been before to “[be] robbed of a bunch of awards and watch others win them” — the band rolled out an extended set, folding in covers from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Depeche Mode and Missy Elliot.

Before dipping into “On Fire” vocalist Shirley Manson mentioned that the band puts their heart and soul into writing/producing every one of their songs — even the B-sides. The band continued to take the time to interact with the crowd, with banter ranging from Manson stating “America’s already been great,” to searching for Renee (one of their most die-hard fans who has attended near 70 shows), to referencing the recent anti-abortion laws, affirming the women of the audience that they are “valuable, powerful and can make change.”

Opener Ioanna Gika played songs of her solo debut “Thalassa,” released in early April. Her commanding falsetto cut through the clamor of synth-heavy production.

Setlist: Control, #1 Crush, Stupid Girl, Temptation Waits, Wicked Ways (with ‘Personal Jesus’ Depeche Mode cover), No Horses, Dumb , Special, Blood for Poppies, Why Do You Love Me, On Fire, Empty, Vow (with Maps by Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover), Parade (with Get Yer Freak On Cover by Missy Elliot cover), Cup Of Coffee, I Think I’m Paranoid, Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!), Push It, Only Happy When It Rains, Even Though Our Love Is Doomed. Encore: Bad Boyfriend, When I Grow Up.

Photos by Annie Lesser