Coog Radio Updates

Concert Review: 20 Years Queer Tour with Garbage Live at the Revention Music Center

Written by Coog Radio on October 15, 2015

Twenty year after making a stamp on the alternative scene, Garbage is back for a victory lap.Tuesday night at Revention Music Center, Garbage graced Houston with their presence during their short run “20 Years Queer” anniversary tour. Shirley Manson, the band’s heroine of a lead singer, said that Garbage and the city of Houston have an “extensive history” together and the band loves to come play here. She also thanked our mayor for being “proudly queer.” Celebrating the anniversary of their self-titled debut album, they released a remastered edition with bonus tracks earlier this month. With this release the show was built around playing b-sides from the album, early works, and a couple of unreleased tracks as well. The show included special visuals as well with the band starting the show behind a scrim for the whole first song with only their shadows playing to the audience.

Of course throughout the show they did sprinkle some of their classic tracks into the set with projects in background of their iconic music videos that were MTV staples at the time of their release. Songs like “Stupid Girl,” “I’m Only Happy When It Rains,” “Vow,” and “Push It” had the crowd singing and dancing along like it was 1995. Shirley Manson still sounded incredible and the band and overall mix sounded great in the venue.

At the beginning of the show, they had a screen that was similar to what you’d see in a drive-in theater. It played old concession stand advertisements from the 50s and old trailers for horror movies and TV shows as well.

Not only were Shirley and the band visually stunning, but one of the highlights of the performance was the concert lighting. The color palettes, haze effects, and visual projections all added drama and beauty to the ambient and brooding nature that Garbage brings.