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Two of the best bands of the 90s, fronted by two of the most iconic women in rock, Garbage and Skunk Anansie, are currently on a co-headlining tour. Their stop at the beautiful Piece Hall in Halifax was one of the most anticipated shows of the venue’s summer series – and it did not disappoint.
Opener Du Blonde was a fairly obvious choice for support on this tour having recorded singles with both Skin and Shirley Manson in the past, and they proved to be a fantastic choice. Their psychedelic-tinged garage rock was a perfect way to start the evening and the early birds in the audience were treated to a short but impactful set.
Co-headline shows often offer a rotation of the bands each night – as well as a veritable audio feast for the audience – and tonight it was Skunk Anansie’s turn to go on first with Garbage playing last.
There are some shows that are so good they are spoken of for years and years to come, and Skunk Anansie’s set was one of them. Having been top of the wish lists of many fans to play at this venue for a long, long time – the chance to hear Skin’s voice fill the iconic venue’s courtyard was always going to be something special.
With giant spiky black inflatables adorning the stage Ace, Cass and Mark began the foreboding intro to Charlie Big Potato before Skin launched herself into things. One of the most softly spoken people you’ll ever here, she transforms on stage into a fiery ball of energy that is impossible to take your eyes off.
2025’s The Painful Truth album offers up 4 of its tracks for the show, and sound as vital and energetic as ever – but it was the classic Stoosh and Paranoid and Sunburnt albums that heightened the energy levels in the crowd – with Hedonism, Weak and Twisted being a jaw-dropping mid-set triplet that was unforgettable, with the romping Studio 54 worthy bassline sound particularly impressive.
Skin and her ‘Skin Cam’ made their way into the audience for a riotous dance before they closed the show with ‘Yes, it’s F*cking Political’, ‘Tear the Place Up’, and ‘Little Baby Swastikkka’ which ended again with Skin in the crowd amidst an all-girl mosh pit. A truly emphatic ending to the set of the year so far at The Piece Hall.
The epitome of a tough act to follow. Garbage though, certainly delivered.
With the rain threatening but holding off, the mood was still jubilant as they took the stage. Other than the exquisite looking octopus from the cover of their most recent album ‘Let All We Imagine Be the Light’ looming large over the legendary Butch Vig there was little more in the way of stage scenery – allowing Shirley to stalk the entirety of the stage – which for the first 3 songs she did comically trapped in her jacket due to a malfunctioning zip.
Early showings for ‘I Think I’m Paranoid’ and ‘Stupid Girl’ kept the momentum going and had the majority of the crowd reminiscing for their youth – and given the fact that Shirley has gone record to say they won’t be touring extensively like this in the future – it may have been one of the last opportunities to do so.
The new songs sounded great, especially Chinese Fire Horse, but it was most definitely the tracks that harked back to a better time (aka the 90s) that the crowd had come for and including ‘Push It’ and ‘Only Happy When it Rains’ in the final 3 songs was a perfect way to sign off.
Garbage were absolutely fantastic, but it was Skunk Anansie who stole the show and whose performance will surely become part of Piece Hall folklore. Even so, seeing two of the most iconic front women of their generation sharing the same bill was a treat for everyone in attendance.
