📍ACL Live Moody Theater — Oct. 8, 2025
Written by Perrin Boyd
Thirty years into their career, Garbage remains a force of nature. Wednesday night at ACL Live, the veteran alt-rock band proved that their grungy, glittery, and deliciously defiant sound hasn’t lost an ounce of edge. For a group that defined the darker, more experimental side of ’90s pop rock, this show felt as a reminder of their influence, and a rare glimpse into the cost of keeping that influence alive.
From the moment the lights dropped and Shirley Manson strode onto the stage, the energy shifted. Dressed in her signature mix of punk and elegance, she carried herself like a high priestess of rebellion. Opening with songs like “I Think I’m Paranoid,” the room immediately ignited, voices rising in unison as that distorted guitar riff ripped through the venue. It was the kind of song that could’ve easily felt trapped in the ’90s, but instead it pulsed with modern urgency, proof of Garbage’s knack for timelessness.
That’s the paradox of Garbage: their music belongs to another era yet somehow refuses to age. Tracks like “When I Grow Up” and “Chinese Fire Horse” shimmered with nostalgic synths and gritty beats, echoing back to a time when alternative radio ruled the airwaves. Yet the themes of identity, obsession, rebellion were squarely in the present. Garbage helped shape a generation of global pop music that wasn’t afraid to be messy, self-aware, and confrontational, and their influence can still be heard in today’s biggest acts, from Billie Eilish to Halsey.
Between songs, Manson got real with the crowd. At one point, she paused to reflect on the band’s longevity and the uncertain future of touring. “It’s gotten really hard,” she admitted. “The costs, the logistics… this might be the last time we get to do this in the States.” The crowd fell into a heavy silence before erupting into applause - an outpouring of gratitude for a band that’s given so much of themselves for three decades. She quickly followed up with a smile, adding, “But we’re still here because we love it. Not for the money. Just for the music.”
Garbage’s authenticity has always been their armor, and seeing Manson embody that rawness onstage was a masterclass in presence. She remains one of the most influential frontwomen in rock - a trailblazer who made vulnerability look powerful and rage sound beautiful.
The night closed with a one-two punch of anthems: “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains.” The crowd shouted every lyric, arms raised, bathed in a wash of neon light and nostalgia. As the final notes faded, Manson bowed deeply, visibly emotional and grateful.
Thirty years later, Garbage still sounds vital - maybe even more so. They’ve weathered changing trends and shifting tides, and through it all, their message remains clear: art made from honesty never expires.