GalleryDitch This MagazineDecember 12, 2025gallery, live, melbourne, Rebecca Houlden, Garbage, Palais Theatre

Garbage + Lucky @ Palais Theatre 11-12-25

GalleryDitch This MagazineDecember 12, 2025gallery, live, melbourne, Rebecca Houlden, Garbage, Palais Theatre

Images & Words: Rebecca Houlden @rebecca_houlden

’90s alt-rock icons Garbage made a long-awaited return to Australia this week—nine years since their last visit. After headlining Good Things Festival alongside Tool and Weezer, this was the first of their own sideshows, held at the beautiful Palais Theatre. For me, it was especially meaningful: I first saw Garbage here in 2005 on their Bleed Like Me tour, just before their hiatus.

The band is back to celebrate their eighth studio album Let All We Imagine Be the Light. When the tour was announced, Shirley Manson shared, “We have been aching to return to this part of the world for a long time now, and this tour will be played every night in Michael Gudinski’s honour.”

Since breaking out with their self-titled debut in 1995 - an album that hit #4 in Australia and went double-platinum - Garbage have delivered three decades of era-defining records and singles, including “Only Happy When It Rains,” “Stupid Girl,” “When I Grow Up,” “Cherry Lips,” “I Think I’m Paranoid” and more. Their evolution is still on display, most recently in their new single “There’s No Future in Optimism.”

Opening the night was Melbourne artist Lucky, who set the tone beautifully with fuzzy, guitar-driven indie rock and sharp, observant lyrics.

As the lights dimmed and Twin Peaks’ “Laura Palmer’s Theme” filled the room, Garbage took the stage and launched into “There’s No Future in Optimism,” Manson chanting “If you’re ready for love” under a stark spotlight. With little chatter early on, they moved straight into “Hold” before igniting the crowd with 1998’s “I Think I’m Paranoid”, a moment that saw the entire theatre rise to its feet for the rest of the show.

Decades of shared musicianship were on full display. Manson prowled the stage with commanding presence, one of the most magnetic front-women in rock. Duke Erikson and Steve Marker tore through riffs at stage right, while Butch Vig delivered his signature effortless precision - his first Australian performances since 2013, making his return a major treat for longtime fans.

Joining the core lineup was bassist Nicole Fiorentino (Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt), whose rich bass lines and backing vocals added new depth to the live sound.

Between songs, Manson offered heartfelt dedications, including to Michael Gudinski, along with anecdotes about writing tracks such as “Bleed Like Me” and “Hammering In My Head” and reflections on the band’s history. Her warmth and honesty gave the night an genuine, intimate, and celebratory energy.

The newer material slotted seamlessly alongside classics like “Vow” and “#1 Crush,” and the set peaked with a powerhouse trio of hits: “When I Grow Up,” “Cherry Lips,” and “Push It.” With such a vast catalogue, it’s impossible for Garbage to play everything, but this setlist struck the perfect balance of fan favourites, deep cuts, and new tracks - an expansive snapshot of their artistry.

After seeing Garbage live for the twelfth time, I’m once again reminded of just how polished, passionate, and downright formidable they are on stage. With the band signalling plans to scale back future touring, witnessing them in such top form felt truly special.

They closed with “Only Happy When It Rains,” Manson telling the crowd, “We don’t know if or when we’ll be back, so let’s sing together like it’s the last time.”