Garbage may be one of the most commercially successful alternative rock bands of the '90s, but I feel they sometimes get forgotten about. They have been nominated for seven Grammys across their career, but you don’t hear many people talk about them in casual circles. Garbage has hit the road on their Happy Endings Tour in support of their latest album Let All That We Imagine Be the Light, and fans sold out the final stop of this tour as it came to the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, CA. Fans packed into the Palladium, squeezing in tighter than I have ever seen before just for a chance to sing along with their '90s favorites.

Opening the night was LA natives Starcrawler. I was fortunate enough to catch these guys a few years ago in Las Vegas, and I was excited to see them again. Starcrawler brings a big, boisterous sound to the Palladium. Fronted by Arrow de Wilde, who is an enigma on stage, Arrow gets lost in her own world as she dances with herself like no one is watching, while singing the lyrics with a bite that you don’t want to mess with. It’s hard to pull attention off of a beautiful frontwoman, but guitarist Henri Cash was doing just that. Cash was flailing around like an anxious ball of energy, constantly whipping his guitar around his body and hardly ever looking at his guitar, yet never missing a lick. During their final song, “Bet My Brains,” Cash left the stage and ran up to the second floor of the Palladium to perform in the crowd. Fellow guitarist Bill Cash, bassist Tim Franco, and drummer Seth Carolina held down the rhythm of the band, being more stoic on the backline, allowing Arrow and Henri to unleash their inner beasts upon the fans. Starcrawler filled their set with some of their best work, like “Goodtime Girl,” “I Love LA,” “Stranded,” “If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough,” “Roadkill,” “It’s 3AM,” “Pet Sematary,” “She Said,” and “Different Angles.”

It was then time for our headliner, with Garbage taking the stage. As the band walked out for their opening song, “There’s No Future in Optimism,” the stage was illuminated in very specific overhead spotlights. As these lights bounced around the stage, they highlighted each band member almost as an introduction to the band. Moving into their second song, “Hold,” this was when vocalist Shirley Manson truly took control of the stage, stepping out from behind the mic stand and working the entire stage. Manson is a captivating singer, and it’s hard to take your eyes off her. It’s not just her powerful voice—you can feel her presence when she walks into a room, and you can’t look away. Manson always takes time in the set to talk about major political issues, and this night, she made a plea for equality in the world. It’s great to see someone with a stage like this speak on behalf of the betterment of the world.

Garbage has been a unique band by having a consistent lineup since its formation in 1993, with Duke Erikson and Steve Marker on guitar, and Butch Vig on drums. These men have been crafting iconic rhythms and melodies for generations now. Shirley never had a need to introduce a single song, as once one of these men started the opening to any song, the crowd immediately erupted into cheers as they knew the next classic they were going to get. From classics to even the songs from the new album, fans were along for the ride with hits like “I Think I’m Paranoid,” “Vow,” “Run Baby Run,” “The Trick Is to Keep Breathing,” “Not My Idea,” “Hammering in My Head,” “Wolves,” “#1 Crush,” “Bleed Like Me,” “Queer,” “Chinese Fire Horse,” “When I Grow Up,” “Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!),” “Push It,” and “The Day That I Met God.” Garbage came back for a three-song encore that featured “Special,” “Stupid Girl,” and the final song being the fan favorite “Only Happy When It Rains.”

Growing up in the '90s, the songs of Garbage were part of my childhood. At least half the songs they performed unlocked a childhood memory I had forgotten about when hearing these songs. The music was a time capsule that transported me throughout my childhood. The venue was packed with fans of all ages who I know were going through the same existential experience with me. For a band I feel isn’t talked about enough, their music permeates pop culture and our lives. The next time Garbage announces a tour, please find yourself at one of the shows, as you will be blown away by a killer performance and music that you may not realize you have fond memories of.