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From Chaos to Command: Starcrawler and Garbage Deliver a Night to Remember
- Ernesto Raul Aguilar
- Oct 4
- 2 min read
Review & Photos Contributed by Ernesto Raul Aguilar
Revisions by Rebecca McDevitt
Garbage proved last night that they still have the bite, the grit, and the fire. And speaking of fire, they brought with them a hell of an opener, the one and only Starcrawler.
It was my first time seeing Starcrawler, a band that’s been active since 2015, and the first thought that hit me was:
"Why haven’t I been listening to them this whole time?"
Imagine taking Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Blondie, Joan Jett, Patti Smith, the Ramones, the New York Dolls, and The Cramps, then tossing in a twisted version of Jem and the Holograms for good measure. Sprinkle in dust shaken from the ceiling of the Whisky a Go Go and stick it all in a busted-up, hot pink, punk-as-hell blender, what comes out is Starcrawler.
All dressed like Barbie cowboys; they took the stage to “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” before launching straight into chaos. Their set ripped through “Goodtime Girl,” “Roadkill,” and the snarling “I Love LA,” never letting up. The Ramones’ “Pet Sematary” was a highlight, with the band paying tribute in their own unhinged style. Lead singer Arrow de Wilde was impossible to ignore, moving like a possessed Betty Spaghetti, thrashing, bending, kicking, and contorting herself like some alien punk banshee. There were moments on stage that defied explanation, the kind of energy you can’t quite capture on social media. The whole performance felt like being transported back to the wild energy of small clubs where anything could happen.
With the audience fully worked up, it was time for the main attraction. Garbage took the stage to Angelo Badalamenti’s eerie Twin Peaks theme, setting the mood before detonating into “There’s No Future in Optimism” and “Hold.” Shirley Manson emerged dressed for battle: boots, military-style baggy pants, a slouchy leather jacket, and eyeshadow painted like war stripes. After the first song, she removed her jacket to reveal a bold statement tee, setting the tone for the rest of the night. From that moment on, the band played with precision and fury, showing no signs of slowing down.
Their setlist blended old and new, proving Garbage’s catalog still resonates. Early classics like “Vow” and “I Think I’m Paranoid” hit just as hard as when they first came out, while deep cuts like “Bleed Like Me” and “Hammering in My Head” reminded fans of the band’s darker edge. During ‘Parade,’ which she dedicated to a survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting in attendance, Manson explained that the abbreviated version was due to her vocal limitations, a lingering effect of the health setback that forced Garbage to cancel last year’s tour. Later, “Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)” was given to Laura Jane Grace, tying the night’s fierce energy to messages of resilience and identity.
The encore sealed it: “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains” brought the Salt Shed to a euphoric close.
Two generations of unapologetic rock collided in Chicago. Starcrawler proved they’re carrying the pop-punk torch into the future, and Garbage showed they’re still very much in command of their past, present, and beyond.
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