
Madison got loud on Friday night as Garbage brought their Happy Endings Tour to The Sylvee for a sold-out show that reminded fans why the band remains one of alt-rock’s most fearless forces. Returning to Wisconsin with a mix of nostalgia, raw honesty, and new material, Shirley Manson and company filled the room with sound and soul, proof that their fire still burns just as bright decades into their career.
Performing in support of their latest album, Let All That We Imagine Be the Light, the show carried an undercurrent of resilience and renewal. The project was born from Manson’s recovery following a serious hip injury that forced her off the road, and that sense of fragility turned into power pulsed through the night’s set. Garbage balanced moments of vulnerability with the snarling confidence that’s long defined them.
The 20-song performance moved between eras with ease. Early favorites like “Vow” and “I Think I’m Paranoid” were met with roaring recognition, while deeper cuts like “Bleed Like Me” and “The Trick Is to Keep Breathing” carried new emotional weight in light of the band’s recent journey. Newer material, including “There’s No Future in Optimism” and “Chinese Fire Horse,” sat comfortably alongside the classics, blending reflection with rebellion.
Between songs, Manson was her signature mix of candid and commanding, telling stories about label rejections, old auditions, and the unpredictable road that’s kept Garbage moving forward. By the time the encore closed with “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains,” the crowd was completely in sync, echoing every lyric back toward the stage.
Garbage’s night at The Sylvee wasn’t just a concert, it was a celebration of endurance, artistry, and the beauty of imperfection. And for the thousands who packed the venue, it was clear that Madison will always make room for a little glorious noise.
Photo by Deanna DeSlover for The Early Registration
























































