Garbage and Skunk Anansie – Live Review – The Piece Hall, Halifax
By Steve Crabtree, June 2026
If you loved the mid-90s music scene, you’ll know it was a special time. Guitar music had real teeth, and there were a couple of absolute powerhouses with incredible front-women were always high up on the roll-call.
So, when Garbage and Skunk Anansie announced a co-headlining date for Halifax this summer, I was instantly intrigued. I’ve always liked the songs I know from both bands and I’d never seen them before. So, when they’re on my doorstep – why not?
A couple of big 90s names sharing a bill on one night? It felt like a proper, mouth-watering prospect for a mid-week night out. I grabbed a couple of mates and we headed down for what promised to be an absolute belter of a Tuesday night.
“Roaring welcome”
I remember both bands vividly from back in the day. The commercial stuff anyway, and to me, they always sat firmly in the more grungier-metal camp rather than fuller heavy stuff. But this show kicked off their six-date joint UK tour, and it was about to show me that I’d underestimated how powerful these bands are.
As usual, the town was pretty alive, especially for a Tuesday night, and we got into the Piece Hall at around 7.15pm. We’d missed the support act, but were in time for Skunk Anansie.
The capacity crowd gave them a massive, roaring welcome as they stepped out. Behind the band, huge spiked columns dominated the stage, a brilliant visual setup that represented them perfectly.
“A total force of nature on stage”
Now, these lot were loud. Insanely loud. Live, however, they pack some serious punch, and their set is heavy, fast and very politically charged. And Skin is a total force of nature on stage.
They delivered an explosive set, treating us to incredible versions of ‘Weak As I Am’, ‘Lost Not Found’, ‘Shame’, and ‘Tear The Place Up’.
‘Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)’ was beautiful. A real memory-stirrer of the sixth form, but the absolute highlight of the set had to be when Skin completely ditched the stage. She climbed straight into the crowd to mosh in the pit with some girls.
It was a fantastic moment, and I’m sure those who got up close and personal with her won’t forget that in a hurry.
“Smashing through”
By the time the stage was reset for Garbage at 9.15pm, the atmosphere was already up. It was a mix of two really pleasant fan bases, and it genuinely felt like the happiest atmosphere I’ve been in at a gig. As always, the courtyard was packed out, and everyone was in a brilliant mood. The Piece Hall really was being rocked to its foundations by this double bill.
Garbage brought a slightly softer edge than Skunk Anansie, but again – they were still a much heavier band than I remembered. Shirley Manson walked out looking every bit the rock icon, and she sounded incredible. Her vocals were fantastic, sounding exactly the same as she did way back when.
They went right into their sensational back catalogue. Butch Vig and the gang were incredibly tight, smashing through tracks like ‘Paranoid’, ‘Stupid Girl’, ‘Grow Up’, and ‘Vow’. And they didn’t shy away from politics either.
But the ultimate moment came near the end when the entire crowd enjoyed the timeless 90s anthem ‘I’m Only Happy When It Rains’. It was a mass sing-along that started the closure of their set perfectly.
“Halifax was thoroughly rocked”
We finally filed out of the Piece Hall with ringing ears and massive grins. Meeting up with friends and enjoying a show like this is what summer is all about. Both bands proved they haven’t lost an ounce of their edge or talent, and they’re both great.
Another truly was a brilliant night. If you’re lucky enough to have tickets for this UK tour, you are in for a treat. Halifax was thoroughly rocked.
Images: Cuffe & Taylor
Give Steve music, give him food, give him theatre, tech or travel… and he’s a happy man. He’s been writing professionally since 2003, turning to journalism in 2017 when it offered him the chance to enjoy a lot of his existing passions, and learn some new ones at the same time. Steve can be found spending many of his summer nights watching bands at The Piece Hall in his hometown of Halifax, or enjoying a bite to eat and a drink with his wife anywhere in Yorkshire at any time of year. Random fact: He does the best impression of Zippy and George from Rainbow that anyone has ever heard.
