With the National Palace as a backdrop and the opening chords of “Laura Palmer’s Theme”—from David Lynch’s iconic series *Twin Peaks*—Garbage took the stage at the capital’s Zócalo. The band concluded their year of touring before a crowd eager to reconnect with one of the definitive alternative rock acts of the 1990s.
“There’s No Future in Optimism” and “Hold” were the songs with which Shirley Manson and her bandmates began to explore their repertoire. Dressed entirely in white with her face obscured by a veil, Manson led the start of the performance, as the instruments wove together to create the exquisite, meticulously crafted sound that defines the group. Across the vast plaza, thousands of people were already dancing.
The crowd included entire families, as well as individuals who had arrived alone or in groups—some sporting the classic long-haired look of those who grew up listening to the band, others with no outward sign of being fans. There were also younger attendees, such as a smiling girl holding a sign that read: “We love you! My parents taught me your music.”
Wearing high leather boots and a white dress, Shirley Manson remained in constant motion throughout the night. To her right, the Metropolitan Cathedral—which, in this type of setup, usually sits behind the stage—took on a prominent role. Its columns, reliefs, and baroque details seemed to harmonize with the music—a sound built from layers of texture, distorted guitars, and dark atmospheres that, without ever losing their edge, still leave room for the catchiest of melodies.
