July 14, 2023 – The Mann Center, Philadelphia, PA

Review by Chris Yates // Photography by Estelle Massry

Music Den Live would like to personally thank Shirley Manson’s granny and Noel Gallagher’s granny for being sick of them enough to ship them off to America on tour together, just for our pleasure.

In an interview prior to their American tour, they were asked; How did you come to find yourselves touring together? Manson replied, “well, my granny knows Noel’s granny and everybody thought it would be a good idea if we toured America together.”  Gallagher followed by stating, “my granny said to Shirley’s granny, Look, I’ve had enough of him. And you’ve had enough of her, so let’s pack them off to America.”

And thankfully for us they love their granny’s enough to listen!

It was a hot and humid night in Philadelphia at the beautiful outdoor amphitheater, The Mann Center.  While hot, it seems the weather Gods blessed us as it rained just about everywhere on the east coast this evening except over Philadelphia.

Touted as one of the best Canadian bands of all time, Metric opened the evening for the co-headliners and put on a great show. It’s easy to see why they have such a strong following. This Toronto indie rock group, which is also appreciated in synth-pop circles, started in the late 1990s as the duo of Emily Haines and James Shaw. It has since grown into a foursome that continues to draw raves from a loyal fan base and music critics alike. Among the eight studio albums Metric has released, 2009’s “Fantasies” remains the gold standard. It won the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year, and the song “Stadium Love“ has been incorporated into game-day experience by MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays and the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers over the years. Emily has strong stage presence and sang with a ton of energy. They were the perfect opener for Garbage who followed.

Garbage, led by Shirley Manson is one of the most influential female led rock, alternative rock and grunge bands of all time. While led by Scottish singer, Manson, Garbage is actually an American band formed in 1993 in Madison, Wisconsin. At the time, the grunge scene was dominated by male led bands like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and more, Garbage and Shirley (as female lead) stood out and recognized immediate commercial success. The bands debut album holding the same name was critically acclaimed upon its release. Selling over four million copies and going double platinum in the US, UK and Australia. It was accompanied by a string of successful singles including Stupid Girl and Only Happens When it Rains. Other than Manson, the band’s line-up consists of American musicians Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig and has remained unchanged since its inception. All four members are involved on the writing and production process.

Shirley and the band came on stage with tremendous confidence and comfortability which was welcomed with thunderous applause. Manson looked beautiful and very cool in what I would define as grunge chic, wearing a white long top which came below her knees, tights with a colorful pattern underneath, with patent leather boots donning red accented tips. Over her white top she wore a red tulle cover which accented the stylish outfit, accompanied by a black sash draped over her waistline. Her hair was slicked back tight and she wore cool eye makeup. It was a very stylish, almost high fashion outfit/look.  Shirley sang powerfully and moved about the stage giving on-lookers who were lucky enough to have close seats a personal experience. Her stage presence was not just powerful. The best way I can describe it is Badass! Garbage played in front of a screen that changed colors and images and the lighting was great! I loved how she struck poses of confidence and really soaked in the audiences appreciation. She played for about an hour and a half with a large set list which included many of the fans favorites. I enjoyed it very much!

Following Garbage was Noel and his High Flying Birds. I never had the chance to see and review Oasis but was a fan of their music and can remember singing many of their songs as I blasted them on my car stereo. Noel was the chief songwriter, lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the rock band Oasis until their split in 2009. After leaving Oasis, he formed Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. He is one of the most successful songwriters in British music history, as the writer of eight UK number-one singles and co-writer of a further number one, as well as the sole or primary writer of ten UK number-one studio albums. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential songwriters in the history of British rock music, cited by numerous major subsequent artists as an influence, so I was excited to experience his music live.

Noel is from Manchester, England and if you weren’t aware, is a HUGE, I mean HUGE fan of Manchester City Football Club (soccer for those on this side of the pond). This is made overly apparent by his stage/set design complete with life size cardboard cutouts of the Man City coach and some players as well as a Man City podium. The cutouts were accompanied by a bunch of flower arrangements and bouquets spread throughout.  It was an interesting set design to say the least.  Noel was accompanied on stage with quite a few other members. Not only musicians but a line of backup singers, percussion and synthesizer or techno/electric techs. The compilation worked as he sang in beautiful melodic tones while playing his guitar and positioned center stage. He played for another hour and half and to the delight of the audience, mixed in some Oasis songs towards the end of the set. Not too much movement about stage, but when your voice carries you as his does, not much movement is needed as that speaks for itself.  I enjoyed the show, as did many of the fans who support him all wearing their Man City jerseys if droves.

They concluded their tour in Boston after finishing Philadelphia, so while you won’t get the chance to see them on this tour after reading this review, I would recommend seeing all three bands live the next time you have the chance, whether together or individually. 

Oh… and special thanks to Granny Gallagher & Granny Manson!