GARBAGE / STARCRAWLER – LIVE AT COLLEGE STREET MUSIC HALL

2025-10-03

GARBAGE / STARCRAWLER – LIVE AT COLLEGE STREET MUSIC HALL

By Ralph Beauchamp

College Street Music Hall hosted another fabulous night of exciting music. Garbage brought their “Happy Endings” tour to the New Haven venue with the captivating Starcrawler for direct support.

AMP’s Rick Fleck covered LA’s Starcrawler in 2024 when they opened for Boris at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. His review was definitely positive. So, not really knowing much about the band, I listened to their releases on the way down to College Street, Starcrawler’s music just didn’t grab me. I felt their sound was fine but something was missing. So, I wasn’t expecting much from the opener. Boy, was I wrong!! Starcrawler came out on fire!!

The group comprised of the all-devouring Arrow De Wilde (Lead Vocals), Henri Cash (Guitar), Bill Cash (Guitar), Seth Caroline (Drums) and Tim Franco (Bass) entered the stage with an undeniable swagger. Arrow De Wilde was a flawless frontwoman. She constantly strutted and totally engaged the audience. The Cash brothers guitars’ flared with intensity while the backbeat hammered monumental grooves. The entire band’s vibe was infectious.

Photos Ralph Beauchamp

Their 30 minute set was full of surprises. They covered The Ramones “Pet Sematary” with much aplomb. Original songs such as “Roadkill” and “I Love LA” were standouts. The audience seemed to truly enjoy the “glam saunter” Starcrawler was letting loose. De Wilde was massive with her “taking no shit” attitude. She pranced and sashayed into everyone’s hearts. Starcrawler brought the angst of the Dead Boys with the panache of Blondie. This is a band on the move.

When Garbage hit the podium, the venue let out a huge roar. This was Garbage’s house. As soon as Shirley Manson stepped up to the mike, there was electricity in the air. Garbage opened with “There’s No Future In Optimism” from their latest release Let All That We Imagine Be The Light. The tune immediately set tone for the night. Buoyant with insatiable textures, the song held the floor in awe.

Photos Ralph Beauchamp

“Hold” led into “I Think I’m Paranoid” and “Vow”. Manson then apologized for being under the weather even though no one could really tell. She explained the band didn’t want to cancel the show because of what happened three ago when they cancelled at College Street due to Covid. College Street actually got a special treat as the band mixed up the setlist due to Manson’s illness. We got songs that other shows didn’t. “Bleed Like Me” and “Queer” stirred the souls of the adoring crowd.

Other fan favorites were “Chinese Fire Horse” and the atmospheric “The Day I Met God”. All the while, Butch Vig (Drums), Steve Marker (Guitar/Keys), Duke Erikson (Guitar/Bass/Keys) were tremendous. Their musicianship was both lofty and incendiary. Guest musician Nicole Floentino (Bass) rounded out the ensemble..

Garbage‘s 17 song set was an incredible journey into the band’s present and past. They left the best for their encore. “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains” rocked the house into a perfect evening of divine music.