Concert review: Garbage, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Metric thrill in Phoenix

Garbage's singer Shirley Manson, left,
and drummer Butch Vig on June 11, 2023.

Who: Garbage, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Metric

Where: Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ

When: Sunday, June 11, 2023

Next: The North American Tour featuring Garbage, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Metric continues throughout June and July 2023

Information: Garbage.com

Review and photography by Robert Kinsler

Modern rock lovers were served a full night of stellar music making courtesy of winning sets from Garbage, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Metric at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix on June 11.

Emily Haines of Metric

Canadian indie rock quartet Metric opened the bill with a 40-minute set of original material that flawlessly blended synth-pop, alt rock and new wave; singer/keyboardist Emily Haines' distinctive vocals and James Shaw's atmospheric guitar stylings were featured amidst the solid rhythm work of drummer Joules Scott-Key and bassist Joshua Winstead.

A view of Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre at dusk.

The quartet's set was a wonderful introduction for many in the audience who likely were not yet familiar with Metric. The propulsive opener "Gold Guns Girls," melodic "Gimme Sympathy," hypnotic "Help I'm Alive" and bewitching "All Comes Crashing" were early favorites. The ambitious "What Feels Like Eternity" (from the band's wonderful 2022 album Formentera), new wave-flavored "Now or Never Now" with it's message about embracing the here and now, and exuberant closer "Breathing Underwater" all impressed. 

Noel Gallagher, second from left, with his High Flying Birds in Phoenix, AZ.

With every appearance Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds make an increasingly-strong case that a rumored Oasis reunion is not certain nor necessary. During his terrific 70-minute set in Phoenix, Gallagher and company showcased material off the newly-released album Council Skies as well as gems from Oasis (the band fronted by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher parted ways in 2009). The palpable power of the 13-track performance was anchored in Gallagher's riveting songwriting gifts as well as the stylish and gifted work of musicians and backup singers who rendered the material to life.

Stunning graphics and video images projected behind the troupe enhanced the power of the songs as well. From the dynamic opener "Pretty Boy" and soaring "Council Skies" to the Beatlesque "We're Gonna Get There In The End" and anthemic "Open The Door, See What You Find," this writer found the material from Gallagher's new album glorious. The parade of Oasis classics he played later in his set were offered with emotional and musical perfection; the acoustic reading of "The Masterplan," the dynamic ebb-and-flow arrangement of "Little by Little," and one-two punch of his crowd pleasing versions of "Live Forever" and "Don't Look Back in Anger" to finish the set were among the obvious highlights. 

Shirley Manson, left, with drummer Butch Vig.

Like Oasis, Garbage was one of the most original and important rock acts to emerge in the 1990s. Watching Garbage headline in June 2023 is to be fully reminded how timeless and groundbreaking the band was when they released their eponymous album in 1995. The band's lineup — Scottish singer Shirley Manson, multi-instrumentalist Duke Erikson, guitarist-keyboardist Steve Marker and drummer Butch Vig — has remained unchanged for 30 years and has continued to blend alternative rock, heavy electronica and post-grunge styles in ways that inspire and challenge.

Duke Erikson of Garbage.

Performing 16 songs over the course of 80 minutes, Garbage showcased material from across the band's glowing discography. Indeed, the outfit opened the night with the hard rocking "Supervixen" (the first song off their debut album), but an eclectic mix of hits, deep album cuts (notably the bonus track "#1 Crush" with Manson going into the audience during the song) and even a shining cover of Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Cities in Dust" added to the night's magic.

Among the many standouts performed by Garbage was the funk-tinged "The Men Who Rule the World," reworked take on their 1998 hit "Special," driving "Bleed Like Me," blistering "Push It" and lavish reading of "Only Happy When It Rains" (the latter showcasing Manson's signature vocals). 

For an encore, Garbage dipped back to their 2001 album Beautiful Garbage for a delightfully crunchy pop track, "Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go)."

Garbage Set List on June 11, 2023

Supervixen
#1 Crush
The Men Who Rule the World
Run Baby Run
Special
Wolves
Beloved Freak
Bleed Like Me
Cities in Dust (Siouxsie and the Banshees cover)
I Think I’m Paranoid
Stupid Girl
Push It
No Gods No Masters
Only Happy When It Rains
Vow

Encore:

Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)

New music: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Metric, Michael Vincent

In this column, I highlight several notable new releases as well as an essential album title I somehow overlooked upon its release in 2022.

Artist: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Title: Council Skies — Deluxe Edition (Sour Mash Record)

You might like if you enjoy: Oasis, Blur, Johnny Marr

Tell me more: The Deluxe Edition of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' Council Skies is a true masterpiece; the marathon-length set runs approximately 100 minutes and includes 24 tracks — a mix of new studio recordings, instrumental versions, remixes and live radio sessions. Spectacular songcraft is at the heart of the collection, an uplifting listen even when Gallagher and company are captured amidst their most introspective and quiet forays (just listen to "There She Blows!" and "Don't Stop..."). The aptly-titled "I'm Not Giving Up Tonight" is anthemic with a rousing chorus and burgeoning arrangement that artfully builds across the song's bewitching run. The melancholy-mining "Dead To The World" showcases Gallagher's signature vocals (including his tender falsetto) in an especially plaintive offering. The glorious symphony-flavored "Open The Door, See What You Find" and "Trying To Find A World That's Been And Gone Pt. 1," soaring "Easy Now," Beatlesque rocker "Love Is A Rich Man" and reflective "Think Of A Number" are other gems on disc 1 of the set. The sumptuous melody-adorned "We're Gonna Get There In The End," genuinely inspired version of John Lennon's "Mind Games," a Robert Smith-remix of "Pretty Boy" and live radio station performance of Bob Dylan's "You Ain't Going' Nowhere" are among the riches on disc 2. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds is currently on tour with Garbage and Metric; the tour includes upcoming stops at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on June 9, at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in San Diego on June 10, and at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ on June 11. Information: noelgallagher.com.

Artist: Metric

Title: Formentera (Metric Music Intl. / Thirty Tigers)

You might like if you enjoy: The Album Leaf, Broken Social Scene, Chvrches, synthpop, indie rock

Tell me more: This writer somehow missed getting a listen of Formentera upon its official release in July 2022, but with Metric headlining at Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 (as well as at a number of larger venues opening for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Garbage), I wanted to catch up on the Toronto, Canada-spawned quartet's latest album now. The eighth studio release from Metric, the nine-track album challenges and rewards the listener at every turn. The ambitious electronica track "Doomscroller" — which clocks in at more than 10 minutes — is a particularly effective track, beginning with a haunting vibe before launching into a propulsive dance soundscape and then touching on other distinct sonic moodscapes along its creative path (including a piano-anchored break where Emily Haines' wonderful soprano is purposefully poignant). The immersive "All Comes Crashing," entrancing indie rocker "What Feels Like Eternity," symphonic-swept "Enemies of the Ocean" and ascending closer "Paths in the Sky" make for a magical and welcome introduction to the stellar talents of Haines (lead vocals, synthesizers, guitar), James Shaw (guitar, synthesizers, theremin, backing vocals), Joshua Winstead (bass, synthesizers, backing vocals) and Joules Scott-Key (drums, percussion). Information: ilovemetric.com.

Artist: Michael Vincent

Title: Electric Fox (Angel Blossom Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Warren Zevon, Joey Molland, Snow Patrol

Tell me more: Michael Vincent's new album Electric Fox (released on May 26, 2023) is a fitting showcase for the Bay Area-based singer-songwriter, with the veteran artist exploring a wide range of styles including alt rock, power pop, blues and roots across the 8-track disc. Vincent's stirring style works well on the inviting folk rocker "Together," uptempo indie rocker "Fool, My Eye" (the latter featuring great lead guitar work from Scott Warren), melodic power pop nuggets "Last Summer" and "Living Room," tender romantic sortie "In a Whisper" and crunchy modern rocker "(Kinda Like) Forever." Information: michaelvincentmusic.com.

Robert Kinsler

Music Worth Buying episode: Dead Can Dance, Metric

On the latest episode of Music Worth Buying we celebrate the return of Dead Can Dance via Anastasis and Metric’s latest wonder Synthetica: