Skunk Anansie & Garbage @ TK Maxx Presents Live at Scarborough Open Air Theatre - 20th June 2026
- John Hayhurst
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Two icons, one stage, and a reminder that great rock music doesn't age.
Garbage and Skunk Anansie turned Scarborough into the centre of the rock universe for one night, delivering a co-headline show packed with attitude, politics, nostalgia and songs that still hit as hard as ever.
Words - Iain McClay, Graeme Smith
Photos - John Hayhurst
Scarborough is probably better known for fish and chips, donkey rides and paddling in the North Sea than it is for hosting some of the biggest names in alternative rock. Yet year after year, Scarborough Open Air Theatre quietly assembles one of the strongest summer concert programmes in the country, and on Saturday night it welcomed two genuine giants of the genre.
Garbage and Skunk Anansie have spent decades occupying similar territory in the musical landscape. Both emerged in the 1990s, both built fiercely loyal fanbases, and both were fronted by women who refused to fit the mould. Remarkably, despite years crossing paths, this is the first time the two bands have toured together. Watching them share a bill, the only question was why it took so long.
Before either heavyweight arrived, Newcastle's Du Blonde had the unenviable task of opening proceedings. Playing to a crowd still filtering through the gates, she nevertheless grabbed attention with a sharp, energetic set full of modern rock swagger. She'd borrowed bessie mate Cortney Dixon for guitar and backing vocals for her band too. It was easy to see why both headliners have spoken so warmly about her throughout the tour.
With the co-headline format seeing the bands alternate closing duties, Garbage were first on stage in Scarborough. Any concerns about being "the support act" quickly disappeared. From the moment Shirley Manson emerged, dressed to command attention with a two coloured tartan overskirt, black leggings and crazy oversized red boots, while simultaneously telling everyone to stop looking at her "T-Shirt Tits". Manson delivered a masterclass in how to age without losing an ounce of edge.
The band's catalogue remains packed with songs that sound as fresh now as they did when they first emerged from bedroom stereos and CD collections. Tracks from Version 2.0 landed particularly well, while Manson herself was magnetic throughout. Her voice remains powerful, her wit razor sharp and her ability to engage an audience completely intact. Surrounded by a band stacked with musical pedigree, she remains very much the focal point, even telling legendary producer Butch Vig (on drums) to wake up at one point.
'Stupid Girl' and 'Only Happy When It Rains' were the classics most were waiting for, they don't play 'Queer' live any more, although she might tease the first line if you ask her. A few minor sound issues briefly interrupted the flow, but they never threatened to derail a performance that reminded everyone why Garbage remain one of alternative rock's defining acts.
Then came Skunk Anansie. If Garbage were excellent, Skunk Anansie somehow found another gear.
There may not be a more captivating frontperson on a British stage than Skin. Equal parts rock star, activist, comedian and force of nature, she has a rare ability to make a huge venue feel intimate.
From the opening moments she had the audience in the palm of her hand, combining humour, political conviction and sheer charisma with a voice that remains astonishingly powerful.
The band's recent album, The Painful Truth, featured prominently alongside fan favourites such as Hedonism and Weak, proving that Skunk Anansie are far more than a nostalgia act. Their newer material sat comfortably beside the classics, carrying the same urgency and bite that has always defined the band.
The night's standout moment came when Skin launched herself into the crowd armed with her now-famous "Skincam", broadcasting her journey across the audience onto the giant screens. What could have been a gimmick instead became a perfect illustration of her connection with the crowd, culminating in a triumphant crowd-surf back towards the stage.
Throughout the set she spoke passionately about unity, understanding and standing up for those whose voices are too often ignored. It never felt preachy; instead it felt entirely consistent with what Skunk Anansie have always represented.
What united both performances was the strength of their frontwomen. Shirley Manson and Skin remain two of the most compelling figures rock music has produced. Intelligent, outspoken, funny and utterly unapologetic, they forged paths through a genre traditionally dominated by white men and continue to do so, on their own terms.
Trying to decide which band won the night feels almost impossible. Ask ten people leaving Scarborough Open Air Theatre and you'll probably get five votes each way. What mattered was seeing two legendary acts at the peak of their powers, sharing a stage and pushing each other higher.
For one night by the Yorkshire coast, Scarborough was hosting a celebration of everything great rock music can be. Let's hope they do it again.
