Garbage’s Shirley Manson Defends Rant at Good Things: ‘I Make No Apologies’
At the recent Good Things Festival in Melbourne, Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson made headlines for her candid remarks about disrespectful behavior she witnessed during the band’s performance on December 5. Addressing a festivalgoer who repeatedly threw beach balls into the crowd, Manson did not hold back, calling the man a “f–kin’ douchebag” and expressing her frustration with his antics. Her passionate outburst resonated with many concert-goers and sparked a vibrant discussion online, as she highlighted the challenges artists face when fans treat live performances as mere entertainment rather than a shared artistic experience. Manson’s direct call for accountability—suggesting that the crowd should “f–kin’ punch” the offender—underscored her commitment to maintaining respect within the music community.
Following the incident, Manson took to social media platform Threads to further articulate her stance, emphasizing her long-standing disdain for beach balls at concerts. She shared, “I make NO APOLOGIES whatsoever for getting annoyed at beach balls at shows,” explaining that her passion for music was rooted in a desire to escape the frivolity she associates with such distractions. Manson’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among artists who seek to preserve the integrity of live music, urging fans to engage respectfully and meaningfully with the performance. She expressed her deep love for the musical community and her frustration with the notion of artists being treated as mere entertainers in a circus.
Garbage, who last toured Australia in 2016, is currently captivating audiences across the country as part of the Good Things Festival, delivering a setlist filled with beloved hits like “Only Happy When It Rains,” “Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!),” and newer tracks from their recent albums, including 2021’s *No Gods No Masters* and 2023’s *Let All That We Imagine Be The Light*. The band is set to continue their tour with performances in Sydney on December 6 and Brisbane on December 7, followed by additional sold-out shows, reaffirming their enduring appeal and the passionate connection they maintain with their fans.
Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson had sharp words for disrespectful behaviour at Good Things Festival, calling out a festivalgoer who repeatedly threw beach balls during the band’s Melbourne set on Dec. 5.
“Big guy with your big f–kin’ beach ball,” Manson said from the stage. “What a f–kin’ douchebag… You’re a f–kin’ middle-aged man in a f–kin’ ridiculous hat, and you’re a f–kin’ f–kface. I want, literally, to ask people to f–kin’ punch you in the f–kin’ face. But you know what? I’m a lady, so I won’t.”
While the comments sparked a wave of viral discussion online, Manson later doubled down on her stance in a statement posted to Threads, where she clarified her long-standing distaste for beach balls at shows and broader frustration with how some fans treat live music spaces.
“I make NO APOLOGIES whatsoever for getting annoyed at beach balls at shows,” she wrote. “I joined a band because I HATED THE F–KING BEACH. I joined a band because I wanted to listen to Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Cure and be dark and beautiful.”
She continued, “I love the musical community and I want to respect their artistry. I am so tired of folks taking music for free and treating us all like circus performers.”
The Scottish alt-rock icon and her bandmates — who last toured Australia in 2016 — are currently performing across the country as part of Good Things Festival, with additional sold-out sideshows in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney.
Their setlist includes fan favourites like “Only Happy When It Rains,” “Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!),” “Stupid Girl” and “When I Grow Up,” alongside material from their 2021 LP
No Gods No Masters
and 2023’s
Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
.
The band is scheduled to perform next in Sydney (Dec. 6) and Brisbane (Dec. 7), before kicking off their headline run.
