The Scarborough Open Air Theatre has been putting on a string of impressive names for years which always struck me as a bit odd.

Review by Graeme Smith

Photos by John Hayhurst

The North Yorkshire seaside town isn’t the first place you think of when talking about live music in the UK. You’re more likely to go there for a paddle or some fish and chips than to see a concert.

Once you’re inside the Scarborough OAT, the penny drops. The venue is fantastically set up. A generous standing area offers punters a chance of getting incredibly close to their favourite artists (more on that later) and those who prefer to sit get a splendid view thanks to its steep amphitheatre setup. Everything is close together so there isn’t the huge trek to the bar, the food trucks, or the Portaloo that’d you’d get at a festival.

Stars of the past, present, and future are slated to play there this summer, and we had it all last night as Garbage and Skunk Anasie co-headlined with Du Blonde in support.

The Newcastle-based Du Blonde was given the task of warming up the audience and had her set unenviably close to doors. Still, there were plenty there to enjoy her excited performance of modern rock. She’s mates with the headliners, and all three acts took time out to say how much joy they’re getting from touring together.

The tour sees Garbage and Skunk Anansie trading places on the lineup each night. In Scarborough it was Garbage’s turn to act as second fiddle on the bill. I did find myself wondering as I watched how their set might have been different if they were on last. That’s not to say they didn’t give it their all.

Back in the ‘90s there was no such thing as streaming any song you wanted so you had to make do with whatever CDs or cassettes your pocket money could buy. It meant kids like me had to be highly selective of what music they bought.

Garbage’s second album Version 2.0 was one I did invest in, and I played it more times that I can count. It was great to hear these tracks rendered live for the first time, but this is where I get to the most crucial point of my review.

This show wasn’t simply a nostalgia trip; it was a reminder of just how great these bands – Garbage and Skunk Anansie – were and continue to be. Garbage’s Shirley Manson and Skunk Anansie’s Skin are both formidable front women who haven’t lost any of their attitude, swagger, or impressive vocals.

Both also happen to be women in rock, a genre dominated by men, and that was even more the case in the ‘90s. Skin is also Black in a genre dominated by White people. Skunk Anansie and Garbage were bands that flourished despite the odds and watching them still do what they do best shows why.

There may not be a live act on the UK scene as a compelling a watch as Skunk Anansie are. Last night was the second time in two years that I’d seen them, and I was completely engrossed both times.

While the band bring the musicianship, Skin brings the energy, charisma, and the connection with the audience. This connection was at its upmost when she disappeared into the crowd in front of the stage with her “Skincam” that broadcast onto a big screen on stage. The episode crescendoed with her crowd surfing back to the stage.

As well as giving the audience what they wanted – classic hits like Hedonism and Weak – they also played songs from their charged 2025 album The Painful Truth including An Artist Is An Artist and Cheers. Skin also used her platform to advocate for love, peace and understanding in a polarised world, while also championing the downtrodden.

Overall, a fantastic night by the sea. We will be back.

Du Blonde, Garbage, and Skunk Anansie played at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Saturday 20 June 2026.