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Shirley Manson Says Garbage’s North American Headline Tours Are Ending as She Calls Industry ‘Unsustainable’

Her viral tour-stop speech warns that current economics leave most musicians unable to sustain careers.

Overview

  • Video of Manson’s remarks at Denver’s Mission Ballroom spread widely after Fishbone shared the clip on social media.
  • She told fans the band considers touring outside the U.S. coasts financially unworkable, framing the message as an “alarm call” for younger artists.
  • Manson cited what she described as $12 per month in average Spotify income as evidence of inadequate streaming pay for working musicians.
  • Her critique targeted revenue captured by labels, Ticketmaster, merch companies, accountants and lawyers while alleging weak protections for artists and no effective union.
  • Parallel posts from peers outlined touring math involving presales, guarantees, promoter reductions and high travel and lodging costs that can leave band members earning below minimum wage.