By DONNA BALANCIA
Shirley Manson led the Girlschool Choir on Saturday night to wrap a full day woman power at the Bootleg Theater.
Amber Coffman, Lesser Pieces and Pinky Pinky impressed the hundreds of fans who crammed around three Bootleg stages during the weekend.
Starting the day were advocates and journalists in a panel discussion on social media and inclusivity.
SEE KAREN O PERFORM at GIRLSCHOOL
Ashlee Marie Preston was among four panelists but was perhaps the most well-known by TV watchers. She is the first transgender black person to run for political office.
Manson capped off a day of excellent performances joining the Girlschool Choir on the Cherry stage.
She sang the well-known song “I’m Only Happy When It Rains” and five other songs. She was joined by the choir and string musicians and to the delight of the crowd, a surprise guest: Fiona Apple.
The two performed a duet of “You Don’t Own Me.”
Manson is the lead singer for Garbage and is a well-known fixture in the punk rock scene.
Garbed in a gorgeous glimmering gown and with her hair drawn back exposing a hard-edge cut, the feisty Scottish redhead told the audience she was honored to perform on behalf of the woman’s cause. She is well known in activist circles.
Her additional selections for the night were “What Girls Are Made Of,” “Bleed Like Me,” “Cherry Lips,” and “Trick Is To Keep Breathing.”