Placebo

O2 Academy, Birmingham on Wed 18th Mar 2015

Formed in 1994 in London, Placebo are known for their androgynous image and musical content. At the present moment they have released seven studio albums, having sold 11 million records worldwide.

Tonight is a celebration of Placebo's 20 years in the business, I've never had the opportunity to see them live before so it's gonna be a totally new experience for me. The only Placebo album I have in my possession is 'Loud Like Love' and I totally love it. I have no idea what the gig is gonna be like tonight, I'm open to the experience to be honest.

I've read a bit of feedback from fans who've been to previous shows on the tour and they're not happy bunnies, complaints about the set list, in particular, missing songs that are the most well-known Placebo songs that the fans do wanna hear, such as 'Nancy Boy'.

I was half expecting the gig to be dark and sultry, which is what I get the impression Placebo are about. The audience was a mixed bag to be honest 40's, 30's, 20's and teens, it was very strange and mostly women on the front row with a few men thrown in for good measure.

'Pure Morning vs Svefn-g-englar' built up the atmosphere and Placebo were ready to go and kick ass on stage, the first chords of 'B3' echoed through the venue, the audience started bobbing and swaying to the beat and Placebo were away with their set.

The set was 21 songs long, a 90 minute set, a rollercoaster ride going right back to Placebo's early days with 'Every You, Every Me'. Highlights of the set for me were 'Loud Like Love', 'What It's Worth', and 'Rob the Bank' and the Encore songs which included 'Running Up That Hill' (A Deal with God) (Kate Bush cover), obviously there were a few omissions of stonking Placebo tunes but the band choose the set list not the fans.

The venue was packed to the rafters, but it would be wouldn't it, as it was a celebration of 20 years.

The night was better than I expected, very sultry and mysterious, Molko's voice was better live, the whole gig was epic, glad it was my first, and it wont be my last.

article by: Michelle & Trish Owen-Williams

photos by: Michelle Owen-Williams

published: 19/03/2015 12:56



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