Placebo 

Live reviews

• Placebo

  2 hours+ Placebo 20th birthday party concert was filled with all our beloved touching the soul songs til the bitter end,

  0 chance of „so bored of being alive“ on behalf of our special needs, breasts and weed indeed, together with our soulmate and friend.

  You and We could dive deep, delve deep into your music, delve deep into our inner self, dance and rock everything out,

  expressions full of special dreams, rebellion, truth, sex, drugs, love, wisdoms - magically loud;

  attentive eloquent in being with us, unafraid and blissful, no hesitation, no delay,

  running up the concert hill for us full of enthusiasm and passion, no sign of decay;

  sexy Brian in contact with us, hand clapping with the crowd, away from the wicked way.

  Old & new songs were arranged in a perfect compilation, spherical spectral illumination anchored in a vibrating Sound Cloud,

  fever feature, fluid gesture, you've got us wrapped around your finger playing your music for us from the bottom of your heart, very proud.

  Precious Placebo moments at the Sportpalais in Antwerp, you made us celebrating, having fun that includes dancing,

  let take us for a ride with your 20 years celebration-explosion-dancing-going on with the show–ha-Concert in the details, hypnotic glancing;

  acoustic magic memorable Placebo adventure based in a phantastic sound eruption show,

  caring for the people all around us, we're all brothers and sisters - always good to remember, we know;

  emotional fire energy drive, you made us loose ourselves in wonder,

  blowing our mind, you took it by our side, no reason to ponder;

  open minded for global holistic nature, calling attention for global harm, rising awareness for having the choice of staying in the darkness or taking a few steps into the light, to grow.

  We will be back...

  When we'll come back we'll find you...

  Thank you deep from our heart and soul for these rare precious moments you shared with us that we could enjoy with you!!!

  Love from

  Tanja & Tanja

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  by Hoffita

• Following the release of their seventh studio album, Placebo once again set off on tour. In December 2013 they hit the Manchester Apollo. These alt rockers may have been touring on and off since 1994 but they show no signs of slowing down.

  Placebo, like the old pros that they are, took the to Apollo stage amidst an impressive show of lights to showcase their new tunes, as well as smash out some of their old classics. Front man Brian Molko strutted onstage to open with some new tracks. Retaining his trademark high-pitched vocals and androgynous look, Molko instantly got the crowd jumping along to new title track, ‘Loud Like Love.’ The instant positive reception was obviously down to the combination Molko’s infectious enthusiasm for the music and the presence of diehard Placebo fans.

  The crowd had come in search of a lively evening, and the band did not disappoint, with performers and audience feeding off one another throughout. The excitement reached a crescendo with a particularly intense rendition of ‘Special K’ with Steve Hewitt giving his all on the drums and the audience screaming along.

  Once labelled ‘a band for outsiders,’ due to their alternative look and sexually ambiguous lyrics and genre (they don’t really fit into any musical pigeonhole, not being quite glam rock and not quite being goth rock) Placebo actually attract quite a diverse crowd. To anyone who enjoys energetic drums, rock guitar and angsty lyrics, Placebo are worth seeing. No one could ever accuse them of giving a lacklustre performance.

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  by Han93

• Unfortunately I was deeply disappointed by what was supposed to be a great event to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary... and instead turned into an unworthy gig.

  They started with Pure Morning... all good, and the fact that acoustics were far from perfect was tolerable because it always seems to be like that at loud gigs (before the guys at the mixer sort it out). Then Brian Molko said he completely lost his voice 2 weeks ago and despite he really hoped to get it back in time for these 2 London dates, voice hasn't come back... "but London we're gonna have a fucking great show anyway!!!"

  Apart that they didn't. It was actually such a disappointment that I left before the encore. What's the point of listening to songs that are sang in a way that it's not a wilful variation of the traditional vocals, but it's simply a shitty version of the original because he doesn't have much voice at all? I could have been on the sodding stage then...

  And from where I stood (standing, middle of the room, on the right) the acoustic remained absolutely crap throughout the gig. Too much base, too much noise really and not enough enough voice. Wow, what a disappointment. I think the decent and respectful thing to do would have been to cancel the shows and be unpopular for a few weeks before the new dates, but then really smash the place down with a worthy exhibition.

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  by fabiodebe

• It was my third placebo's concert and it was amazing as always.

  Personally I missed Fiona Brice's stage presence especially during Lazarus (one of my favorite song).

  She is so "statuesque".

  I have to say that Angela Chan was really good. It was clear that she was really nervous for her debut!

  About her debut I didn't like that Brian didn't said a word. I mean it was her debut!!! But we all know Brian! He's not very talkative!

  He spoke only once with the fans, he spoke for blaming one girl in the very front row who spent the whole concert texting and taking selfie giving her back to the stage. Still...we all know Brian! He hates cellphone and all who take photos/video during his concert and don't enjoy the concert.

  Nothing new about the setlist, it's always the same, but I'd love to hear live "A Milion Little Pieces".

  I was in the front rows and I had a wonderful view of the stage and the musician even when Brian asked us to stand up and dance. I knew he'd have asked something like this.

  Their concerts are not concerts where you can stay sit.

  The venue of the show was absolutely stunning! The "Teatro Antico di Taormina" is wonderful even when there are not events like this but for a concert it is super. At the back of the stage there wasn't any big screen so we were able to see the Etana volcano and the sea.

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  by Piattels

• It might have come in for a bit of stick for its lyrically-dubious lead single, but Placebo’s last record, Loud Like Love, did little to dissuade their fervent cult fanbase’s view that they remain somewhere close to the peak of their powers. They certainly can’t be accused of being mired in the past either; where so many of their contemporaries are more than happy to tour classic albums in the entirety for the paycheck, the London trio’s recent setlist have leaned heavily towards fresh material, with just a smattering of their greatest hits to keep the casuals engaged. Sure, Brian Molko’s a little older, now, and seems to have consigned his famously hedonistic lifestyle to history, but his iconic, unusually nasal voice remins as potent as ever. Focusing more closely on mid-size venues after spending the best part of two decades in arenas, the Placebo light show remains as spectacular as before, but the music is lent an intimacy they’ve been missing for a while; when they aren’t tearing through the more incendiary side of their canon - ‘Infra-Red’, ‘Special K’ - they’re relaying the more restrained likes of ‘Running Up That Hill’ and ‘Song to Say Goodbye’ with a genuine delicacy, one that cements their status as one of Britain’s most versatile rock bands.

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  by Joeg_67

• This was one of the best gigs I have been to and Placebo are one of the best bands I have seen ‎perform live. I wondered how they’d perform in a large arena having previously impressed me in the ‎much smaller O2 academy but boy did they step up.‎

  Everything was spot on from the lighting, sound, setlist, music and performance with Brian Molko’s ‎unique brilliant voice singing every word like he meant it. ‎

  A large chunk of the set was made up of less energetic songs but I found myself glued to the ‎performance and the delivery of I Know was one the best songs I have experienced live. During this ‎section enough more upbeat tracks and well known tracks were played to keep things flowing. ‎

  As the final third of the show arrived, Brian Molko announced it was a birthday party and time to ‎dance. Then began an consecutive run of eight upbeat energetic tracks starting with For What It’s ‎Worth and ending with a three track encore of Teenage Angst, Nancy Boy and Infra-red with lots of ‎hand clapping, cheering, dancing and singing along. I’ve seen other reviews that have criticised the ‎order of the setlist but for me it worked perfectly. ‎

  Placebo closed with their awesome cover of Running Up That Hill and rounded off a fantastic night. ‎

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  by glossfella

• Champions of alt. rock, London-based three-piece Placebo have had a huge impact on the state of modern rock and cutting-edge pop. With origins in Sweden, the US, the UK, Belgium and Luxembourg, and a famously androgynous aesthetic, liberal drug use and bolshy attitude, they make you reassess themes of identity, sexuality and 'normal' before even playing a note. In interviews, frontman and guitarist Brian Molko has described the band as being “for outsiders, by outsiders.” Flinging out hits like rice at weddings, Placebo's shows are transcendent revelry. “Nancy Boy”, “Bruise Pristine”, “Every You, Every Me”, “Pure Morning”, “Special K”, “Protège-Moi”, “Infra-red”, “Slave To The Wage”, “Teenage Angst”... the list is essentially endless, and any set they thunder out is guaranteed to feature some of the finest alt. rock tunes ever written, sung by one of the strangest voices ever. Showered in greens, blues, whites and yellows, Placebo gigs are also rife with cascading colour, belying their goth-y get-up. They emit a ritual-esque vibe as they whip through stunning paeans before fans wielding an almost cultish affection. Offer yourself up onto the sacrificial altar and let Placebo transport you to a higher plane.

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  by larryday

• Placebo are great performing artists. They came onstage in a reasonable amount of time (10 minutes from the opening act leaving the stage) they played a range of songs from different CDs including surprise hit "Running up that Hill," during their Philly show. Unfortunately Brian interacted with the crowd very minimally despite it being their first show on this tour. I was a bit disappointed to not see the stage presence I am used to seeing though YouTube. The band had a polite side note, proclaiming that we should enjoy the show and refrain from filming. The sound was great, the crowd was excited and the lights were bright. So much so that Brian took the liberty of kicking two lights that were shinning in his face right off the stage. He later apologized for his "pestilent eruption" much to the giggles of the audience. Guitar picks and drum sticks were given away and the band all did their signature bow at the end of the show. after another ten minutes the band returned for an encore. overall a great show, but would never return to the venue. (Theatre of the Living Arts or TLA)

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  by denise-lopez-alvarez

• A very strong and professional performance from the well established band. Brian (Molko) had one little rant at a woman bang in the centre of the audience who was constantly taking photos and blinding him with the flash , which was soon dealt with . I've seen some performers who would of made much more of a fuss than this.

  Placebo performed a good collection of new and old hits ranging their back catalog with the exception of Nancy boy which they never perform live any more . They also performed their version of Kate Bush's running up the hill which was greatly received . One of the last bands from the Brit Pop era who have managed to continuesly bang out excellent albums whilst holding on to their original audience and picking up newcomers along the way . Long may they rule cool .

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  by neil-slattery

• Great show. Great start with the never released video for Every me Every You followed by a very nice rendition of Pure Morning. But then, it got a bit slow, Brian Molko seemed to have sound issues, his voice wasn't always on point and the more recent songs didn't seem to please the crowd as much. But then, from Too Many Friends on, he seemed to loosen up, the crowd began cheering more and the song was really great, great live performance, great voice, better sound. The energy only went up until the end and it was a really great show all in all with a great Molko. Stefan was, as always, really classy and rockstar-y and they really are a great rock act.

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  by lina-chemin