Mind Noise Network
Placebo
The Academy, Birmingham
by Daniel King - 18th March 2015
There seems to be a certain stigma around Placebo. I'll admit that I had my doubts before heading to the Academy in Birmingham to see them for the first time, they have the hits, proved by the longevity you can only achieve from solid song writing and memorable tracks. But still, there was something nagging inside of me making me worry about what I'd let myself in for. After all, I wasnt that big a fan and yet I'd agreed to not only go to the show not knowing all that much of what Placebo had released and do a review of it too.
On arrival opening act The Mirror Trap were in full flow. Their style seemingly complimenting the headliners very well, coming across like what I imagine The Pixies mixed with Placebo would sound like. Vocalist Gary Moore is a throwback to Bossanova era Pixies, whilst musically they venture from early noughties indie, through Placebo style moody riffs up with some punkier, snappier tracks. Overall, I am disappointed I wasn't there to see their whole set, but this tour seems like the perfect opportunity to snaffle up a few Placebo fans for themselves. They left the stage to a warm reception from a crowd that seemed pleased with what they had just witnessed.
(Talking of warm, I think someone forgot to turn the air con on. Compared to Papa Roach the night before it was like an oven)
After trudging around the room to find a cooler spot (such spot was not found...seriously, it was really hot!) the sound desk was chosen as the ideal location, a spot behind as few tall people as possible was found and the long wait for Placebo to hit the stage began. When they appeared it was not a reaction that I am accustomed to, there were almost as many girlish screams as you’d get for your average manufactured boyband.
The first thing that I feel needs to be pointed out is that the Placebo light show is simply magnificent. Perfectly matching the tone of each track and subtly making up for the static nature of the band. That's not to say there's no energy on stage, there certainly is, and it's all very deliberate. Although vocalist Brian Molko is pretty much unmoved throughout, the odd movement of hair out of the eyes and a bit of a point and whinge about an annoying photographer stood on a chair aside, but the rest of the band reciprocate the energy from given off from the crowd.
For the second night in a row it was great to be in the company of fans who really follow a band. How often do we see bands playing new songs from a recent album and barely any of the crowd know them? Even though Loud Like Love has been out for over 12 months, there is always the worry that fans aren't up to date. Not the case here though, tracks like Too Many Friends and Rob The Bank fitting perfectly into the 21 song setlist. A setlist that has a couple of noteable abscences, with Nancy Boy and Pure Morning missing out. It says a lot that I, a previously Placebo novice, would enjoy a set so much when it doesn't contain the two tracks that even the most fleeting of fans knows inside out. That is exactly the case here though, it's almost as if the lack of anticipation of the hits makes it easier to just metaphorically sit back and enjoy a band do what they do best. Play live and play well.
What Placebo really do do so well is bring an atmosphere of intimacy into a room packed full of almost 4000 people. They use the lighting and tone of their songs to heighten the mood and tracks like the dark and gloomy Space Monkey, with navy blue lights deepen the mood further. Special K is the track of the night, crowd participation and a significant increase in the energy of everyone in the room shows the real variation in what Placebo have to offer.
My pre anxieties were dispelled within about around eight seconds of them starting up (although I don't like that they use a remix of one of their biggest hits as an intro). They're vocally immaculate, musically tight and have a stage presence and show that would still do them well in the bigger venues of yesteryear. For now though, lets embrace a band still on top of their game, playing venues that fully emphasise the music they have written.
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1/20
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