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PLACEBO After their first few singles, things were looking good for Placebo. Then Brian Molko opened his mouth and seemed to offend everyone, not least the music press who have subsequently either ignored or pilloried them. Lesser bands would probably have slinked off into musical oblivion and jobs at Top Shop, but they're still here, and tonight it's obvious why. They score points straight away with a PROPER rock'n'roll into. A huge sheet is draped across the stage and there's a superb film playing. 50ft projections of Brian and the band illuminate the crowd as a crushing instrumental pumps through the PA. NME journalists would be running in horror, but you can pretty much guarantee that this is the last place on earth they'd be tonight, and instead the screaming crowd slaver in anticipation. Shifting silhouettes indicate that the band are onstage and as they tear into "Bulletproof Cupid" the curtain falls and the audience almost self-combust. It really is adulation. And this is the key to Placebo's lasting success. They've got the songs, but more importantly, they've got legions of fans - all over the world. This is their 140th gig in under a year, criss-crossing the globe, touring the "Sleeping With Ghosts" album. Many of that record's higlights are given a well-polished airing tonight. "This Picture" and "Bitter End " charge along like ampetamine-crazed rhinos, and "Special Needs" and "English Summer Rain" sit well alongside older classics like "Every You Every Me" and "Without You I'm Nothing" In fact, this is a Greatest Hits set with all the singles from the last three albums being played to rapturous approval. Nothing off the first album though which seems a shame. But to make up for it a cover version of Pixie's "Where Is My Mind" closes proceedings as usual - Brian acknowledging them as a massive influence, reminding us that they will soon be playing the same stage. Of course, no-one here was able to get tickets for that!!! You could do worse than Placebo as a consolation prize - despite what the NME may tell you! SET LIST: Bulletproof Cupid, Days before You Came, Every You Every Me, Bionic, Protect Me From What I Want, Plasticine, Bitter End, Sleeps With Ghosts, Black Eyed, I'll Be Yours, Special Needs, English Summer Rain, Without You I'm Nothing, This Picture, Special K, Taste In Men, Slave To The Wage, Pure Morning, Centerfolds, Where Is My Mind. Richy [ March 2nd, 2004 ] |