Placebo at the O2 Arena
At one point during Placebo’s show at the O2 Arena – their biggest headlining show in the UK to date – Brian Molko simply said ‘less bullshit, more music’. It seemed to be the theme of the evening he and his band stormed their way through a solid ninety-minute set. Many question whether or not Placebo can fill arenas, given that they are not hugely adored by the press, but it’s often forgotten how sizeable their fanbase is. The show was mostly sold out save for some of the really rubbish seats at the top of the arena.
Bigger gigs also mean bigger budgets. Joining Placebo’s touring band – there’s six of them – was a string quartet and two backing singers to ensure that the full sound of their last record, Battle For The Sun, was met onstage. All eyes though are on the band, who seemed to be much happier than their last London arena date three years ago at Wembley Arena. What makes this Placebo different from one that was so down in the dumps three years ago? They’re much more confident, more open, and without a doubt more energised. Whereas three years ago they would just turn up and play, they’re now a band who actually look excited to be playing arenas.
As soon as the big white curtain that towers the stage falls down, the band launch straight into the glam-rock tinged For What It’s Worth. The band would later play nine other songs from their new album, some of which were accompanied by a brilliant string quartet that really added to the intensity of the performance. Sadly, from my standing position anyway, there seemed to be no brass band as they continue to use synthesized brass. Surely it wouldn’t hurt your budget to add one or two skilled brass musicians? There was also a small brass ensemble but I couldn’t see them because of where I was standing. Songs like Breathe Underwater, Bright Lights, and Ashtray Heart will get a crowd moving but inside the full-on rock exterior is an optimistic interior that lingers around for the entire gig, even some of the band’s darker songs like Meds and Blind.
As security decided to do something, for once, and throw out people from the pit for being idiots (proof that the system does work!), the band finished their main set with Song To Say Goodbye. The band then came out for a couple of encores that managed to keep the momentum going, especially during older cuts such as Special K and The Bitter End. It was at this point that the entire arena was letting go and when some of the fans in seating wished they were in standing.
On the drumkit of Steve Forrest, it says in big, brash writing ‘A new tomorrow’. Tonight’s show is proof that Placebo have turned a corner and are firmly back on track.
The setlist was:
For What It’s Worth
Ashtray Heart
Battle For The Sun
Speak In Tongues
Follow The Cops Back Home
Every You Every Me
Special Needs
Breathe Underwater
Happy You’re Gone
Julien
The Never-Ending Why
Blind
Devil In The Details
Meds
Song To Say Goodbye
Bright Lights
Special K
The Bitter End
Trigger Happy
Infra-Red
Taste In Men
More pictures at my Flickr account. Videos of Song To Say Goodbye and Infra-Red will be uploaded onto my YouTube account in the next few days so keep an eye out for both of them.
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Posted on December 10th, 2009 by Max
Filed under: Gigs, Reviews
Hi!
There was a trumpet player and a saxophonist tucked away at the back, stage left. You wouldn’t have seen them from where you were as they’d have been behind the monitor stack beside the backing singers.
Great gig wasn’t it!
Aha! I didn’t think there was just because they weren’t doing any real showboating as such. In which case, that makes me wonder why they didn’t play Kings Of Medicine. Dang.