Placebo Bring 20 Years To Brixton

by | Oct 24, 2017

When Placebo appeared on the music scene some 21 years ago, their rise wasn’t overnight. But by the time they released the fifth single from their self-titled debut – Nancy Boy – they were peaking in the top five of the UK singles charts. Not bad for a group of unassuming lads led by the 5’6” tall androgynous frontman Brian Molko. They went on to have an instantly recognisable sound and were quickly noticed both by the general public and those in the industry, such David Bowie, who took them under his wing and even contributed vocals to 1999 single Without You I’m Nothing.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

20 years on and the group put out retrospective compilation album A Place For Us To Dream, re-discovering their early hits and re-incorporating some into a career-spanning 20 Years Of Placebo tour, which kicked off last year and continued on to two shows at favourite venue – London’s Brixton Academy.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

Drummer Matt Lunn alongside a three-strong supporting band of Bill Lloyd on additional keys and bass, Nick Gavrilovic on guitars and keys and Angela Chan taking up additional keyboards as well as violin, take to the stage and kick off the stomping rhythm of hit 1998 single Pure Morning, the larger than life character of bassist Stefan Olsdal bounding out to huge cheers ahead of frontman Brian Molko who makes less of a show.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

Seventh studio album Loud Like Love’s title track is up next, the stage shifting in hue from bright whites to muted reds and greens, all the while a massive backdrop screen stretching the full length and height of the Brixton Academy stage shifting imagery between video excerpts and filtered live camera feeds of the band.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

“Well look at all the people here tonight!” Molko says to the crowd, addressing his audience for the first and only time of the night. “Two weeks ago I completely lost my voice” he continues, going on to tell of trips to doctors and speech therapists and how he was convinced his voice would be better for the band’s dual Brixton Academy shows, the group having cancelled shows in Plymouth and Swindon ahead of tonight. “I’ve not fully recovered yet so I want to thank you in advance for your patience” he asks of his audience before going on to champion his loud band.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

Soulmates, a re-cut version of fourth album Sleeping With Ghosts’ title track, allows the energy to flow across the Brixton Academy without attempting a song that stretches Molko’s vocal range ahead of more from the record by way of mid-tempo single Special Needs.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

Olsdal hands bass duties over to Lloyd next, taking up position behind a keyboard for 2013 single Too Many Friends, the 44-year-old frontman’s vocals following a simple monotone chant rather than the song’s original tune, his vocal weakness making itself apparent.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

Twenty Years, from compilation record Once More With Feeling, continue the downbeat, keyboard-led portion of the show before Olsdal swaps out his keyboard for a guitar to take on lead duties for I Know from the group’s self-titled debut, delivered very flatly by Molko’s inability to reach the track’s signature high notes.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

Battle For The Sun cut Devil In The Details allows Molko to continue to chant along as does Loud Like Love tune Exit Wounds, the frontman shifting octaves from the song’s stinging chorus deflating it’s punch, the crowd in the stalls still swaying along merrily while those in the circle sink back in their seats. Keys and a light rhythm open Sleeping With Ghosts cut Protect Me From What I Want, Molko’s range tonight suiting the song, it’s haunting melody ringing out across the hallowed hall of the Brixton Academy.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

A subdued outing of 1999 single Without You I’m Nothing sees video footage of Placebo advocate and mentor David Bowie’s time in the studio with the (then) boys appear on the huge backdrop, the huge loss of Brixton’s very own Starman still raw, particularly with those he touched so significantly, the group opting not to play Bowie’s vocal contribution of the single version of the song.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

For What It’s Worth gets off to a stuttered start, but it’s faster pace ups the mood of the Brixton crowd before Meds single Song To Say Goodbye and Sleeping With Ghosts hit The Bitter End close out the main set.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

When Molko et al. return, they run through massive 1996 single Nancy Boy, a song that departed their set for many years before being re-integrated for their 20th anniversary shows over the past year. And while I may have got a massive bear hug from the guy next to me for singing out every word to the early hit, Molko’s missing usual high notes impact this song for me more than most. Meds single Infra-red closes out the night, the band choosing to forgo their usual second encore of their renowned rendition of Kate Bush hit Running Up That Hill.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

I don’t know if it was from experiencing my first Placebo show from a seated section with only a handful of gig-goers on their feet, the trio of lads I was sat next to mostly out of it between taking snorts of unknown white powdered substances or the subdued nature of the show due to Brian Molko’s limited vocal range tonight that left a bitter taste in my mouth. Indeed, on my wander to the tube I overheard a number of people speaking of the Placebo frontman’s vocals as being integral to their sound, with many songs losing their punch tonight.

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

Stefan Olsdal of Placebo
Stefan Olsdal of Placebo

If tonight had been my first Placebo show, I might have been deterred from returning. But it wasn’t and we know why tonight was as disappointing as it was. Get well soon Brian; we’re all looking forward to hearing those killer vocals at the next show!

Placebo @ Brixton Academy

Live review and photos of Placebo @ Brixton Academy by Kalpesh Patel on 23rd October 2017.

Kalpesh has more music photography up on his flickr stream here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/somethingforkate

 

Live: Foo Fighters @ Glastonbury Festival 2017

Skunk Anansie @ Glastonbury Festival 2022 (Kalpesh Patel)

Skunk Anansie Unveil Powerful Visual For Deeply Personal New Single ‘Shame’

British rock legends Skunk Anansie have released a striking new video for their latest single Shame, a raw and emotional track that sees frontwoman Skin dive deep into her own past, confronting complex family dynamics and personal identity with unflinching honesty.

Sabrina Carpenter @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Jordan Curtis Hughes / Alfredo Flores)

An Explosive Sabrina Carpenter Show Keeps Drenched London Warm At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Hey London, how you doing? My name’s Sabrina — what’s your name?”. There is a daft cacophony of replies, that shows...
Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam @ BST Hyde Park 2022 (Simon Reed)

Matt Cameron Departs Pearl Jam After 27 Years Amidst Wave Of Drummer Changes In Rock

After nearly three decades behind the kit, Matt Cameron has announced his departure from Pearl Jam. The legendary drummer, 62, shared the news via social media on 7th July, marking the end of a 27‑year tenure that began in 1998. His departure comes in the wake of the band’s Dark Matter World Tour, which concluded earlier this year.

Sydney Rose @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Sydney Rose Shines In Mid-Afternoon Magic On The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

While headliner Noah Kahan was preparing to command the Great Oak Stage later in the evening, over on the Rainbow Stage a quieter but equally stirring performance was unfolding under the soft mid-afternoon sun. Georgia-born singer-songwriter Sydney Rose brought her headline tour to a moving finale, wrapping her journey in heartfelt lyrics and gently fierce vocals that captivated a festival crowd seeking intimacy amid the day’s growing energy.

Gigi Perez @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Gigi Perez Captivates London With Raw Emotion And Rising-Star Power At BST Hyde Park 2025

At just 25 years old, Gigi Perez has already carved out a reputation as one of indie-pop’s most compelling new voices — and her late afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park proved exactly why. Supporting headliner Noah Kahan and following a string of breakout moments this year, the Hackensack, New Jersey native delivered a deeply affecting performance filled with vulnerability, power, and soaring vocals

Paris Paloma @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Paris Paloma Brings Barefoot Magic To The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In a festival rich with soaring choruses and star power, it was Paris Paloma’s barefoot grace and gothic romanticism that carved out one of the day’s most mesmerising sets. Taking to The Rainbow Stage on a golden midsummer afternoon, the Derbyshire singer-songwriter captivated her growing legion of fans with an intimate, emotionally charged performance that felt part séance, part storybook.

FINNEAS @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

FINNEAS Warms Up London With Heart And Humour Before Noah Kahan’s Headline Set At BST Hyde Park 2025

It’s not every day that a support slot feels like a moment of main event magic, but FINNEAS — the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter, producer, and solo artist — brought just that to the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park on Friday. Performing ahead of headliner Noah Kahan and main support Gracie Abrams, the 27-year-old delivered a slick, emotionally charged set that balanced heartfelt sincerity with tongue-in-cheek charm.

Noah Kahan @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Northern Attitude In London: Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams & Friends Light Up BST Hyde Park 2025

It was, as the name requires, the perfect summer's day for British Summer Time Hyde Park on Friday. The sun was...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing