Placebo + The Horrors + Silversun Pickups @ Birmingham LG Arena – 8th December 2009
Placebo have been a band I’ve been into since ‘Nancy Boy’ was first released, but somehow a band I’ve never seen live. I must admit when I bought my ticket back in the summer I was puzzled why they were at the LG Arena, but it was screened off and made really quite cosy.
I was aware that there were two supports and so got here early. Playing out on the screens were short films, which we were being asked to vote on our favourite. The complete set could be bought on DVD tonight with funds going to charity; further details are on Placebo’s website.
At 7.15 the lights go down and Silversun Pickups take to the stage. A four piece band who immediately reminds me of a cross-over of Pixies and Smashing Pumpkins, they are AMAZING!
I can’t tell you any of the tracks as I’ve never heard of the band before, but, half an hour was not long enough. I can say with ease one of the best supports I’ve seen this year, in fact just one of the best bands. Sadly they have been missed by quite a few people who are not normally used to having a support so early, and this is a shame because they have really missed out.
A quick interlude (and another couple of short films) and then The Horrors take to the stage. I’m a ‘glass half-full’ person and always try to pick a positive, so all I can say about them is they have picked the most apt name going. It was thirty minutes I’ll not get back.
The stage is cleared (another couple of films) and at 21.15 Placebo take to the stage, behind a white curtain displaying the ‘Battle for the Sun’ album cover, which is dropped as Brian and Stefan move forward. I’ve been asked by some not to say in reviews what set is played as they feel it spoils the gig. Each to their own, I actually like to know in advance, but to respect their wishes I won’t give a set-list, but for those in desperate need a quick search on the internet should provide you with what you’re looking for.
Brian and Stefan are two complete contrasts, Brian short and cute in black trousers and shirt with small heels, Stefan an immense towering God in a silver suit. New (since 2008) drummer Steve Forrest is a powerhouse, and also a tattoo work of art, his back being bare, his arms and chest being covered.
The band are also supported by a string quartet and also two brass players, and in total there are fourteen people on stage. I do wonder how at £25 a ticket (which is cheap for today’s gigs) they can pay all the associated costs, and staff and still make a profit. There is no skimping anywhere, a superb light show, great visuals on back screen, and also two above the heads luring your eyes into the stage and the Placebo world.
As promised I won’t do a set-list but much is concentrated on the recent ‘Battle for the Sun’ release, smattered with classics. There is little chat from Brian, the odd “Thank-you” and to tell us that “This is the first night of our UK Tour”.
Stefan is a complete performer, guitar and bass interchanged, backing vocals and general crowd clapping instigator. Placebo are brilliant. They care about various world causes, but it’s very evident they also care about their fan-base, and put on a quite simply superb show, with two encores, coming in at just under ninety minutes in total.
Only one thing puzzles me, why do Brian and Stefan change guitars for every song? Do they get out of tune quickly? Or are different guitars tuned for specific songs? I’ve never seen anything like it, or perhaps they just have a massive collection and like to air them in public?
This won’t be the last time I see Placebo, and I’m gutted I’ve not seen them before, however, I will not make this mistake with Silversun Pickups, whom I can’t wait to see again. Let’s hope they won’t make us wait too long. In the meantime I’ll have to make do with the CD and T-shirt.
Review – Glenn Raybone
Photos – Steve Gerrard
I was at the gig, my girlfriend treated me to a placebo ticket as she loves the band, i like a few songs but didn’t really know them that well. I think i saw them live at leeds festival years ago, but to be honest i cant remember.
I thought silversun pickups started wonky, but were pretty good. The horrors were as you say absolutely horrible, and were the worst band i have ever seen. They almost made me ashamed to be in a band and play guitar myself.
I agree with your placebo review, they were absolutely stunning. Im a sucker for string sections too, the 14 piece came together to make an epic sound and complete an awesome live show. When they come around again, i will make a point of getting tickets.
I missed the Silversun Pickups and Horrors, good name choice by all accounts. Placebo were simply fantastic,the set list and additional eight performers made for a brilliant concert, I thought the sound quality in the LG Arena really good. Why do Placebo get so little press coverage in the UK?
Agree entirely with the other reviewers. Silversun Pickups were capable but unspiring – it’s all been done before. The Horrors were awful (at Bridlington, too!) – I thought they were a very poor local sixth form band whose Dad knew one of the promoters. How did they get an album deal? Learning to play their instruments would be a good move before being inflicted on another audience. Placebo were, simply, magnificent – slick and utterly professional. This was the best band performance I’ve seen this year. Sound quality was amazingly good, and the lights stunning. How do they do it at £25 a ticket? It’s so good to go away from a gig feeling you’ve not been cynically exploited (cf. Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, et al.) And those tour buses from Beat the Streets are stunning too! The whole set-up oozed quality. I’ll be there for the next Placebo tour.