Photo: WENN
"We are Placebo from London," beams Brian Molko, arms outstretched towards the howling eruption of a sold-out Hammersmith Apollo. "For every single one of you tonight, we will be loud like love..."
And loud they certainly are, matched only by the roaring appreciation rising from the sea of flailing limbs. For a band approaching their 20th anniversary, they seem to be very intent on embracing their fans, while still looking into the future - paying no mind to the tacky gimmickry of nostalgia.
This is best showcased by how much of tonight's set leans towards newer material. Stepping out on stage to the backing track of the chilling remix of 'Pure Morning' vs Sigur Ros' 'Svefn-g-englar', Brian and co burst in rocking into the pulsating electro-driven alt-rock mammoth of 'B3' - a track that deserves to be more widely acknowledged among the wider world as a modern rock gem.
Tearing open 'For What It's Worth' into the life-affirming 'Loud Like Love' is a brave move, but pays off. While many bands would fear losing casual fans' attention by loading the top of the set with more recent work, we're reminded there's so such thing as a 'casual Placebo fan' - they're a following in the truest sense of the word, and recognise the thread of greatness that runs through their career.
That greatness lies only in the ilk of the likes of Depeche Mode, Joy Division, Nirvana and co - they have their own unique sonic, aesthetic and lyrical language. From the rapture of classic 'Every You Every Me', to new belter 'Scene Of The Crime', the legion of misfits, others, the disenchanted, the lost (and a few drag queens) here tonight know that this is their band - and no one else can do this.
One also can't helped but be knocked sideways by the evolution of Placebo. Once a trashy trio sold as a mess of make-up and sex, now they stand resplendent as a tight and pummelling six-piece live act. Sex and trash intact, but delivering an all more satisfying and full-fleshed performance than they ever have. Not only is new drummer Matt Lunn a very welcome addition, but together they give everything from 'I Know' to 'Space Monkey' the added bite and vim that you didn't know possible.
We'll never tire of seeing 'Special K' or 'The Bitter End' live, and it's again a bold move to cover Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' on the very hallowed stage where she made her live comeback last year, but they smear their own personality all over it with aplomb. Ending with the twisted brilliance of 'Infra-Red' and 'Post Blue' is the final reminder of the vast ground this band have covered.
Feel grateful that this band are still around - there are 20 more years to go. There's nothing quite as loud as love, and tonight, Placebo proved that with a celebration of that glorious noise.
Placebo played:
B3
For What It's Worth
Loud Like Love
Every You Every Me
Scene of the Crime
A Million Little Pieces
Rob the Bank
Purify
Special Needs
Too Many Friends
Space Monkey
Exit Wounds
I Know
Meds
Song to Say Goodbye
Special K
The Bitter End
Encore:
Begin the End
Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush cover)
Post Blue
Infra-red
