Placebo Leeds 02 Academy 8.11.13

Placebo- Leeds 02 Academy -Kagyu Samye Ling Mercy Centre Benefit Concert 8/11/13

 

It's been almost 4 years since I last seen 'Placebo' play here in the U.K. ,it was at Manchester Central it was an epic show!

 

Tonight I finally get to see them on tour as they prepare for their December Tour for 'Loud Like Love', so here I am in Leeds as I can't make the tour in Manchester due to other commitments which will become clearer soon.

 

This show is special charity event in aid of 'Kagyu Samye Ling Mercy Centre' (A 'Human Development' centre in Bangkok and a centre also founded in Scotland) this foundation helps children who have a bad time and don't enjoy life because they either live on the streets or have Aids related illnesses any child that needs shelter rely on the centre run by Monks asssisting the most vulnerable to food and shelter.

 

I can tell by the heartfelt presentation that this a charity close to 'Brian Molko's heart,as he walks on to do a speech you can almost hear a pin drop after the applause quiets down,he speaks clearly, though at the moment I cant see him entirely as there are 2 large white screen's either side of the small stage in front of me , I'm standing left of centre.

 

We are invited to watch a film about the organisation it's very moving,then 'Brian' invites a Tibetan monk onto the stage who tells us how the foundation began, he chants a Tibetan prayer its quite long and the room falls silent (this is not like the usual gig I go to I have attended charity shows with a bigger bill of bands but not a small scale show like this.

 

'Brian' says that "Were all here to rock N roll tonight and we have got some great bands for you tonight, but if you can we have some bucket's going around if you can give a donation you can pick up a special wristband".

 

He walks off the stage to rapturous applause ,the first band tonight are from Dundee 'The Mirror Trap',the singer is in a chic looking suit with trendy tweed jacket he looks a little like Tom Odell and Grant Nicholls,he bounce's around the stage playfully kicking the bassplayeron the backside,their sound is a bit 'Futurehead's style mod rock they are very good and play an energetic set, second band 'Land Shapes' from London  and a band that Brian himself apparently stalked on You Tube are next.

 

They were a 4 piece girl band mainly rhythmic kettle drums, and yukelele's ,on the stage there was a strange triangular display lit up in Pink & Blue,their sound quickly turns into mellow indie pop,they sound a little like 'Haim' crossed with 'The XX',the girl on drums has a bizarre hat on which she hides under the brim,shes dressed in black.

The crowd around me don't really get the sound so they receive a lukewarm welcome from certain fans in the audience.

By 9am everyone is watching and waiting as stage clears for the main act,a memorable 'Placebo' track booms from the dj decks its a mix of 'Pure Morning',and the lights go down they kick off the with a track from the ep 'B3' and follow it up by 'For What Its Worth' from the last album 'Battle For The Sun',then they play 'Loud Like Love'.

'Stefan' stands tall to the right (the last time I seen him he almost bald now his hair brown and with designer stubble)

'Brian' looks tiny on stage I forget he's quite small up on stage he's about 5'7 in reality he looks like a doll onstage.they play a fav song of mine from 'They Don't Care About Us' , 'Every You And Every Me', some album tracks 'Scene Of The Crime' and 'Rob The Bank' and more surprises yet to come.

 

We knew we were not ever going to get 'Nancy Boy' no matter how hard we screamed.. instead we got 'Med's  'Special k' and 'The Bitter End', and an incredible encore of 'Teenage Angst' and 'Running Up That Hill' (Originally by Kate Bush')

 

'Brian' enjoys the applause but is really very humble an dosent like the fuss off stage,hes a bit of an elusive diva but I did get something signed,for doing this show for charity artists getting no money for it ,  so I say 'Brian Molko' we salute you !!

Til another major exclusive soon

 

 

Lmi x