Placebo Manchester Arena '20 Years Of Placebo Tour' 05/12/2016

Placebo Manchester Arena

20 Years Of Placebo

5/12/2016 

 

The Very first time I seen this band play it was in 2009 at a venue in Manchester called 'Central',everytime I've been to their shows I've been impressed and had an appetite for more.

 

Tonight promises to be special its the 20 year anniversary of the bands career in one show, they promise to play #Everything we want to hear (well almost the most they can fit into 2 hours) So I just have to see them again , Bring It On.

 

I'm here with my mate and fellow gig buddy whom I've known now six years in fact she's more a fan of 'Placebo' than I was, we don't really start queuing too early its another cold day but I've brought the usual blankets and handwarmers, we queue at the chosen doors and do the number system as usual , I'm No4 today lol .

 

As we go in eventually through the doors, we queue for our wristbands, I get to the floor to the left of the middle of the stage again I'm lucky my mate manages to get the spot next to me it doesnt always work out that way.

 

 

 Support band 'Minor Victories'  are from the U.K. and have a female lead singer shes wearing a floaty green dress, their songs are not as I Imagine they sounded like a harsher Rock/ Indie band than they actually were ...but still it passed 30 minutes . 

 

 

The stage is being prepared for 'Placebo' to get on the lights go down, a Huge Screen comes to life in front of us spanning the whole length of the stage backdrop, showing rare clips of #Placebo on stage, on TV, Brian talking ..clips of him with the late 'David Bowie'.

 

 

 

Its at least 20 Foot high in diameter that watching it is an exhilarating journey we feel we are wherever ever they are at the time its a nice effect to welcome us.

 

 

The Band come on stage to the first guitar twangs of 'Pure Morning' Oh How long I've waited to hear this live, they refused to play certain'Hits' at their shows ,but tonight its all about 'The Hits'.

 

 

Stefan comes over to the centre stage to get his bass hes dressed in Black and White Butterfly detail Suit , and sports a large quiff hes at least 7ft tall in frame and nimble, he looked magnificent, then the crowd go wild as  petite 'Brian' walks over to his guitar to begin 'Pure Morning' Wow what a start!!

 

 

'Brian's hair was short similar to the 2000's image he had, he wore this lovely silver and purple eyeshadow which went well with his Crystal Blue eyes and eyeliner, he wore Black everything tonight ( I think he always does).

 

 

 

He had the crowd in control he spoke to us "Manchester how are you Enjoying our 'Birthday Party' So far" ?,crowd respond with energy and enthusiasm they played some new tracks 'Jesus Son' 'Devil in The Details'. 

 

 

 

Later in the show more special effects as these amazing light panels come down during 'Space Monkeys' I feel we are witnessing alien arrival or something lol it looks very Sci-fi.

 

 

 I can hardly take everything in its like having an out of body experience this has got to be their best show yet.

 

 

Next... one of my fav songs 'Protect Me From What I Want' and a special version of 'Without You I'm Nothing' a tribute to 'Bowie' in unseen video footage playing of 'Brian' laughing and joking with 'David' backstage a very moving tribute. 

 

 

 

Back to the 90's  '36 Degrees' were going right back in time now then he pulls back from that era teasing us playing 'For What Its Worth' and my fav single from 'Black Market Music'  'Slave To The Wage',then 'Special K' and stopping at 'Bitter End'.

 

 

 

 First half over, Oh my are we going to get it? Are we going to get 'Nancy Boy'?? They come back on after the crowd roaring for more as we stamp our feet.

 

 

 

'Brian' speaks again "That was the Melancholic section now this is where we want to see you dancing!!" 'Teenage Angst' starts its getting squashy up front as the crowd surge and then 'Yes!! we got it 'Nancy Boy' Oh my god its worth getting squashed for, I've wanted to hear that played live for ages.

 

 

 

 

2nd Encore and they leave the stage and come back with drumbeats in the background, the lights went down minutes later for a final encore 'Running Up That Hill' the 'Kate Bush' song, 'Brian' is overwhelmed by the crowds response on this show, he bows and waves and with hand in a buddist pose he takes one final bow and they were gone . 

 

 

It was a feast for the eyes and an assault on the senses 'Placebo' just proved they are as relevant as they ever were and still a force to be reckoned with even after 20 years ...Wow where does time go ,

 

I'm left smiling as I leave the venue... Once more with Feeling.....  

 

* Special Thank you to 'Kerry' my guardian angel who booked my blankets in to the cloakroom so I could get my place at the front . 

 

 

 

Next Blog ...We Get All Electro in Blackpool  !!!

 

 

 

 

 

LMi  xo