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PLACEBO + Deaf Havana @ Newcastle Entertainment Centre 12th September '17

'20 years of Placebo' marks the anniversary of their debut self-titled album and subsequent first single ‘Nancy Boy’. Those 20 years have seen Placebo become the scholars on the subjects of love, lust, drugs and human behaviour. They have somehow managed to simultaneously become cult leaders right across the spectrum, from the ‘got any blacker?‘ gothic tribe to the rainbow LGBTI community.


Picture: Adrian Fowler


It’s not every day that an international band of such stature graces the Hunter region, but that is where we find ourselves, albeit in a tin-shed resembling an indoor swimming pool from the 80’s that is the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Perhaps their booking manager made a mistake when attempting to book Newcastle, UK.


Touring the country in support were fellow Englishmen Deaf Havana, who’s new-wave Brit-pop sound is reminiscent of a revitalised Stereophonics. They certainly made a few ears prick up and gained a fan or two amongst the early-comers.


For a vast majority, Placebo will forever be known as ‘the guys who did the Cruel Intentions song’. A tag they perhaps tried to shake by screening an alternative (non Cruel Intentions) version of ‘Every Me Every You’ to warm up the crowd.

Picture: sourced from the Herald.


The first note struck sent the audience into a frenzy, as the instantly recognisable intro to ‘Pure Morning’ commenced proceedings after spending many years stashed away at the bottom of the kit bag, having been called “a very stupid song” by singer Brian Molko himself. This was followed by ‘Loud Like Love’ - another song that has been used in a movie soundtrack, being used in last year’s live action remake of 'Tarzan'.


A fight broke out in the crowd during ‘Jesus Son’, causing Molko to lose focus and stumble on his lyrics. It turned out to be a song to say goodbye for the perpetrators as Molko stopped the show to pinpoint those involved, including “You, baseball cap backwards!”. Maybe being from England, they’re just more fans of cricket. The incident even made its way into a question on Channel 10’s 'Are You Paying Attention?'


Stefan Olsdal traded his bass for keys during anti-social media track 'Too Many Friends', and the appropriately titled 'Twenty Years'. Molko took time to acknowledge those in the crowd he had seen at previous shows, highlighting the endearment of this band, with some prepared to follow them around the country.


A visual tribute was paid to David Bowie during ‘Without You I’m Nothing’, which he provided vocals for in the original recording. After melting hearts with their most favoured ballad they flipped the tempo with a searing rendition of the upbeat ‘For What It’s Worth’.


It’s not often a rock band produces a waltz, but Placebo had us gliding along in triple time when they pulled out ‘Protect Me From What I Want’ from their ‘Sleeping With Ghosts’ album.


One of the night’s highlights was not a song at all, but the showcasing of Stefan’s rainbow guitar, a clear display of solidarity with the LGBTI community and perfectly timed for Australia’s same-sex marriage postal vote. They then backed this up with an encore including the bi-sexually exploring ‘Nancy Boy’, another song that had to be coerced out of retirement.


Placebo gave an emotional, sensual performance that displayed why Brian Molko is one of his generation’s best lyricists. When delivered with his uniquely beautiful voice it created a truly euphoric experience. A second encore closed the set with their fervent cover of Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’. Hopefully same-sex couples won’t feel like they’re running up hills for much longer following this outstanding gig.


‘A Place For Us To Dream (20 years of Placebo)' is out now.


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