The perfect (emotional) storm

Within the celebration events derived from the thirtieth anniversary of the, on the other hand, timeless debut of the same name by PlaceboBrian Molko and Stefan Olsdal published in June “Placebo RE:CREATED” (AWAL, 26), a respectful and empowered re-reading of the album in question. The second part of the matter pointed to that long-awaited tour that would review songs from their first two albums, the aforementioned “Placebo” (Hut, 96) and its excellent continuation “Without You I’m Nothing” (Hut, 98). Before a Movistar Arena that was almost full and presented an excellent appearance, the group offered an exercise in nostalgia so well understood and argued, in content and execution, that the evening became unquestionable for its specific weight.

Yes ok Placebo have now decided to look back on their glorious past, the truth is that the group has barely lost its relevance over the course of thirty years, publishing notable albums and maintaining, on stage, a flammable energy that, together with the remains of some songs incapable of expiring, are revealed as the true plot thread of live shows like the one offered in Madrid. A concert with a generous presence of those singles capable of blowing heads (yesterday and today), sprinkled as appropriate with numerous gems hidden between the well-known hits of both references. And it is that ’30th Anniversary Tour’ It is not a greatest hits tour, but rather the manifest project of revisiting (and sometimes reinterpreting) pieces that were released between 1996 and 1998.

Direct punches to the pit of the stomach like “Pure Morning”, “Come Home”, “You Don’t Care About Us”, “Without You I’m Nothing”, a slowed down (and beautiful) “36 Degrees”, “Bruise Pristine” or the inevitable “Nancy Boy” as an epilogue to the bulk, shared space (and prominence) with gems as valuable as “I Know”, “Scared Of Girls”, “Lady Of The Flowers” or that beautiful “My Sweet Prince” capable of disarming souls. Placebo also gave away the very recent single “HELEN KELLER” and, already in the encores, they supported with “Every You Every Me” and two versions, the sexualized “I Feel You” by Depeche Mode and the now classic “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by Kate Bush, remembering that the art of sodomizing other people’s topics onto one’s own territory has been another of the historical skills of the combo.

One and the other motivated the concert to look like a whole with a global meaning, impeccable in the interpretation of the quintet and capable of overflowing feelings, between distortions and sensitivity, again and again. Placebo They once again proved their almost messianic presence, with a catalog that transcends mere art to be adopted as their own by thousands of faithful gathered for a new Eucharist. Thirty years after their devastating appearance on the scene, Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal looked back brandishing identical ardor, magnetism and insinuation, with an exciting concert by a band always challenging and as sharp as Molko’s own voice. The perfect emotional storm, which left in its wake a priceless trail of tears, memories and shocks.