Placebo respond to criticism for their live show in Switzerland.
THE Placebo have released a statement aimed at their detractors after being criticized for a series of technical problems during their recent performance at the St. Gallen festival.
The background. On June 30th Placebo took part in the festival Open Air St. Gallenin Switzerland, along with artists such as The Chainsmokers and Queens Of The Stone Age. During their concert, the band encountered a series of technical problems that forced them to shorten their concert, which ended much earlier than expected.
Since then, the band has received criticism for the performance and also discussion within the fanbase, prompting Brian Molkoa member of the band, to release a statement on social media.
Molko began: “We have noticed a lot of discussions, arguments, accusations and skirmishes among our fans in connection with the interrupted concert at the St. Gallen Festival. We have also received many (unimaginative and unjustified) insults. We would therefore like to shed some light on what happened during our concert at the St. Gallen Festival.”
“Shortly after the live started, Stefan (Olsdal) he started having technical problems, until finally the guitar system stopped working completely. So he could no longer play any songs that featured the instrument. Our world-class staff did everything they could to fix the problem, but to no avail.”
Brian Molko explained that the band decided not to leave the stage and to play what they could, with Stefan on bass. He also assured that they took care to explain what was happening to the audience.
“Placebo don’t use any stage recordings. Everything is 100% live.. It seems clear that this is still not enough for some demanding and entitled individuals. Technical problems and shortened sets are part and parcel of live performance. And it’s something no band has control over.”
Molko continued: “If the idea of this inevitable situation continues to make you angry, we suggest you go see bands where most of the music coming from the stage is recorded. We also suggest you get some perspective and try to look at the situation from a different point of view than your own, if you are able. That’s a polite way of saying: get a life.”
He concluded on behalf of the band: “Most aspects of our lives, in general, are actually out of our control and while we are strong, unfortunately electricity is much more powerful than us. We are not forcing you to come to one of our shows – it is your individual choice. Feel free to exercise that choice in the future and please stop insulting our loyal fan base in the virtual world.”
Also on the subject of the band. In early June, Placebo announced details of their second documentary, “This Search For Meaning,” due in theaters in September, which will be a portrait and explore the meaning and subject matter of their songs, delving into their evolution from an artistic and human perspective.
It will also include informal conversations with the singer-guitarist Brian Molko and the bass guitarist Stefan Olsdalas well as contributions from other artists. These include Shirley Manson of Garbage, Robbie Williams, Self Esteem (Rebecca Lucy Taylor), Idles frontman Joe Talbot, Yungblud and contemporary artist Stuart Semple.
