Thrall of Placebo
The hottest name in Britpop, Placebo, met the expectations of the audience. The band was last seen in Finland in 2009.
Definitely one of the most anticipated moment of Saturday comes when the Britpop veterans take to the Main Stage of Ilosaarirock in the darkening evening.
Brian Molko. Photo: Tuukka Pakarinen
The figurehead and singer-guitarist Brian Molko and the rest of the band is welcomed with warmth. The feeling is clearly mutual. The gig blasts off and contrary to the expectation, the band does not open with the classics. When the first sounds of B3 ring out, even the people milling about in the beer queues stand still. For a moment it feels like the whole festival exists only for this moment.
Over the years Placebo has gained its rightful place as one of the most successful alternative rock bands. The band has created timeless hits one after another. Molko’s peculiar voice is combined to a murky visual and musical style and this combination guarantees a unique and memorable sound. The gig feels unique too, after all, it is the last one of a long tour.
After the fourth song, Molko introduces the band members one at a time. There is also a new tour drummer, Matt Lunn with the band.
– And you can call me what ever you want, Molko concludes the introduction.
The enchantment of the audience is not surprising. And it doesn’t die down as the gig proceeds. More familiar hits like Every Me Every You, Special Needs and One of a Kind makes people dance and sing, even in the bar areas. Each song is yet another reminder of the skills of the band members. When Song to Say Goodbye plays, everything else disappears.
Audience thralled by Placebo. Kuva: Tuukka Pakarinen
Older hits have been adapted to fit the bare, visual style of the gig. The atmosphere reaches its peak when Meds starts. Molko shouts a few thanks between the songs, both in English and in Finnish.
Bitter End sounds better than ever and the end of the gig feels abrupt. The band makes the audience wait for the encore quite a while. Ultimately the band gives a 100% to the end of the performance. Running Up That Hill is sang by the whole audience and the last song Infra-Red ends the gig.
The cheering and clapping does not seem to end as each member of the band bows and thanks the audience one at a time.
– Children of Finland, kiitos! shouts Molko, thanks the audience for the warm welcome and promises to come back and find us again.
After the gig, the sky is filled with bright, beautiful fireworks. No-one is in a hurry. People move slowly towards the exits of the festival site seemingly happy. The feeling is unreal and I can’t help but smile in the glimmer of the fireworks, Placebos sounds freshly in my mind. The gig succeeded in exceeding all of the expectations.
Text: Camilla Hanhirova
Photos: Tuukka Pakarinen
Translation: Tuuli Ahonen
