Venue: The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel, Singapore
Date: 27th August 2013
Promoters: Universal Music Singapore, Launch Entertainment
Review by: Fadhil R.
Special Thanks: Universal Music Singapore, and Launch Entertainment
Photos by Ridwan Z.
At first glance, the best thing that ever happened to Coliseum was the ability to pull off top-notch sound quality and epic lightings the venue has. Bringing in great bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Yellowcard, Fun. and other awesome acts over the years contributed so much face value. The said venue has become a solid foundation to stage regular nightlife entertainment; not just Sentosa, but for the benefit of Singapore’s exposure to the world as well.
All we know so well, music allows people who share the same beliefs to come together from different countries, which in turn leaves their favourite band or artist eager to know what the Singapore crowd is like. I was lucky enough to witness the crowd going mental for Placebo on Tuesday night. Whatever happened between start and at the end of the concert is anyone’s guess, but the performance Placebo deployed was exemplary.
The venue was filled to the back as the spotlights started to dim. The crowd welcomes Placebo back to our shores once again with their slightly different stage presence. No opening band this time round and Steve, the drummer was seen alongside bassist/guitarist Stefan coming onto the stage whom barely had a clue where the crowd was initially. Brian Molko was equipped with his guitar beforehand as he anchored himself in a position he’s comfortable with. “B3” triggered their momentum in early stages as the song offered pounding electronic beats, quite possibly the best way to start the crowd bobbing their heads to a sumptuous rhythm after a long day at work or school for each fan out there. “For What It’s Worth” and “Bionic” displayed deep meanings to those two songs, as a section of a crowd was practically in a daze, looking up to the ceiling. The crowd at the front row were putting up their hands up like they knew what’s in for them. This was one of the earliest examples of Placebo’s astonishing influence on the audience. I was basically standing on a pile of beer cans, but who cares. I kept my fists up high and sang along to “Too Many Friends” and “Loud Like Love” for their upcoming new album Loud Like Love. As Molko once said, “Too Many Friends” was the only happy song on their new album, so I can imagine how depressing it will be for the rest of the songs. That wasn’t the case when they performed these two songs live, rocking themselves with their black suits and staring down free-thinking fans with a smile. It was lovely, I guess.
Such adoration has a therapeutic effect. The knowing glint in Molko’s eyes is revived as the band rolled out their memorable songs such as “Twenty Years” and “Every You Every Me”. Molko together with Stefan tilted back their guitar with ease, into the affections of an appreciative audience. It’s good to be back for the band. “Purify” was a surprise choice, the fact that it’s being played here for the first time. Molko has the job that everyone wanted and did little to hide his full potential. The delight at being upfront, mesmerizing the crowd with his obvious sultry voice was no coincidence and he has not strayed far from his brilliant showmanship as well. What happened next was a blast – a collection of songs yet again to keep the crowd screaming all night long and Fiona on the uniquely constructed violin, which looks like an instrument from hell, bursts into the frame. Songs like “Black-Eyed”, “Song To Say Goodbye” and “Blind” took over the whole of Coliseum, and the crowd eventually found themselves paralyzed by some invincible force, standing motionless. Not sure if is the music or the crowd itself that caused the outcome.
Perhaps after all the intensity and rage, the band wanted the crowd to be able to feel secure, wanted, and loved. They of course can offer the fans friendly and indulgent smiles, comfortable music, and custard cream picks to throw about. Not home, sweet home for them. It’s rather “Meds” and “Bright Lights” that got the crowd involved in a sing along once again and there was not one moment when Molko didn’t have the fans eating from the palm of his hand. However, there were still scores to be settled and “Slave to the Wage” can be nothing but good for band. I thought to myself by that time, by the ethical point of view, is a period when we’re going to be quiet. Well, those thoughts were neglected and Placebo was ramping up the heat in the arena as the first crowd surfer of the day was seen.
While it would obviously be foolish to ever dismiss a band as formidable as Placebo, it cannot be denied that the crowd was deadpan for a moment, with them minding their own business with cool gadgets. It also remains to be seen whether there will be any more songs to overcome the gaps in terms of noise level. Thankfully, “Special K” and “The Bitter End” adjusted the one-sided crowd to restore the balance as the fans became supportive throughout the end of their set. Placebo left the stage to measure success in relation to their performance so far. The crowd went out of their way to praise the band by cheering on an encore. Such ”animosity” from the fans indicated the band has to come out back again any sooner.
Rightly, the band went on stage to offer some leftover energy to the crowd instead of them lending their voices to replace the atmosphere with a proper feeling to it. “Teenage Angst” and a cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” ensued as the band looked ready to blossom for their last few songs, too. Revival acts are especially appreciated. Their beautiful lyrics were converted with aplomb in “Post Blue” and “Infra-Red”. No longer hesitant, the crowd got their feet jumping again and them making small circle pits might be answer to end the concert on a high note. It is hoped that a second encore to intervene once more, but Placebo waved their hands and blew kisses of goodbye. Such was the expectation in a venue such as the Coliseum, that a shorter period of time wasting shouldn’t be an issue. Even in the days when concerts were the best things in Singapore, we warmed most to the hard-working artisans behind the scenes. Kudos to Universal Music Singapore and Launch Entertainment!