There are a few things to note about Placebo. One, the band likes makeup. Two, the band likes their music more than their makeup. Three, the band likes singing about making up.

In ‘Blind’, Brian distressed and haggard leads the crowd not with exacted confidence but like a chosen messiah, with the crowd his loyal subjects echoing his words and movements like a blurred reflection in the water. He whispers a bone-weary thank you at the end.

Being front row and center both its perks and flaws, I see the words, “This is a tough crowd” mold from the lips of Brian as they shied away lackadaisical from interacting with the ardent fans. It could possibly be the slew of press from the day before but Brian and Stefan dodging through most parts of the empty silence between songs left such a bad taste in my mouth but made up for by their new track, ‘Purify’.

 

 

Placebo has always had their detractors with their fervent views on controversial subjects and their non-conventional approach to music, but their new songs seem to be holding most of them off. Tonight we get a special preview of ‘Purify’, the un-released, un-leaked, un-heard of and unaspiring eighth track off ‘Loud Like Love’. The clap-friendly track serves its purpose, veering towards their old ‘Meds’ stuff and yet houses Brian’s usual dose of self-loath almost like reconnecting with an ex lover. Sounding inspired by their older content of the late 90s, the song is thrilling and dauntless “there’s too much choice, the possibilities are endless/so wash away my sins, give me catharsis, re-magnetize my moral compass.” The chorus edgy with sultry imaginative lyrics like an excerpt off fifty shades of grey  “My kiss, can you feel it yet? In the back of your legs and the nape of your neck.”

There’s an interview that Brian admits he strives for a different sound in every album he writes, and I can see it shining through. Maintaining a much chirpier ring but with the same depressing outlook, ‘Too Many Friends’ is a strong contender for Placebo single of the decade with a catchy hook that carried the band’s stance against proper social interaction between individuals. Even though the album won’t be unreleased till September 16, this hasn’t stopped the fans from memorizing lyrics word for word and going into a jovial shout along that declaims Brian as a bad friend to have on Facebook. “I’ve got too many friends and too many people I’ll never meet and I’ll never be there for.”

But tonight was not all about the new titles though. With his hair looking a little like Edward Scissorsboy an hour later, Brian pours his anguish and heartache with a slowed down intro of ‘Meds’, which gently permeates into a fast hitting chorus. He sings a little out of tune on some high notes intentionally which the audience laps up vicariously.

In their rendition of “Running Up That Hill’, the audience galvanised and there’s something beautiful about seeing the entire crowd swaying like cherry blossom trees in the summer breeze. ‘Infa-red’ really placed things into perspective when Brian yelped out “I would be the one to make you cry.” The place was abuzz as the band bowed out hand held high as hearts started filling with turmoil.

 

 

The entire show was like a three-legged race from start to finish; tears of laughter were shed and knees were bruised. The only take away was brief moments of tranquility and lull and a heavy heart that would take weeks to sooth. I spent most of the next few days patching up my scrummy Placebo-empty heart but there’s always comfort knowing that they play Soundwave next February.