By Cariad Craig-Hunt
Placebo are on their world tour with support act- Cruel Hearts Club and I’m lucky enough to be able to attend their show in Cardiff’s very own International Arena.
The weather was chilly, but once i arrived into the arena, the hearts of Placebo’s fans soon warmed up the room. The wait went by quick and soon enough Cruel Hearts Club warmed up the crowd with their first song, Sink This Low, from their hit album- Trash Love.
The crowd seemed to be enjoying swaying and bopping their heads to the three talented women. Their set lasted 35 minutes, more than enough time to warm up the crowd. They ended on a high, playing Hey Compadre.
Now it’s time for Placebo to start their show, in Cardiff International Arena. The crowd are intensely waiting as the lights shine and the music starts to play. They seem to tease the fans as every tune played makes us all stand eagerly. A message appears on the screen from the boys in Placebo stating- ‘A message from the band:
Dear Placebo fans
We would like to kindly ask you NOT to spend the concert filming or taking photos with your mobile phones. It makes Placebo’s performance so much more difficult.
More difficult to connect with you and to communicate effectively the emotions of the songs.
It is also disrespectful to your fellow concert-goers who want to watch the show, not the back of your phone.
Please be here and now in the present and enjoy the moment. Because this exact moment will never ever happen again.
Our purpose is to create communion & transcendence.
Please help us on our mission.
With respect and love.
Peace.
Brian and Stefan.
The message has a strong meaning and instantly the crowd respected their wishes. Soon enough, Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal and Steve Forrest enter the stage. They hit the show off with a bang, playing Forever Chemicals. The crowd come to life again, each and every soul singing along.
The energy’s high from both the band and the crowd, as they continued to play fan favorites’- Twin Demons, Chemtails and The Bitter End. The lighting on stage was beautiful, and after around and hour and a half, they ended with an encore which included- a cover of Shout by Tears for Fears, followed by Fix Yourself and Running Up A Hill (A Deal With God) by the band themselves.
