Rule-bending alternative rock band, Placebo, are hitting the Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater stage on May 7th with special guest Jean Crawford! The London duo has a discography of 8 studio albums and a story of great international success. The band is well known for being pioneers in the conversation of rejecting gender norms and publicizing otherwise hushed topics within the music industry, and their story is a pretty interesting one, too.
In 1994, Placebo was created by vocalist, instrumentalist and guitar player, Brian Molko, and bassist, keyboardist and guitar player, Stefan Olsdal. The two attended the same school in Luxembourg, but met by chance at the South Kensington tube station in London. Olsdal has a guitar strapped to him, enticing Molko to ask him to watch him perform at a local gig in town and the rest is history. Eventually, they chose the name Placebo for their band, which means “I shall please” in Latin. The duo gained exposure in the UK from their single, “Nancy Boy,” from their debut self-titled album, Placebo, in 1996. The album peaked at #5 in the UK and is their highest charting album in the UK to date. “Nancy Boy” peaked at #5, but not without controversy. The song attracted criticism from the media for tackling topics associated with sexuality, drug use and gender roles. The attention they received also caused conversation about their unique appearances and content. Molko has been noted for combating the backlash by stating that they were “trying to make a strong political statement about the fluidity of sexuality” by wearing dresses and makeup that weren’t traditionally worn by males in an interview with loudersound.com. He also exclaims that “Nancy Boy” was the perfect song to get these conversations started. The song attracted icon, David Bowie, who took a liking to the band almost immediately. He invited the band to open several of his concerts in 1996 and later performed “20th Century Boy” with the band at the BRIT Awards in 1999.
The band hit international fame with their album, Without You I’m Nothing’s leading single, “Pure Morning.” It appeared in US MTV and reached #20 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. The last single on the album was loved by Bowie and he even requested to re-record it with them for release! Placebo met controversy once again for their single “Special K” and its lyricism about Ketamine use. The song was even censored in the UK. In contradiction, the album it came from, Black Market Music, reached #1 in France and #6 in the UK despite the media backlash! After many years of hiring and replacing band members, Placebo officially became a permanent duo in 2015 with additional musicians being added along for certain songs and live performances.
The band has been described by critics as making waves in genres such as pop punk, industrial rock, glam rock, electronic rock, experimental rock and Britpop especially. Their 2003 album, Sleep with Ghosts, won Best International Album in 2000. They won the Kerrang! Award in 1997 for Best New British Band and won International Duo/Group of the Year in 2004 at the NRJ Music Awards. They have also won the MTV Europe Music Awards award for Best Alternative in 2009.
In more recent news, Placebo announced their most recent album, Never Let Me Go, on November 4th, 2021 and it was released on March 25th, 2022. Two days before the release, the duo embarked on their current tour, Never Let Me Go Tour. In the midst of tour, the duo released a cover of “Shout” by Tears for Fears on September 7th, 2022. All of their albums have reached the Top 20 in the UK and they have sold over 14 million records worldwide! Don’t miss your chance to see these political pioneers and exquisite artists live in concert on May 7th!
When? May 7th, 2023
Where? Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater (801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701)
Time? Doors open at 7:00 pm CT
Ages? All ages welcome
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