Placebo, the English alternative rock band, played a sold-out show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on May 11, 2023, fulfilling a show meant to have been played the previous September, before their tour was cancelled for health reasons. The band, which consists of Brian Molko (vocals, guitar) and Stefan Olsdal (bass, guitar) played a setlist spanning much of their entire career, though with a heavy emphasis on their most recent album, Never Let Me Go. Indeed, it was inspiring to see a band which has been around for so long rely so heavily on their most recent material, and their confidence showed.

To start off the evening, early arrivals were treated to the darkwave/electronica rhythms of Cold Cave, the solo vehicle of Wesley Eisold, whose band played a short set including popular songs “Confetti”, “Glory” and “A Little Death to Laugh.” Enveloped in smoke for much of the set, Eisold cut a moody figure, reminiscent of many 80s rockers, and was warmly welcomed.

Posted around the venue, prior to the show, were fliers from Placebo, politely asking fans to put their phones away, and enjoy the present moment, to be respectful to people behind who don’t want to watch a screen in front of them. While this rule wasn’t enforced to the point of security ejecting guilty personnel (looking at you, A Perfect Circle), for the most part the crowd reciprocated, with very few screens evident during the show. A welcome respite all around.

Molko and Olsdal changed instruments practically between each and every song, with the latter manning a piano for a couple of numbers mid-way through the set. The duo looked to be having plenty of fun, with frequent smiles exchanged between them and the rest of the band. Which, of course, made it more pleasant for the audience, who were treated to rousing renditions of some of Placebo’s iconic numbers, “The Bitter End”, “Song To Say Goodbye” and “Infra-red” among those most well-received.

For their encore, the band treated the crowd to their cover of Tears For Fears’ “Shout”, closing the night with their cover of Kate Bush’s recent resurgent number “Running Up That Hill.” Long time fans of the band, and Stranger Things fans alike, welcomed this particularly, and it was a fitting way to close the evening, 10 years since they last graced this particular stage.

Set List:

Forever Chemicals
Beautiful James
Scene of The Crime
Hugz
Happy Birthday In The Sky
Bionic
Twin Demons
Surrounded By Spies
Chemtrails
Sad White Reggae
Try Better Next Time
Too Many Friends
Went Missing
For What It’s Worth
Slave To The Wage
Song To Say Goodbye
Come Undone
The Bitter End
Infra-red

/Encore/
Shout (Tears For Fears cover)
Fix Yourself
Running Up That Hill (Make a Deal With God) (Kate Bush cover)

All photos by Marv Watson

Cold Cave;