Wembley report

ModernMonkey · Member

Wembley report

Hannah_Molko · Moderator

Oh wow, it sounded amazing, damn i wish i had been there, being to younge does truely suck. and it is so cool that you got to meet eachother

glad you had a good time tess, maybe i'll see you someday in a concert.

Bloodline_Blue · Member

Coolness, sounds really really great. I made up for deprivation by getting totally blind drunk with Dan last night at the Stonar school bonfire party!

Bloody good fun..

I look forward to perhaps seeing the feedback from some of the other people who were there!

jenna · Member

ok. heres the full report on placebo! it may end up being very long ... so i've headed it up so that you can skip to the bits you wanna read about :)

ARRIVALS
ok, so i got to wembly at around 11:30 in the morning (skiving school WAS entirely necessary) and me and my mate tom found our queue. there were four queues and we were in the blue standing queue (there was also the blue seated queue, the red seated queue and the red standing queue). i was the 90th person to arrive in that queue - which isnt that bad considering it was wembly. there was a large group of people sitting down when we arrived, who had been there since 7 in the morning. needless to say, we still had a very long wait, seeing as the doors didnt open until 6:30 and the support acts didnt start til 7:30.
we mostly sat around, then we made friends with a couple of people, but mistly kept to ourselves as we were tired and cold. i think it was the coldest (yet dry) day this year. time dragged and we were getting very bored!

WAITING & SURPRISES!
at 3:30 myself, tom and a girl we had been talking to decided to use the toilets (there is a point to me telling you this). we took a while, and warmed ourselves by the hand dryers. as we were coming out we crossed the little road and we heard a drum beat from inside the arena. we froze, trying desperately to hear something. it beat again and we found we could hear well if we stood under one of the vents. before we knew what was happening we heard brian and co launch into rehearsals!! they played a special slowed down version of 36 degrees as well as twenty years. then we could hear a familiar starting chord! it was 'without you i am nothing', and we could distinctly hear brian AND a voice that definetely was not stefan (bassist - sometimes does added vocals, especially on this track). we listened intently and heard the voice was deep and tiresome. everyone was, so to speak, on the edge of their seats. rumours have been flying around the forums for months about the possibility of david bowie appearing as a special guest. we were filled with anticipation. then, after the song being played several times, they switched to ... 'Boys Don't Cry' - by the cure!!! we were in shock. this was another lively rumour that had been in recent circulation, that Robert Smith would be making an appearance! we were now deeply confused and excited as to what was going on. never the less we listened, cheering as they poured out the songs and we could hear a muffled brian talking over the microphone. However, they finally finished rehearsing and, with a fresh feeling of comprehension on how amazing this show, that we were to witness, could be, we took up our places in the queue.

NEARLY THERE!!
the next few hours passed rapidly and after joining the others standing under the vents, listening to rehearsals, we had made friends with a variety of extremely different. tho we got on best with a group of three girls who had traveled from sweden in order to see the show! we chatted about all music and life experiences and they even tried to teach me swedish - now that was funny. i did try to answer their questions about england as fully as possible, things such as : what do certain words (asphixiated, infactuated) mean and whether we use these long words in everyday conversation. they also seemed intrigued by the way that we english use terms like "love" as a form of address! ok, now im babbling, sorry.

THE SUPPORT ACTS
at 5:45 the security guards came and took our tickets and gave us in the standing area wrist band... they were v.bright pink and i still have mine on, hehe! the next 45 minutes passed extremely quickly and finally we went in! yay!
we ran through the arena doors and skidded into our places in the 'pit'. we were about five or six people from the front, which, for wembley, was a miracle! we were all made to sit until the first support act came on - the departure! they were really good. they looked like franz ferdinand but the sound was much rockier. they finished up, having made a good impact and impression on the audience. then we met Mr Har Mar Superstar.... hmmm, now he was intersting. he really got the croud going. even i was bopping up and down. tho i was a little repulsed by the amount of his bare flesh that we were exposed to. he is after all, no pixie and so when the jacket and the t-shirt and finally the vest were removed we found ourselves almost hypnotised by the rolling flab - ewww! it reminded me of the carcrash theory... something gross is there and you cant look away. well it got every ones attention. it was very disco, lol!

THE REAL DEAL!!
after Har Mar disappeared we were left for a further 15 minutes to muse over what was happening. finally the lights went down fo the final time and a projection of the word PLACEBO was cast onto the back wall. it flashed on and off each time growing in size. then what should we here...

a disco sound pumps out and we recognise it instantly as the opening of Taste In Men! it repeats over and over again, until finally the lighting flickers and out of the smoke strolls steve hewitt, followed closely by the gorgeous Brian Molko, who pulls himself close to the microphone and waves into the audience wmid wild cheering. after a few tense moments and as brians time to sing approaches an excited stef runs frantically out of the darkness, taking his place on stage. then it all begins, the singing, the guitars and the drums!

the guys belt out all the best hits, including, as far as my memory serves me...
taste in men, the bitter end, every me and every you, blackeyed, protege moi,english summer rain, pure morning, special K, special needs, twenty years.(please correct me if i'm wrong - i was and am soo hyper its a bit of a blurr!!!)

they do special slowed accoustic-like versions of 36 degrees and teenage angst. (as i will talk of later on) everyone know all of the words.

they do their first concert performance of 'i do' and introduce the next track as "commonly known as the picture opportunity performance" (meaning cameras are accptable - but obviously i've been clicking away since the beginning). they belt out, after that announcement, surprisingly 'this picture'.

throughout, several memorable comments are made from brian to the audience. the first being that the rubber ducks that were being lobbed on stage would be taking a bath with the whole band, lol!
bri also picks up a camcorder, for the screens at the sides, and aims it at his and the other guys faces, grinning obsenely,aswell as into the audience causing them to appear on the big screens.
another comment mafde was in reply to a girl in the front row who shouted something along the lines of 'shag me brian' - to which he, looking so innocent and sincere, replied "oh, im sorry hunny, im kinda working now... maybe later" - with the cutest of smiles! *melts*

the evening was slowly coming to an end. brian suddenly takes the microphone and say something like "i'd like to introduce you to a man, the only man aloud to wear more makeup than me!" on this who should enter the stage, to hysterical screaming from all, including myself, but .... ROBERT SMITH!!!!!!! *squeels*

they jump straight into a rendition of 'without you i am nothing' which is perfect in my memory. they then shock everyone with a fantastic version of 'Boys Don't Cry' which was accompanied by flashing, brightly coloured disco lights, all over the stage and audience. it really was a spectacular treat for the eyes and ears of all who attended.

after mr smith leaves the stage, noone know what to do but scream, knowing the end is drawing near.

brian: (gasps and says): i know you guys must be pretty excited right now... but how the **** do you think we feel" < i have a recording of him saying this on my phone! yay! (i recorded - sounds and videos - and photographed lots of the concert)

theyy finally play us out with teenage angst (during which, on the line: and im still not satisfied - to tremendous cheers brian calls out "are you satisfied, wembley?")and obviously, much wanted and awaited, NANCY BOY. then we knew they had finished. i danced and po-goed like crazy during it, and made the most of their last few moments.

then.... as suddenly as it began, after a wave and a shout of thanks, it was all over, and i was travelling home!

THE END - finally. that is the longest thing i've ever written, sorry! you did ask for all the details.

phew, nite, see ya! xxx luv jenna xx

jenna · Member

oh, yes and btw, although i didnt mention it in what appears to be the length of my life memoirs...

I WAS SO HAPPY TO MEET YOU: TESS AND HELGZ AND DONNA!!!!!!!! thanx! you are such lovely people - really cool! we have to meet again sometime. clo, its a shame we didnt see eachother, but i hope you had a great time all the same!! catch up with you guys again soon, but ttfn as i need sleep!

lol! see ya

luv jenna xxx

ps, i need to develop the photos asap - my recording on my phone are Xelent !!!!!!!!!

nite nite

Helgz · Member

Well Tess and Jenna have summed it all up really. It was well worth the 7year wait to see them, and (even if it sounds stupid) i have started saving for 2006 coz i won't miss them again. And as soon as i got home i put money straight into my Placebo account

It was xlnt meeting up with Tess and Jenna. Tess we'll have that drink at the next gig I'll make sure i have Donna driving by that time and she can taxi me home

We had a panic on the way down when in the middle of nowhere just past Carlisle, the car broke down we waited from 11.30 until 3am before the breakdown guy appeared....just before we froze to death with tickets in hand

Anyway we arrived in London about 10and chilled out in the car and tried to catch up with some sleep.

Jenna has given a great rundown of events and comments from the show. after the show Tess asked me what i thought of it all....they left me speechless it was just so amazing. There was one part of that was really moving and i was nearly howling...when Brian dedicated Twenty Years to John Peel and i'm sure loads of ppl felt the same way at that point.

I am having my photo's developed on Tuesday and hope i have something cool to show u. i took most pictures from the screen which was my only chance of a close up of them

I couldn't believe i was going and when it was over i couldn't believe i'd been that was a very strange feeling. They just blew me away

I also remember saying that i didn't think Brian could get any more gorgeous...i take that back

ModernMonkey · Member

Continued.....

The intro for Taste in Men just kept going with no appearance yet from the band which really caused the crowd to get ever increasingly excited awaiting their arrival. In time, all three made their debut, one by one, and began to play their instruments and the familiar layers of the song came through. An excellent start but no sign of Stef's gay dancing....yet.

Without a pause, straight into The Bitter End; a song everyone seemed familar with so few were still remained in their seats. Then Every You, Every Me; sounding as good as the day it was written. At this point Brian began his consistent interaction with the fans. He introduced Protege Moi, informing us that it was the first time for it to be played live in the UK. It sounded great; I tried to sing along in French even though I am unfamilair with the language yet I still found myself moved. No wonder the French are crazy for it! I was sad though, not to see any Freddie Mercury dancing like that found in the Soulmates DVD!

Around about this point, the rubber ducks started to fly. There must have been over 30 of them. Brian picked up two and rued the day he mentioned the Reading rubber duck incident on the radio. Little did he know that the same would have happened regardless because the Duck Brigade is prolific on the net and there is no stopping it. Then he said, "We will share the ducks amongst the band members and then all take a bath together." A roar of ecstatic excitement was felt at the thought of it.

Onto Black-Eyed, a song I adore and that always moves me. Loved it when we all shouted 'biting on your NUTS!' He screamed the chorus with such enthusiasm it was contagious. Special Needs, so divine. By this point, Brian had complimented the fans several times on thier loyalty, energy and passion. He was doing a wonderful job of engaging the crowd.

English Summer rain was very interesting. He showed off with his scratching and sampling and then picked up a camera to film the band members and the view from the stage. This way we got lots of close-ups of his face, thick with black eye make-up and a crazy glint in his eye.

I Do came up next and Brian said it was the first time they had done it live so they 'stand here before you, virgins'. It sounded fab and anyone who once had reservations about this song should surely reconsider. Waiting to hear a song live before judgement, is a worthwhile lesson learnt. This Picture and an invitation to take photographs gratefully received. Special K then up. Slave to the Wage and I always love it when he screams, 'Sick and tired of Maggie's farm, she's a ****ING BITCH........

The next song was introduced as a remake, not a remix, and a song they wrote 10 years ago. I feared they had bottled out of Nancy Boy as we know it and had sabotaged it, but not only was it to come up later in its original glory but instead we were treated to a beautiful, successful re-working of 36 degrees. It was every inch as good as the acoustic version of Teenage Angst and its original form. At the bit with the repetitive 'shoulders, toes and knees....', Brian failed to cease the opportunity to let the crowd sing 'I'm 36 degrees'. They did it regardless but I feel it would have made the band soar to hear us shouting that back unaccompanied.

Pure Moring in all its glory and then the show was over. How could it be? That felt like five minutes of ecstasy! Now we want more.

Confident that they would return for the hits they had omitted, we clapped and stomped for their return. Sure enough, on they came; Brian changed from a black to a white shirt. At this point he spoke of the passing of John Peel and dedicated the next song to him. I couldn't think of an appropriate song of theirs to do that but as 20 Years started up, it made complete sense and couldn't be more fitting. 20 years was phenomenal live and again challenges the views of its critics. The guitars at the end were sublime and seemed to go on for ever.

Then Brian said, 'it was a great honour to introduce this person for the next song.' Robert Smith of The Cure, apprehensively came on, looking as he always has and seeming stunned at the sensation of coming on stage. They broke into Without You I am Nothing, Smith sounding very much like Bowie so it was no wonder rumours that Bowie was here had been flying around earlier. Brian was drowning out Smith but on the second verse, Smith's fine vocals shone through. Then they did Boys Don't Cry, reminding me of my youth. This was the first time some of the people sitting by me actually took interest in the concert. They knew this song but almost none of the others! I'm not quite sure what had brought them here?

They again left the stage. I grew concerned at this point that they may leave out Nancy Boy and Teenage Angst altogether, knowing the love/hate relationship they have with those early songs. On the dark stage, I saw a roadie set up some keyboards so knew an acoustic version of Teenage Angst was due or perhaps even Peeping Tom if we were really lucky. I was correct first time, and this was the closest I was moved to tears. Not only a version that pulls at my heartstrings for its melancholic quality but also the song that introduced me to the wonderful Placebo and also the song that spoke to me at a time when I was dead on the inside and hopeless.

Nancy Boy finished things off and it was as loud and in your face as ever. Pleasing the whole audience, as I think, for some, that may have been the only song of Placebo they knew.

They all then came to the front; holding hands, bowed deservedly and received their heartfelt applause. They hugged all at once and Steve threw his drumsticks into the crowd. It may have been earlier that Brian said they would be returning to be real people for a while and do real things and in a year or so they would return to the bubble, and I believe him. Whatever suggestions that this is the clue to a break-up must be deniable because it just didn't feel like that at all.

A great night. I went home and felt ecstatic for the experience but also mournful for the quiet year ahead. I feel like I have broken up with a boyfriend I still love. It is a sad feeling and I hope it goes away soon.

In 2006 I hope we all get to see them live and maybe be able to share the experience together at the venues.

-- Edited by ModernMonkey at 10:35, 2004-11-08

Hannah_Molko · Moderator

Oh wow guys, you seemed to have had an amazing time, and i am gutted i missed it, But i think i will be joining you all in 2006 as my mam said last night when i asked her, but it is a "we'll see" mind you.. i just hope it will be a yes this time,as i seem to have missed out on too much over the passed 2 years ive liked them, especially wembley arena. I can't wait to have the experiance of them infrount of me..it will be amazing im sure. glad you guys has a great time.

jenna · Member

Hannah: ... we will be kidnapping you, next time! you ARE coming to the next concert!!!
hehe, lol!

Hannah_Molko · Moderator

Hehe, yeah, i hope i am alowd, and if my mam says no. then you can kiddnap me jen hehe

Helgz · Member

I told u Hannah....we'll be down to persuade your mum next year to let you come along with us!!! Your mum can come to the concert too

Helgz · Member

Here you go, just a couple of pix from the digital camera, i should get the others tomorrow.

Hannah_Molko · Moderator

wow, look at all the fans..and thanks helgz for the meeting my parents thing..i think my mam would like to come with me

jenna · Member

you see where the middle- lower beam of light hit the audience? well, it casts a oval beam onto the crowd! for the 1st 3/4 of the concert i was in that area but nearest part to the stage, and for the final part i got tired of being pushed around and drifted to the back edge of it! still had a great view... and im still wearing my wristband!

Hannah_Molko · Moderator

Have any of you guys ever touched a member of the band when you were in the frount?

jenna · Member

I'VE TOUCHED BRIAN!!! it happened at brixton academy. i was standing on stefs side in the second row. brian came down off the stage and stood on the railing/boxy-thing and was really close to me. so i pushed closer and touched him!!! i managed to hold his arm (gently) and hand, and i touched his chest as he was walking away! that was the most amazing thing ever. francis can back up my experience as he was there with me... although he wasnt touching brian! lol!

Bloodline_Blue · Member

quote:
Originally posted by: jenna
"francis can back up my experience as he was there with me... although he wasnt touching brian! lol!"

*girlish gasp*

You lie! Remember? I only got his little finger (and no, not like that!), recall? I remarked how freakishly cold he was and you suggested he was probably stoned or something. Ok, I admit, I can't remember what you said back. But I think it was something like that.

*mimble*

You people probably actually deserve it, I still think the really tall gay guy is cooler. Heresy indeed!

*runs and hides*

Date: Nov 11, 2004

god, i would love to touch him...but meeting him would be better..I'd probebly brake down and wont beable to say so much as a hello lol

Hannah_Molko · Moderator

quote:
Originally posted by: Anonymous
"god, i would love to touch him...but meeting him would be better..I'd probebly brake down and wont beable to say so much as a hello lol"

Sorry that was me

Bloodline_Blue · Member

lol, I was about to ask who it was..

jenna · Member

franz: i truely dont remember you touching him. i guess i was too excited over my moments of contact with his various area - hehe! i wish! *daydreams*... sorry, lost the plot for a second there, too immersed in my memories! lol!

Hannah_Molko · Moderator

quote:
Originally posted by: jenna
"franz: i truely dont remember you touching him. i guess i was too excited over my moments of contact with his various area - hehe! i wish! *daydreams*... sorry, lost the plot for a second there, too immersed in my memories! lol!"

well atleast you've touched him jen

jenna · Member

i know! eek... sorry i squeek with happiness, lol!

dub psychosis · Member

you don't have to be sorry, i'd be the same as you if i've touched him , you lucky girl!!!!!

puremorning · Member

lucky, lucky people..
Thanks for sharing it with us :)
and hey, who's gonna kidnap me in 2006??????????????