Live Review: Placebo - 2023 North American Tour

Placebo - Bobby Talamine (c) 2023

Placebo - Bobby Talamine (c) 2023

Placebo - Bobby Talamine (c) 2023

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

​The Salt Shed Chicago
Fri 4/21/23

Four songs into their set at The Salt Shed- and Brian Molko of Placebo takes a brief pause and states "So what's it been? Nine and half years or something?" Hands resting comfortably on the top of his guitar, relaxed, all smiles, and affirmatively happy to be back in the states, happy to be back and playing with his mates, Stefan Olsdal in particular.

It seems like ages, like Brian said, that they haven't come through Chicago.
One of the bands that was chatted about as a "Must See" from last year's Riot Fest was Placebo when the lineup was announced, then the unfortunate happened, their cancellation, supposedly because of "visa and logistical issues".
So you are powerless over such things, hope for the best, hope things work out for a tour down the road.

And then it does come to fruition, with Brian and Stefan onboard for their North American Tour 2023, and a stop at the majestic Salt Shed in Chicago.
And what a setting for these guys- a venue that has superior lighting and sight lines, and with a PA that provides heavy heft (if you know what I mean), forcing you to dance and move on your feet.

That front row of fans- all smiles and excited as all get out for these guys.
And how about the line before the doors opened?

It stretched west on Blackhawk to Elston, then south on Elston for a bit, and this was like three hours before they moved the line into the plaza area to the east of the doors to the venue.

So yes on all counts, and also on Friday night- the perfect setting for amped up revelry.
The setlist, mostly adhering to newer material, but still resonates with the their fans, all songs tight, and coming off percussive and propulsive, opening with "Forever Chemicals", into "Beautiful James", and then "Scene of the Crime"- Brian and Stefan backed with extra oomph, with solid drums from Matt Lunn, and more keyboards and synths from Nick Gavrilovic and Bill Lloyd, fleshing out the bits and pieces that make Placebo songs into a well oiled machine.

---

Placebo - Bobby Talamine (c) 2023

Placebo - Bobby Talamine (c) 2023

Placebo - Bobby Talamine (c) 2023

Placebo - Bobby Talamine (c) 2023

Placebo - Bobby Talamine (c) 2023

Placebo - Bobby Talamine (c) 2023

I for one enjoy listening to the new material, seeing these guys flesh out the dazzle dazzle, all confident and affirmative in diving deep into their songs and the overall setlist.

Enough of the complainers wanting all their old stuff- I'm just happy to see these guys up and about and motivated- motivated to play and enjoy themselves.
The crowd was certainly eating it up- front of house up to the lip of the stage- a sea of swaying in place envy and revelry.

This is what makes for a memorable show- glancing at the band, glancing at the main floor of The Salt Shed- and from my perspective it was one body of in your place / respectful dance.

There's terrific musicianship throughout, both band and extras, as song after song lays out more and more background violins and synths, courtesy of Angela Chan, painting a landscape of big brushstrokes for you to deep dive in and immerse yourself in all things "Dance".

All of this- a forward direction for these guys, not necessarily looking back at this moment in time- more of a shedding of skin and a rebirth of sorts.
All good in my opinion- with a splendid hope for the best that they can push ever forward, and come to grips with a somewhat stormy past to uncover some song nuggets of yore, when the timing is right, and they feel comfortable in playing them.
Go ahead- ask the crowd in attendance at the Salt Shed- they ate it up, down to the covers at the encore, with "Shout" from Tears for Fears", and also "Running Up That Hill" from Kate Bush.

The fans know- they know that it was a memorable show, persistent and immaculate being the order of the night and downright fun on a Friday night in Chicago.
​
Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

---

Placebo, Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal, Bobby Talamine, Fiza Javid, JBTV Music Television, The Salt Shed, Live Music, Chicago