Placebo: Last News

Placebo have discussed how their all-star, warts-and-all new documentary movie paints a bold new picture of the band, driven by “the desire to break the form and to do something new”.Frontman Brian Molko and bassist–guitarist Stefan Olsdal of Placebo took to the stage at the premiere of their new documentary film Placebo: This Search For Meaning on Thursday night (October 3) to discuss the themes of the film – including addiction, mental health, gender politics and the film’s rare and unseen footage following the band’s relationship with David Bowie.The film – directed by BAFTA winner Oscar Sansom and set for cinematic screenings throughout October – features revealing in-depth interviews with the band alongside CCTV-style contributions from celebrity fans including Benedict Cumberbatch, Robbie Williams, Yungblud, Garbage‘s Shirley Manson and IDLES’ Joe Talbot, alongside live performances of tracks from the band’s 2022 album ‘Never Let Me Go’. As well as touching on the band’s history, it delves deeper into the core meaning, purpose, philosophy and impact of Placebo over the band’s 30-year lifespan.“Our reaction was like, ‘OK, but we really can’t make just another bog-standard documentary’,” Molko said in discussion with 6 Music’s Matt Everitt following the premiere screening at Leicester Square’s Vue cinema.“’What are you going to do, Oscar? How are you going to subvert the form itself? How are you going to stop everybody from being bored? We can’t just have a series of talking heads here’.

Placebo frontman Brian Molko has been charged with defamation after he allegedly called Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a “facist” and “racist”.Videos posted of the incident in 2023 showed the frontman describing Meloni in Italian as “a piece of shit fascist, racist” and then saying “fuck you” during the band’s set in front of 10,000 fans at Sonic Park Festival in Turin in July 2023.At the time, prosecutors in Turin opened an investigation into the claims and filed a lawsuit against Molko for defamation.Now, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa, Italy’s justice ministry has given prosecutors the right to launch legal proceedings against Molko on charges of “contempt of the institutions”, an offence that carries a fine of between €1,000 (£830) and €5,000 (£4,150).During the Stupinigi Sonic Park, the Placebo lead singer Brian Molko calls PM Giorgia Meloni 'racist, fascist', concluding 'fuck you'.July 11, 2023 pic.twitter.com/eqmJLcH4Qp— Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics

Robbie Williams has opened up about the impact Placebo‘s ‘Nancy Boy’ had on him.The 1997 track was the fourth single from their self-titled debut album. Using a homophobic insult as its title, it explored fluid sexuality and drugs, something Williams has now said “embraced the confusion” for him.In a short clip taken from his appearance in the documentary film Placebo: This Search For Meaning, he reflected on the significance of the song.

Placebo have issued a statement aimed at their critics after the band were criticised for technical issues during their recent St Gallen festival performance – see what the band had to say below.On June 30, Placebo were booked to perform at the OpenAir St Gallen festival in Switzerland alongside the likes of the Chainsmokers and Queens Of The Stone Age. During their set, the band experienced a number of technical issues that forced the band to cut their set short, ending much earlier than expected.Since then, the band have been receiving criticism for the performance and fighting within the fanbase, prompting the band’s Brian Molko to issue a statement on social media. Molko began: “We have been noticing a great deal of discussion, arguments, accusations & skirmishes between our fans in relation to our truncated concert at St Gallen festival.

Placebo have announced details of their first-ever live album box set, ‘Placebo Live’.Announced today (November 21), the upcoming box set release marks the first time that the band have shared a live album during the entirety of their 25-year-long career.It also marks the first time that any live performances from the band have been made available on vinyl, and is comprised of performances captured during their shows in Mexico, Spain and London.The full live album included on the box set is titled ‘Collapse Into Never: Placebo Live In Europe 2023’, and was recorded live at the Low Festival in Spain earlier this year. It also comes as a clear double-vinyl gatefold.The two other live sets in the ‘Placebo Live’ box set include performances from the band’s show in Mexico City over the summer – called ‘This Is What You Wanted – and their sessions at the Studio One recording rooms in Twickenham.The latter comes under the title ‘Live From The White Room’ and is comprised of seven songs from the band’s 2022 album ‘Never Let Me Go’. It is also presented as a softpak gatefold CD, whereas the recording in Mexico is available in a Blu-Ray option.Elsewhere, the box set features songs from their eponymous debut ‘Placebo’, ‘Black Market Music’, ‘Sleeping With Ghosts’, ‘Battle For The Sun’, and ‘Loud Like Love’.It is set for release on December 15 via SO recordings and you can pre-order it here.

Placebo have played ‘Nancy Boy’ live for the first in six years at Download 2023. Watch clips of the performance below.‘Nancy Boy’ was noted as the band’s gender-bending breakthrough hit.

Placebo have announced details of a huge open-air gig in Margate for this summer – find details below and purchase tickets here.The gig comes as part of the Margate Summer Series and will take place at the Dreamland venue on June 9.Also playing the series are Bastille, UB40, Primal Scream and Happy Mondays among others between June and September.Placebo’s show comes as part of Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal’s recently rescheduled 2023 UK and Ireland tour, which came after the band were forced to postpone their remaining tour dates in December last year after frontman Molko lost his voice.The band had initially postponed a single show in Newcastle on December 2, sharing that Molko had ignored his doctor’s advice to “go home and shut up for a week” and that he risked permanently damaging his voice if the tour continued.The Margate show will fall between the tour opener in Newcastle (June 7) and their show at Birmingham’s O2 Academy (12).See the full list of dates below.JUNE 2023 7 – Newcastle, O2 City Hall 9 – Margate, Dreamland12 – Birmingham, O2 Academy15 – Cambridge, Corn Exchange24 – Glasgow, O2 Academy26 – Dublin, 3ArenaLast year, Placebo asked their fans to not film or take photos during the band’s live shows. “Dear Placebo fans, we would like to kindly ask you NOT to spend the concert filming or taking photos with your mobile phones,” they told fans.“It makes Placebo’s performance so much more difficult.

Placebo have shared a new cover of Tears For Fears’ ‘Shout’, giving the chart-topping track an industrial twist – scroll down the page to hear it now.The track follows the release of the band’s latest album ‘Never Let Me Go’, which arrived in March.On their version of ‘Shout’ Placebo add shadowy new layers to the original single, giving it a new industrial tinge without straying too far from the Bath band’s release.‘Shout’ was originally released in 1984 as the second single from Tears For Fears’ second album ‘Songs From The Big Chair’. It went on to become the band’s sixth Top 40 hit in the UK, peaking at Number Four, while it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US in 1985 nine months after it was first released.The song is the latest ‘80s song that Placebo have covered, following on from the likes of Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Jackie’, The Smiths’ ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’, Pixies’ ‘Where Is My Mind?’ and, infamously, Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’.The cover precedes the band’s upcoming UK and Ireland tour, which will kick off in Portsmouth on November 18 and run until December 8, when it concludes in Birmingham.

Placebo have postponed their show in Mexico City after the “visa and logistical issues” that forced the cancellation of the band’s North American tour dates had further impact.The London-formed rock band were due to play the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City this Monday (September 12) but earlier announced today (September 6) that the show will now no longer go ahead.It comes days after Placebo pulled their entire North American tour, explaining that they were “devastated” to do so, referencing “issues beyond our control”.They were due to launch the tour in Canada at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom on Sunday (September 4) before heading to the US. Fans were only notified about that cancellation two days in advance.“We are truly very sorry to announce that, despite our best efforts to resolve ongoing logistical issues which have largely caused the postponement of our North American tour, we sadly have no choice but to also move our Mexico City show….into 2023,” part of the band’s latest statement read.pic.twitter.com/VHk6WQ9xta— PLACEBO (@PLACEBOWORLD) September 6, 2022Fans’ tickets will remain valid for a rescheduled date – also for the North American shows – or can request a refund.

Placebo supported My Chemical Romance at their huge Milton Keynes show last night (May 19) – check out their setlist and footage from the gig below.On the first of three nights supporting the emo giants at the MK Dons Stadium, Placebo performed five tracks from their latest album, ‘Never Let Me Go’, alongside a few fan favourites.The band – who joined other support acts Lost Alone and Aviva – played ‘Kitty Litter’, taken from 2009’s ‘Battle For The Sun’; ‘Bionic’, from their self-titled 1996 debut, for the first time since 2014; and ‘One Of A Kind’, from 2006’s ‘Meds’, for the first time since 2015.Watch footage from the band’s Milton Keynes set below:You can see Placebo’s Milton Keynes setlist below:‘Forever Chemicals’‘Kitty Litter’ (first performance since 2012)‘Beautiful James’‘Bionic’ (first performance since 2014)‘Hugz’‘One Of A Kind’ (first performance since 2015)‘Surrounded By Spies’‘Try Better Next Time’‘For What It’s Worth’‘Slave To The Wage’‘Special K’‘The Bitter End’‘Infra-red’Placebo’s remaining dates with MCR will be tomorrow (May 21) and Sunday (22) at MK Dons Stadium, Milton Keynes.My Chemical Romance kicked off their hugely anticipated UK and Ireland comeback tour on Monday night (May 16) at the Eden Project in Cornwall, marking their first UK show in 11 years.In a five-star review of the show, NME‘s Ali Shutler said: “They’re now safely one of the biggest rock groups to emerge in the last 20 years but if the band are worried about their new found status, they don’t show it.“Tonight’s show is fearless, loose and raw. It genuinely feels like anything could happen, as My Chemical Romance channel punk rebellion and playful ambition.

My Chemical Romance‘s run of comeback shows in Milton Keynes next week have been announced.The returning band will play at Stadium MK on May 19, 21 and 22 after kicking off their UK and Ireland tour at the Eden Project in Cornwall on Monday (May 16).The set times for the Milton Keynes shows have now been confirmed, with MCR set to perform from 20:55-22:25 on all three dates. Chief support acts Placebo will play from 19:20-20:20 across the three gigs.May 19 will feature Witch Fever (17:30-17:55) and Lost Alone (18:20-18:50) as support, while the May 21 gig will see performances from Cassyette (17:30-17:55) and Barns Courtney (18:20-18:50).The final MK date on May 22 will see Charlotte Sands (17:30-17:55) and Starcrawler (18:20-18:50) provide support to Placebo and MCR.Any remaining tickets for MCR’s MK gigs, as well as their other UK and Ireland dates this month, remain on sale here.

Placebo have partnered with Reverb to sell guitars, amps and other music equipment used by the band across their career.Reverb, the online marketplace dedicated to buying and selling new, used and vintage musical instruments, will host a collection of the band’s gear which has been used on albums like ‘Without You I’m Nothing’, ‘Sleeping With Ghosts’ and ‘Meds’, as well as tours around the world.The official Placebo Reverb Shop is set to launch on April 27, with over 100 guitars, basses, effects pedals, amps and more up for sale. You can preview the shop here.Placebo bassist-guitarist Stefan Olsdal said of the sale: “Having spent years collecting some of the most interesting and creative music gear to use on studio recordings and live performances, we felt it was now time to let go and part ways with some of this gear we have amassed.“Knowing the Reverb shop has already been used by other established recording artists, we felt comfortable in the knowledge that the gear would be directed towards genuine collectors and enthusiasts.”The official Placebo @reverb shop is launching soon, featuring over 100 pieces of music gear used by the band throughout their career.

Placebo have opened up about how they “thought the band was over” after their previous “retrospective” tour.The band spoke to NME about how touring since their 2013 album release, ‘Loud Like Love’ left them creatively spent. The tours that followed the release of the album were slated to mark their 20th anniversary as a band and tour a second ‘best of’ collection.“We weren’t particularly comfortable with the prospect of doing a retrospective and retrospective tour,” Brian Molko told NME.

Placebo have announced that their upcoming intimate album release shows will be a “phone-free experience”.The gigs have been scheduled to celebrate the duo’s new LP ‘Never Let Me Go’, which is out this Friday (March 25). Placebo will play five shows, kicking off tonight (March 23) at Le Trianon in Paris – tickets are available here.Ahead of the first show, the band posted a statement on Twitter detailing their request for phones to be put away.“All the Placebo intimate album release shows will be a phone-free experience,” the statement reads.

Placebo have announced details of a series of intimate album release shows to celebrate their new LP ‘Never Let Me Go’ – you can find tickets here.The duo’s first studio album since 2013’s ‘Loud Like Love’ is set to arrive on March 25, and will include the previously released singles ‘Beautiful James’, ‘Surrounded By Spies’, ‘Try Better Next Time’ and ‘Happy Birthday In The Sky’.Placebo have now announced that they will play five shows in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels and London later this month in support of ‘Never Let Me Go’.The London date will take place at the end of the run at Islington Assembly Hall on March 31.PARIS – BERLIN – AMSTERDAM – BRUSSELS – LONDON – tickets now on sale for our intimate shows.

Placebo have shared the details behind their first North American tour in almost a decade.The string of dates will follow the release of the band’s eighth studio album ‘Never Let Me Go’ which is set for March 25. Tickets are on sale here.The tour kicks off in Vancouver in September, with stops in Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco before it ends in New York.

Placebo have shared an emotive new song, ‘Happy Birthday In The Sky’ – listen to it below.It’s the final single to be released from the band’s upcoming new album ‘Never Let Me Go’, which arrives on March 25. It follows on from previous singles ‘Beautiful James‘, ‘Surrounded By Spies‘ and ‘Try Better Next Time‘.Speaking about the new single, Brian Molko said: “’Happy Birthday In The Sky’, for me, is one of the more heartbreaking moments on the album.

Biffy Clyro and Placebo have announced that they’ve pulled out of Moscow’s Park Live 2022 in light of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.The annual festival – the purpose of which is to bring “pop-culture heroes of our time” to Russia – is due to take place at the Luzhniki Olympic Complex on June 16–19 and July 7–10/14-17.Biffy Clyro took to Instagram today (March 2) to announce that they will no longer be appearing at the festival.“Following the invasion of Ukraine, Biffy Clyro will no longer be appearing at Park Live festival in Moscow this Summer,” the band wrote, sharing an image of a Ukrainian flag. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all Ukrainian citizens and Russian people who desire peace.”A post shared by Biffy Clyro (@biffy_clyro)Placebo issued a statement on Twitter about their withdrawal.

Placebo have shared an official live video for the latest single ‘Try Better Next Time’ – check it out below.The duo – comprised of Brian Molko Stefan Olsdal – released the track earlier this month as the third preview of their forthcoming eighth album, ‘Never Let Me Go’, which arrives on March 22.Today (January 21) Placebo posted an Oscar Sansom-directed live performance of the song to their official YouTube channel.The clip sees Molko and Olsdal – augmented by their touring band members – performing among stacks of old-school television sets, which display the performance in grainy VHS-quality.In keeping with the aesthetic of the ‘Try Better Next Time’ artwork, Placebo are illuminated by flashing red lights as they play on a rectangular stage set up. You can watch the video here:The upcoming ‘Never Let Me Go’ will also feature the previous 2021 singles ‘Surround By Spies’ and ‘Beautiful James’, the latter of which marked the band’s first new material in five years.Placebo are due to showcase the record on a UK and Ireland headline tour in November/December.

Placebo have spoken about their upcoming eighth album ‘Never Let Me Go’ in a new interview, with vocalist Brian Molko hoping he’s been “courageous” with it.Placebo announced ‘Never Let Me Go’ earlier this month, with the followup to 2013’s ‘Loud Like Love’ being released March 25 2022.In a new interview with The Guardian, it’s revealed that ‘Never Let Me Go’ started life while the band were doing a 20th anniversary tour for their 1996 self-titled debut album.For Molko, that run felt like “an extremely commercial exercise.

Placebo have revealed the unusual writing process behind their upcoming new album, explaining how they chose to work “backwards” this time around to beat “boredom”.Last night (September 16) saw the band release their new single ‘Beautiful James’ – the first taster of their upcoming eighth album and long-awaited follow-up to 2013’s ‘Loud Like Love‘.Speaking to Matt Everitt on BBC 6 Music, frontman Brian Molko discussed the making of the album and explained how it was finished in early 2020 before the pandemic struck.“We were basically ready to go on tour: the album was already finished and we spent 2019 in our home studio working on it,” he said.